Dubai: The Pearl of the Persian Gulf

The second largest of the United Arab Emirates, Dubai can be found on the southern shore of the Arabian Gulf. An eclectic mix of the old and new, Dubai’s humble beginnings as a small fishing village have developed and transformed into the modern metropolis that exists today.

During the early 80s Dubai reinvented itself as a popular holiday destination and the efforts paid off, as it is now the most popular of the seven emirates and a thriving tourist hotspot. Dubai city is a bustling spot where ancient meets modern in a collision of architecture, entertainment and culture, whilst outside the city itself the emirate is sparsely inhabited and mainly consists of desert land.

Dubai Creek divides the city neatly in two. Deira lies to the north and Bur Dubai to the south, with each area having its own defining characteristics. The creek is also the main artery of Dubai, winding inland from the Gulf for roughly six miles. Traditional teak trading dhows sail along the creek by day and at night the waterfront is a hive of activity, as Abras – local water taxis – crisscross the water carrying people to their chosen destination for the evening.

When it comes to beaches, Dubai doesn’t disappoint. Jumeirah Beach is one of the best known and therefore is a popular beach in the city. This long stretch of sand on the Arabian Gulf is lined with hotels and private clubs and interspaced by a few public beaches, so anyone can secure themselves a spot here.

On the Deira side of the creek you can find a public beach at Al Mamzar Park, which also has handy barbecue sites, food kiosks, and picnic areas.

Water sports are big news in Dubai so water skiing, sailing and scuba diving are all possible. In complete contrast you can try your hand at skiing on snow as Dubai boasts the world’s third largest indoor ski slope – an ideal way to seek solace from the hot sunshine.

Back in Dubai city futuristic architecture and traditional Arab houses sit side-by-side and you can marvel at the contrast as you wander around. The icing on the cake when it comes to Dubai’s soaring skyscrapers has to be the Burj Dubai, which will be the tallest tower in the world upon completion.

With more than 50 shopping malls, Dubai is equally a shopper’s paradise and a tax-free haven where you can shop to your heart’s content. Visit the modern malls for designer goods or take a trip to the souks to haggle for some authentic bargains.

A sub-tropical climate means rainfall is infrequent and irregular whereas sunshine is a much more common sight. This is good news to know when considering the time of year to take your flights to Dubai, as you can expect good weather year round giving you the flexibility to travel whenever you like.