The capital of Dubai is the most fashionable destination at the moment, both in the Persian Gulf and in the rest of the world. Dubai is an emirate that does not live exclusively on oil, nor was it the one with the most crude oil reserves, but in recent years it has been governed by sheikhs with a great vision of the future, very liberal by the norm, and who have converted Dubai in a prosperous enclave. It is the mecca for thousands of workers from developing Asian countries and for Western yuppies who move to Dubai to join multinationals thanks to substantial contracts.
But this avalanche of foreigners has recently been joined by a new one, that of tourists who come attracted by the climate in winter, the spectacular nature of the new buildings and the avant-garde urban projects. But also for its shopping, because there are few cities in the world with such a concentration of stores in the urban center and on the outskirts.
In the city, which grows at breakneck speed every day, the commercial and financial center is separated from the expansion area, with so many avant-garde buildings, such as Burj Kalifa or the fabulous Birj el Arab hotel.
In the Canal and in the Dubai Sea, another of the mega projects that make Dubai famous is underway: The World, where the aim is to recreate the eco system of the five continents on artificial islands.
Dubai Month to Month
January
dubai shopping festival (can last until February): discounts of up to 80% in stores, outdoor concerts and children's activities.
February
Omega Dubai Desert Classic: normally taking place at the Emirates Golf Club, it has been part of the PGA European Tour since 1989.Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships: This ATP tournament is held at the Dubai Tennis Stadium, in Garhoud Roas, and brings together the best.
Dubai International Jazz Festival: varied selection of jazz musicians in a three-night festival.
March
Dubai International Boat Show: an opportunity to see the world's most expensive yachts and cruise ships up close, at the Dubai International Marine Club, in Mina Seyahi.
Dubai World Cup: the most sumptuous horse race in the world, at the Meydan racecourse; It is always held on a Saturday and is a culmination of the Dubai Racing Carnival.
May
Dubai Traditional Dhow Races: six-regatta championship that concludes in June.
June
Dubai Summer Surprises: repeat of the Shopping Festival in January.
December
Dubai International Film Festival: Opened in 2004, this film festival is increasingly popular.
Emirates Airlines Dubai Rugby Sevens: rugby sevens tournament in which resident foreigners participate.
Dubai by Day and Night
Dubai has world-class leisure facilities. There is golf, horse riding and motorsport for the more active and spas for those who prefer to relax. The city heats up at night, when the ambient temperature drops. Dubai's nightlife is already legendary.
Active leisure
Large expanses of desert have been enabled for active leisure and sports. They are inland, no more than 30 minutes by car from the tourist areas.
Relaxed leisure
Wellness is big business and the best spas are stunning pleasure palaces, often located in luxury hotels. There are also cheaper ones.
Night life
Dubai's nightclubs have an international clientele. As this is a constantly changing sector, leisure guides are of great help. Locals like to kill time in cafes smoking shisha (water pipe).
Many hotels have modern outdoor cafes with shishas, large sofas and cushions.
The lights of the city
The city is incredibly beautiful at night.
The traditional architecture of Al Fahidi.
The desert
It's easy to forget that Dubai is a city in the desert, but take a trip inland and you'll discover a different world. The tip of the iceberg.
The Arabian Desert is enormous, it occupies 2300000km2 of the Arabian Peninsula. Dubai is located in a transition zone in the extreme northeast, which means that its desert is varied, with undulating dunes that alternate with semi-arid scrubland.
The desert is home to a complicated ecosystem. Dubai's largest animal, the Arabian onyx, is in serious danger of extinction. The main predators are the desert fox and two species of cat; They are small in size and hunt hares, rodents and lizards, although the largest species of lizard, the desert monitor, can reach enormous size. During the day the air is filled with butterflies, dragonflies, locusts and mantises. Among the nocturnal aerial fauna, species of bats and moths stand out.
Activities
Today the desert is the playground of the emirates and also of tourists. Some very controlled areas have been converted into circuits for powerful off-road vehicles where it is possible to step on the accelerator. You can also jump over dune ridges in the dune buggy, go sand surfing, feast at a Bedouin camp, ride a camel or attend a falconry exhibition. They are good ways to forget urban life, even if only for a while. In the camps you can have lunch and dinner and spend the day or night.
Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve
This protected reserve covers 225km2 of dunes and gravel plain in the southeast of the emirate. Its goal is to conserve the emirate's biodiversity, including animals such as the Arabian oryx. Visitors have the opportunity to live traditional and modern experiences - Al Maha Desert Resort offers camel riding, safaris, archery horse riding and falconry exhibitions while local agencies organize dune buggy trips, sand surfing and camping .
Camel Racing Al Marmoun
Camel racing is one of the emirates' favorite entertainments and the Al Marmoun circuit vibrates through the mountains.
The camels are guided by remote control and reach amazing speeds. Next to the dusty track is a market selling all kinds of camel-related items, including attractive blankets and saddles.
Falcon and Heritage Sports Center
When leaving the camel racing area. Nad Al Sheba, you have to turn right to go to the new sports center. This recent construction, designed in the image of traditional large-scale Arab architecture, houses shops and a marquee with an exhibition dedicated to falconry and other traditionally Arab sports. Falconry has a loyal following in Dubai and each bird can cost more than Dh150,000.
Dubai for Children – Children's City
The building looks like a Lego construction and was inspired by a children's game. Its interior is divided into zones whose interior is the human body, physical sciences, international culture, nature, computing and space exploration. All screens are interactive to some extent and some involve gameplay. The auditorium can accommodate up to 300 people for shows. The project, costing Dh77 million, has gained international recognition from the UNESCO World Museums Council.
Sports
Motoring
Excursion to Dubai where you can enjoy the best places in the city by off-road vehicle or visit the racing circuit.
On the outskirts of the city, dune driving has become popular, with travelers and locals alike. Some sightseeing trips, such as the trip to the Hatta Rock Reservoirs, require an all-terrain vehicle.
But if you want to stay on the tarmac, you can visit the Dubailand racing circuit for a lesson in a high-speed sports car on the circuit. If this is excessive, there is always a kart race next door.
Ski
Yes, in this land of sweltering summer temperatures, year-round sunshine and sand dunes, skiing is the new activity on offer, Ski Dubai, the indoor slope at the Emirates Mall and a second ski center that is being built in Dubailand have introduced snow sports to the desert.
Golf
The Emirate's first golf course opened in 1988, adding expanses of green to the desert landscape, and seven others have followed. No expense has been spared: the best course designers were hired, original clubs such as the sail-shaped Dubai Creek Golf Club and the Emirates Golf Club's Bedouin tents were built, and sprinkler bans were ignored. thanks to water from Dubai's desalination plants. Thomas Bjorn, Colin Montgomerie and Jacj Nicklaus are some of the golfers who were involved in the creation of courses in Dubai.
Sport Show
The Government of Dubai has strived to bring world-class sporting events to the emirate. The city already hosts a tennis tournament, a golf championship, the world's largest horse race and a World Cup Rally race. But the Dubai project will still attract more events.
Watersports
Kitesurfing is a growing sport, with the possibility of renting equipment and paying for lessons. You can also practice water skiing, windsurfing and sailing. Dubai Marina is the hub for water sports in Jumeirah, but many of the resorts organize their own activities. Visitors can also go fishing or scuba diving, while those who prefer to explore the Arabian Gulf can rent yachts and boats.
The outskirts of Dubai
To visit natural green areas it is necessary to travel to Abu Dhabi. Al Ain, the second city of the neighboring emirate, is known as the City of Gardens due to several oases located in the center of the city. The water from these oases creates spaces of surprising exuberance. It is possible to get a clear idea of the lushness that invades this place from the top of Jebel Hafeet mountain. Hatta also has beautiful landscapes of underground and intermittent waters, but the last thing you can expect in the famous rocky reservoirs is calm and tranquility.
Excursions
The mountain village of Hatta, less than 10 km from the Oman border, is the oldest in Dubai and a popular tourist destination for the emirates.
To go to Hatta you have to take highway 44 from Dubai, it takes an hour and a half by car. The town is a relatively leafy oasis in the dusty, jagged Hajar Mountains, thanks in part to a nearby reservoir.
In the center there are few places of interest, apart from two watchtowers from 1880, to the left of the first roundabout, as you enter the town, is the Hatta Fort Hotel, an attractive accommodation with 50 suites, restaurants, golf courses and a swimming pool ..If you're not staying here at least stop by for a drink. The information center in the lobby offers guided ATV tours or maps and directions for those who wish to venture out alone.
Many of the routes that go into the mountains start from Hatta. A short distance away are some deep, dark pools, surrounded by rocky outcrops. On the way you will pass the Hatta Heritage Village, opened in 2001. This restored village is a sample of how the Emirates survived in the mountains over the last century. In the center stands a fort built by order of Sheikh Maktoum bin Hashr Al Maktoum in 1896 as protection against raiders and invaders. The place is between 2000 and 3000 years old, but most of the buildings are no more than 200 years old. Traditional construction techniques were used in the restoration, mud for the walls and palm leaves for the roofs.
Parks
Excursion to Dubai to visit the most famous parks and enjoy Dubai with an Arab Friend.
The velvety golf courses are not the only oases in the city. Large desalination plants work day and night to convert sea water into fresh water, which is then used to maintain green areas. Zabeel Park and Creek-side Park serve as attractive refuges from the hustle and bustle of downtown Dubai. The second is usually very crowded on weekends, but it is worth visiting to admire the native plants that grow in its flower beds.
In addition, it is wisely designed to offer visits beyond the main trails. Also the Al Mamzar parks in Deira and Al Safa, in the Jumeirah beach areas are filled with visitors during the weekends.
Magic Planet
The psychedelic amusement park located at the top right of the Deira City shopping center is more than just a stylish surface, hosting a variety of races and games. Younger patrons can play on Flying Tigers and Jumping Star, while slightly older kids can ride the fast-paced ride, Equinox. Next to the escalators going up to Magic Planet there is a 9m high climbing wall. Cosmic Bowlinff is an apt name for a 12-lane, neon-lit bowling alley spread over 3 levels, while carousels, wheel of fortune, pirate ships and bumper cars add to the whirlwind of activity.
IMG World of Adventure
It is being built in the middle of the desert and when completed in 2016, it will be the largest indoor leisure park in the world. Its themed design is based on the themed characters of Marvel and The Cartoon Network. It will consist of four zones and will have an area of 139,000m2. A place to go in the hot summer months.