Classic Dubai

General Information

Fashionable, tolerant and cosmopolitan, over the last three decades Dubai has emerged as one of the great cities of the modern world. It is a country with endless stretches of desert, rugged mountains and modern, vibrant cities. A country of contrasts, where modern shopping malls and traditional souks, futuristic skyscrapers and mud walled wadi villages, cosmopolitan entrepreneurs and Bedu tribe's people co-exist harmoniously, Dubai defies definition.

It is one of the seven emirates, or states, that forms the United Arab Emirates. The city of Dubai is situated on the banks of a natural inlet from the Arabian Gulf, the Dubai Creek, which divides the city neatly into two, Dubai and Deira. This waterway is the main artery from which most of the life of the city stems - magnificent yachts, traditional dhows and water-taxis all ply their trade against a backdrop of some of the most stunning and iconic modern architecture in the world.

Climate

Cuisine

Traditional Arabic cuisine is a blend of Middle Eastern influences from countries such as Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. But in Dubai, modern Arabic cuisine usually means food with a pronounced Lebanese accent. Typical ingredients include lamb, beef, chicken, seafood, nuts - mainly pistachios - dates, yoghurt and a wide range of spices. Lebanese desserts are very sweet but delicious. Alcohol is served in licensed bars and restaurants located within hotels. The smoking go of the shisha pipe, with its fruit-flavoured tobaccos is a popular and relaxing pastime. And of course given Dubai's cosmopolitan flavour the city also offers a remarkably diverse range of restaurants with many fine dining and speciality opportunities from around the world.

Currency & Visa

The currency of the United Arab Emirates is the Dirham which is divided into 100 fils. Most banks operate ATMs or cash point machines which accept a wide range of cards and are located around the city and in shopping malls. Credit cards are widely accepted although smaller businesses may not welcome them owing to the fees that they incur. All British Citizen passport holders require a visa to enter the United Arab Emirates. This is granted free on arrival and is valid for 60 days.

Dubai & Islam
Given the sophisticated and cosmopolitan atmosphere of the United Arab Emirates it is easy to forget that you are in an Islamic culture. Please, therefore, respect the traditions and Muslim values of these welcoming countries. Conservative dress in public is recommended and women should avoid tight or revealing clothing. In 2006 the fasting month of Ramadan will be observed from late September until late October. The official language of the country is Arabic, although English, Urdu and Hindi are widely spoken.

Events
Dubai is host to a number of annual sporting events, social occasions and festivals. Camel and horse racing takes place during the winter months. The Dubai World Cup for horse racing is staged in March. Desert Rallies attract some of the world's top rally drivers, culminating in the UAE Desert Challenge in October or November. Dubai also hosts part of the European Professional Golf Association Tour - the Dubai Desert Classic tournament in March. Dhow racing and powerboat racing are great spectator sports for which the Dubai Creek provides a stunning setting. And, of course, the Dubai Shopping Festival is the ultimate retail experience for serious shoppers. From mid-January to mid-February, Dubai comes alive with a carnival atmosphere as concerts, fireworks displays and fashion shows are held all around the city.

Sightseeing

Dubai City Tour
See the old and new faces of Dubai side by side - the souks, the fish market, the mosques, Bastakiya Wind tower houses and the most striking modern buildings.

Dune Dinners & Dhow Cruises
Late afternoons are ideal for driving over the dunes, the changing colours and shapes of the sand affording fantastic photo opportunities. Enjoy a sumptuous dinner and the silent, clam of a starlit desert night sky. Alternatively enjoy a magical evening dining aboard a dhow as it slips through the waters of Dubai Creek under a moonlit sky.

Mountain Safaris
Enjoy the spectacularly rugged scenery of the Hajar Mountains from the comfort of your four- wheel-drive. Rumble through rugged canyons onto steep winding tracks past Bedouin settlements and camel farms. Drive along the wadis - dried up river beds - and tackle sand dunes of varying heights and colours.

Other Things to Do
Dubai is becoming one of the world's premier golf destinations, with excellent weather and top-class facilities. There are several golf courses in and around the city and in a place where it hardly ever rains they add a welcome splash of colour to the desert. For more family orientated entertainment enjoy the excitement of the world's most technologically advanced water park, Wild Wadi. Windsurfing, water skiing, parasailing and jet-skiing are just some of the water sports available at many of the beach clubs, for more gentle water-based activities why not try your hand at snorkelling and sailing. Sand-boarding or skiing down a dune is a unique holiday experience and used to be the only way of skiing in Dubai. But with the opening of Ski Dubai you can now ski on snow! This incredible feat of engineering features a chairlift, halfway station, a toboggan run and even a black run for serious skiers!

And when it comes to shopping Dubai has it all. Choose from modern shopping malls with wall to wall designer brand names of venture into the more traditional gold and spice souks. But remember to respect the local customs and traditions...and haggle!

Flight Times

Flight times from the U.K. are from around 6 hours 40 minutes to 6 hours 50 minutes from airports in southern England. Please contact us for more detailed information.

Map of Dubai, United Arab Emerates

For a larger scale map click here