Dubai
Dubai is part of the United Arab Emirates, and is known as an independent city state that is very modern. It was quickly rising as one of the top tourist locations in the world, until the economic crash limited the amount of holiday makers.
For the most part Dubai is a desert city, although due to the excellent planning and infrastructure of the city this fact is not immediately noticeable outside of the high temperatures that surround the area year round.
Dubai is known for its great party atmosphere, sunbathing, dining, shopping, and open air markets. Due to the fact that it is also one of the trade capitals of the world, and is the hub for all eastern trade there is a great deal of shopping opportunities for those who travel into the emirate.
Part of the reason for Dubai’s popularity among tourists outside of the fact that it is the most modern city in the world, is the fact that it is in a central location just five hours away from Europe, three hours from most areas in the Middle East, and about three hours from India.
Unlike Western cultures the weekend is considered to be Friday and Saturday, which means that the most activity in the city happens over this time period. Weekends used to be considered Thursday/Fridays, and in some smaller areas of Dubai you will see that the local business merchants still follow this schedule.
In order to travel to the United Arab Emirates in general, and thus Dubai, you must first obtain a visa.
Those who travel by plane will usually arrive at the Dubai International Airport, although you can also fly through the Sharjah International Airport, which is about half an hour away.
Once in Dubai the metro is the best way to travel with a day pass costing only DH14 and trains running every ten minutes from 6am to 11pm, except on Fridays when the services do not start running until 2pm. You can also travel using the Dubai Public transport system, this is the bus line which is cheaper but not always dependable. Taxis are also available throughout the city.
Visitors to Dubai will want to make sure to visit several of the top markets in Dubai for which the city is known, including the Al Ghubaiba and Gold Souq Market. Here you can find a variety of tourist items, such as leather, spices, and jewellery. Those looking for wider shopping opportunities and the cutting edge fashion designs that Dubai has to offer will want to make a stop at the Wafi city mall.
Those who want to see some of the historical sites of the town will want to stop by Dubai Museum which is made up of the al-Fahidi fort as well as various pieces of cultural significance. The Jumeirah Mosque also warrants a visit as it is one of the only mosques that allow non-Muslims to tour it.
