Experiencing Dubai

For people who are planning their next holiday and are looking for something a bit luxurious – a bit special – Dubai is often a popular option. It draws visitors in with the promise that they will experience a city like no other, and it doesn’t usually disappoint. Dubai is best known for being a bit over the top and ostentatious, but this is often seen as part of its charm.

The most obvious face that Dubai presents to its visitors is the glitzy, glamorous one. People who know very little about the city have still often heard of its infamous seven star hotel: the Burj Al Arab. With reception desks on every floor, rain showers and Jacuzzis in every suite, a Rolls-Royce fleet and butlers on call 24/7, the hotel may be showy but it’s certainly one of a kind. Dubai also invented a special “shopping festival”, the DSF, which lasts a month out of every year and was designed to draw in shoppers from around the world. Whether you’re a shopper or not there’s no denying that Dubai presents itself in a spectacular fashion – spend some time wandering around the city and you can’t fail to be impressed by the scale and grandeur of it all.

Camels in Dubai - photo credit: :: Suwaif ::

Whilst Dubai is known for its glamorous side, that’s certainly not all there is to the city. Visit the hidden gems of Dubai to experience a more laid-back, traditional slice of Emirati life. For example, if you tire of the hustle and bustle of the DSF, lose yourself instead in the Heritage Village, where you can witness local Emirati songs, dance and traditions. Equally, if you head down to the creek you can while away the hours watching the steady ebb and flow of traffic along the waterways. Other areas that offer a bit more traditional culture and atmosphere include the Bastakia area, Karama and Satwa.

Whichever side of Dubai captures your interest, there will always be plenty to see and do. You can grab good deals on flights to Dubai, from companies like Dialaflight, which will save you plenty of cash to spend on exploring and experiencing everything the city has to offer once you get there.