WHERE TO STAY IN DUBAI

Dubai is “Dubai” there is no competition to it! With Burj Al Arab (a 7-star hotel) and the highest manmade landmark (Burj Al Khalifa) in its kitty, it can win that travel trophy without any doubt! The luxury life style, splendid spas, serenity of breathtaking sunsets and white sandy beaches is experienced in Dubai.

Now, when you are in Dubai, you won’t have to worry about the accommodation! There are enough roofs under which you can get a secure shelter! All you have to do is to count your money and make a choice! If you are rich (and I mean RICH), then the best option would be the 7-star property which I extolled earlier (yes, that Burj Al Arab)!

But if you are a modest traveler, then do not gulp! There are plenty of other 3-star hotels which are great and still quite cheap! A few budget hotels would be Hyatt Regency, Movenpick Hotel Deira, Capitol Hotel and Coral Oriental. These are pretty luxurious but the tariffs are lower.

If you want to extract maximum pleasure from your trip, you need to book a holiday home in a neighborhood that not only fulfill your accommodation and dining needs rather, it also provides easy access to places you have planned to visit or at least main city attractions like shopping malls, entertainment, leisure and dining facilities, than some of the places are:

Jumeirah

For beach lovers, Jumeriah beach will be the best suburb to book a holiday home for your accommodation. There are number of glamorous resorts, hotels and beach clubs you can choose as accommodation for your holiday trip. Palm Jumeriah and Umm Suqeim are main sub rubs of Jumeirah District. Madinat Jumeriah at Umm Suqeim and luxury resorts and hotels at Palm Jumeirah and Jumeriah .

Dubai Marina

Dubai Marina provides best accommodation for those who want to enjoy real luxury lifestyle of Dubai, as this neighborhood is full with ultra modern apartment and hotel buildings. The neighborhood possesses almost everything from modern accommodation to luxury shopping amenities. The Address, Grosvenor House and Dusit Residence are few renowned luxury hotel in Dubai Marina, where you can book your holiday home.

If your budget is really low then try booking a room at Dream Palace Hotel or Holiday Inn. They are very pocket-friendly and meant for people like me:P

Instead of hotels, you may also find suitable self catering accommodation in serviced apartment projects like Nuran Marina Serviced Residences. Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa can be the best place to visit if you want to relax your body and soul.

Alternately, you can buy Cheap DubaiPackages from a trusted website t2everywhere.com and let the travel planner put you in a good hotel.

Some Hidden Beach Destinations of UAE

We all know about the popular Dubai and Abu Dhabi tourist destinations but what about the rest of UAE!!! Here we bring to you some hidden gems from the country that will make your holiday to the country a much more enjoyable one while you discover some great new places to visit to…

Khorfakkan

Located just 25kms away from the Fujairah town center, Khorfakkan is a quiet beach stretch ideal for families. However the real secret of the beach is picturesque space, also known as Heart Beach that lies to the north end of the beach. Though it involves a bit of trek that takes about 15 minutes max, perhaps the reason why the place is still unspoiled, the spot that you will get to will be well worth the effort. The spot that you will find is so scenic that it could well be termed as a part of some masterpiece painting. The place is pure uninterrupted heaven with soft white sands and gentle blue oceanic waters. To add more to the whole experience, head back to the nearby Oceanic Hotel which offers some great diving and snorkeling tours.

Musandam

Located on the northern tip of Oman, Musandam offers some great beach fun for you and your family. Head on to the Khasab port and haggle with the fishermen to take you to a secluded bay. It is your luck where you end up as the place is full of both beautiful as well as spoiled coves. However, the trick is to keep going until you reach the perfect spot which are aplenty and offer you a slice of paradise all to yourself. Do wait up till nightfall when the phosphorescent algae in water make every splash seem like an underwater firework display. So what are you waiting for…Head on to this beautiful paradise and make your trip a memorable one!!!

Dibba

If described in a single word, the place can only be termed as ‘stunning’. This eastern coastline consists of some beautiful unspoiled and hidden beaches that are so remote that can only be accessed by a fishing boat or a six hour hike. Two of the most isolated beaches of the country can be found on this shoreline- Al Myam and Haffa. Al Myam is more exposed with its white sands framed with Hajar mountains and a small fishing community. Though the tourists are not allowed to walk on the beach, you can have some great fun from your boat itself along with some snorkeling. For someplace less remote, there are various other beaches in Dibba where you can enjoy some great views and deep blue waters.

Ghantoot

Just 20 minutes away from the bustling Dubai, Ghantoot beach makes you feel like you are a world away from real life with not a big hotel or crane spoiling the view. With white sands and turquoise blue waters, the place has just handful of people at any possible time that you would struggle to overhear the conversation of the nearby loungers. To add to the experience, there is a quaint little hotel named Golden Tulip nearby with a great café. When the night falls, head on to the other end of the beach that has a small bar which comes alive with people playing volleyball and having barbeques. If you are looking for the dual fun of peace as well frolics, Ghantoot is the right choice for you. 

Ras Al Khaimah

This small UAE Emirate has some of the most pristine and most beautiful concealed beaches. There are beaches that are pure white headland while clear unobstructed waters that lap on to the soft sandy beaches. There are no facilities on the beach making it one of the most pristine of all but you can find some great fun at the nearby hotels.

These are just a few of some hidden gems of UAE. Head on to these beaches and enjoy your own great Arabian Nights Adventure.      

Travel Tips for Your UAE Holiday

Planning a trip to UAE??? In addition to all those Visa requirements, there are many other things that you need to keep in mind while travelling in Middle East. Their society is considerably more formal and traditional than modern western societies. In fact, even those unfamiliar with the region know of the different code of etiquette followed in the society. In order to make your trip more comfortable and less troublesome, it is best to know of these differences beforehand and prepare for them ahead of the trip to avoid any future problems. Here are some tips regarding how to conduct yourself in the Middle Eastern society to get the maximum hospitality from your hosts:

Language:

Because of its diversely expatriate population, English in addition to Arabic is the most commonly spoken language in UAE. You may even hear snatches of Urdu, Hindi and Pashtu as well as various other dialects of Arabic.

Food:

In Middle East, communal eating is considered to be a sign of friendship. Also, it is best not eat with your left hand as it is considered to be unclean. In many places, it is considered polite to leave some food on the plate after eating. Do remember not to ask for any pork or pork products as Islam frowns upon the consumption of the same. Also, instead of asking for alcohol, accept the tea or coffee served to you by your hosts. This is because in UAE alcohol is only served in some restaurants and is not widely available as most observant Muslims do not drink or smoke.

Women Travelers

Women travelers to UAE should keep in mind the stringent conditions placed by the Middle Eastern society on the fairer sex. Though they are not required to cover their heads or wear the traditional dresses as the locals do, they are required to dress appropriately and conservatively according to the society rules. Many a time while visiting a mosque, you shall be even asked to wear an abaya that shall be provided to you at the mosque itself in adherence to the Muslim tradition.

Photography

Always ask for permission before taking photographs of any religious place or military installation or evn any Middle Eastern person, especially women.

Formal interactions:

Dress modestly and keep both your feet on the floor as it is considered as an insult to show the bottom of your feet to another person. Also, try not to be intrusive and keep your talks to general topics only rather than asking about the spouse or other family members. Another thing that you need to keep in mind while meeting and greeting locals is not to shake hands. Few men indulge in handshakes while most women refrain from touching men who are not from the family. Instead they show their sincerity and happiness in simply putting their hands on their hearts. Men and women may hold hands but should only do so if they are married or related.

Religion:

Though Islam is the official religion of UAE, the county recognizes other religions too.  You can find quite a few Christian churches as well as Hindu temples in addition to the Islamic mosques in the country.

Middle Easterners are great people who love to meet and greet people and are quite social and personable people. They also love to know their guests and expect their guests to respect their culture too. The place is a treasure trove of various attractions and is a great place to enjoy some sun and sand. So happy travelling!!!