Dubai is an emirate of the United Arab Emirates; more simply it is located between the continents of Africa and India. This emirate can be accessed via to the local airport, Dubai International Airport, the local public transport systems have been claimed to be less than 100% reliable and the roads very congested. It is with this in mind that the holiday visitor wanting to do more than wander around the local places where you are staying should consider a hire car. Reliable companies like Europ Car and Hertz offer car rental direct from the airport. Dubai offers a variety of cuisines allowing most people to eat out and enjoying the local culture, if you are looking for something a little more traditional the likes of Gordon Ramsay have restaurants in Dubai. In Dubai shopping is a must, with malls and the famous Gold Souk, a place where you can buy gold really cheaply, but you may have to haggle for it. Couple this with the local traditional Dubai and you have the whole package, city break, culture, food and entertainment.
Dubai Airport information
Dubai International Airport (DWC) is located 2.5 miles southeast of the city center. It’s composed of three terminals with shuttle bus service available between each. In terms of passenger services, ATMs and Bureau de change are available throughout the airport. There are a large number of food outlets available as well as shopping facilities, including ‘Dubai Duty Free’. Internet kiosks are located in the terminals and there is also the Connect Business Center in the on-site based Dubai International Hotel. There’s a lost luggage service available in the airport and assistance to book cheap car hire in Dubai is available.
Places to visit around Dubai
Throughout Dubai there’s an abundance of contemporary architectural design based on Islamic styles. The most notable example is the Burj Khalifa which, at 828 meters, is the tallest building on earth. As you can imagine, from the observation deck, ‘At the Top’, you can gain a stunning panorama of the city. There’s also an Armani hotel, restaurant, mall and fitness center based in it. The Jumeirah Mosque is another modern building which is based on the Fatimid style, a design of medieval descent. You can enter, but only through a guided tour if you’re a non-Muslim.
Despite its multitude of architectural wonders, Dubai still contains a multitude of parks. Safa Park is located southwest of the city and is composed of lakes, forest, and a hill from which visitors can gain great views of the parkland. In the largest lake you can take a boat ride and admire the waterfall which flows into it. Alternatively, Mushrif Park features a desert terrain, and Wild Wadi Water Park, as its name suggest, is full of water-based rides and slides. This is a fantastic way to cool down from the summer heat! To enjoy all these attractions, car hire in Dubai is an easy and convenient option.
Although Dubai is very much a modern city, there are still areas which retain Dubai’s ancient heritage. The Bastakya Quarter contains original courtyard houses along with the wind towers which used to cool them down. You can also visit the museum, peruse the assortment of art galleries and, if you’re there on a Saturday, visit the street market. The Dubai Museum is housed in the 18th century Al-Fahidi Fort. Inside, visitors can look at ancient weapons and artifacts retrieved from Al-Ghusais graves dating back 4000 years ago.
Re-creations of original emirate settlements can be found at the Heritage and Diving Villages. This is a fantastic way of appreciating the traditional Bedouin lifestylel Locals dress up in original outfits and displays are available of handicrafts and the garb required for the art of pearl diving. Winter is the prime time to visit and view live acts featuring traditional dancing and singing.