Christmas Holiday in Dubai!
What is Dubai like
Dubai is one of the most luxurious cities I have ever visited. It is the largest city in the ‘United Arab Emirates’. You know how they say New York is the city that never sleeps, well.. Dubai really gives New York a run for its money. It has a vibrant nightlife and a place for everyone. The city’s architecture is influenced by an ultramodern feel. Looking at the place, it is hard to believe that such a metropolis was once a barren desert.
If you really want to have a good time in Dubai, it’s best that you travel there with a close group of friends or at least have a couple of them over there already, as most of the activities you find yourself doing will be enjoyed more as a group. This city does not fall short in its list of things to do. However, the luxury of Dubai does not come cheap. So, make sure you don’t travel with a light pocket.
Where to stay
Regardless of the duration of your intended stay, in my opinion the ideal location to set as your base would be central Dubai, as it is located in the heart of the city and is not too far from most attractions that you will find yourself visiting. My most common mode of transport was the regular taxi. Although it was a little bit expensive, it saved me a lot of time. And if you are lucky enough to be traveling with friends, the option of splitting the bill with them never hurts. Another alternative is traveling on the public transit which although cheaper than the taxis, will result in a much longer commute.
Personally, I had made two hotel reservations, one in the central Dubai location and the other at the Jumeirah Beach Residence which is located in the marina area. The reason for the two reservations being that I wanted to explore the areas within the vicinity of those two locations without wanting to spend too much on transportation.
One thing that I loved about my hotel at the Jumeirah Beach Residence, was that it was only a 5 mins walk to the beach, and on that walk, there was no shortage of cute roadside stores, restaurants and bars to explore along the way.
Some of the places I visited
- Dessert Safari
On this day… I had an amazing time on the safari tour. I didn’t have to stress too much as everything was included in the tour package I bought which cost about 150 EAD. What’s Included in the package: * Pick-up and drop off at your selected hotel.
- Transportation by 4WD air-conditioned Land Cruiser
- English-speaking licensed safari guide
- Red Dune bashing (30-45 minutes)
- Sand boarding in the desert
- Lugaymat (sweets), fresh Arabic coffee & Dates
- Henna painting (tattoo) with artist
- Traditional costumes, Falcon experience
- A short Camel ride (can be repeated)
- Shisha pipe (hubbly bubbly flavor) free in the Shisha Area only
- Tanoura and belly dance show
- Fire Shows
- Snacks and unlimited water & soft drinks
- Delicious open BBQ dinner buffet, (Veg/Non-Veg)
- Mineral water in the vehicle during dune bashing
2. Miracle Garden
Dubai Miracle Garden is a beautiful garden filled with an astounding 250 million plants!!! Apparently, the garden was launched on Valentines Day in 2013!! It is beautiful to visit anytime of the day, morning or at night. If you want to get a head start over everyone else and avoid a large crowd, I recommend trying to make it there early as possible.
My biggest struggle here was trying to get a spot for a picture with no one in the background lol. I paid about 52 EAD for the entry fee. One place I didn’t visit due to the lack of time was the Butterfly Garden. It is just right beside the Miracle Garden and therefore, I recommend you visit both of them on the same day if possible (Just start your day early). This would save you a lot of back and forth movement and give you more time to explore other places (Trust me, there is a lot to see).
3. The Dubai Frame & Dubai Wings aka Wings of Mexico
Night Life
Just as I mentioned earlier, Dubai has an amazing night life. The city is very safe, so you should be comfortable going out at night. Personally, I enjoyed spending my nights at either a nice restaurant or a fancy bar at night, anywhere that I could relax and enjoy a nice view. Although these restaurants were a bit pricey, I believe we got our money’s worth lol. If you love taking photos like me and my friends, you should definitely visit the Galliard. It has a spectacular view of Central Dubai and the theatrics they go through to serve you a drink is surely a treat.
Recommendations
- Plan your itinerary before you arrive.
- Start your day early!!!!! especially if you decide to take the public transit, if you feel the taxis are too expensive.
- Book your activities before you arrive to avoid waiting in queues.
- Do not travel alone!! Try going with your friends and you will have more fun.
- Take some extra cash, Dubai is crazy expensive.
- Book your flight tickets way ahead of time.
- Always be on your toes when making any purchases as you can be persuaded to be paying more for things than you should be.
- Stay in the central area for an easy commute.
- It is a very safe city. In fact, I think it is the safest place I have been, to so explore as much as you want.
- Try to visit Abu-Dhabi (I couldn’t so I am going back to the UAE).
Until Next Time… XoXo
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