Travel Agent Newlands

When most people think about Dubai, they think about shopping. Yes, Dubai does have fantastic shopping malls and you can buy anything you want usually at great discounted price, but Dubai has a lot more to offer than just shopping.

With their oil reserves all but depleted, the Emirate of Dubai took the bold step to create a tourist oasis in the desert. Happily, they have succeeded in turning their part of the Sahara Desert into a jewel.

Visitors can enjoy watching world class sporting events such as golf, formula 1 motor racing, football, tennis and cricket amongst others, with the best sportsmen and women from around the world taking part.

I had the pleasure of travelling to Dubai on many occasions, and the most memorable trips included a 4x4 desert safari which lasted around 2-3 hours and it is not for the faint hearted. Being a 4x4 enthusiast, I thoroughly enjoyed this!

The safari ends off with all the 4x4's entering a flat area of the desert where a Bedouin camp had been set up to welcome tired and weary travellers. The evening provides great food eaten on low tables whilst you sit on pillows on the ground. This is a great way to experience the way that the desert dwellers traditional eat their meals. Belly dancing and Arabic music filled the desert night and made it a very enjoyable evening.

In contrast, Dubai is a developing, very modern and rich Emirate, with building happening all over the place. Their most famous building is the Burj Al Arab Hotel which is built in the sea and boasts its own helipad leading into the penthouse near the top of the building. The hotel is one of the best in the world and is frequented by the worlds rich and famous.

The opulence of the region is echoed by the cars cruising down the bustling roads. Every imaginable sports car, sedan and stretch limousine can be found in Dubai.

There are many great hotels in Dubai, and I highly recommend a two night stay in the Emirate should you transit via Dubai flying Emirates Airlines on to another destination alternatively Dubai can serve as a perfect stand alone holiday. Contact me for more information on a holiday to Dubai.