DUBAI

PLACES

WHAT TO DO IN DUBAI

via: skyscanner.net

Dubai has the glitziest, the widest, the deepest… and BurjKhalifa - the world’s tallest building. Check out the exhibit on the building’s history, then take the fastest lift in the world. Hold on to your hat - it only takes a few seconds. It is not for the faint-hearted but is well worth it, as the views will blow your mind. If you are a passionate photographer, as I am, you can even take a tripod with you to shoot the views out towards the beach and over the city. Book tickets online in advance and go at sunset, which is my favourite time as you get to see both day and night from the top.

BURJ KHALIFA

After the world’s tallest

building, I love the contrast of a

simple abra ride on Dubai

Creek. The creek is one of

Dubai’s oldest and most

beautiful areas. For me,

nothing can match the sheer

joy of riding an abra across the

creek for just one dirham at

sunset, as the evening call to

prayer is singing out across the

mosque minarets. Close your

eyes and you could be back in

the 1960s when the city began.

You can even charter a private

abra for £10/hour.

DUBAI CREEK

A great place for breakfast or

lunch, with a twist! If you've

always wanted to know about

Islam but were too afraid to

ask, here’s your chance to get

the low-down. For example,

previously I wondered: why do

women wear an abaya? How

long can camels survive in the

desert? Why do Muslims face

a certain way to pray? All the

answers came from here, and

more specifically the centre’s

charismatic host, Nasif. Don’t

be surprised if you leave with a

whole new understanding and

appreciation of the Muslim

world.

THE SHEIKH MOHAMMED CENTRE

FOR CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING

Inspired by GQ, the leading men’s lifestyle magazine, GQ Bar offers much the same as its namesake; a sophisticated restaurant and lounge, combining stylish interiors, upbeat music and a delectable food menu with an elaborate cocktail list. The result, a unique venue offering discerning guests a place to meet and unwind.

Located in buzzing downtown Dubai, in the JW Marriott Marquis, the world’s tallest hotel, GQ Bar adds a new dimension to the Dubai dining and nightlife scene.

GQ BAR DUBAI

Dubai boasts some of the most beautiful, tranquil, clean, green parks anywhere. Pay a 5dhs fee to enter a place quite different to other cities’ public spaces - see Filipino, Pakistani, Indian, local (Emirati), Arabic, European, Asian couples and families having fun, where children and babies run free. Wallets and mobile phones are left on the grass while mums and dads play ball, or barbecue burgers. I head to the park to chill after a hard week or when I’m feeling stressed. Pack a picnic, leave your stresses behind you…. and enjoy.

DUBAI’S PUBLIC PARKS

The Burj calls itself ‘the world’s

only 7-star hotel’ and, whether

or not you agree, it certainly

one of the most iconic

buildings in Dubai.

BURJ AL ARAB

Want to visit the desert - and

hit the ski slopes too? Don't

miss Ski Dubai - a huge ski

slope situated in Mall of the

Emirates at the Marina end of

the city, close to Burj Al Arab.

It’s a bit of a shock to go from

the 50-degree desert heat to

below zero temperatures.

There are instructors on hand

to help, or you can just do your

own thing. There’s even a

café-bar halfway up the ski

slope in true mountain style, so

you can stop to relax and

watch the fun. You can hire all

equipment and clothing so you

don’t need to bring your skis.

SKI DUBAI - MALL OF

THE EMIRATES

Built in the last few years,

Dubai Marina throngs with

spectacular twisting

skyscrapers, while just next

door is Jumeirah Beach

Residence walk (or ‘JBR walk’

if you want to sound like a

local). The Marina and JBR is

a city within a city with amazing

architecture, pretty cafés and

bars - ideal for people-

watching, high-end hotels and

some of the best restaurants in

the city, including Frankie

Dettori’s Frankie's Italian Bar &

Grill and Gary Rhodes’

Twenty10.

JUMEIRAH BEACH RESIDENCE

WALK AND DUBAI MARINA

A desert safari is a chance to

get a flavour of the Bedouin

existence from years gone by.

Numerous companies offer

desert safaris but check them

out before booking (you can

also ask me via Tripbod.com).

Be sure to ask what time you

will finish and be dropped back

and whether they plan to stop

anywhere on the way, and

especially what extras you may

need to pay for and what kind

of food will be offered.

DESERT SAFARI

Saturday to Thursday 1pm and

1.30pm; 6- 11pm every 30

minutes

Friday 1.30pm and 2pm; 6-

11pm every 30 minutes

Spectacular and exciting and

free! If you've been to Vegas,

maybe you have seen the

Belaggio fountains already. But

trust me! Dubai does it taller,

bigger, louder and it’s just jaw-

dropping to watch these

fountains. Best to go at night to

see the light show too.

DUBAI FOUNTAINS

THANK YOU

HOPE YOU WILL ENJOY THIS TOUR