Dubai one of the world’s most
opulent destinations – are spoilt for choice when it comes to seeking luxury.
The city has become one the most popular playgrounds of the rich and famous,
and has made many a statement with several of the world’s tallest buildings,
man-made islands and even a huge indoor ski slope and all this in the middle of
a desert. Here are five luxuries you
won’t want to miss on a visit to Dubai.
The Gold Souk
Unlike anything you have seen in
the world, Dubai’s Gold Souk is a market that showcases seemingly endless
amounts of gold jewelry. Dubai is known for really cheap gold — but you'll have
to haggle for it. Whether or not you're ready to buy, a stroll through the
dazzling Gold Souk is a must. The stores also offer platinum, diamonds and
occasionally silver, and the government keeps tight control over the quality of
all the merchandise, so rest assured that your purchases will be genuine.(The
same cannot be said, however, of the street vendors outside hawking
"genuine fake" watches and "Guuci" handbags.) If something
in the window catches your fancy, be sure to barter — persistent protest capped
with a walkway will get merchants to drop their asking price by as much as half.
Less atmospheric, but even cheaper, is the Gold & Diamond Park, where you
can find unique designs or get jewelers to recreate pieces for you at a
fraction of the cost of the original.
Dubai Hot Air Balloon
If you still have a head for
heights, then why not see Dubai and the surrounding desert from a hot air balloon?
Leave the glitz and glamour of Dubai behind and join this early-morning hot-air
balloon expedition deep in the heart of the desert. Rising early to see the
desert is something you'll never forget! Prepare for an exhilarating flight
with unrivaled views as you enjoy a magic carpet ride over giant red sands, emerald
green oases, gazelles and wandering camels. Wake up early and watch the sunrise
on this one-hour Dubai balloon flight deep into the heart of the desert Unforgettable
views. Personalized flight certificate for every passenger, signed by the
Pilot-in-Command.
Brunch in Dubai
To brunch in Dubai is a way of
life, the weekend starts early on a Friday with an all-you-can-eat and drink mentality.
If you are holidaying in Dubai and visiting on a Friday, you must experience
the traditional 'Friday Brunch' which has now become a standard feature across
Dubai. Friday is the first day of the
weekend and a religious day; therefore you'll find most places of interest shut
during the morning to allow for Friday prayers.
In the past, major shopping malls would only open from 1pm, but now laws
are more relaxed and the malls do open earlier.
You will find many expats choose to stay up late on a Thursday and
relish the lie-in and slow Friday start with a trip to one of the Brunch haunts
in the majority of Dubai hotels. Brunch
normally starts at 12.30 and it is advised not to eat anything before you
arrive. You will be greeted with a feast
of food - that will be hard to absorb, even with just your eyes! If it’s your first time, go for one of the
mid range options where you know the food is of good quality and variety and if
with children, there are deals and of course activities to keep them
happy. If you really want to splash out,
go for one of the top five star hotels that offer a champagne brunch with all
the trimmings (non- alcoholic package will be available and cheaper), this will
really be the icing of your holiday and will leave you so full, you'll be on
salad and soup the next day! Be sure to make a reservation beforehand for any
Friday Brunch venue.
The Beach
You'll definitely want to see the
shore while you're in town. The posher beach hotels have partitioned off the
majority of the sand, so if you're not staying on the Jumeirah beach strip,
your best bet is Al Mamzar, a public beach near the neighboring emirate of
Sharjah. The clogged artery of a road that connects the cities means it's
frustratingly inaccessible during the work week. Other good alternatives are
Jumeirah Beach Park with its small coffee shop and AED 5 ($1.30) entrance fee,
or the free stretch of sand running the length of Umm Suqeim, known as Kite
Beach due to its popularity with the city's kite-surfers. If you insist on a
more luxurious beach experience, then a few hotels will allow you to sit on
their sand for a fee
