Mosques and souks of old town Dubai sit alongside the shiny new skyscrapers that reach into the clouds. Dubai is prosperous and cosmopolitan; a wealthy city that as sprung up, literally, in the past twenty years.
Futuristic architecture is incorporated in all new builds and is the main feature of this ancient city. Construction is a constant site, building activity is as active as a bee hive. A Waterfront project is creating 500 miles of new man-made land, which has surpassed some of the wonders of the world. These man-made islands add new realty space approximately seven times the size of Manhattan.
Dubai, is located on the south shore of the Arabian Gulf. It is one out of seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE). There are over one million people living in Dubai and the majority of the population, about 80%, is made up of expatriates whom come from South Asia. The Dubai Creek splits the city in two and the area around Dubai is still desert and is sparsely populated.
Oil, export and tourism is the major economy of Dubai, which have over-taken the more traditional livelihood of fishing, camel breeding and pearl diving.
Hotels in Dubai
It is extremely hot in Dubai, so the summer months are the best time to visit, but it would be the best time to find bargain rates for accommodations. The weather in the winter months is gorgeous. So, it's wise to make reservations well in advance to find the right accommodations. There is an extensive range of five star hotels and resorts in Dubai, which offers discounts to entice touristy during the summer months and during Ramadan.
Ramadan, if you're not a Muslim, is an unpopular time to visit, due to publicly eating or drinking is illegal. Other wise, Dubai is a very liberal, tolerant tourist destination and is a safe place to visit. Women, should be advised to dress appropriately when around the locals.
Shopping in Dubai
Dubai attracts tourists with their world class sports events, air shows and the best shopping while in air-conditioned malls. It truly is the shopping center of the world because they offer some of the best prices and bargains for items such as designer fashions, electronics and traditional crafts. The Dubai Shopping Festival and the Dubai Summer Surprises, held in the winter and summer respectively, are some of the most spectacular shopping experience unforgettable.
Night Life in Dubai
Dubai offers a vast array of world class entertainment that is all inclusive. Lively nightclubs abound and restaurants bring together a mixture of cultures, ranging from Asian, Arabic and European cuisine that offers something for everyone and for everyone’s budget.
The beach resorts, nestled among the traditional mosques and skyscrapers alone are worth making reservations. Even outside Dubai, visitors can find the most interesting things to do, from riding the dunes to going on a traditional camel treks. The shinning jewel in the Middle East, Dubai is beautiful, fabulous, extreme and an astounding place to visit. |
