DUBAI CITY GUIDE
Dubai is both a dynamic international business
centre and a well laid-back tourist escape; a city where the sophistication
of the 21st century walks hand in hand with the simplicity of a
bygone era.
Modern day Dubai is a happening place. There are a host of things
that you can do while in Dubai.
Desert Safaris
No visit to Dubai would be complete without a trip into the desert.
Such excursions, which are best organised as part of a group tour,
offer a taste of the true heartland of Arabia.
The majesty and tranquility of the desert can be experienced in
a choice of exciting half-day, full-day and overnight safaris. These
action-packed trips cover varied terrain ranging from desert to
mountain and take in remote camel and goat farms and isolated villages.
Highlights of a safari in Dubai may include the following:
Dune Driving
Driving in sand is an adventure in itself, combining the excitement
of a roller coaster ride with the challenge of remaining mobile
on the shifting surface, courses in sand driving vehicles provided
along with expert instruction.
- Camel riding
The Camel, a symbol of Arabia, is also a major tourist attraction.
Camel rides form part of some tours and desert safaris. Tour operators
and hotels can also arrange camel rides separately.
- Exploring the wadis
A popular pastime with both residents and visitors is known as
wadi-bashing exploring the wadis or dry beds of streams that flow
after the winter rains from the Hajr mountains. Many wadis offer
scenes of unexpected beauty: attractive rock pools, some with
water year-round, surrounded by greenery. Four-wheel-drive vehicles
are required and are available for hire with or without drivers.
As with desert driving, it is recommended that novices do not
try their hands at wadi-bashing without expert supervision.
- Sand-skiing
Those with a taste for speed and enthusiasm for an unusual sport
will enjoy sand-skiing down the dunes of Dubai deserts. Special
skis are used and high dunes in the interior of the desert are
chosen as slopes. Sand-skiing can be arranged on request or as
a part of a full-day or half-day safari.
- Desert feasts
Particularly popular are safaris that culminate in spectacular
desert sunset views followed by a traditional Arabian barbecue
under the stars. These can be tailored to meet every taste from
a romantic and peaceful experience to elaborate fun-pack evenings
complete with music, belly-dancing, the smoking of hubble-bubble
pipes and often a display of falconry.
Dubai by Air
Visitors with a head for heights and a weakness for the dramatic,
can enjoy the excitement of a helicopter tour over the city. Alternatively,
visitors can enjoy city or desert tours in a fixed-wing aircraft.
Dubai by Sea
A fascinating way to see Dubai is by sea. You sail along the Arabian
Gulf and admire the coastline and palaces, hotels and beaches.
Dubai Zoo
Located in Jumeirah, the Dubai Zoo is a popular attraction, especially
for families. The zoo's modern facilities though small, house many
indigenous Arabian species, including the Arabian Wolf, which is
no longer found in the wild, Gordon's Wildcat and the world's only
captive breeding colony of Socotra Cormorants.
Encounter Zone
Situated in the Wafi Shopping Mall, this is an entertainment centre
with a difference, with areas for both children and results. The
popular Crystal Maze is featured along with a horror chamber and
fascinating 3D films. Tel: 3247747
Fishing
The Gulf is rich in marine life, and fishing was once a mainstay
of the local economy. Kingfish, jackfish, red snapper, rock cod(the
popular hamour on most Dubai menus), barracuda and other species
are caught commercially and not for sport. Sailfish and bottom-feeding
sharks are regularly landed by visiting fishermen who can hire fully-equipped
boats, with crew, for deep-sea fishing trips.
Galleria Ice Rink
Located at the Galleria shopping complex at the Hyatt Regency. Rates
are Dhs 25, per person, per session and includes skate hire. Timings
are 10am - 1.30pm, 2pm - 5.30pm and 6pm - 9,30pm. Tel: 2096551
Golf Courses
Dubai is a golfers paradise. The Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club
and the famous Emirates Golf Club are the venues of the European
PGA tour. The Nad al Sheeba Golf and Racing Club even offers night
golf for the enthusiasts who want to beat the summer heat of Dubai!
For bookings or courses, Tel: Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club
- 2956000, Nad Al Sheba - 3363666, Emirates Golf Club - 3473222, The Montgomerie - 3905600, The Desert Course - 8846777
Go-Karting
Dubai has the Middle East's first fully-equipped 40,000 sq. ft of
air-conditioned indoor go-kart facility at Formula One. Open 7 days
a week, from 10am - 10pm for 8 years upwards. Tel: 3388828
Outdoors, an active go-karting fraternity races regularly at the
track beside the Jebel Ali Hotel. Visitors can enjoy this sport
during the months of Oct-May.
Al Nasr Leisureland Complex
This facility provides bowling, squash, go-karting, ice skating,
swimming and fun rides. Rates start at Dhs 10 for 2 hours of fun.
Tel: 3371234
Horse Riding
The sport of kings has rapidly become Dubai's most popular spectator
event, attracting crowds of more than 15,000. Race meetings are
held weekly during the cooler months at one of the UAE's four racecourses.
Dubai Racing Club, at Naad Al Sheba, the country's largest and most
spectacular track and home to the Dubai World Cup the sport's richest
race also holds meetings at night under floodlights. These evenings
meetings also prove popular with corporate clients, who may choose
to take a hospitality box to entertain clients and other guests.
The winter months (Nov - Apr) are more favoured for Horse Racing.
Horse riding is part of the local tradition and is upheld today
by several active centres including the Dubai Equestrian Centre
and Jebel Ali Hotel Riding Stables. Rides through the desert are
organised regularly. Dubai has a riding association for the disabled.
Magic Planet
Housed in the giant Deira City Centre shopping mall, this children's
entertainment centre is a unique indoor site with 10 pin bowling,
a crawling bungie jungle, variety of electronic games and a mini
pitch and putt.
The Souks
The souks on both sides of the Creek are attractive not just for
their shopping bargains but also as places for the sightseer and
photographer. A huddle of narrow alleyways has survived on the Deira
side despite intensive building in recent years. In the tiny lanes
of the spice souk, the atmosphere and the scents of the past can
be savoured. Bags of spices, incense, rose petals and traditional
medicinal products are stacked outside each stall.
Along the slightly larger lanes of the gold souk, each shop window
is crammed with gold necklaces, rings, bangles, earrings and brooches.
In the evening the area is a hive of activity. Gold prices are among
the lowest in the world. In other small streets, the visitor can
find shops selling nargilehs (hookah or hubble-bubble pipes) and
coffee pots, and nearby tea stalls where both of these items are
in daily use.
There are traditional bakeries where large flat loaves of delicious
unleavened bread are baked to order inside a domed oven called tandoor.
Small textile shops sell veils with decorated edges, pantaloons
with embroidered anklets, and dress lengths with similarly embroidered
necklines reminiscent of The Arabian Nights. Meena Baazaar, on the
Bur Dubai side of the Creek are lanes full of textile shops, where
a blaze of colourful raw silks and cottons hang in profusion in
shop windows. Also, in this area, you will find the Al Fahidi Street
souq - which is famous for Electronics.
The fish souk in Deira is an attraction in itself. Early in the
morning and late at night, local fishermen unload mountains of fresh
fish which they sell in a frenzied bargaining session. Kingfish,
red snapper, rock cod (the popular hammour), barracuda, tuna, lobster,
crab, king prawn, sea bream, squid, pomfret, shark, mackerel, sardine
and other species are available in abundance for most of the year.
Thunder Bowl
Thunder Bowl is the first of its kind in the Middle East, and its
concept is based on similar centres in America and Europe, which
have proved very popular.
Thunder Bowl has successfully incorporated the traditional game
of bowling, with state-of-the-art technolgoy from the Brunswick
Corporations, USA. To further enchance its appeal, Thunder Bowl
also offers its customers a complete leisure entertainment package.
Located in the former Safestway Supermarket, on Sheikh Zayed Road
near the Defense Round About, Thunder Bowl allows easy access to
its customer with ample car parking for over 300 cars.
Wild Wadi
An exciting state-of-the-art water park located adjacent to the
Jumeirah Beach Hotel offers exciting water rides for the whole family.
It is open from 11am to 7pm. Entry fees vary - Dhs 95 (Adults) for
all day and Dhs 75 (children) for all day. Kids under 9 must be
with adults.Tel: 3484444
WonderLand
The 18 hectare Wonderland family fun park features a wide range
of water attractions including speed slides, surf hills, wave runners
and a Caribbean cruise. It is closed on Sundays and Wednesdays are
for Ladies Only. Thursdays are for Families Only. It is open from
10am-11pm. Entrance fees varies. Tel: 3241222.
Source: DubaiCityGuide.com
