Boom Town – Visit Dubai for Jaw Dropping Fun

Dubai is the Cinderella story for cities – the city that changed its fortunes, went from rags to riches, from a small town of fishermen and pearl divers to a dazzling city of hyper real estate and became a city of millionaires born of the construction boom. Dubai is also that magical place frequented by visitors from all over the world for its shopping festivals, glittering souks and specially constructed islands in the sea because it ran out of space for constructing skyscrapers and world class holiday resorts!

Although a relatively new entrant on the global tourism map, Dubai attracts visitors for its sheer jaw dropping modern architecture, its entertainment options and of course for the Dubai Shopping Festival. There are few things in Dubai that don’t make you wonder ‘how is it possible?’ Be it the $800 “Burj Dubai” – the tower slated to be the tallest in the world once it gets completed or the islands invented in the sun-kissed Gulf; Dubai is capable of astonishing you at the turn of every street. And this is what attracts most visitors to this gulf city.

Once a town of Bedouin traders, Dubai is now the city of ‘impossibles’ - There is an impossibly huge Riviera – the its three ‘offshore’ palms laden with numerous hotels and signature villas; plans are afoot for a Giorgio Armani Hotel and a Palazzo Versace; visitors in the next few years would encounter hubris in the form of an underwater hotel, a second ski resort with a revolving mountain and a Chess city with 32 tower blocks of 64 floors, each in the form of a chess piece! Visitors are waiting with bated breath for the Middle East’s answer to Disneyland – the Dubailand- that will be larger than Monaco. There would be few wish lists not aced by Dubai.

This is not a city that does things less than opulent and it is this magnitude that draws visitors to it. Of course, there are the mega scale markets, beautiful beaches, golf, historic sites, nightlife and all that tax-free shopping, too.

A rich legacy

Not much is known about the pre- Islamic history of Dubai but archeological finds reveal that humans have been settled in the area since at least 3000 BC. What makes Dubai’s history interesting is the fact that the very first settlers of the area were in some way associated to the mysterious Bronze Age Magan civilization which was one of the largest traders of Copper and had business ties with Babylonia and Mesopotamia and surrounding civilizations. The Magan traders dealt in copper from Oman and pearl from the rich Dubai Creek and were a rich and influential society. However, the Magan civilization disappeared mysteriously some time around 2000 BC leaving behind a legacy of smaller trading societies that finally culminated into the predecessors of what is known today as Dubai.

The city’s trading instincts were strong and well in place as late even in the 6th century as is evidenced by a recently excavated caravan station at Jumeirah, just south of Dubai. Islam came into the picture when around this same time, the Sassanids, a Persian dynasty who had inhabited the mouth of Dubai Creek since 224, were driven out by the Umayyads. With the rule of the Umayyads, Islam became the prominent religion of the region and a new era began.

The Umayyads were also excellent merchants and made good use of the city’s strategic trading location between the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean by trading pearls with civilizations as far away as China, all the while acting as Islamic evangelists. Trade flourished under the new rulers and the city became a trading power and a rich city. This soon caught the eye of the Portuguese who fought and won control of the city in the late 16th century, pushing the local populations out of the economic equation. The British wrestled with the Portuguese for control and gained control of the region's waterways in 1766. Dubai was caught between local power struggles and Europe's imperial dreams, but somehow turned this bad situation to its advantage, expanding its pearl trade through every channel.

In 1833, the neighboring tribal power, Bani Yas, invaded Dubai and gained control of the Bur Dubai area under the leadership of Maktoum bin Butti, founder of the Al-Maktoum dynasty that still rules the emirate today.

Sheikh Maktoum, a brilliant strategist took advantage of the fact that the region's two economic epicenters - Sharjah and Lingah were loosing their sheen to Dubai and in 1892 signed an exclusive business deal with the British. He also permitted a full tax exemption for foreign traders in 1894 and with these two events made Dubai a very attractive place to do business. Persian merchants were the first movers in this new free economy but the rest of the world wasn’t far behind and the seeds of the success story called Dubai were planted.

The sheikh was instrumental in building the foundations that would one day make Dubai one of the greatest trading powers in the world. His successor, the young Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed al-Maktoum pushed the city’s fortunes higher up by putting in place the re-export business. After Dubai Creek was dredged in 1963, allowing almost any boat safe harbor, gold smuggling became the flavor of the next few decades.

Dubai's lucky streak reached its peak when in 1966, oil was discovered and the economy kicked into overdrive. The British were on their way out and in 1971, Dubai became the seventh emirate of the newly formed UAE. Sheikh Rashid agreed to a formula that gave the emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai the most weight in the federation, and made sure that Dubai would continue its fast pace of development and its freedom.

Today Dubai is known as the city where no dream is unachievable; it is the epitome of the free – trade model and attracts thousands of visitors each year to its world-class tennis tournaments, boat and horse races, desert rallies, the Dubai Shopping Festival and Dubai Summer Surprises.

The Dubai Season

Dubai has of late become the raison d’être for the continent hoppers and the city tops just about luxury vacation list. That is why you would find tourists in the city during just about every season but we would recommend saving yourself the ‘hunt for the next air conditioned place’ by visiting the city between November and April when the weather gods are smiling their most benign smiles.

If you can abstain from most worldly pleasures, visit Dubai during Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting that is strictly adhered to throughout the UAE. The upside of getting near to 50% discounts on most hotel deals makes the heat and the abstinence both quite attractive.

Getting there & Around

The best way to get in to the city is by air and you can choose between the Dubai International Airport and the Sharjah International Airport. The Dubai International Airport is the largest air travel hub in the Middle East and home to Dubai’s flagship carrier Emirates as well as the famed El Dorado of duty free shopping. The airport connects with the city center through no-fuss taxis easily available outside the building. The Sharjah International airport is located in Sharjah, just half an hour away from Dubai and services Air Arabia. Very soon visitors would be able to use the Maktoum International airport in Dubai slated to be the world’s largest.

You can also drive in to Dubai via Oman – Dubai’s only international road border. Another way of getting in to the city is by boat or dhows, as they are better known. You could take a boat from Iran or from another location in the Indian Ocean; however, you would have to talk your way with the captain of the vessel.

The best way to get around the city is by taxi. If you are up to braving the city’s traffic, rent a car. Walking is not really an option as the weather is good but still too hot for walking.

Opulence Redefined

Dubai Hotels

As far as accommodation is concerned, Dubai offers the entire gamut of options to suit different budgets although the focus is more on the top end of the line. With most hotels focused in quality of service you can go from the ultra – luxurious Burj-al Arab or the Jumeirah Beach Hotel to the very affordable Gulf Pearl Hotel and still never get a chance to complain.

It is easy to find places to splurge some Dirhams and though the city mostly caters to the higher end, come summer you can get great hotel deals. However, the one hotel that must be mentioned and one that is meant only for those born with a silver spoon in their mouths is the Hotel Burj – al Arab – the, unofficially, anointed only 7-star hotel in the world ($1,968). The very picture of ultimate luxury it pushes the envelope like never before with its 1,053 feet tall design modeled on the sail of a dhow, constructed on an artificial island 280 meters out from Jumeirah Beach!

Another gem in the same set is the Madinat Jumeirah which is a different class altogether. This is an 867 – room resort which is unarguably the best place to stay in Dubai right now and includes the luxurious beachfront Dar Al Masyaf Villas, Mina A’ Salam and Al Qasr Hotels ($ 956). The Park Hyatt Dubai ($380) is the place to go to if the Jumeirah is not available, which it won’t be if you don’t book in advance. A premium branded property the Park Hyatt is close to the airport, designed in a radical Arabian – African theme and home to 8 Spa Rooms – what else is getting spoiled rotten?

Dubai throws so many fabulous and unbelievably fantastic options at you that it is hard to stay on the ground. One look at the Ritz-Carlton Dubai ($ 384) or the Emirates Towers Hotel ($550S) and you would get it. Other choices in this bracket are Le Royal Meridian beach Resort & Spa ($526), Grosvenor House Dubai ($ 447), Le Meridian Mina Seyahi ($ 530), Dubai Marine Beach Resort ($ 442), Sheraton Dubai Creek ($ 368) and JW Marriott Dubai ($333).

For mid range hotels your best bet is the Orient Guest House in the Bastakiya Heritage Area which would cost you $ 179 a night. Also check out Villa o8 which is owned by a pair of European expatriates and is located in the very exclusive Arabian Ranches, a gated community on the far southern edge of Dubai ($ 60). Another good place to stay comfortably and not burn a hole in your pocket is Villa 47 ($ 75).

Dubai is a city that usually doesn’t play much to the budget travelers but some good places still exist and for starters you could try the Al Bustan Center & Residence ($ 75), New Peninsula Hotel ($ 88) or Al Nakheel Hotel Apartments ($ 95). Other good choices include: Panorama Deira Hotel ($ 102) and the Broadway Hotel ($ 103).

Wait for a few years and you could stay at The Hydropolis – the world’s first underwater hotel! The price would of course be the total GDP figure of a small nation. Another future sleep over could be at the Burj Dubai Lake Hotel & Serviced Apartments at the soon to be completed Burj Dubai. Here you would be able to book a luxury room out of the 210 total available for a lavish fortune. All you have to do is wait!

A Taste of Dubai

Middle Eastern cuisine is a delectable, mouthwatering affair with scores of dishes that use everything from meat, poultry and fish to vegetables. Dubai, however, presents the regions cuisine as well as a selection of international cuisines to visitors in its own inimitable way – with grandeur writ large over it.

The prime example of this is The Aquarium in Dubai Creek which enthralls diners with a floor-to-ceiling aquarium stocked with hundreds of exotic fish. This one is a must- visit for its spectacular décor as well as its fabulous seafood.

Some of the best restaurants in the city lie on the long stretch of the Jumeirah beach road and here you can find everything from the region’s staple, Shawarmas, to the finest French cuisine. Some restaurants to choose from are Al Ilaza Café, Chalet, Sammach and Al Mahara. Also try La Parilla, Tang and Zheng He.

Indian food is easily available in Dubai and top of the heap is Asha’s in the Wafi City Mall. The restaurant excels at fusing Indian dishes with just about any other cuisine and the result is delectable. Another Indian restaurant to try is Options. The Deira region is a great place to go out for dinner though you should start early to escape the traffic congestion around the area.

Deira is home to Dubai’s most famous restaurant – Chef Gordon Ramsay (Hell’s Kitchen, anyone?) rules Verre with a tight fist and an innovative kick to all dishes. Casa Mia in the Le Meridian complex is the place to head to for the best Italian food in town and if you are in the mood for some French haute cuisine try Café Chic where Michelin star chef Philippe Gauvreau gives you the best French cuisine doused with imaginative twists.

Another Deira foodie indulgence is The China Club where you can get the most talked about Chinese food in Dubai, served in your own private dining room! In the same area, Miyako whips up superb, fresh sea food that you won’t forget in a long time and The Boardwalk serves great food from its wooden terrace with fascinating views of the creek.

In Deira, also try Ashiana- a good place for budget Indian food, Glasshouse for seafood and the Greek Taverna for the most saliva – inducing Greek food. If you are in the mood for saving some Dirhams go to the Noodle House and if you really want to splurge try reservations at Al Mahara – the signature restaurant of the Burj Al Arab. The Al Dawaar is a fab restaurant at the Hyatt Regency Hotel where the food rocks your world with its innovativeness.

The Unexpected Dubai Nightlife

When it comes to nightlife, Dubai surprises visitors with so many choices from European style bars and clubs to belly dancing nights, ladies nights, beach raves and partying that isn’t relegated to the weekends. Dubai is the city that has re-defined entertainment and one of the top places to shake some is the Juna Lounge at the Burj Al Arab. There is a bothersome dress code (shirts with collars!) but there are also the delicious cocktails and the premium Cuban Cigars! One of the oldest bars in the city is The Irish Village at the Dubai Tennis Club that has been the chief watering hole of the expat crowd but everyone is welcome.

Carter’s at the Wafi Center is the trendiest place for the twenty somethings as is the minimalist Ginseng in Wafi City. For a gritty experience try the Rock Bottom Café at the Regent Palace Hotel in Bur Dubai and hit the Madinat Jumeirah Complex for a bunch of even trendier bars. Two places to not miss here are the buzzing Left Bank and the upmarket Agency. The Buddha Bar at the Grosvenor House Hotel on the Dubai Marina is one of the newest hangouts in the city and serves some of the most sensational cocktails.

Not many clubs can be found in the city now though the scene was very different a few years ago. But for those with a nose for fun will eventually reach Oxygen at the Al Bustan Hotel and Tangerine at the Fairmont Dubai. Trilogy at Madinat Jumeirah is one of the hottest new places to shake a leg and Charlie’s Parrot at the Oasis Beach Hotel is one of the most unpretentious, fun places in town to let your hair down in.

The Spectacular Dubai

Let’s face it upfront – Dubai is not Rome and you are not likely to find old ruins of powerful cities here! But one look at the Burj Dubai and you are ready to forgive Dubai for its lack of a long history. The tower is currently the tallest structure in the world and still growing taller. No one is splitting the beans on the final height of the Burj Dubai but come November 2009, the promoters of the project will reveal all the meters that went into making the tower which will have its interiors designed by Giorgio Armani.

There is never a dull moment in Dubai and its list of attractions range from the usual monuments and museums to the purely spectacular and sensational works of art like the Palm Islands – the three largest artificial islands in the world also called the Palm Jumeirah.

Spend an afternoon gawking at all that glittering gold in one of Dubai’s many gold souks. And the souks (which mean ‘market’ in Arabic) sell not just gold but also spices, perfumes and textiles. The best part of souk hopping is that you can bargain!

One very popular attraction that you mustn’t miss here is a trip to the Bastakiya Quarter famed for its labyrinthine lanes, restored old homes which display the oldest air conditioners ever made in the world – the ancient wind towers. The Quarter gives you a sense of what life in Dubai was like before the insane construction spree started. Visit some of the mini- museums and the superb art galleries showcasing works of upcoming Arab artists. If you get tired with the entire walking, sip some coffee and watch the world go by at one of the quaint cafes that punctuate the area.

The Dubai Creek is the natural seawater inlet that smartly cuts the city into two and one of the most memorable experiences for a visitor in the city is to take an abra or a water taxi from one side to the other. You can see the dhows and the old trading port on your way as well as get a fabulous view of the imposing Dubai skyline. You can also take a cruise to the Al-Maktoum Bridge.

Another city attraction that would be hard to miss is the Grand Mosque which boasts of the city’s tallest minaret at 230 ft. The Grand Mosque is an important landmark of Dubai, a prominent place of worship and impresses with its size and architecture.

One experience not to miss in Dubai is a visit to the Wild Wadi – one of the most advanced theme parks ever designed. The park is spread over an area of 12 acres and is designed like an oasis with Arabian folklore themes. One visit to this adrenalin-boosting place will tell you why it is so famous.

The Jumeirah Mosque is the shutterbugs’ favorite place in Dubai because of its magnificent Islamic architecture, its majestic dome and twin minarets. It is also the city’s largest place of worship and unlike the Grand Mosque, open to even non-Muslim visitors.

Other Dubai attractions you shouldn’t miss are:

Dubai Museum which has an impressive display of military and cultural artifacts

Ski Dubai which is Middle east’s one and only indoor ski resort – a magnificent anomaly in the desert

Sheikh Saeed Al-Maktoum Museum which is one of the oldest royal residences in the country and displays historical photographs and artifacts

The Manic Shopper

Dubai is to shopping what Las Vegas is to gambling and razzmatazz is the common denominator. Nobody does the whole retail therapy thing better than Dubai with its famed Dubai Shopping Festival and all those glimmering Gold Souks. There is something worth buying wherever you look and Dubai tempts you with distractions right from Souks that sell everything from gold to spices to the Dubai International Airport where you could shop for the biggest brands till you nearly miss your flight!

However, the shopping mania peaks during the fabulous and innovative Dubai Shopping Festival that is an annual event now having started in 1996. During the festival nearly every shop in the city has a sale running and you can pick up some good bargains on different items. The best buys in Dubai are anything gold, electronics and Persian rugs. One excess that you must allow yourself while on your shopping spree here is the authentic Arabian Attars or perfumed oils which are available at the Perfume Souk. You can also invest in some original Arabian art by local artists, dates, Saddu – a traditional textile, and colorful woven baskets.

Dubai shopping is synonymous with its gold souk located at the mouth of the creek and has been in running for as long as the city has been in existence. The market dazzles with its offering of the yellow metal in designs that range from attractive to stupendous. You can bargain though mostly the jewelry is expensive. Even if you are not planning on buying gold here, do visit just to get mesmerized with all that gold displayed with little security! Also visit the Spice souk which is close by and is a great place to pick up exotic spices that would be hard to find elsewhere.

Dubai is home to a large number of shopping malls and one of the largest and most popular ones is the Bar Juman Center on the Trade Center Road. The place is filled with temptation in the form of exclusive boutiques and specialty stores that sell everything from branded clothing (think Christian Dior and Escada!) and leather goods to jewelry and perfumes. On the same lines is the Deira City Center on Beniyas Road and this is the place to go to for international retailers like Debenhams, JC Penny, Woolworths and Benetton. The City Center, as the name predicts lies in the heart of Dubai and is a great place to explore restaurants and clubs that are part of the city’s vibrant night scene.

The Festival Waterfront Center in the Dubai Festival City has everything you can hope for in a classy and luxurious shopping mall. A maddeningly huge, two-floor Marks & Spencer outlet, chic stores that will tempt you with Blancpain watches, eye catching apparel and everything in between and live music to accompany your Dirham Burning is what you should expect here.

Other malls that should be included in your mall-ratting are the magnificent Ibn – Batutta Mall, Lamcy Plaza, the grandiose, two-level Mall of the Emirates, Mercato Town Center and the Souk Madinat.

Dubai in a Blaze

Dubai is a city of many beauties and of opulence every where you look. Its old sections like the Bastakiya and the jazzy new Jumeirah beach both capture a visitor’s imagination and envy. There is so much to see and do in this city that one day would probably be far from enough. But if that is all you had you could make the most of it this way:

Head out to the exclusive Jumeirah Beach early morning to make the most of the first rays of the sun shining off the soft white powder sands. A dip in the turquoise Gulf is a great alternative to a shower in your hotel bathroom! You would find the beach dotted with scores of restaurants and cafes where you can sit out for a sumptuous breakfast and a distracting view of the glimmering Persian Gulf.

Now is the time you are going to be torn between choices. “Should I visit the Dubai Museum first or totally flip out at the Wild Wadi’s water slides?”! We recommend hitting the museum before taking the Wild Wadi by storm because once you get to this thrilling water park there would be way too many rides that you couldn’t miss and the Dubai Museum that holds a display of the fascinating history of the city would come, maybe never! If the museum is not your thing, spend the morning at the resort considered by most people to be the ultimate fun place in the world.

The Dubai Museum is housed in the Al-Fahidi Fort which is widely regarded as the oldest building in Dubai. The museum is a treasure trove of old maps of the Gulf and the Emirates, a collection of rare photographs documenting the rise of this futuristic city from a vast expanse of abandoned desert, a huge section devoted to musical instruments and another one for weaponry that can curdle your blood imagining what it could do! Keep about 2 hours for the museum before moving on to the wildly impossible but totally real Gold Souk. The cornea-searing historic market place has been around ever since the city was born and offers gold in every imaginable shape and size to hungry customers bargaining like there was no tomorrow.

Enjoy the spoils of the nearby Spice Souk and pick up not just exotic spices but lush and rich Persian Rugs before you head out for a light lunch at a café in the city’s tranquil Bastakiya Quarter. Get a good look at old restored houses with elaborate courtyards and wind towers before you begin your Mall Chase. There are more malls in the city than any other place in the world perhaps, but since we are blazing a trail here, focus on either the Ibn – Batutta Mall or Mall of the Emirates.

Pick up a coffee at one of the many cafes in the mall before plodding back to your hotel to stow away the spoils and getting ready to burn the night away at the Juna Lounge at the Burj Al Arab. Before you start out for the Juna stop over for dinner at the very Bollywood Asha’s for perfect Indian food or Verre for the most delectable world cuisine to choose from. Alternatively you could just slip in to the Juna Lounge for some cocktails before trailing your way up to the Al Mahara – Burj Al Arab’s signature restaurant. Sip on heady cocktails and enjoy a sheesha back at the lounge till the wee hours of the morning and it would be a day well spent.

The Un-Brochured Dubai

Everyone will tell you to buy rugs, gold and perfume in Dubai, but here is a little souvenir that can make the stiffest upper lip curl into a smile – the Dubai version of the Russian Matryoshka Dolls. The family includes Pop, Mom, the kids and a baby camel! Also, don’t stop at buying just gold and spices at the souks – get yourself some brilliant Arabian slippers – they make great gifts and are not available any where else.

Don’t have the moolah to do the Jumeirah exclusive clubs and beaches? Quit worrying because you can still enjoy the beauty of the brilliant blue Gulf without robbing a bank. Try the Beach Park at Jumeirah – a public park that costs just 5 Dirhams to enter and 0 Dirhams to hang out on the free sun-beds, the showers and the picnic spots

Dubai is better known as the city of manic construction boom and spectacular architecture. But theater? Not much till the day the Dinner Theatre at the Le Meridian Mina Seyahi began. Catch this must see show which comes in an intimate setting with a 5-course dinner that is mouth watering. Tickets are obviously hard to come by but you can try your luck at

www.timeouttickets.com

Dubai Tip Master

General

When addressing someone, especially in a business situation, prefix the person’s name with a polite ‘Sayed’ or ‘Sayeda’ for a lady

Dubai’s businesses run from Saturday to Thursday from 8 am to 1 pm and from 4 pm to 8 pm

Despite being an Islamic state, peoples’ attitudes are more relaxed when it comes to alcohol and smoking. However, alcohol is not available in most bars unless they are attached to a hotel and in most cases (especially in public places) for smoking it is best to follow the general consensus

During the month of Ramadan, it is illegal to smoke, eat or drink in public

Traffic laws are very efficiently enforced in the city and the administration follows a zero-tolerance policy towards drunk driving

Families

Dubai is the city to experience adventure at its best. Get in line and treat your family to a Desert Safari for a fun experience! Book one at www.arabian-adventures.com

Spend a day at the Al-Mamzar Park – a public beach side park situated on the Deira side of the Dubai creek and famous for its public facilities which include playgrounds for kids, barbecue sites, snack kiosks, and picnic family areas.

If you are traveling with family it would be hard to resist the charms of the Wild Wadi Water Park. Although a fun place for both kids and adults, you could try leaving the kids at the park and treating yourself to some world class Golf at the Dubai Creek Golf Club

Dubai is an expensive city and vacationing families may find budgets overshooting quickly. One way of keeping your spending in check without loosing the fun part of the vacation is giving the hotels a miss and renting a self service apartment. Try http://www.dubaivacationrentals.com for some choices.

Couples

Dubai is the ultimate place for great partying and wild nights and one thing you mustn’t miss here is a night out chasing music across the town. Do remember to follow the dress codes.

Take a Dhow Dinner Cruise where you can sample some of the best middle eastern cuisine with the magnificent Dubai skyline as the backdrop

For a very romantic vacation stay at the Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa and indulge your senses in the beauty of the desert

Talk across town

The talk across the town on this futuristic city is full of gems uncovered by the experts. Take a look:

The NY Times suggests staying at the Fairmont Dubai for a classic high street vacation

Lonely Planet suggests checking in to the nearest café for smoking the traditional Sheesha – an experience of a lifetime