Dubai is a very interesting and exotic destination. A cosmopolitan city that sits on the Arabian Gulf and is considered to be Venice of the Arabian Gulf.
Dubai was established about 1799. Originally the city was a fishing settlement. The residents not only made their living by fishing by also by pearling and herding sheep and goats. It is now the main port and commercial center of the UAE (United Arab Emirates).
The central city is ultra modern with offices, hotels and shopping malls set along Dubai creek. The creek is a natural sea water inlet that cuts right through the middle of the city.
The Diera neighborhood sits on the north side of Dubai creek and Bur Dubai is on the south side. The two are connected by 2 bridges and a tunnel. You can also take water taxis across the creek. Both sides offer great hotels, stores, mosques and souks which are busy, traditional markets.
Dining and Drinking:
Dubai offers a large range of food and drink and you will find cuisine from around the world. The service is excellent and the decor very modern and classy.
Tip: Unlike many travel destinations, you may want to dine in your hotel if you wish to drink. Restaurants and Clubs outside of the hotels are not permitted to serve alcohol.
Bars and Pubs in the city typically offer entertainment and serve food.
Shopping:
Dubai has the best shopping and you the prices are the best in the city between all of the Arab gulf states. Gold, electronics and perfume are priced so well and best of all, Dubai is tax free.
Souks are traditional markets. The Deira district is an older part of town and the vendors have been selling here for hundreds of years. You will feel as though you are a part of the culture and the authentic Dubai. You can shop through the spice souks, perfume souks and gold souks. Looking for more? take an Abra, which is a water taxi across the creek to Bastakiya Quarter. This area is filled with Arabian architecture and the waterfront offers many great restuarants.
Dubai itself has so much to offer tourists, but I really encourage you to head out into the desert. You can travel by 4 x 4 vehicle over the sand dunes and through the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. After your exciting drive you can enjoy a feast under the stars at a traditional Bedouin style camp.
Looking for more of an adventure? Drive dune buggies in a safari across the desert and dunes.
How about an overnight desert safari, sleeping in a tented camp with an early morning breakfast watching the sunrise?
There is so much to do in Dubai, it might just be a destination you should add to your bucket list.