My aim is to try and help dissolve the myth that the Middle East is somehow unstable and really sell it to you as a perfect holiday destination for a wide range of holidaymakers.
Unless you've read a lot about the destination beforehand, you might think Dubai is a slightly strange choice of destination for a luxury holiday.
Of course, Dubai holidays are already popular place owing in no small part to the vast plethora of top class hotels and world class attractions like the Burj Khalifa, Aquaventure, Ski Dubai and array of championship golf courses, beaches and all the top brand shops and luxury air conditioned malls you could shake a stick at.
The thought that the Middle East is unstable, dangerous or even confrontational may be true of some countries, but this notion is not applicable to Dubai or any of the UAE. Not in my opinion, not from my experience. The people are friendly and hospitable and politically they tend to sit on fairly middle ground. That makes for a nice environment where you can feel confident and safe.
The weather is hot. There is no getting away from that. We're talking 40 degrees plus in the summer months and well above 30 degrees for most of the year. This hot climate will suit some but not others, and doesn't always lend itself amazingly well to action packed days – as you'll quickly tire in the weather if you are anything like me! That said, for sun worshippers and reliable sunshine whilst abroad, you will struggle to find anywhere to touch Dubai.
If you happen to be a family of four with two children then you've come to the right place. Two of the world's best water parks can be found here, namely Aquaventure at Atlantis the Palm and Wild Wadi Waterpark – both of them open to the public and located at the Palm and Jumeirah Beach respectively. Your young ones will spend hours of fun here whilst you either join in (some of the water rapids are very adult orientated and not for the faint hearted) or lie back on your sun lounger (depending on how young your little ones are of course!)
The lure is massive for couples without children too. Excursions are wide and varied, including 4x4 dune bashing in the desert, shopping in the traditional souks for bargain gifts or treading the marble floors of malls featuring Gucci, Prada et al. You can enjoy the brilliant Ski Dubai or take a trip to the summit of the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa and look down on massive sky scrapers. You could even visit during the Dubai Gold Cup or Rugby Sevens or coincide your visit with one of Dubai's international festivals.
Are you persuaded yet?
OK, I'll continue a little longer. The new city monorail is a great way to get around the city in case you've heard the traffic is a nightmare and you can't be bothered to rent a car. No need! The monorail really is worth using, its super speedy and super modern and whoever you are travelling with is sure to be impressed – and its very presence makes everywhere in Dubai accessible.
You've probably heard that some of the greatest hotels are located in this dazzling beach city. The Burj al Arab is Dubai's jewel in the crown, with honourable mentions for intimate boutique resorts like Madinat Jumeirah and One&Only Royal Mirage who sit alongside family favourites like Jumeirah Beach Hotel and business traveller's favourite, Grosvenor House.
If you're looking for a flexible travel destination then Dubai has it covered in spades.
Hello, pleased to meet you.
I am an experienced travel writer with a broad background principally covering luxury long haul destinations. I hope my posts on here will be of interest to you: Luxury Holidays, Maldives Holidays, Dubai Holidays
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