No need for a catchy subtitle to reel you in! Dubai has grown a great reputation of its own over the past few years as a top destination in the middle east along with its fellow Arab state, Abu Dhabi. Read on to see how I spent my 4 fun packed days in this desert city!
Day 1: I arrived in Dubai at 8:00 AM, and checked into my hotel which was centrally located off the main strip in Dubai and minutes from The Dubai Mall...(as of today, the world's largest mall).
I had a half-day tour scheduled for 2:00 PM that afternoon so I figured I'd burn some time by checking out this great mall myself. I have been to a lot of high-end malls in my day but by far this one surpasses them all. With well over 1000 stores, you will not find another mall with a collection of high-end fashion brands in one location. Brands such as Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Hermes, and the list goes on (some brands that I have never seen but only heard in rap songs mostly lol). Not only can you shop here, but The Dubai Mall has restaurants and attractions galore. Attractions such as the Aquarium, Ski Dubai, and also the world's tallest building that stands adjacent to the mall itself, The Burj Khalifa.
So after exploring the mall on my own, I went on to my scheduled 2:00 PM tour of Dubai. Described as "The Top 5 Attractions in Dubai"(in their opinion). This included The Palm Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab, Souk Madinat Jumeirah, The Dubai Fountain, and the aforementioned Burj Khalifa.
The Palm Jumeirah is an artificial archipelago in the United Arab Emirates, created using land reclamation which extends into the Persian Gulf. The tree-shaped Palm Jumeirah island is known for glitzy hotels, posh apartment towers, and upmarket global restaurants. One of the more renowned hotels at The Palm is the Atlantis.
The Burj Al Arab is the world's most luxurious hotel, with its shape which is designed to resemble the sail of a ship. There are rooms at this luxurious hotel that are known to cost up to $24,000 per night! There are cheaper alternatives to visiting this wonder. For a mere $200 you can book a reservation for tea and partake in the views.
Almost adjacent to The Burj is The Souk Madinat Jumeirah. It hosts an assortment of popular vendors along with restaurants, cafes, and lounges. It is also a great place to take pictures and collect souvenirs.
A visit to the world's tallest building The Burj Khalifa is an absolute must! In my opinion, the views are more enjoyable during the day from the 124th floor. You get there on a high-speed elevator accompanied by a mini-show/countdown of sorts that makes the ride even more spectacular.
The Dubai Fountain shows itself off every 30 mins starting at 7:00 PM and ending at 11:30 PM except on the weekends when the times are extended. The waterworks last about 3-5 minutes and you can enjoy an up-close view from the mezzanine or you can catch a birds-eye view from the terrace of the Armani restaurant or the Nike store in the Dubai Mall.
Day 2: On this day I started bright and early at 8:30 and caught a taxi which I was able to rent for 6 hours for a flat rate to take me anywhere I wanted. My first stop of the day was The Dubai Frame. Now, this in MY opinion is the highlight of Dubai and my trip! I am not sure why it is not highlighted more as a must-see or main attraction but I digress. I was the only person there when I arrived and I was able to take the elevator up to the top of the frame and have the whole floor to myself to take in the awesome panoramic views of the city. The Frame is positioned smack dab in the middle of Old Dubai and New Dubai. And from the top, you can see the stark contrast between the 2. Also, there is a see-thru walkway from one end of the frame to the other that you can dare yourself to walk on!
Me Walking the Glass Tight Rope!
Now once you have had your fill and you've conquered what I call the glass tightrope, you can make your way back down via elevator where you will be led into a room with panoramic screens and are then treated with a presentation of the history and future of Dubai. The presentation lasts for about 7 mins and then you are led to the gift shop where there is no shortage of memorabilia to remember your experience at The Dubai Frame.
Afterward, I had my driver take me into Old Dubai to check out the various street markets. There is a Spice Market, Gold Market, and Clothing Market. You are sure to walk away having purchased something of value to take back home.
Day 3: I originally planned a day trip to Abu Dhabi this particular day, but upon arrival in Dubai, I reached out to my tour guide to confirm my itinerary and was advised that I would need to have quarantined for 10 days to enter Abu Dhabi. So needless to say I had to cancel that plan and figure out how to fill this particular day. I ended up taking a helicopter tour of Dubai and also a boat tour. Both are great ways to see part of Dubai. Both tours focus mainly on the Burj Al Arab and circle around for you to get multiple views of this iconic hotel.
Helicopter Ride around The Palm
Day 4: On this day I scheduled a Safari Tour. I purposely saved this for my last day knowing I was going to be spending time literally in the desert sun and getting physical! This tour included riding Quad Bikes, Sand Boarding, and Riding a Camel! A must-do when visiting Dubai!
All in all, Dubai is in the top 3 destinations that I have visited in my many travels to date. Be sure to bring plenty of cash and sunscreen, and prepare for the time of your life!
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