Dubai - What to do?

[markis10]

Over the next week Lindsay Wilson and myself have been given the opportunity to sample some of the attractions on offer in Dubai, thanks to Qantas and the Government of Dubai's Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing. We will be reporting here on the experience as much as we can, in the hope it provides a useful insight into whats on offer for our community members who are dipping their toes into Dubai for the first time.

Some of the tours on offer include:

Dubai Mall – Dubai Mall has 1,200 retail outlets, two anchor department stores, and over 160 food and beverage outlets. It is also home to one of the world’s most imaginative children’s attractions, Kidzania, a place where children can get a taste of the adult world through role-play. There is also an Olympic sized ice rink or the SEGA Republic indoor theme, as well as The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo in Dubai Mall. It has more than 33,000fishes from 140 species swimming through the 10-million litre tank.

At the Top – Visit the top of the world’s tallest building in high speed elevators (traveling at 10 metres per second) that take you up to the 124th floor of the Burj Khalifa. The unobstructed 360 degree view of the city, desert and sea.

Old City Walking Tour
Discover Dubai on foot with this walking tour of Dubai’s old quarter is the best way to get acquainted with the city’s heritage.
Begin from the fragrant alleys of the spice souk on the Deira side of its waters. You will also see Dubai’s famous gold souk which flaunts dazzling displays of jewellery. You will then make your way to the creek and board a traditional abra (wooden water taxi).
Crossing the creek, you’ll continue your walk through Bastakiya. Established at the end of the 19th century by Arab textile and pearl trading immigrants from Bastak in Iran, the winding streets in this locality are lined with restored merchant houses, cafés, boutique hotels and art.

Jumeirah Mosque Tour
The beautiful Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai is a much-photographed landmark, especially when lit up against an evening sky. Built in the Medieval Fatimid tradition, the Mosque has a capacity of 1,200 people.
The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding organised tours of the Jumeirah Mosque is part of its Open Doors, Open Minds policy, designed to bring different nationalities together. The tour, which is as much fact-finding as sight-seeing, includes a Q&A session at the end.

Art Tour
Discover Dubai’s booming art scene. Al Quoz is a revitalised industrial area, and is now well known for the numerous art galleries in the area. What at first glance looks like a block of warehouse spaces is actually a home to more than 10 Art Galleries, a Private Art Museum, creative spaces and a coffee shop. Al Serkal Avenue galleries include:
 Carbon12
 Gallery Isabelle van den Eynde
 Green Art Gallery
 Grey

Morning Tea and Camel Polo
Enjoy a game of polo with a new twist! Instead of the traditional game played by individual players on horseback, Camel polo incorporates one of Dubai’s native creatures. Played with rules similar to standard polo, this version includes a few surprises and is easily accessible to all skill levels. At the end of the match participants and spectators can celebrate with an awards ceremony and a cuppa!

Dubai Fountains
The Dubai Fountains is one of the most popular attractions in Dubai and best of all, it is absolutely free to watch! It is also the biggest fountains in the world and on every lunch time and evening there are spectacular light, music and water shows.

As always it pays to do your research before going, The Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM) is the principal authority for the development of tourism in Dubai, one of the world’s most popular destinations. Established in 1997, it is the sole licensing body for the hotel establishments and tourism-related businesses. Its supervisory role covers heritage sites, cruise terminal and convention bureau. Please visit Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing or Definitely Dubai - The Official Tourism Portal Of The City Of Dubai for more information about Dubai, or their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/dtcm.anz.


Personally I found this guide very helpful in terms of covering off the key points to note on cultural differences:

Dubai - Know before you go! http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/2753662/dubai-know-before-you-go?dn=y&dnad=y

 

[simongr]

I was going to show mrssimongr and mother simongr this thread until I read this:

Dubai Mall – Dubai Mall has 1,200 retail outlets, two anchor department stores, and over 160 food and beverage outlets. It is also home to one of the world’s most imaginative children’s attractions, Kidzania, a place where children can get a taste of the adult world through role-play. There is also an Olympic sized ice rink or the SEGA Republic indoor theme, as well as The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo in Dubai Mall. It has more than 33,000fishes from 140 species swimming through the 10-million litre tank.

We are only there four days :shock:

 

[Hvr]

Dubai Mall – Dubai Mall has 1,200 retail outlets, two anchor department stores, and over 160 food and beverage outlets. It is also home to one of the world’s most imaginative children’s attractions, Kidzania, a place where children can get a taste of the adult world through role-play. There is also an Olympic sized ice rink or the SEGA Republic indoor theme, as well as The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo in Dubai Mall. It has more than 33,000fishes from 140 species swimming through the 10-million litre tank.

Can you get Vegemite there?

 

[markis10]

Can you get Vegemite there?

Sounds like a challenge, game on

 

[Mal]

Can you get Vegemite there?

Good question. Plenty of Australian food products on the shelves in the larger supermarkets (meat, dairy, biscuits etc). Never looked out for Vegemite, but suspect it's there somewhere!

 

[malmacdowall]

For something out of left field - try wild Wadi water park ... Great fun and a new concept of slides that shoot you upwards along the slides ...
Or for something more upmarket -
Afternoon tea at the Burj Al Arab...

 

[cmon0005]

Ski Dubai is a fantastic experience, this was one of my favourite activities in Dubai, and have dinner at the Burj Al Arab very expensive but an experience you'll never forget.

 

[ellen10]

Sounds good, we have 2 days there in October on the way home from Europe.

 

[LadyC]

I second Wild Wadi. Went there with the gentleman and an expat friend who works as a ATC at DXB. Had the best time! Was bruised and battered at the end from the uphill water slide but it was worth it We are visiting again in August and definitely visiting again.

If I recall correctly, there is a Brunetti's in Dubai Mall. You might be able to get a vegemite on toast there to go with your cappuccino!

 

[Simo]

I was going to show mrssimongr and mother simongr this thread until I read this:



We are only there four days :shock:

Dubai mall could be you entire 4 days.

 

[Geegeela]

Markis, not quite sure if you are saying all now is set in stone or you have a little flexibility.

In June I am having afternoon tea at At.mosphere Burj Khalifa.

I would very much appreciate your and Lindsay’s first hand opinions on this experience.

However, I do understand your position and would also be happy with what you may consider a good second hand comment.

 

[markis10]

Markis, not quite sure if you are saying all now is set in stone or you have a little flexibility.

In June I am having afternoon tea at At.mosphere Burj Khalifa.

I would very much appreciate your and Lindsay’s first hand opinions on this experience.

However, I do understand your position and would also be happy with what you may consider a good second hand comment.

At this stage we are doing everything with the exception of the Mosque, Art and Polo tours which where the three other tours on offer besides the walking tour. We will be doing the Burj Khalifa but at the somewhat unusual time of predawn, to watch the sunrise, this option is only available normally on weekends (Fridays and Saturdays), we also have some unusual evening events as well including a dinner at the Number 1 hotel in Dubai which will be interesting given the rooms are around the $1500 and up mark, I am hoping to get a look at one despite us not actually staying there.

http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Hotel...aha_Desert_Resort-Dubai_Emirate_of_Dubai.html

 

[Marksmum]

Besides the excellent shopping malls and marvelous architecture, are there social hubs e.g. Social clubs,? casinos?

 

[markis10]

There are no casinos or social clubs that I am aware of, they do have quite a few events such as Red Bull motor cross etc. Ten pin bowling seems to be a popular activity when not shopping, there is also a massive theme park, we went past it a few times but it was closed (wonderland), its very old and seems to be run down. Horse and Camel racing is popular, the camel racetrack is 8km long!

 

[markis10]

Markis, not quite sure if you are saying all now is set in stone or you have a little flexibility.

In June I am having afternoon tea at At.mosphere Burj Khalifa.

I would very much appreciate your and Lindsay’s first hand opinions on this experience.

However, I do understand your position and would also be happy with what you may consider a good second hand comment.

We did the Burj Khalifa at dawn so cannot really comment on what you might experience apart from the view and facilities!
Some of the group did do the tower in the afternoon and the crowds are huge with long waits, the dawn option was a special tour for us but on the Dubai weekend (Friday and Saturday) they do open for it.

The most important thing is to book early, as a guide they were booked out until Friday from Monday night, but they are happy to still sell you an admission ticket but you have to pay 400 Dirham, that's just over $100 Aussie, that gets you in the queue but no special privilege above the normal admission ticket.

The facilities are first rate, what was most surprising was their electronic telescopes that show on a screen the picture close and far, and they have the option to show you what it looks like on a clear day, a clear night, a live view and a historic view from twenty years ago, it's very clever.

 

[elbarto]

I take it you didn't go skiing then?