Dizzying, Dazzling, and Delightful Dubai

Upon approaching Dubai by air, you might be astounded to think that only several decades ago this spectacular city was a fishing and trading village amidst sprawling desert. You’ll spot the city’s soaring landmarks: the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa (pictured right); the world’s only 7-star hotel, the Burj Al Arab; and the twisting Cayan Tower (or “Infinity Tower”). You’ll also see the fascinating aerial image of manmade islands shaped like palm trees, known as The Palms archipelago (pictured in header). To be even more amazed by this “Eighth Wonder of the World,” learn how they were made before your visit.

Indeed, Dubai is a luxurious cosmopolitan oasis lined by the Persian Gulf and desert. Since Dubai started allowing foreign nationals to own property in 2001, this emirate has burgeoned into a powerful financial center on the global scale.

Commercial real estate development reigns supreme, and the more unique and extravagant the project, the better. After all, not only does Dubai boast a completely artificial ski slope inside the popular Dubai Mall (almost a small city unto itself); it also has given rise to the Atlantis resort, where you’ll discover The Lost Chambers Aquarium, a compelling display of both the mythical lost city and 65,000 species of sea life.

To make the most of either a quick visit or extended stay in Dubai, it is perhaps best to consider the following travel tips. Laws do change frequently and quickly, so consult travel advice sites and business-related tips before each visit. For example, drinking alcohol is relegated to private hotels out of respect for Muslim laws, and drinking and driving is a highly punishable crime. If you do plan to drink outside hotel bars in your private space, a liquor license is required. The bottom line: do your research and plan accordingly. On the upside, many hotels offer Friday champagne brunches to accommodate non-Muslim visitors!

Business Hours

Weekends in Dubai are Friday and Saturday, so the work week in general is Sunday through Thursday. Typical business hours are 8:00AM to 1:00PM and 4:00PM to 7:00PM; the break takes into consideration the oppressive afternoon temperature. Heat doesn’t stop “polo day” on Fridays, however. Add this popular ex-pat event to your travel itinerary! Learn more from the Dubai Polo Club and the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club.

Understanding UAE Culture

Your first stop? Plan a visit to the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding to gain a first-hand understanding of UAE culture, customs, and religion, as well as other cultures that define diverse Dubai. You can attend a cultural awareness program and/or meal. Heritage tours are available as well. Keep in mind that English is everywhere if you need help navigating both old-school and new-world Dubai.

Bur Dubai District

The Sheikh Mohammed Centre is located in the Bur Dubai district, so allot for extended time in this interesting historic area. The Al Bastakiya village there is well worth the visit. Built in the late 19^th century, it has maintained the original tone and architecture of its buildings, giving you a glimpse of pre-skyscraper Dubai.

There, you will find the Dubai Museum, which is located in the Al Fahidi Fort (late 1700s) itself, as well as other intriguing art galleries throughout the village. Look for the Fort’s wind towers, which are an early example of Dubai’s many engineering accomplishments. These towers provided a rudimentary form of air conditioning. Also in Bur Dubai, you’ll see the Grand Mosque. Note that non-Muslims cannot enter the mosque itself. Visitors can access the minaret, however, and photography is allowed. Note that a new-Dubai counterpoint to the Grand Mosque is the Jumeirah Mosque (pictured). The Centre can organize a tour of this Mosque for non-Muslims.

And shopping the Textile Souk in the Bur Dubai district is a must. You can find rich, handmade fabrics from around the world. Bartering is an expected and perfectly acceptable practice.

Now that you have your cultural bearings, consider the following ways to make the most of Dubai:

Golfing in Dubai

Heat, beautiful backdrops, and pristine golf courses go together well in Dubai. With designs by the likes of Greg Norman, Ernie Els, Nick Faldo, and Colin Montgomerie, to name a few, Dubai’s elite golf courses alone demand a luxury vacation to this UAE standout. Browse overviews of courses, with links to each one. For reviews, see Telegraph’s Best Golf Courses in Dubai and reviews of courses throughout UAE. The Emirates Golf Club hosts the Dubai Desert Classic.

Golf is one way to embrace the heat—to give in to it. If heat is a concern, though, consider visiting in November through March, when temperatures are a bit more moderate.

The Gold Souk

It’s always “hot” at the Gold Souk, though! Going to Dubai without shopping for gold is akin to going to France without experiencing a formal, seven-course French dinner. The Deira Gold Souk offers a dizzying array of gold for sale via your best haggling. Government oversight assures that your gold purchases from shopkeepers are genuine. Prepare with these buying tips from experienced travellers.

Dining in Dubai

Dining in Dubai is just as dazzling as sightseeing. Elite chefs have moved in, and visitors have taken note. Consult the following reviews before you make your reservation:

Spear’s “Best Restaurants in Dubai”

Elite Traveler, “13 Best Restaurants in Dubai”

CNN Travel, “7 Best Restaurants in Dubai”

And here’s a tip: the Burj Al Arab is open only to hotel guests. If you don’t want to stay at Burj Al Arab (pictured)  but would like to visit it nevertheless, you can gain access as a restaurant guest as well. Here is a list of its restaurants and bars; you can see menus and reserve a table at this site.

Ever-changing Dubai

Prepare to be dazzled by Dubai! You’ll want to visit as often as your schedule allows. Known for grand development projects on accelerated project timelines, Dubai promises to be a different, ever-growing city each time you return.

Additional information:

Dubai Department of Tourism “Definitely Dubai”

National Geographic, “Dubai Travel Basics”

Time: 10 Things to Do in Dubai

Photo Credit: Header photo from NASA Visible Earth. NASA image created by Jesse Allen, using data provided courtesy of NASA/GSFC/METI/ERSDAC/JAROS, and U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team. Taken February 2009.