hotels4u dubai travel guide

7/28/2019 Hotels4u Dubai Travel Guide

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AT A GLANCE

Located in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is one of the most

popular destinations for a stylish holiday in the sun. The

weather here is almost always guaranteed to be beautiful, while

theres plenty to do to keep you busy from hot air balloon rides

over the desert to admiring a range of incredible architecture

and spectacular skyscrapers.

WHEN TO GO

The climate in Dubai is hot and sunny but the best time to visit is between December and March.

The weather is at its most comfortable during this period, as average temperatures are around 24C

during the day so youll still be able to relax in the sun without sweltering too much.

Weather

Spring: Late spring is very hot with temperatures averagingaround 30C, so visit in March and April for a more relaxing

experience

Summer: An incredibly hot and humid time to visit astemperatures between June and September can reach over45C

Autumn: Temperatures are still high at the beginning ofautumn, but it gets cooler the closer you are to Christmas

Winter: Although temperatures are at their lowest betweenDecember and March, this is the most comfortable time to visit, however you may see a drop of

rain

Image: Jumeirah Beach by Christine McIntosh

THINGS TO DO

There are not many places better than Dubai for relaxing on

picturesque beaches in stunning surroundings. However, anyone

looking to get out and about for the day or see some of the main

sights in the city will have plenty to choose from, whether

travelling with the family or as a couple.

Attractions

Wild Wadi Water Park: This outdoor water park is home to an array of slides and flumes, as well as

two artificial surfing machines and a wave pool.
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Dubai Creek: A traditional part of the city, lined by impressive

buildings. Visitors can climb aboard a boat from here to see the

city from a different perspective.

Dubai World Trade Centre: A business complex in the city with

exhibition halls, residential apartments and the DubaiInternational Convention Centre.

Burj Khalifa: Located in downtown Dubai, this is the worlds

tallest manmade structure, standing at 829.8 metres tall.

Dubai Museum: This museum stands in the oldest existing building in Dubai, and is home to a

number of galleries depicting traditional Arab houses, souks, mosques and more.

Atlantis The Palm: Something for the whole family - youll be able to visit the waterpark, swim with

dolphins, go scuba diving and see a variety of marine life.

Jumeirah Mosque: The only mosque in Dubai thats open to the

public. Youll be able to learn about the religion and culture at

this much-photographed landmark. Visit at night to see it lit up.

Dubai Fountain: The largest dancing fountain in the world, 270

metres in length and with a jet that shoots water up to 150

metres. Watch the show there every evening from 6pm.

Dubai Zoo: The oldest zoo in the Arabian Peninsula was

originally built in 1967. Around 230 animal species are housed here including giraffes, chimpanzees,

lions and parrots.

Nightlife

Nightlife in Dubai is centred on the many hotels in the city. There is no nightlife around the city as

such, because drinking alcohol in pubs is prohibited, but many hotels offer a great choice of

nightclubs, bars and restaurants.

Irish Village: A large Irish-style pub and one of the few places where alcohol can be drunk without

going to a hotel

Century Village: A small courtyard with an array of bars and restaurants

Atlantis: A lively disco that gets busy around midnight and has an impressive modern dcor

Kasbaa: A nightclub built over three levels with an Arabic theme, located in the Royal Mirage Hotel

Buddha Bar: This bar/restaurant located in Dubai Marina is home to a resident DJ every weekend,

and is a mixture of textures and colours

Sho Cho: This Japanese style bar has an ultra-modern theme with an outside terrace that overlooks

the sea

The Hard Rock Caf: A famous venue in the Festival Centre that has a stage for live music, an

outdoor terrace, separate lounge and VIP room
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Activities in Dubai:

To make your holiday in Dubai as exciting as possible, there are a number of activities to keep you

busy. Whether you want some adrenaline-filled fun or to take part in a more relaxing pastime, Dubai

has it all.

Dune Bashing: This is not for the faint-hearted! Take a bumpy

ride along the dunes in Dubai for a sandy adventure, an expert

driver will ensure you have the best experience possible.

Champagne Brunch: The perfect way to end your week. Held

every Friday between 12pm and 3pm, many hotels and

restaurants offer tasty seafood and champagne.

Skiing: It may not be the first thing that springs to mind when you

think of Dubai, but you can actually ski on real snow here! SkiDubai is located at the Mall of Emirates, and is home to one of

the largest indoor ski slopes in the world.

Hot Air Ballooning: Glide effortlessly over the desert for one of

the most romantic activities on offer in Dubai. Youll be able to

see the magnificent sand dunes, emerald green oases and maybe

even a camel or two.

Swim with Dolphins: Head to the crystal clear waters in Dolphin Bay for an unforgettable dolphin

encounter.

Images: Wild Wadi Water Park by Jason Bagley / Burj Khalifa by PlannedCity / Jumeirah Mosque by Paul Hart / Dune Bashing by Britrob /

Ski Dubai by Jon Rawlinson

SHOPPING

Any shopping enthusiast is in for a real treat in Dubai. The

impressive buildings are home to famous designer fashion

brands, jewellery, gadgets and much more. There are even

shopping festivals that take place throughout the year such as

the Dubai Summer Surprises and the Dubai Shopping Festival.

Away from the main shopping malls, youll be able to pick up a

bargain at one of the famous souks in the city.

Shopping Malls:

The Dubai Mall: A great place to spend a day with around 1,200 retail outlets, and over 160 food

outlets to choose from.

Mall of the Emirates: This shopping resort opened in 2005. After perusing the hundreds of shops,

youll be able to head to the family entertainment centre, Magic Planet or catch a movie at the

multiplex cinema.
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BurJuman Centre: This is the place to be for high end fashion in Dubai with luxury brands such as

Cartier and Louis Vuitton. Restaurants and cafs can also be found here, as well as a childrens play

area.

Deira City Centre: Over 350 stores can be found selling everything from clothes to electronics and

books. There are also facilities for kids and plenty of restaurants.

Wafi Mall: As well as the excellent shopping facilities, there is also an extensive collection of artwork

scattered around here. The mall has an Egyptian theme, and there is even a spa for stressed out

shoppers.

Markets:

Gold Souk: It was the Gold Souk that gave Dubai the name ofthe City of Gold. Located in Deira, the

souk is one of the worlds largest jewellery outlets with over 300 retailers making it a great place to

pick up some quality metal at bargain prices.

Spice Souk:Even if youre not looking to buy, experiencing the aroma of traditional Arabic spices and

vibrant colours is not to be missed. Spices are brought here from across the world.

Textile Souk: A kaleidoscope of colour can be enjoyed here with an array of Middle Eastern silks and

fabrics hanging in almost every possible space. Many of the fabrics are local specialities and cant be

found anywhere else in the world.

Image: Mall of the Emirates by Christian van Elven

FOOD & DRINK

The multi-cultural nature of Dubai means the restaurant

scene here is incredibly varied and caters for all tastes. Many

top class restaurants are located in the five star hotels in the

city with international and Middle Eastern specialities all

available. Arabian food in Dubai incorporates influences from

Egypt, Lebanon and Yemen with lamb and poultry being the

most popular meats, as well as a variety of spices, vegetables

and rice. One must eat dish is the shawarma - meat cooked

on a skewer and put into a pitta bread with vegetables and

dressing.

Popular Dubai Hotspots:

Fazaris: A fantastic option for brunch. The huge tables here are great for socialising with meat,

seafood and pasta dishes.

Al Iwan: An excellent choice for anyone in search of traditional international and Arabic food. The

cuisine here is incredibly flavoursome with Moroccan lamb and baba ghanoush being two of the

most popular dishes.

Spectrum On One: Whether sitting down at a table for brunch or dinner, youll be able to choose

from succulent steaks and cuisine from all across the world.
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Kan Zaman Restaurant: Offers both a romantic and atmospheric setting, overlooking the river with

al fresco tables. Diners will be able to sample both international and traditional Arabic fare.

Celebrities: This stylish Arabic restaurant provides fantastic views over the city and serves a variety

of tasty meat and seafood dishes.

Image: Spices in Dubai by Christine Olson

CULTURE & ETIQUETTE

The culture in Dubai is very much determined by religion. As its a Muslim city, there are certain

things you should take into account when planning what to wear and how to behave. During

Ramadan in Dubai, visitors should not eat or drink in public during daylight hours. Moderate dress is

required in public places and religious buildings, and it is normal to cover the shoulders, arms and

legs. Women should also wear a headscarf when visiting a mosque.

Useful Phrases

Hello! Welcome! - Ahlan! (or) Marhaban Do you speak English? - Hal tatakallamo alloghah al enjleziah? How much is this? - Kam howa thamanoh?

Dos and Donts

DO not beckon or point with your finger as this is considered rude; the whole hand shouldbe used instead.

DONT show public displays of affection. Holding hands is fine but kissing and hugging couldget you into trouble - save it for your hotel room!

DONT get drunk in public as this can result in a fine or arrest. DO feel free to wear swimming costumes and beachwear around your hotel swimming pool

or on the beach, but remember to cover up again elsewhere.

DONT swear or make rude gestures. DO remember to eat and drink with the right hand. DONT take photos of the locals without first asking for permission, as it can lead to fines or

even arrest.

Tipping

Just like in the UK, its customary in Dubai to tip when you receive good service. An optional service

charge of around 10% is often added to the bill in restaurants, so make sure you check this beforeleaving a tip. Its common to round up a taxi fare to the nearest note, while hotel porters, valet

parking assistants and supermarket bag packers should be tipped up to AED 5.


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TRANSPORT

The transport links in Dubai are great if you want to see more of the city. In fact, theyre probably

the best facilities in the whole of the Middle East with a state-of-the-art metro system, as well as

plenty of buses and taxis.

Getting Around

Taxi: The most common way of getting around the city isby taxi, which can either be metred (cream coloured) or

non-metred. Taxis are also available to take visitors to and

from the airport to their hotels.

Metro: A quick and easy way to travel around Dubai.There are currently around 50 stations with tracks that

cover over 75 kilometres.

Bus: A reliable bus service runs throughout the city. Airport:Dubai International Airportis the main airport inthe city.

Fare Information

Taxi: Metred taxis are charged per kilometre after an initial pickup fee. Metro: The cost of a journey depends on how many zones you travel through, and range from

AED 1.8 for a short trip of less than 3km to AED 5.80. Buying aNol Cardfrom ticket offices or

machines is the easiest way to travel.

Image: Dubai Metro by KINKISHARYO

HEALTH & SAFETY

Emergency Numbers: Police or Ambulance: 999

Fire: 997

Non Emergencies: 901

British Embassy -UK in the United Arab Emirates
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