Desert Safari #5weekstogo

A fun filled expedition out into the empty desert can’t go a miss when in Dubai. We will have a whole evening in the desert (3.30pm to 9.30pm) getting involved in an array of activities. These activities include cursing around the desert in 4x4 wheel drive and enduring a spot of dune bashing.

The driver usually stops at a nice little location to watch the gorgeous sun set, allowing for lovely photography opportunities.

Once we reach the camp in the middle of no where there is plenty to do. Have fun trekking around the camp on a camel or relax and watch a belly dancing performance with a buffet dinner & BBQ. Get your adrenaline pumping while sand boarding down a dune or relax while you get a henna tattoo. There will be a bar serving alcoholic drinks & a chance to try some flavoured Tabaco called shisha.

Cost: 80 DH with a groupon or a voucher. Around £15.
Dress code: Casual, comfortable clothing. Sandals or flip flops.

Abu Dhabi #6weekstogo

We will take a trip to the capital city, Abu Dhabi. (This is as close as you will get to where I actually live!) In a taxi from Dubai the journey is only about 45 minutes.

Whilst exploring the city, we will visit the luxurious 7* Emirates Palace. The interior is decked out in gold, marble and has large patterned domes. There is even a gold ATM available! Here, we can relax and have a lovely beverage that will most likely be sprinkled with 24-carat gold.

Here are some crazy facts about the Emirates Palace…

1. It cost approximately $3 BILLION to build.

2. It spans 1 km from wing to wing, 100 hectares total area.

2.  5 kg of pure edible GOLD is used per year for decoration mainly on desserts.

Abu Dhabi is home to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. It is open to the public for daily tours, including a sun set tour. The mosque is an architectural work of art that can not be missed. It is absolutely beautiful! The Grand Mosque's design and construction 'unites the world', using artisans and materials from many countries.

Al Karama & The Gold Souk #7weekstogo

In the city that sparkles, not everything is made of gold. Especially in the Karama Shopping Centre. Why pay mega bucks in the Dubai Mall when you can get high quality genuine fake handbags & purses at a fraction of the price in Karama? Whilst wondering the streets near the shops be prepared to be approached every second by shop owners trying to sell their replicas. Do not be scared to say ‘no’!

Brush up on your haggling skills and be prepared to bag a bargain! (Excuse the pun)

Did you know there are different quality levels of fakes? Yes, levels of fakness. The better the fake, the more dollar you’ll shell out. You will find the pristine genuine fakes in the “secret rooms”.

Chanel Hula-hoop bag anyone?

If you are purchasing a new handbag, you will NEED some new jewellery to go with it! Lucky for you, the Gold Souk (Markets) are not far away. Didn’t get enough of haggling in Kararm… consider that the warm up.

The Gold Souk is dazzling and well worth wondering around, even if just for a bit more window shopping. Here you can purchase gold, silver, diamonds and lots of other jewels and gems.

There are lots of opportunities to buy pashminas, abayas and cheap tourist souvenirs' too.

 

Burj Khalifa, At The Top #8weekstogo

 

Dubai is home to the tallest, biggest and best everything in the world. One of these is the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa. It stands tall at 828 meters high and has the fastest elevator in the world, taking only 60 seconds to climb 160 stories. This mighty building completely dwarfs the surrounding regular sized skyscrapers.

The ‘at the top’ tour of the Burj Khalifa takes around one hour and overloads you with information, facts and figures about the majestic building. The best part, the observation deck! You can spend as long as you like here, enjoying yet another breath taking view of Dubai.The best time of day to go, just before sunset.

For more panoramic views of Dubai, Click here!

Cost: 120 Dirhams. About £20. (Pre-booking)

The Burj Khalifa is located in downtown Dubai, next-door to the Biggest Mall in the world… The Dubai Mall. Offering over 1,200 shops and over 160 food & drink outlets, time can easily run away with you. Before you know it, you have spent over 12 hours “window shopping”.

No need for retail therapy? That’s okay, the biggest mall in the world has an Olympic sized ice rink, the largest aquarium in the world and an indoor theme park! As you do. And if all of that is not enough, prepare to be entertained by the World’s largest dancing fountain. Yes, a dancing fountain!

Now that really is a lot of world largest, biggest and best!