Dubai
The city of gold, AKA Dubai, is indeed an international country and one of the seven Emirates in UAE. Dubai is among the handful of countries in Asia that have evolved in line with western technology but retained their Eastern sensibility.
The people of Dubai have transformed the desert into a modern-day Oasis. It brags about some of the most breathtaking buildings and skyscrapers. The country is home to many famous luxury hotels, such as the Atlantis Palm, where guests can stay in an underwater room and enjoy an indoor theme park and a shopping mall.
And speaking of malls, Dubai is conceivably most famous for its annual shopping festival, which does not disappoint! The festival is held each year in January, also the most busy tourist time. The extensive and magnificent malls offer great discounts on every brand there is. The best part is the international brand launched their collections in Dubai simultaneously with their home country releases. So, you will have no problem keeping up with the latest style and trends.
And speaking of malls, Dubai is conceivably most famous for its annual shopping festival, which does not disappoint! The festival is held each year in January, also the most busy tourist time. The extensive and magnificent malls offer great discounts on every brand there is. The best part is the international brand launched their collections in Dubai simultaneously with their home country releases. So, you will have no problem keeping up with the latest style and trends.
But if you hate shopping or need a distraction, you can enjoy many indoor attractions such as giant aquariums, artificial snow areas, gaming areas, and museums, to name a few. The population of Dubai is very diverse and is strongly reflected in its culture, food, and daily things.
In addition to Dubai sightseeing, food, and shopping, you can enjoy many unique experiences in Dubai, like a thrilling desert safari that ends with a delicious meal followed by a scintillating belly dance performance right in the desert. One of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is luxury personified. The City of Gold is known for its amazing architecture, breathtaking landmarks, magnificent shopping festival (of course), and the warmth of its people. Nestled next to the Persian Gulf Coast and surrounded by the desert on the other side. Within the land and the sea lies some of the best-known attractions and places to see in Dubai; the buildings, the hotels, the malls, the festivals, and the parks.
Dubai has something for everybody. Love adventure? In Dubai with your family? The amusement and water parks, including the world's largest indoor theme park, IMG Worlds of Adventure, will keep you occupied. Hungry after a long day of exploring? You have some delectable options to choose from, including the lip-smacking falafel.
Famous Places to visit in Dubai
Burj Al-Arab
Dubai is a city of wonders, and one such is the sail-shaped Burj Al-Arab Jumeirah. The iconic structure is famous worldwide as one of the most opulent hotels you can stay at. Located on an artificial island linked to the mainland by a private bridge, the unique sail-shaped silhouette is more than just a hotel.
Not many know Burj Al-Arab retains the world's largest fleet of Rolls Royce. A regular sedan doesn't quite cut when you must be ferried to this modern-day palace.
Besides this, exquisite dining options, 24x7x365 butler service, 24 karat gold iPads, and a rooftop helipad round out the exercise in the glamour that is Burj Al-Arab. Staying at this luxury hotel or spending an evening here is a very pricey affair, but it is worth every dirham as the experience is unmatched.
The Burj Al-Arab experience starts strong with a chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce Phantom or a private helicopter ride.
Visitors arriving by helicopter can experience a 10-minute birdseye view of Dubai city that ends on the hotel's helipad on the 28th floor of Burj Al-Arab. From there, you can choose to dine at its sublime restaurants, swim in one of its many pools, or simply take in the views of Dubai.
Palm Islands
Often referred to as the 'eighth wonder of the world, Dubai's Palm Islands are the largest artificial islands and take their name from their artificially crafted palm tree shape. These offshore islands were created from reclaimed land and have since become a famous holiday destination, thanks to their originality and Dubai's fast-growing tourist trade.
Three islands in total make up Dubai Palm Islands - Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali, and Palm Deira. However, the only island open to tourists is Palm Jumeirah. Home to the popular tourist attraction and famous luxury hotel Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah also features residential properties, some of which are home to celebrities like David Beckham. It also includes commercial attractions such as Crescent, The Trunk, and 16 Fronds.
Dubai's Palm Islands are home to 5,000 waterfront apartments, 4,000 residential villas, 1,000 water homes, 60 luxury hotels, a number of marinas, health spas, shopping malls, restaurants, cinemas, sports facilities, and dive sites. However, despite their name and shape, there are no real palm trees on the Palm Islands. Another interesting fact worth noting is that as the world's largest artificial archipelago, they are visible from space.
Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum dreamed up Palm Islands to attract more interest to Dubai as its oil supply dwindled. The Sheik's vision has since been responsible for attracting tourists to Dubai's smaller coastline and desert climate, a feat that had previously proved difficult. The Palm Islands were completed in only four years, with each island using over 53 million pounds of sand and 12 million pounds of rock to be constructed.
Ski Dubai
Snow Park
Enjoy all things snow at the park – building a snowman or cuddling in a snow fight. Hike through the snow or coast downhill on a sled or sleigh ride. Visit the ice cave, and enjoy snow zorbing or mountain thriller rides, icy slides, climbing towers, and more. There is something for everyone.
Slopes
A thrilling experience, Ski Dubai has five slopes of varying difficulty, with the longest run being 400m and a fall of 60m. From the beginner's level to advanced, it caters to a novice and a pro. A quad lift brings the skiers up to the mountain. Hit the slopes and sail through the experience of skiing in a desert.
Snowboarding
Snowboarding is rapidly gaining popularity among all ages as the major winter sport. Ski Dubai offers the longest 400m run to surf as well as a freestyle zone that has jumps and rails that are changed regularly to add a new thrill every single time.
Ski School
You can get private or group lessons at Ski School to learn how to ski and snowboard. Whether a beginner or experienced one wants to polish your skill, they have world-class professional instructors to guide and teach you to hit the slopes for the ultimate ski experience.
Snow Bullet
Glide 16m high above the slopes and fly down 150m long first of its kind adrenalin pumping indoor sub-zero zip-line.
Penguins
The highlight of Ski Dubai is the resident Gentoo and King penguins that put up a great march in the penguin's show. You can swim and play with them in a once-in-a-lifetime chance every Wednesday or have an underwater viewing and personal relations with up to 14 penguins.
After an exciting day enjoying the activities, one can rest and warm up with a decadent cup of hot chocolate at the Avalanche café roosted on the ski slope that can be reached by hiking or taking a chairlift. A chairlift is an interesting option as it provides an unparalleled breathtaking view of Ski Dubai.
Burj Khalifa
In 2014, Burj Khalifa launched the 'At the Top Sky Experience' with two new observation decks on levels 125 and 148.
One level above At the Top, level 125 features an ample deck replete with Arabic decor and the latest attraction: Dubai – A Falcon's Eye View. It's an amazing experience offering the guest a stunning view of the city and prominent destinations from a unique viewpoint. Guests can also capture picturesque moments with special effects, such as the city of Dubai or the external façade of Burj Khalifa as the backdrop, using the green screen technology at the photo kiosks. These pictures can also be printed on a range of merchandise.
Soaring at 555m, one can experience an enthralling sky view below from the luxurious lounge and outdoor terrace at level 148.
A new exhibition at the ground level has dedicated groups offering guests behind-the-scenes insights on every aspect, from the interiors, architecture, landscape, and design narrated by people behind the historic build of Burj Khalifa.
Shopping in Dubai
Dubai has a great reputation as a shopper's paradise with its many lively souks and huge air-conditioned malls. There are several souks, each one specializing in a certain product type. Gold Souks, Textile Souks, and Spice Souks feature the highest grade gold and diamond jewelry, gorgeous fabric in various hues, and a wide range of aromatic herbs and spices.
While in Dubai, practice your bargaining skills, which are handy during shopping. Most of the shops in the malls take credit and debit cards; however, cash is needed at local souks. There are some newly created modern souks built in ancient Arabian style, namely:
Souk Al Bahar in Downtown Burj Khalifa.
Souk Madinat Jumeirah
Khan Murjan at Wafi
The shopping malls of Dubai are incomparable in their size, style, and facilities.
Best Malls in Dubai:
- Dubai Mall, the largest mall in the world, offers top brands of clothing, jewelry, and other products, an array of entertainment options like an aquarium where one can swim with sharks, an ice rink, and an amusement park with exciting rides.
- Mall of the Emirates is another major name in the list of malls, which features the largest indoor ski slope in the world. There are several options for souvenirs, including traditional jewelry, Oudh (a fragranced piece of wood burned to perfume clothes and homes), wood carving products, Persian carpets, traditional headscarves, and small boxes crafted from camel bone.
