Dubai is one of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Southwest Asia on the Persian Gulf, with the capital Abu Dhabi, and its territory is almost completely covered by deserts and also about 200 small coral islands.
The Imārat Dawlat al-al-'al-Arabīyah Muttaḥidah (to give the full arabic name) are a confederation of states and Dubai is one of these seven states which each possess considerable autonomy within the federation.
Whilst the culture of Dubai is rooted in Islamic tradition, Dubai is tolerant and welcoming to foreigners who do not practice the religion of Islam.
In Dubai women are always covered by the chador. With the difference that those that are rich; wear makeup, La Prairie, Prada shoes, Gucci pants and Louis Vuitton handbags, contrasting with the standard traditional wear of those who maybe less well off.
The currency is the dirham. In relation to the U.S. dollar, the price is fixed since 1980: Where 1.00 USD = 3.6725 DHS.
Advanced warning: Dubai is not for the short of cash. Glitzy, materialistic, well publicized and quite incredibly luxurious, this small corner of the Middle East is a real millionaires playground. From staying on your own corner of one of the famous man-made islands (or - if you're truly flush - buying a part of it), to indulging in one of the towering five-star hotels, there’s little here which doesn’t revolve around luxury and money, and both are required in lavish quantities.
There are only three seven-star hotels in the world, Dubai is home to one, Burj Al Arab Hotel. While the other two 7 star hotels are found in Abu Dhabi, Emirates Palace and Milan, Town House Galleria also known as the Seven Stars Galleria.
Even adventure here is tinged with a certain velvety side. If you want some thrills, you can either drift through a sharks pen on a rubber ring (safety note: they’ll be a sheet of glass between you), hire an off road vehicle and blaze your way through the dunes, race some camels through the sand, or tour the entire place in a personally chartered helicopter. Then there’s sand skiing, cruising, diving, hot air ballooning, skydiving, paragliding, paintballing and even ice-skating. And that really is just scratching the surface.
The rapidly developing desert city looks like something out of a computer game, surrounded by picturesque palms and soon to be home to both the tallest and most advanced buildings in the world. The commercial side is astounding too with designer names seemingly tucked around every corner, but look hard enough and you can still find the more traditional side of the Middle East tucked away amongst it all.
Head to the creek, for example, and you can spend hours watching wooden dhows float by, sipping on your mint tea, or smoking a flavored traditional sheesha. The mosques – especially the nighttime under lighting of the Grand Mosque – make for impressive sightseeing spots, while the narrow winding lanes of Bastakiya take you back into an old-school, market focused Dubai where wind towers were still employed to cool the houses before electricity came along. The Dubai Museum will give you plenty of insightful background, too.
This is certainly not a spot for the budget traveler: playground to the rich and famous, modern Dubai is about sumptuous, unmatchable luxury. If you’ve got the money to blow, though, it’s simply unmatchable.
Note: best time for a visit is between October and May
Deira district and Bur Dubai
The difference between the Deira district to Bur Dubai Bur Dubai is that there are already many great and new buildings and shopping malls. Deira, on the other hand as a much older heritage and has many narrow winding streets and many small traders, giving an appearance of disorganisation for tourists.
Jumeirah Mosque
Jumeirah Mosque is located on Jumeirah beach and Dubai is one of the most photographed sights, especially at night when it is lit.
Safari in the desert
Safari in the desert with camel ride - from 40 to 100 euros per person. Depending your preference you can choose to have an evening stroll and dinner whilst others may want to take a driving into the desert in a well equipped. jeep.
Burj Khalifa
Climb the tallest tower in the world!!. Burj in Arabic means tower. It is the holder of the enviable title of "tallest building in the world" according to the International Architectural Standards. It attained this record with its 828m high and 160 habitable floors, thus beating the Taipei 101 in Taiwan (508m) and the Petronas Twin Towers in Malaysia (452m) - towers that previously held the record. The question is for how long with the Burj keep it; with competing structures being built elsewhere vying for the title.
The gazebo is in walking 124-442 meters. The climb to the top became an indispensable program. The cost of the tour to the heavens costs 100 dirhams (about $ 27) only if the ticket is purchased in advance and scheduled. The good news is that the advance purchase can be made online through the website of the Burj Khalifa.
Bateaux Dubai
A good idea: You get this boat in Bur Dubai and go through the strait that separates Bur Dubai from Deira (neighborhood where are the Souks - Markets Spice and Gold). This tour also has to be booked well in advance.
Hotel Burj Al Arab
It was the first 7-star hotel in the world. It is 280m from Jumeirah beach, on an island built especially to be the building's foundation; connecting the mainland by a bridge. This hotel is famous for its luxurious facilities and its sumptuous architecture and innovative sailboat-shaped Burj Al Arab Hotel is the main tourist spot in Dubai. It is likely to be high on the ticklist of any person who visits Dubai to go the Burj al Arab and see it from inside. Note is only with a reservation at one of the seven restaurants and bars is that you can enter as a non-guest. No wandering in with your filthy sandals and a back-pack - sorry!
Atlantis hotel
It is on the mind-boggling Palm Jumeirah, the spectacular manmade. island. Each of the 1373/4 and 166 spacious suites at Atlantis Hotel was designed with subtle oceanic and Arabic influences, and offer wonderful views of the Arabian Gulf and the Palm Jumeirah itself.
If you are not staying at Atlantis, nothing prevents you to spend a day there enjoying the Aquaventure water park, the beach, and swim with the dolphins,
Survival kit for Tourists: water, hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. The camel is only for locals!
Never take a picture of any Arabic couples and never shoot a women when she is alone. Directly photographing people in Arab countries is considered extremely offensive.
Bikinis on the beaches are common, but it is not recommend for women to be alone or in groups to go public beaches, as the "beach pervs" will hover around women and take pictures all the time. In the hotels and beaches are fine.
*Important on visit to Burj Al Arab in the evening men should not wear jeans or shirt; there is a dress code for some of the restaurants. It is useful to arrive the first time (from the Airport) correctly dressed; this will help make the right impression.
Water & Hygiene Tap water in Dubai comes from desalination plants and although drinking does not taste nice. Most choose to buy bottled water, which costs Dhs1 to Dhs2 for a liter. But, be aware of fake bottled in some bars and restaurants.
Safety: Contrary to the impression that the Middle East is given in the western media, Dubai is currently one of the safest places in the world to visit. However, theft of luggage and wallets seems to be growing, then, as in any other country, be vigilant and do not take unnecessary belongings out with you.
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Graphic showing average weather in Dubai - United Arab Emirates in Celcius and Centimeters (Change to Farenheit and Inches)
Month | Temp °C | Rainfall Cm | Temp °F | Rainfall Inches |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jan | 18.2 | 76 | 64.8 | 29.9 |
Feb | 18.7 | 4.9 | 65.7 | 1.9 |
Mar | 21.6 | 1.2 | 70.9 | 0.5 |
Apr | 24.8 | 7.1 | 76.6 | 2.8 |
May | 28.5 | 0.1 | 83.3 | 0 |
Jun | 30.7 | 0.1 | 87.3 | 0 |
Jul | 33 | 0.4 | 91.4 | 0.2 |
Aug | 33.6 | 0.4 | 92.5 | 0.2 |
Sep | 31.2 | 0.4 | 88.2 | 0.2 |
Oct | 27.9 | 0.2 | 82.2 | 0.1 |
Nov | 24.1 | 1.3 | 75.4 | 0.5 |
Dec | 20.2 | 14.3 | 68.4 | 5.6 |
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