Dubai is one of seven states of the United Arab Emirates. It is blessed with wonderful beaches against the backdrop of spectacular desert scenery and enjoys virtually all year round sunshine.

Where to shop in Dubai

 

Dubai	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average Temp (°C)	24	25	28	32	37	39	40	41	39	35	31	26
Average Rain (Ins)	0.5	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.5

Whether you plan to visit Dubai on a family vacation, with a partner for a romantic break or if you are travelling alone, Dubai truly has something for everyone.

What to expect

Dubai is really two Cities, Dubai and Deira. Divided by the Creek, they are a paradise for sightseeing and both have their unique characters. You will be amazed at the diversity of architecture and cultures to be found here, ranging from traditional Arab houses to magnificent modern towers of steel and glass. The ambitious Burj Dubai will dwarf all the existing buildings in Dubai and indeed the world to claim the crown of the tallest building on the planet! The Creek is the main artery of Dubai, winding inland from the Gulf for about six miles. On its clear waters you will see traditional teak trading dhows plying their trade across the Gulf, heading as far as India. At night, the waterfront is a hive of activity, as Abras, the local water taxis, criss-crosses the Creek carrying people to their chosen restaurant or attraction for the evening.

Visitors who arrive in Dubai often expect a hot, dusty, barren town surrounded by hostile desert. Instead they find a clean, dynamic, in some parts lush green city, straddling a natural harbour flanked by sparkling Gulf waters and attractive sandy beaches. The hinterland is largely desert and arid mountains, but it is tamed just enough by the tour guides to enable urban adventurers to roam its dunes and wadis for a glimpse of the last frontier and Arabian Wildlife.

Time difference

The UAE time is four hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). There are no special summer daylight savings times.

Language

The key language of Dubai is Arabic, although English is widely spoken and understood by the majority of people. Recognised internationally as one of the top five safest cities in the world, with crime virtually nonexistent, Dubai delivers that rare feeling of being safe, relaxed and at ease. You will find the local people are very friendly and welcoming. The local currency is the U.A.E Dirham which is fixed against the US Dollar at the rate of Dhs. 3.65.

Dress Code

Dubai has a liberal attitude towards dress code and there is not much that visitors to Dubai cannot wear. However, as in all countries, a healthy amount of respect for the local customs and sensibilities do not go amiss. Dubai is an Islamic state and dress should be modest, especially when visiting the traditional areas of the Emirate. Lightweight summer clothing is suitable for most of the year, but something slightly warmer may be needed in the evening for the winter months. When out and about during the day, good quality sunglasses, hats and sun-cream are highly recommended.

Drinking water

Keeping hydrated in Dubai is very important and whilst the tap water comes from desalination plants and is safe to drink, many people prefer bottled water which is widely available in supermarkets and is served in most hotels and restaurants.

Photography

Dubai is popular with photographers worldwide for its diverse scenery. However, photographers must note that certain restrictions are enforced. It is forbidden to photograph Muslim women and military or other government installations. It is courteous to ask permission before photographing any nationals. Take particular care to protect your photographic equipment from sand and heat.

Tipping

When it comes to rewarding good service in Dubai and giving tips, it is comparable to most places throughout the rest of the world. Even where a service charge is applied, staff expect a little extra. Ten percent is acceptable in hotel restaurants; for luggage porters at airports a tip of Dhs 5 or Dhs 10 is standard, depending on the amount of luggage.

Shopping

At the last count, Dubai had over 47 shopping malls, with more being constructed. Shopping in Dubai is a wonderful experience for men, women and the children alike. The malls are cool, comfortable, spacious, and extremely well designed. As each new mall opens its doors it strives to offer more than the last. The Mall of Emirates, which is planned to be the largest mall in the world open its doors in September 2005 and will have an indoor ski slope! Yes you read it correctly. You will be able to hirer ski clothing and equipment and ski on real snow in Dubai. The range and choice of shopping malls offer contrasts from the Souk Madinat Jumeirah, to Ibn Battuta to the Deira City Centre to name just a few. In a city built on trade, bargaining or haggling is a routine part of shopping in Dubai. Almost everything is negotiable – standard procedure in the souks and markets is to offer the vendor half the quoted cost, and haggle an agreeable price from there.

Where to shop in Dubai

Tourism

Dubai currently attracts 5 million visitors a year from around the world. The International airports capacity is being increased to handle 60 million passengers a year. One of the planned attractions encouraging these new visitors will be Dubailand. Currently being constructed in the desert with a planned open in 2008, Dubailand is a $19 Billion theme park, at least twice the size of Disney World in Florida, if not bigger.

Sports/Leisure

If you are considering coming to Dubai and want sports and activity to keep you entertained and healthy, then you will not be disappointed with what is on offer. If you are into water sports then Dubai has the lot all played out on the pale turquoise waters of the gulf that extends along beaches of pure soft white sand. Swimming, snorkeling, cruising, yachting, paragliding, windsurfing, deep sea fishing, speedboat racing and scuba diving all await you as well as the fun packed Wild Wadi water park.

Alternatively, if you prefer a little activity on land, then Dubai is a golfers paradise. Even for the non-golfer, Dubai's golf clubs are worth a visit, both for the spectacular architecture of their clubhouses and as examples of the successful greening and landscaping of the desert. If you are looking for something a little more thrilling than golf, take a ride in a 4x4 in to the desert on one of the many desert safaris that take place every day. A must do experience whilst in Dubai. Or, if it is speed that you crave then the Dubai Autodrome is the region's first fully integrated motorsports facility. The complex, not only includes an FIA sanctioned 5.39km circuit, which offers six different configurations, but also incorporates a Race & Driving school and a CIK approved Karting track.

Dubai is increasingly playing host to the some of the worlds greatest sporting events held throughout the year attracting spectators from around the world. There is the Dubai Tennis Championships during February and March attracting players such as Lindsay Davenport, Roger Federer, Serena Willams and Andre Agassi. February also sees The Dubai Desert Classic get underway at the Emirates Golf club which has welcomed such players as Greg Norman, Colin Montgomerie and Tiger Woods. During late March horse racing fans can enjoy the richest horse race in the world, The Dubai World Cup that takes place at Nad Al Sheba. December is typically when the first round of the IRB Rugby Sevens Championships kicks off with the Dubai Rugby 7's. The ICC (International Cricket Council) have demonstrated great confidence in the future of Dubai as a major sporting city by relocating from Lords Cricket Ground in the UK to Dubai's Media City whilst their purpose built office complex are being built at Dubai Sports City, which will become their permanent home.

Duty Free

Non UAE residents may bring through customs on arrival, a permitted allowance of alcohol for consumption within a Villa. This position may could change so it is always best to check with the authorities before you buy and transport alcohol in Dubai.

Restaurants

If reading all the above about Dubai and some of what it has to offer has made you a little hungry? Then let us assure you when it comes to quality food, Dubai knows how to serve first class cuisine in fine restaurants and hotels that are amongst the best in the world. Many of the hotel restaurants are now attracting star chefs such as Gordon Ramsay who has his flagship restaurant the VERRE located within the Hilton Dubai Creek. Alcoholic drinks are served in major hotels and clubs, but not in restaurants outside the hotels.

Visit Dubai once and you will want to return as this amazing new city flourishes and grows and becomes the Destination Capital of the World. Enjoy your stay.