GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT DUBAI

Dubai is one of the ten most popular tourist destinations in the world and is considered one of the most modern and progressive cities in the Middle East and is also sometimes referred to as “City of Gold” due to historically being a hub for gold trade as well as the rapid transformation from a desert into a luxurious city.

Dubai is characterized by a vast landscape of desert which transforms into a futuristic style of skyscrapers along the coastline. Dubai is sometimes mistakenly thought of as a country, however it is an Emirate and is part of the Emirates. The city is symbolised by its skyscrapers, including the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, in addition to ambitious development projects including man-made islands, world class luxury hotels, and some of the largest and extraordinarily modern shopping malls in the world.

Climate

The city of Dubai is situated on a coastal strip bordered by desert and gets very hot. It is dry on the hottest days and humid during the cooler days in the summer. Cooler, more pleasant weather lasts from the end of September to the beginning of May, but be prepared for cold night temperatures. December to April generally produces the highest precipitation, though little of it, at 100 millimetres (3.9 in) total per year. Some years yield no more than a few minutes of shower.

Getting there

Dubai’s main airport is the Dubai International Airport (DXB). Its eventual replacement, Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), is open to passenger flights but is only serving a few flights

Things to do and see

• Abra ride. Best done at night in the cool weather and to enjoy the city lights at sunset on a clear day. Abras can be hired for a private tour (for a price negotiable with the driver, but usually very cheap).
• Beaches and sea. There are endless water sport opportunities as Dubai has some of the whitest and sandiest beaches in the world. The water is also very salty so many prefer to use their hotel swimming pool.
• Camel race track. One of the more unusual attractions, with races being held on Thursday and Friday in the winter. You can watch the races, and you’ll have the opportunity to visit the paddocks. Vendors sell everything from beads to rugs and blankets, so you can purchase souvenirs.
• Desert safarior dune bashing. Head out to the desert in an SUV with specialist desert drivers. The drivers will take you for a thrilling roller-coaster ride over sand dunes, show you the sunset from a strategic vantage point and then take you to a traditional Arabic Bedouin campsite where you’ll be offered lavish barbecue buffet dinner with music and belly dance to complete the atmosphere.
• Burj Khalifa.Visit the tallest building in the world with the magnificent centrepiece of Dubai, Burj Khalifa is surrounded by hotels, must-visit shopping destinations and a world of entertainment options.
• Dubai is known for its gigantic malls and is a magnet for shoppers. Among the dozens of malls, two stand out due to their size and quality. Several malls have a large supermarket where you’ll find the lowest cost electronics, and groceries for self-catering.