72 hours in Dubai, U.A.E.

With only three weeks of vacation per year, you sometimes have to be creative when planning your next trip.  With a long holiday weekend approaching, my wife and I decided on traveling to the Middle East.  We both took two days off from work and made it a five day weekend.  Yes, it was a long journey for only a three day visit but we found Dubai to be a perfect place to spend three days.  With flights leaving at night, you lose a day there but the jet lag was minimal and our enjoyment of the city was not diminished by the long flight.

There is no city clamoring for more attention in the world then Dubai and deservedly so.  In the last twenty years, this quiet desert town has been transformed into a modern day metropolis.  The global face of Dubai is the rapidly expanding Emirates Airlines, which operates a mega-hub in Dubai and operates an ultra modern wide body only fleet.  With flights to six continents, Emirates Airlines has positioned itself in most major markets.  As a connecting point between Europe and Asia/Australia, Dubai is well positioned geographically for business travel and tourism.

Whether you want to spend one day or one week there are no shortage of sights to see.  Two iconic buildings worth visiting include the Burj Khalifa (completed in 2010) and the self proclaimed world’s only seven star hotel, the Burj Al Arab.  The Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, offers excursions to the 124th floor (At The Top) with a viewing platform.  Be sure to book your reservation online in advance to save money as a walk up reservation is more expensive.

 

 

Right below the Burj Khalifa, the waltzing waters of Dubai Fountain are synchronized to arabian music and offer a show similar to the waltzing waters at the Bellagio in Las Vegas.  Located right next to the Burj Khalifa is the world’s largest shopping mall by area, the Dubai Mall.  In addition to being the largest shopping mall by area, it is the most visited shopping and leisure destination in the world with over 65 million visitors in 2012.  With over 1200 shops, 120 restaurants/cafes, the Dubai Aquarium, Dubai Ice Rink, Sega Republic indoor theme park there is no shortage of entertainment in the Dubai mall.

The Burj Al Arab, the self proclaimed world’s only seven star hotel, is a bit more exclusive.  To get into the hotel you either need a hotel reservation or a reservation at one of the restaurants.  The opulent gold plating inside the hotel is certainly impressive.

 

 

Given the exclusivity, dinner at any of the restaurants  is expensive, running several hundred dollars.  A nice option for dinner is the Al Muntaha (european cuisine) located on the top 27th floor located adjacent to the Skyview bar.  Al Muntaha offers panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf and city on clears days and nights.

 

 

In my opinion, one of the more unique experiences in Dubai is Ski Dubai located in the Mall of the Emirates.  To think you can go from the sweltering heat of Dubai to the temperature controlled environment of Ski Dubai at thirty degrees Fahrenheit.  Although not to be compared to any world class downhill skiing, Ski Dubai offers an interesting alternative to anybody who wants to say they rode a chair lift and snow skied in the Middle East.

If you are more short on time, a hop on/hop off bus may be a nice alternative.  Stops include the Atlantis at Palm Jumeirah (man made islands),  Burj Al Arab, Burj Khalifa, the Gold Souk, the Spice Souk, Emirates Towers, and a cruise on the Dubai Creek (older part of town).

 

Despite being a Muslim country, U.A.E. is generally very tolerant and open to westerners.  A little modesty (covering shoulders and knees) and avoiding public displays of affection is respectful of the local culture.  Dubai is an extremely safe city with low crime rates.  As an introduction to traveling in the Middle East, Dubai is the perfect starting point.