From the desert to shopping, from skyscrapers to souks, the Arab city that does not stop would you believe. Perfectly suited to women. Dubai is just a word to suggest in automatic luxuries, pomp and wealth nabobs. All terribly true. And all terribly wrong. Dubai is a city that define strange is an understatement. In Dubai you can spend a holiday style Arabian Nights such as the account at the end so as you can spend a pleasant stay with a quality price ratio. Its a city to discover and understand.
Palms Dubai is one of seven states that make up the United Arab Emirates since 1971. Importance to the emirates are Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain. British protectorate since the mid-nineteenth century, due to its strategic location in the route to the Indies, Dubai was for a long time a small Bedouin village dedicated to fishing and pearl trading. This until the discovery of oil. The black gold together the intelligence and foresight of the ruling family Al Maktoum, did the rest. Today, oil accounts for only 10% of revenue and is rapidly running out.
The rest of the economic wealth comes from trade and tourism. since 2004 Dubai is experiencing a real estate development and unprecedented expansion occurs both to the desert Dubai Media and Internet City, Sports City, Knowledge Village and is under construction Dubailand, the amusement park 'largest in the world is to the sea the three palm trees, and the world, man-made islands in which they arise dream villas with private beach and harbor and super-luxury hotels. population Dubai has about one million inhabitants of which at least 80% come from abroad, in particular India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
They are the ones who work tirelessly to eight-hour shifts, night and day, to create the great dream of the Sheik, His Highness Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. They are the ones to shape the skyline of Dubai, different every day. Their average salary is about $ 200 a month, often sleep in the same houses they build or share rooms in the middle of a thousand. It seems, however, 'that this is always better than the hunger in their home. But in the middle there is also a lot of professional manpower that operates services to banks, from the school to the media. At the top, there are only and only they, and the tribes Bedouin. They have in their hands the government and the country's wealth.
Do not expect to see many around, the locals are there but it is difficult to mix with the common people and tourists. So hard to entering into contact with it, make the direct knowledge and be able to know more, then if it is Western women.
Local women generally wear the abaya, a long black robe. All are veiled, some completely, others leave only the eyes uncovered, and still others only cover their hair. But since makeup, feathers above the veil and Gucci handbags, it is understood that their clothing in these parts is not a constraint, rather it is part of their seductive appeal. If you happen to meet them later in the bathrooms to make up for the trick here is that you understand what lies beneath! Low-rise jeans, shirts squeeze the breast and heel of ten. From what is said in the end it is they who rule in the house.
Though a Muslim Arab country, for Western women can breathe a lot of freedom no limit to the skirts, even above the knee, and bikini on the beaches. Downside: the looks will be heavy and many will exchange it for easy women. Let's say a clothing more 'conservative, you will visit any place without any problems. When planning holiday The best time for a holiday in Dubai is from mid-October to mid-May. In summer the heat is unbearable. The temperature in the months of July and August is always higher than 40 degrees during the day, night falls but only slightly and the humidity is high. Remain outdoors for more 'than five minutes is already a success.
The feeling is that of entering a turkish bath clothes. Winter is very mild and pleasant temperature. The global climate change is heard but 'also in the UAE, thus can' happen, more 'often than in the past, which between December and January, there may be dust storms or sudden short rains. Are sporadic, but still manage to crash the already congested city traffic. Getting there Emirates, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, are direct flights. The cost of the ticket varies obviously the time of year chosen by and as soon as you book.
There are also flights at lower prices, but generally involve one or more stopovers. The service aboard the Emirates is great and has no equal, alas. This, however, does not mean that the air ticket costs more. So before ticket, check the deals well both on line and those promoted by the travel agency electronic ticket is not always a guarantee of savings. If you want a treat and choose from queen of the Emirates Business Class, do not forget to ask it's free limousine service that will have a taxi free of charge, within 50 km, there is to take the house and takes you to the airport both outward and return journeys. visa on arrival at Passport Control in Dubai, you will be issued a tourist visa for a period of one month.
The row control is often very long, can happen that you have to wait a lot, also a nice hour or so. If you want to avoid, just pre-book Service, a service of welcome which speeds up visa procedures and other controls and helps you with your luggage until the exit.
While apartments and population grow in the eye, not so infrastructure. There is no public transport or nearly so, the subway is in the project and will be discussed in the 2009 road networks remain the same and therefore armed with a lot of patience when you intend to cross the city. The traffic is incredible in the early hours of the morning and from six to nine in the late afternoon. The means of transport more convenient for those who does not have their own car is a taxi, which takes to the streets to show of hands. They are inexpensive and run at all hours of the day and night.
No danger for those who salt alone, taxi drivers sometimes are not very talkative with women, mainly in the West. A word of advice: Be so too! An interesting way to visit the city during the day is the Big Bus Tour: a double-decker bus that stops at points of interest. There are two routes, the red is concentrated in the city and the blue one is focused on the beaches. You buy a day ticket and you can get on and off whenever you want.
The ticket also allows you to see for free the Dubai Museum and the old house of the sheik. Sightseeing The Old City You can start from one side of the creek and switch to the other and vice versa, but certainly one of the parties' most charming of Dubai the old city that unfolds between Bur Dubai and Deira. Creek The channel of sea water that divides the city in two, was once the center of commerce and business and still retains the charm and atmosphere. Al Bastakiya Bur Dubai is the Old Quarter, recently restored. Al Fahidi Fort is located here, the more old building in Dubai and home to the Dubai Museum. Renovated in 1970, the museum traces the life of the Arabs who lived here before the discovery of oil and provides an interesting documentary about how it was conducted the collection of pearls.
Near the museum is the Sheikh Saeed's House, a building that dates back to the late 1800's and typical example of local architecture. Nearby is the Grand Mosque was rebuilt in 1998, is striking for the 70-meter high minaret. If you walk through the narrow streets, incapperete certainly of the fabrics in the souk, a festival of colors, including silk, cashmere and cotton prices.
Continuing on foot toward the mouth of the creek there in Heritage and Diving Village, a kind of reconstruction of life in the Bedouin villages of the time. Interesting here is the wind-towers, wind towers, which dominated the old houses and that were used to catch the air and give coolness before the advent of electricity. This is an area definitely nice to visit in the evening, full of small restaurants Iranian and Lebanese. Deira: the souks and creek to cross the creek, forget the tunnel Al Shindagha and the two bridges Al Maktoum and Al Garhoud, not walkable, but for a few dirhams use the taxi-abra.Sono small boats that make the transfer from Bur Dubai to Deira. No problem, do not sink, and charge a limited number of people!
Traversing on lasts a few minutes away. then landed in Deira: a leap into the future. You leave behind an old world view down on high-rise glass-looking sci-fi. Welcome to the business district and beyond. From this side of the channel are the fish souk, the spice souk and the gold, one of the markets most shiny and famous in the world still a record, with the prices at the most low always along the corniche, opposite the Hotel Intercontinental, find dhows leaving for tours of the creek.
You can opt for a ride of about an hour during the day or for a dinner a couple of hours in the evening. For tickets or more information, ask at the reception desk of the hotel. Mosque Jumeirah Jumeirah district of Dubai is the most tourist and refined. Ali'inizio of Jumeirah Beach Road is the nearest Mosque great Dubai and certainly the most' photographed. A typical example of modern Islamic architecture, is really fascinating sunset, the colors and the lights that highlight the inside visit on Thursday and Sunday morning, with organized tours.
Every major hotel has its own beach. You need not be customers to access it, just pay the entrance that includes umbrellas, sun loungers and towels. But if you want to be free and to turn a bit 'there are several alternatives. In the area of Umm Suqueim, right next to the Bouy Al Arab, there is a free beach. You can 'put in bikini and without problems during the weekend is full of Westerners. So easy to get to know people and have a chat. There are no toilets nor changing rooms. few miles before this beach in Jumeirah, is located on Jumeirah Beach Park, set up a park with picnic areas barbecue and access to the sea.
There are bathrooms and changing rooms where there is a possibility to rent sunbeds. Along the beach there are umbrellas already. Ditto if you decide to go to Al Mamzar Park, which lies on the border with Sharjah. If you are a group and rented an SUV, experience more 'is beautiful but' to do an overnight stay in Jebel Ali. Forty kilometers outside Dubai there are pristine beaches, but fitted with barbecue areas. Quiet, dunes, sea beautiful but no evening campfires.
There are many huge green spaces stolen from the desert and constantly watered (here, the per capita consumption of water is four times higher than the world average. If you want to make a stop, the more 'cute are Al Safa Park, Dubai Creekside Park and Mushrif Park. tours in the desert To disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city, a trip to the desert is definitely an experience. There are of different types and duration. Personally, I would recommend this organization slightly more expensive than the others, but it offers a greater variety of safari and tour and above all, being promoted by the government, it is monopolized the best wilderness areas not accessible to the other companies do.
If you close an eye on the belly dance that will surely touch during the excursion, everything else is truly unique and unforgettable, from the colors of the desert at sunset, the silence that reigns among the dunes, the taste of food and the smell of spices that you will be offered. And for 10 Dirham indulge even a henna, those tattoos on the hands or ankles, they go away after a week. racing camels are followed and there is a very big money and bets around. They are kept during the winter October to April at Nada Al Sheba Racecourse, every Thursday 'and Friday' morning. Camels are generally owned by the sheiks, but what most 'alarming world public opinion are the jockeys. Generally they are children, even very small, only six years old, or who come from the Arab world or from India and "used" for the purpose.
Unfortunately, today, the hype around this unworthy exploitation does not seem to have borne fruit. Shopping And here we enter a universe of women in particular and Dubai does not betray. Being a tax haven here you will find everything at very competitive prices, although in recent years a bit 'of hikes we were even here. However, let's say that what 'in Italy can' be considered unreachable, here you can 'do more' than a little thought. In the souk you will find valuable fabrics that come from India and Chinese silks, pearls, jewelry, prints, Iranian, Arabic coffee pots, daggers of bronze and of course carpets. But if you want to point to something else, designer clothing, watches, electronics, and so on, you must go in the malls here and the city still amazes.
The sheikh has even organized a global event, the Dubai Shopping Festival, which attracts about two million people each year, between buyers and sellers. Shows, concerts and theatrical performances in a sea of discounts and with a bit of money to be hair-raising. Here you can indulge: Deira City Centre And 'situated in Deira fact, but of all is perhaps the mall more' ugly. There's nothing really special except the fact of being in the city center.
On three floors, there are almost all the most 'important brands. On the first floor there is a Carrefour, where you can 'comfortably supply of many Italian products, from pasta Barilla Saint Lucia mozzarella, Parmesan cheese rice Gallo. But they are not for sale alcohol or pork which is instead from Spinneys, a British chain. To visit the gallery Arabian Treasure, where you can buy scarves and shawls true at attractive prices. Mall of the Emirates Sheikh Zayed Road, 4th interchange And 'the most' famous. And 'one of the most' largest shopping resort in the world again.
In one day you can simply do the shopping, linger at the window of Bulgari, try on a garment of Dolce & Gabbana, decide to eat Thai, make skiing and maybe see a movie in the evening. Everything at your fingertips. Obviously the activity that most 'striking and draws in this shopping mall is between all the ski slope. With about 50 euro you can rent all the necessary equipment skis, boots, overalls and skiing for about two hours it's open until midnight 5 are the slopes, several difficulties, the most' is about 400 meters long.
But inside there is still much more snow park, the area for the freestyle, and obviously the huts where you can rest from the cold. Ibn Battuta Mall Sheikh Zayed Road, 6th interchange is special about this mall a bit ' out of town is to be divided into six areas, each representing a region Andalusia, Tunisia, Egypt, Persia, India and China that Ibn Battuta visited in his experience as an explorer of the Eastern world in the 14th century. Each area is set up to bring us back those ancient atmospheres.
Admire the architecture and read the display cases illustrative of the corridors or in the middle after a while shopping you'll nausea! Mercato Mall Jumirah Beach Road Play complete with gondolas and the Bridge of Sighs, all surrounded by a Renaissance architecture. It is nice cause more quiet little of others.
There is plenty of choice and there are so many hotels that I would first give the yellow pages. There are all the most large international hotel chains and with a different range of stars. Check offers on line and in an agency or directly contacting the hotels. The value for money is often great and the service is generally very good even in mid-range hotel. But if you want the best, then I can only dwell on these. Burj Al Arab Jumeirah Beach Road. The Tower of the Arabs is more than one of the hotels luxurious and famous in the world. And 'situated among five-star hotels, but many guides will assign sects.
The saying not everything that glitters is gold is contradicted here: the precious metal is recognizable in all finishes and some hotel restaurants also use it to garnish the food. Unable to access without a reservation, room or restaurant. The dress code is fairly rigid: bandits jeans, t-shirt and sneakers. Permitted only in the feminine sandals. It's double, the base model, deluxe suites, 170 square meters, equipped with every comfort, in part season about 1000 euro per night, with breakfast. The top is the Royal Suite, 800 square meters, of extreme luxury, with private cinema, Carrara marble everywhere, changing the bed pan and tilt depending on the view you prefer and much more.
The prices are not communicated or phone for it via the internet. With about 3000 euro, you arrive at the hotel by helicopter and not via taxi, the transfer takes place from the VIP lounge of the airport helipad on top of the sail. The hotel has several restaurants, excellent cuisine, and service and placed in different areas depending on whether you prefer the sea-view from below, from above or from below. Prices, needless to say, are in line with everything else. Madinat Jumeirah next to the more famous sailing is sort super luxury reconstruction of an Arab city where headquarters are three resorts Mina A'Salam, the harbor of peace, Al Qasr, the palace and Dar El Masyaf, the summer homes.
Between channels and waterways passable with abras, these residences offer a vast array of amenities ranging from simple rooms to suites, to villas that reproduce the homes of the sheikhs. All with two miles of private beach, swimming pools, a huge fitness center and spa, the Sixth Sense, which really seems to be the reconstruction of the earthly paradise. It's also a souk in the medina, all kinds of shops, numerous restaurants and cafe, a theater and an amphitheater this is also open to mere mortals! Eating Some often traveling alone between Dubai, Bahrain, Qatar, if hosted in large hotels prefer to dine in the room, so you do not have all eyes on to anyone prostitution in the major hotels in Dubai is now customary.
But no problem if you decide to eat on the premises where they are almost all in the West. So, to make a selection and a choice between those tested and recommended, Here they. Refined and classy, great food and the environment, better for the company: Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel, Blue Elephant Thai cuisine, Al Bustan Rotana Hotel Seafood Market international cuisine, Le Meridien Dubai, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach resort, Bastakiah Nights Restaurant Arab cuisine.
Even as the sun, guaranteed good food Irish Village Dubai Tennis Stadium, brings together several restaurants bar, good service, live music Alamo Mexican Dubai Marine Beach Club, Wafi City Mall guaranteed fresh pasta every day. Very lively nightlife at Madinat Jumeirah as already mentioned above. You have a great selection of live music venues, pubs and cafes. Other place of nightlife is the Dubai Marine Beach Club in El Paso Tex-Mex Restaurant after ten dancing, ditto to the Barasti Le Meridien Mina Seyahi, famous and crowded pub on the beach. Bars and restaurants are the only places where you can buy and consume alcohol.
You will see many Arabic sinners. When you buy in the souks, it is trite to say, but most barter as you can. If you do not know at least a few words of Arabic and reads written on your forehead tourist, well, pull the price as much as possible, before doing a tour of the various shops and then maybe back on your heels. Be careful if you buy gold, always ask how many carats is 24, 21 or 18, however, you will make a deal. Even if you're not going to buy anything, going into the souk, is a unique experience and well worth taking some nice pictures.
Be careful, since the end of December to the end of January is held Dubai Shopping Festival. If you choose this time for a vacation, book well in advance. Ditto for the month of February, there are Open Tennis. Arabic fatevelo, is an experience of smell and taste great, at any time a coffee in a coffee lounge of Emirates Towers. On the ground floor there is a boulevard full of designer shops. Even the bathrooms are worth a tour!
Do not visit the Zoo in Dubai, is one of infinite sadness and you will only want to open the cages. Do not photograph the premises before asked, especially women. Although to tip is a very common habit, it is not necessary to give it to the taxi drivers!
Period of Ramadan: beware, many bars and cafes are closed during the day and until after the Iftar breaking the fast. It is advisable not to eat and drink in public, there are still areas of the hotels arranged for breakfast and lunch.
