The emirate of Dubai has become widely known as one of the most popular destinations in the Middle East for Western visitors. As well as offering some of the most luxurious accommodation in the the world, it also has a more tolerant view of Western culture than some of the other countries in the region though you need to make sure to adhere to etiquette in Dubai to make your visit proper. There are plenty of things to do during a visit to Dubai, and here are just five of the experiences that can be enjoyed during your visit.
Photo by Milos Milosevic on Flickr
Take A Cruise On Dubai Creek
Running through the heart of Dubai City, the creek is one of the main reasons that a settlement originally developed in this part of the country. Now, it’s a great way to see the sights of Dubai. The perspective that you get from the water when looking at the massive buildings of the city is quite impressive, and this is particularly the case during the evening when the city lights up. You can choose from pre-arranged trips for a fixed price, or hire a boat driver for the trip if you want some privacy. Either way, a trip on Dubai Creek is a great introduction to the city.
Spend The Evening At Cirque Du Soir
The Cirque du Soir is an amazing experience that combines the musical aspects of a traditional nightclub with the impressive range of circus entertainment that has been developed to match this venue. Ranging from stunning feats of acrobatic skill and magic through to a range of strange performers including midgets and contortionists, this really is an experience that is different to anything else that you will experience in Dubai.
Take Tea At The Burj Al-Arab Hotel
The world’s most luxurious hotel rests on a private man made island near Jumeirah beach. And, while even the most basic rooms are very expensive, you can still visit for afternoon tea. The tea itself is very civilized and offers a good range of tasty food and drink, but it is for the spectacular views and the amazing surroundings that this really is a Dubai experience to savor.
Photo by Leonardo Aguiar on Flickr
Experience The 6D Cinema
The Six Dimensional Cinema is an experience that goes beyond the usual moving images, and even the three dimensional rounded pictures seen in many cinemas. This is a much more intimate experience, and one that you’ll probably find disconcerting to start off with, as your are strapped in to moving cinema seats, and the first gust of wind blows into your face as a dinosaur emerges from the screen. This is an immersive movie experience like no other, and is well worth the time to enjoy.
Go Dune Bashing In A 4×4
The vast desert around Dubai is one of the emirate’s most distinctive features, and there is so much of it that it can be easy to get lost in the featureless dunes if you aren’t careful. Therefore, it’s best for most people to take an organized trip, with those in an air conditioned 4×4 providing the best balance of comfort and thrills as you go racing up the sides of the sandy dunes, before flying over the top and hurtling down the other side, ready to do it all again!
Where to stay
I was in Dubai earlier this year to speak at the Arabian Travel Market about working with travel bloggers. While there, one of the places I stayed was the Holiday Inn Dubai Al Barsha. I needed a hotel where I could both relax and get some work done leading up to my ATM presentation, and this hotel was perfect for what I needed.
Photo from hotel website
Centrally located on Dubai‘s main thoroughfare, the Holiday Inn Dubai Al Barsha has a large atrium, a nice rooftop pool with views out over the city, and a variety of restaurants and bars to choose from. It’s also basically right next to the Mall of the Emirates, and within walking distance to the Ski Dubai Resort in case you want to experience snow in the UAE.
I took advantage of the free hotel wi-fi to finish up my ATM presentation, and spent the rest of my time relaxing and having a few drinks. With so many expensive hotels in Dubai, it’s nice to know that there are still some more reasonably-priced options like this, too.
Photo taken from hotel website
Have YOU been to Dubai? What else would you suggest doing there?
I love how you included afternoon tea. Having tea is a great way to experience an amazing hotel at a reasonable price even if you can’t afford to stay or eat a full meal. It’s one of my favorite frugal first class strategies.
So very British of you! 😉