Being home to 195 nationalities, there is no dearth of festivities in Dubai throughout the year and Easter is one of the much celebrated Festivals. Easter which falls in the first week of April is a great time be outdoors as the weather is still cool and pleasant and supports outdoor activities including desert safaris, Dune bashing, Dhow Cruises, Camel racing, sky diving, surfing, hot air balloon rides and a whole lot more fun activities.

Dubai is blessed with an excellent beachfront and a beautiful weather through April, which makes nearly every single day ideal for a trip to the beach. Dubai’s beaches offer scuba diving, jet skiing, paragliding, snorkeling and fishing. Although many of Dubai’s beaches are reserved for guests of its sprawling hotels and resorts, anyone can enjoy these beautiful beaches free. The most popular free beaches being Jumeirah open beach and Mumzar beach which have showers, toilets and shelters—a good choice for families.

Most of the main beaches in Dubai run along Jumeira Road. The beaches in Dubai have soft white sand and year-round sunshine, and the waters are warm. Jet Skiis could be rented on either side of the Jumeira Beach Hotel. The Mumzar beach park, which has a very nominal entry fee is equipped with barbecue sites and playgrounds with showers and toilets.

Beach going and outdoor activities isn’t the only thing to do in Dubai during Easter! There are loads of amazing entertainment programs and events happening in Dubai during Easter, both indoors and outdoors.

April starts off with the Dubai Entertainment, Amusement and Leisure Expo (DEAL), a one day event exclusively for those in the Leisure and events industry on 1^st April 2012, followed by Middle East’s largest bridal and fashion exhibition – The Bride Show which is a 4 day event from the 4^th to the 7th April. On its 15^th edition this year, the Bride Show will feature more than 350 exhibitors and over 16,000 visitors.  This prestigious event is a unique and glamorous shopping experience with thousands of ideas for that perfect wedding day. This has attracted people not only from the region but from all parts of the globe.  This year, The Bride Show Dubai will feature more new and exciting products than ever before showcasing hundreds of trendy, contemporary and elegant dresses from well-established international design houses.

On 7^th April the the Dubai World Trade Centre will prepare to host the most fashionable event of the year – Dubai Fashion Week Fall/Winter.

The Dubai Fashion week is a fashion trade event aimed at bringing together major advocates of the fashion industry by providing them a single platform. DFW is overseen by fashion and industry experts comprising of an advisory board. The week enables local and regional designers and fashion houses to present their collection to global and regional buyers, media, fashion professionals and the general public.

Even as the fashionistas will be walking the ramp showcasing the finest in fashion, world famous band – The Eagles will be enthralling audiences as they appear in concert on April 12 at 7he Sevens Stadium in Dubai. This marks the first-ever Middle Eastern performance in the bands 40-year history. Eagle fans from across the globe are expected to be here in Dubai, to watch them live!.

On Friday 13^th April 2012, the Red Bull X fighters will strike again in Dubai. The extended World Tour 2012 will kick off in Dubai (UAE) on 13 April. Events in California (12 May/USA), Istanbul (16 June/TUR), Madrid (20 July/ESP) and Munich (11 August/GER) will follow, before the World Tour will stop in Australia for the 2nd down-under tour-final. Created back in 2001, the Red Bull X-Fighters event has grown to become the biggest and most respected freestyle motocross tour on the planet, featuring the world’s best riders throwing down mad tricks in stunning locations across the globe. The best FMX riders in the world are set to step it up once again and push the sport forward as they visit Dubai.

The Gulf Education & Training Exhibition (GETEX) – the region’s leading education & training Event will be held from Thursday 19^th April to Sunday 22^nd April 2012 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event focuses on bringing higher education options from around the world to students in the Middle East. This year GETEX will feature 5 distinct sections to the exhibition: General Education, Higher Education, Business Schools, Vocational Education and Professional Development. In addition to this, the teaching community will benefit from a conference called The Global Ed Tech Forum hosted by ISTE in association with GETEX. The event is expected to attract 500 of the best education providers from over 35 countries to exhibit at the event making it by far the region’s leading Education & Training Event.

Fans of cult entertainment & popular culture in the Middle East will have a reason to rejoice as Middle East Film and Comic Con (MEFCC) the first-of-its-kind popular culture festival will be held on 20^th and 21^st April 2012. The event gives fans an opportunity to meet acclaimed celebrities and artists. Visitors can also watch exclusive film previews, participate in exciting competitions and purchase limited edition collectibles. MEFCC also encourages the interaction of people who share common interests across the region.

April will draw to a close with the grand travel and tourism event the Arabian Travel Market 2012. Arabian Travel Market is the travel and tourism event unlocking business potential within the Middle East for inbound and outbound tourism professionals. Tourism destinations from the Middle East and around the world showcase a diverse range of accommodation options, breathtaking tourism attractions and new airline routes.

Besides all these fantabulous events, there are also exclusive Easter celebrations happening in different pockets of Dubai. Blessings Babies Eggs Fun at Al Areesh Club, Dubai Festival City, Easter Bunnies at Riot Studio at Hayya! Meadows, Ranches Easter Bazaar in the Grand Lobby, Arabian Ranches Golf Clubhouse, Easter with Zaytoun at the Zaytoun, Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City,  Easter Brunch at  Senses, Gold Swiss-Belhotel Dubai, Easter Buffet at Bastakiya Restaurant, Arabian Courtyard Hotel & Spa, Benjamin Bunny’s Easter Celebration at The Palace – The Old Town and Hamleys Chocolate Bunny Hunt at Hamleys, The Dubai Mall.

Dubai is one place where the fun just does not seem to end. It only gets better with every passing year. The 17th Edition of Dubai Shopping Festival which was held between 5th Jan to 5th Feb saw a huge turnout of tourists from across the globe. It seems that the figures are set to increase as 2012. This year is going to be a festive one for Dubai with activities planned till the year end.  Laila Suhail, CEO of the Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment, reveals that with more surprises and events planned through the year the excitement is here to stay. Global village Dubai’s most popular open-air cultural entertainment and shopping venue is open for tourists and residents to visit till the 3rd of March.

February proves to be a great month for tennis fans in Dubai and also for visitors. The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships 2012 will be held from 20th Feb to 3rd March at Aviation Club Dubai. This year the championship celebrates its 20th anniversary. Staged at the Dubai Tennis Stadium in Garhoud the tennis championship will have non stop events commencing with $2 million WTA event to the $2 million ATP tournament.  The Aviation Club, which has picturesque surroundings and the hugely popular Irish Village and Century Villages, will be a perfect venue for the prestigious event.  The Aviation club offers an extensive range of dining, recreational and entertainment facilities including multi gym and famous Akaru-Spa so visitors can not only enjoy the sport, but also relax and rejuvenate.

Backstage – Dubai’s community theatre group will be staging a drama – “The Mouse That Roared” from 1st to 3rd March 2012.  Directed by Philip Apaza it is a satirical look at 1960s cold war environment. The play offers a hilarious look at superpowers and the politics that surround them. The event is to be held at the Centrepoint Theatre, DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai.

On 2nd March, the worlds best polo teams will be battling it out to win the prestigious Dubai Polo Gold Cup. This 10 day event held under the Patronage of Dubai ruler His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is played at the stunning Dubai Polo Club It is a premier competition of the year and leading players from Argentina, England and the UAE are to take part.

The Emirates Airline International Festival of Literature – Middle East’s largest celebration of the written and spoken word, bringing people of all ages together will be held this year from 6th to 10th March at the InterContinental Hotel, Festival City.  Known famously as LitFest, the event is a great opportunity for UAE residents as well as tourists and visitors to meet renowned authors, writers, speakers and thinkers. It provides the chance to attend literary discussions, listen to readings, participate in workshops, and experience the exciting Fringe and children’s events.  The event which is in its fourth edition this year is a not-to-be-missed event.

The King of Romance – Engelbert Humperdinck one of the most celebrated artists in the history of romantic ballads, rock’n’roll and dance genres will be in Dubai on the 7th March.  He is going to be performing in UAE for the first time. Humperdinck’s world- known hit “Release Me” has enjoyed a tremendous success hitting the Top Ten in the Billboard Dance charts. The event will be held at the Joharah Ballroom, Souk Madinat Jumeirah.

There is a bigger treat awaiting music lovers and die-hard fans of Duran Duran. The highly successful British band Duran Duran famed for hit songs including “Hungry like the wolf”, “Save a prayer” and “A view to kill” will be performing live in Dubai on 8th March at the Seven’s, Dubai.

Commercial Vehicles Middle East Show a high level conference that discusses modernization, optimization and future plans for heavy and light ‎commercial vehicles will be held from 11th to 13th March at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre, Dubai.

On 13th March 2012, Public Relations professionals from around the globe will come together at the Grand Hyatt, Dubai to discuss the latest trends in the communications industry.  The Public Relations World Congress (PRWC) a biennial event that brings together global PR professionals to brainstorm on the latest trends and challenges in the communications industry will see the participation of over 500 delegates. The Congress will be held under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President & Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Taste of Dubai, the food lovers favorite food festival will be held from the 15th – 17th March 2012 at the Dubai Media City Amphitheater. This culinary fest will bring together the city’s highly acclaimed restaurants, prestigious celebrity chefs, premium beverage brands, gastronomic exhibitors and an incredible entertainment stage playing host to live international acts.

The sixth edition of Art Dubai, a leading contemporary art fair in the MENASA region, will be held from 21st to 24th March 2012. This year Art Dubai will feature 74 galleries from 31 countries, in addition to a new programme of artists’ and curators’ residencies, commissioned projects, performative tours, workshops, the unveiling of the works by Abraaj Capital Art Prize winners and the critically acclaimed Global Art Forum.

March ends with one of the most spectacular and world famous events ever– The Dubai World Cup known as the  world’s richest horse race.  The racing event which is to be held at the Meydan Racecourse on 31st March 2012 is expected to draw over 50,000 race lovers from across the globe. The Meydan Grandstand has the capacity to accommodate 60,000 spectators and features the world’s first five-star trackside hotel with unparalleled levels of luxury, comfort and technology. It is a premium racing destination and a pride of Dubai.

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

Dubai 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 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 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 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.

Beach 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 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.

Shopping. 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.

Nightlife. 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 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.

Kidzania. 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.

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.

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

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.