A modern, metropolitan mass of sprawling lights combined with old traditions and set in a sandy desert, Dubai is an assault on the senses. Temperatures hurtle well into the 40°C’s during the summer months but settle in the slightly more sensible high 20°C’s during the winter months! Nicknamed the “Pearl of the Persian Gulf”, Dubai is the most popular of the 7 emirates which collaboratively form the UAE. A cosmopolitan city with residents from around the world, the city is a sea of flavours and cultures and oozing a contemporary vibe, a holiday in Dubai is sure to be exciting indeed. Here is a taste of just some of things to do in Dubai.
Desert safari
It can be hard to forget that the desert is so close but there are many fun adventures which lay in the sand. A desert safari is one of them! There are several tour companies who will bundle you off in a jeep to show you the different side of Dubai. Once you escape the city, you can cruise around the red and orange dunes in quad bikes, go dune surfing or enjoy a camel ride. As to be expected, it’s pretty touristy but still pretty fun and there are some great photo opportunities.
The Burj Khalifa
Like a giant shard of glass stabbed into the ground, your eyes are immediately drawn to the sleek and shiny Burj Khalifa which is unsurprising considering that it’s the tallest building in the world, and of course an amazing feat of architectural excellence. The view from the top is difficult to translate into words but having travelled to the observation deck on the 124th floor at a rate of 10 floors per second, you know it’s going to be special. Step out of the elevator and enjoy the boggling 360° views across Dubai, across the desert and out to sea.
Skiing
Yes you read that correctly; you can go skiing in a blisteringly hot city in the middle of the desert, and on real snow too. Who would have thought it? Granted it’s an indoor ski resort and the only one of the its kind in the Middle East, but it ticks all the boxes and is a welcome escape from the searing heat. With the temperature inside a shivering -4°c, the snow never melts and you will probably be surprised at quite how large it is. Naturally, the pistes aren’t going to match a real mountain, but with all equipment provided and a 2 hour session costing the equivalent of £30, there’s really no way you will find yourself disappointed. There’s also a penguin experience which costs extra but allows you to meet and play with some of the resident penguins!
Old Gold Souk
Forget the modern malls and architecture for a while and take a step back into traditional Dubai. There’s no better place than the Old Gold Souk – haggling is an essential game here and all part of the fun. Don’t worry, it’s pretty much expected, plus, you get the item for less than advertised so it’s definitely in your best interests. As the name would suggest, gold is the main item for sale and I’m willing to bet that you won’t ever have seen so much gold in one place!
Have you ever been to Dubai or know someone that has? Would you ever visit?
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