Dubai

Not sure where to go for your next trip? Dubai is where you can ski, sunbathe at the beach and jump on a dune buggie for a desert safari all in one day! The second largest Emirate of seven in the United Arab Emirates located in the Persian Gulf, Dubai is the Las Vegas of the Middle East.

A relatively new tourist destination, Dubai has gained significant popularity among tourists in recent years. A desert city with superb infrastructure, liberal policies and excellent tourist amenities, this destination is just a short 5 hours from Europe and 3 hours from most parts of Asia. A perfect spot for shopping, partying, fine dining, sports and some (dare we say) sinful pleasures, Dubai is truly a city of all superlatives – fastest, biggest, tallest, largest and highest!

Dubai combines two cities, Dubai and Deira – both of which lie on opposite sides of water, and provide a paradise for sightseers. All those who visit will be amazed at the diversity of the architecture and the cultures that this destination encompasses – ranging from traditional Arab houses, to magnificent modern towers of steel and glass.

With a population of close to 1 million (only 19% of which are local Emirati), you can imagine the assortment of people currently occupying this great city. With 365 days of warm sunshine, Dubai is a destination that offers a sub-tropical climate most of the time – making it a perfect place to visit all year round. (Though summers can get quite humid, so we recommend visiting in the spring or fall.)

For those of you hungry for some celeb gossip – The Palm Islands (the world’s largest man-made islands which are being built on the coast of Dubai) are the future homes to celebrities like Tiger Woods and David Beckham, and sources say Rod Stewart has just recently purchased England, part of the World Island.

Folks planning to visit Dubai should keep a look out for future developments like Hydropolis, billed as “the underwater ultra luxury resort hotel” that will be structured in three elements: a land station, a connecting tunnel and a submarine complex. The world’s first, Hydropolis will be located on the Jumeirah coastline of Dubai, already home to the Buri al-Arab, the world’s first seven star hotel.

Things to do in Dubai

The fun never stops! There is so much to do in this small country that is big on entertainment. There are things for the whole family to do. Add this to plenty of sunshine, shipping and sports along with a healthy dose of history and culture, and you will never find time to be bored.

You won’t find the Tate or the Louve in Dubai, but there is a number of galleries that exhibit art and traditional Arabic artifacts. The Dubai International Art Centre is prominent in today’s thriving art scene. Ras-Al-Khaimah’s fine Art Association Centre is active in promoting young arts in the UAE. The XVA Gallery not only has some unusual architecture, they allow you go paint your own canvas, dine on traditional UAE food, chill out in rooftop rocking chairs as you gaze out over the tops of several mosques to the light of Bur Dubai.

Have you ever thought of watching camels race? This ancient sport has developed a large international following in recent years. There is a large ten kilometer track on Al Ain road, about 45 kms from Abu Dhabi city. There are also tracks in Al Ain, Dubai and Umm Al Quwain. Camel races are generally held on Fridays and on national holidays and they are an opportunity to see traditionally dressed people in harmony with their surroundings.

For the natural born explorer, Dubai offers trips into the desert. This is a great way to discover more about the Arabic culture. Desert Safaris last about a half a day, although some include an overnight stay in a Bedouin tent.

Dune-driving combines the thrill of a roller coaster ride with the freedom of being mobile on a shifting surface. Course in sand dune driving are available with four wheel drive vehciles available and expert instructions.