It is time for TWO !!

Yes, why not taking advantage of Dubai perfect geo-centrality and of course of its excellent airlines/airport connections and combine two visits in one ?

I have three or maybe four possible and equally fascinating alternatives for you :

 

Dubai & SychellesDubai and Seychelles

3-4 days in Dubai and 4-5 in Seychelles I believe is the most logical plan. With flights departing from Dubai Airport for Mahe/Victoria at night and arriving at destinations early morning in little more than 4 hours you can even save a lot of time. An ideal combination from my point of view as Dubai and the UAE in general are a place to be lived actively and where time should be spent visiting the thousands of attractions and not on the beach.   Few days of full immersion to see  the world biggest mosque, the largest shopping malls, the tallest tower, the only Ferrari World Park,  the incredible Atlantis, the breathtaking Burj Al Arab and of course to enjoy the best Arabian hospitality.

Total relaxation is next, in one of earth last paradises.  Mahe, Praslin, La Digue and even more secluded and totally isolated islands await you with their typical  African and creole atmosphere, their fantastic white sand beaches and crystalline clear waters. Four to five days are more than enough for some unforgettable boat excursions to Coco, La Digue and Curieuse, Cousine and Cousin islands. Have fun diving or snorkeling  in some of the best deep-waters anywhere. Not only will you swim with massive and gorgeous tropical fish, but you’ll also spot white tip reef sharks, gray stingrays, turtles and many more creatures.

Dubai & OmanDubai and Oman

What a fantastic way to continue a journey of discovery of the Arabian Peninsula. After the grandeur of Dubai with all its fascinating modern developments, the chance to visit The Sultanate of Oman, Middle East’s best kept secret and a country with an enormous wealth of natural attractions, fascinating culture and history dating back to as far as 13,000 B.C., stunning landscape and warm welcoming people.

Over 500 forts, castles and towers in diverse architectural styles, stunning deserts, wadis and underground caves, fascinating souks, wildlife, pristine waters and rocky mountains make of Oman the ideal destinations for the demanding cultural tourists as well as for the nature enthusiasts. The Omani people are renowned for their good manners, so wherever you chose to go, you will sense an air of hospitality and genuine friendliness.

 
Dubai & IndiaDubai and Golden Triangle India

India and the UAE enjoy a very strong bonding which is founded on millennia-old cultural, religious and economic intercourse between the two regions. People-to-people contacts and barter trade between the two regions existed for centuries.  For these reasons, I believe it is worth continuing a tour to India after visiting Dubai.

The Golden Triangle is probably India most visited area by tourists from all over the world. Delhi, Agra and Jaipur have some of the greatest representations of the influences India has seen from the ancient Mughal and Rajput empires to the British colonial legacy and the vibrant life of modern India : a magic combination of contrasting experiences and unforgettable visions of architectural creations, exquisite crafts and a wide range of fine, folk and performing arts.

In less than three hours flight from Dubai, you will embark in a journey that brings in much more than you could have imagined and offers you plenty more than just the Taj Mahal, making every moment worth the while, and every penny well spent.

 
Dubai & IranDubai and Iran

Travelers who have an appreciation of history, art and architecture will find Iran an amazing country where stunning architecture and hospitable people complement each other to create an exciting experience for tourists. Legendary treasures will unveil in front of your very eyes like Shiraz, Esfahan, Kashan, Yazd and why not even Tehran, the capital, which showcases how Iran has leaped from its ancient history, through its line of art galleries, coffee shops, restaurants and the merry mix of residents.

Majestic mosques, breathtaking monuments and mausoleums, magnificent ruins of ancient cities, but also a very generous and rich nature. Here you will experience different cultures and religions, with a hospitability you have never seen before.

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Summer in Dubai Travel Guide

Like some other places and cities in the world, also for Dubai summer is most probably the best time to visit and fully enjoy its many magical attractions.

Dubai beachBeach and Swimming. Despite the heat, Dubai and the rest of the UAE beach temperatures are often tempered a little by gentle coastal breezes. The water is quite warm but frankly I prefer this temperature to the cold one of the Ocean or even of the Mediterranean sea, let alone that of lakes, especially those in the mountain.

Public and private beaches especially at the early hours of the day (the best) are almost empty: perfect for totally undisturbed walking and swimming.

Golf. There are eight green 18 hole golf courses including 2 championship courses, and all of them offer 50% discount on the normal fee rates.  Starting at 8.00 in the morning or 4.00 in the afternoon and driving up and down with a very comfy buggy makes the heat very bearable. On top of that the unique scenarios of almost empty courses, no rush or pressure all of which leaves you plenty of time to concentrate on your shots and to admire the beauty of the golf courses and their surroundings.

Water ParkWater parks. Dubai and the other Emirates have many water theme parks with rides and games that can be enjoyable to kids and families. Wild Wadi, Aquaventure, Dream Land are some of the largest water parks in all the Midlle East, with state of the art technologies, safety features and facilities. Some of these parks like Wild Wadi and Aquaventure are directly connected to big Hotels which adds extra comfort in terms of logistics.

Dubai ShoppingShopping. Even in winter shopping in Dubai means air conditioned malls so no big difference in summer. Malls are open from 9.00 or 10.00 in the morning until 10pm or later and all as I said earlier have air-conditioning, which makes for a great escape from the summer heat. The retail mix is amazing with an unbeatable combination of local, regional, European, North and South American as well as Asian brands ! Summer sales and promotions are even more attractive than those in Europe with excellent opportunities for real bargains in all retail segments: fashion and cosmetics, home accessories and furniture, electronics and appliances and much more.

Dubai NightlifeNightlife. Like New York, Cairo, Los Angeles, Moscow, London, Dubai never stops, even in summer.  Shops, gas stations are open day and night all year long. Dubai International Airport busiest time is during night time because of the arrivals and departures to and from the more than 160 worldwide destinations to which it is connected. This incredibly cosmopolitan and vibrant city has plenty of coffee shops, sophisticated bars, international restaurants, relaxed pubs, discotheques and night clubs. Other entertainment options include also cinemas, dhow cruises, concerts and outdoor beach parties. Thursday and Saturday are the best nights for going out, while on Mondays, the majority of night centers are closed. Happy hours are common. Tuesdays and Sundays are “Ladies Night” at various places, with women receiving free drinks.

Ski DubaiSki Dubai. More action and entertainment available at other uniquely exciting places like Ski Dubai, the breathtaking indoor skiing complex, the Dubai Mall mega aquarium and its Atlantis Hotel version which includes also a full fledge dolphinarium with lost of shows and interacting sessions.

KidzaniaKidzania. Last but not least a truly unique and unforgettable experience for children (and their families too) aged 2 through 14. Built on a 5.000 square meters indoor area and themed as a child-sized replica of a real city, Kidzania features buildings, shops, theaters, police and fire brigades stations as well as vehicles and pedestrians moving along its streets. In this city, children work in branded activities from bottling local produced milk to working in a tooth paste sponsored dentist office or serving food at a famous restaurant chain and many more activities (more than 70). Children earn KidZos currency while performing the tasks, and the money is kept in the KidZania bank for them to spend at the gift shop and on non-free KidZania activities.


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Dubai Public Decency Laws

Dubai Sky View

Dubai is, by and large, an extremely liberal city, but it pays to bear in mind that you are visiting an Islamic country and there is an old saying, “When in Rome do as the Romans do”. This advice is well worth bearing in mind when you are on a holiday here, because there have been several high profile instances in the last few years of both residents and tourists getting into trouble with the authorities when their behavior has been deemed to be inappropriate.

Public decency laws are not new and have always existed in Dubai. Do not take these laws lightly because if someone takes offense to your behavior and reports it to the police there is likelihood that you will be arrested and put before the courts. It is not a defense on your behalf to claim ignorance.

Offensive hand signals and swearing in public are not tolerated in Dubai. Again there have been several reported instances where western ex-pats have been involved in driving incidents and have made a rude gesture to the driver who has reported them to the police. Irrespective of who was initially at fault there will be no defense if you are found to have made an obscene gesture or have sworn at the other person.


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Dubai: ‘the creative city’

Dubai The Creative City

Dubai: "The Creative City"

Over the last two decades, Dubai has established itself as an international hub of trade and tourism. The city has emerged into a cosmopolitan centre attracting people from around the world to live and work here creating a multicultural community with over 200 different nationalities coexisting harmoniously.

In recent years, the city has implemented ambitious infrastructure development plans that have transformed it into a modern metropolis known for its iconic buildings, mega shopping malls, innovative tourism facilities and excellent business environment.

But Dubai’s ambitions soar way beyond these architectural landmarks and commercial growth. The city is proud of its cosmopolitan society and its national heritage and has invested greatly in the development of culture and the arts. They may be less visible than the city’s iconic landmarks, but Dubai has made equally impressive strides on the cultural front and is now poised to becoming an arts and culture capital of the world

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History of Dubai

Some 800 members of the Bani Yas tribe, led by the Maktoum Family, settled at the mouth of the creek in 1833. The creek was a natural harbour and Dubai soon became a center for the fishing, pearling and sea trade.

By the turn of the 20th century Dubai was a successful port. The souk (Arabic for market) on the Deira side of the creek was the largest on the coast with 350 shops and a steady throng of visitors and businessmen. By the 1930s Dubai’s population was nearly 20,000, a quarter of whom were expatriates.

In the 1950s the creek began to silt, a result perhaps of the increasing number of ships that used it. The late Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, decided to have the waterway dredged. It was an ambitious, costly, and visionary project. The move resulted in increased volumes of cargo handling in Dubai. Ultimately it strengthened Dubai’s position as a major trading and re-export hub.

When oil was discovered in 1966, Sheikh Rashid utilized the oil revenues to spur infrastructure development in Dubai. Schools, hospitals, roads, a modern telecommunications network … the pace of development was frenetic. A new port and terminal building were built at Dubai International Airport. A runway extension that could accommodate any type of aircraft was implemented. The largest man-made harbor in the world was constructed at Jebel Ali, and a free zone was created around the port.

Dubai’s formula for development was becoming evident to everyone – visionary leadership, high-quality infrastructure, an expatriate-friendly environment, zero tax on personal and corporate income and low import duties. The result was that Dubai quickly became a business and tourism hub for a region that stretches from Egypt to the Indian sub-continent and from South Africa to what are now called the CIS countries.

Since the 1960s, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, then ruler of Abu Dhabi, and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum had dreamed of creating a federation of the Emirates in the region. Their dreams were realized in 1971 when Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah and (in 1972) Ras Al Khaimah, joined to create the United Arab Emirates.

Under the late Sheikh Zayed, the first President of UAE, the UAE has developed into one of the richest countries in the world with a per capita GDP in excess of US$17,000 per annum.

In the 1980s and early 1990s, Dubai took a strategic decision to emerge as a major international-quality tourism destination. Investments in tourism infrastructure have paid off handsomely over the years.

Dubai is now a city that boasts unmatchable hotels, remarkable architecture and world-class entertainment and sporting events. The beautiful Burj Al Arab hotel presiding over the coastline of Jumeira beach is the world’s only hotel with a seven star rating. The Emirates Towers are one of the many structures that remind us of the commercial confidence in a city that expands at a remarkable rate. Standing 350 meters high, the office tower is the tallest building in the Middle East and Europe.

Dubai also hosts major international sporting events. The Dubai Desert Classic is a major stop on the Professional Golf Association tour. The Dubai Open, an ATP tennis tournament, and the Dubai World Cup, the world’s richest horse race, draw thousands every year.

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