Definitely Dubai
Dubai offers a fascinating kaleidoscope of contrasts - a distinctive blend of modern city and timeless desert, east and west, old and new. A truly exotic destination, with a cosmopolitan lifestyle, but still with its unique charm and hospitality of Arabia.
Some of the must do's and must visits in Dubai: * Burj Khalifa - The tallest tower in the world at 828 metres. My top tip to avoid disappointment be sure to pre-book your ticket to visit the observation deck on the 124th floor.
* A visit to the Souks in Deira – I recommended doing this at night as it's much cooler. Here you can find anything from coffee beans and spices to clothes and camel leather shoes. Bargain, Bargain!!
* Dune bashing - what a treat! It definitely gets the adrenaline running. You can end this off with dinner in the dunes and complete with Belly dancers.
* Ski Dubai which is located in Mall of the Emirates!
* Yas Marina & Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi – this is about an hour's drive from Dubai
* Dinner cruise on the creek - You can do either the very traditional Dhow Cruise or the more upmarket Bateaux Dubai. My suggestion would be the latter.
* Wild Wadi at Jumeira Beach Hotel or a visit to Aquaventure at Altantis The Palm - Be sure to take The Leap of Faith. This slide will have you falling over 9 stories in a mere second before you find yourself speeding through a clear acrylic tube surrounded by sharks and rays!
* Dubai is a shopper’s paradise, be sure to visit Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates and one of my favourites, Ibn Battuta mall.
For a unique experience, take a trip to Karama. Here you will find many shops that sell “genuine fakes”. Again be sure to bargain!
Except for a brief period during summer, Dubai's temperature and humidity are comfortable. Temperatures range from a low of 10 degrees Celsius to a high of 48. The hottest months are July / August, and travel is not highly recommended during these months. Lightweight clothing is recommended and lots of sunscreen.
Emirates offer 2 daily direct flights from Cape Town. The flight time is approximately 10 hours. EK 773 departs at 13h30 - operated by the Boeing 777-300ER and EK 771 departs at 17h55 - operated by the A340-500 (not the new airbus). For business class passengers I recommend the Boeing 777-300 as the Airbus 340-500 do not have flat beds. They have an award winning entertainment system which will keep you busy throughout the flight.
Regarding Foreign Exchange, my recommendation will be to change money once you arrive in Dubai; you get a much better deal than doing it in South Africa.
My hotel recommendations: * 5 Star JW Marriott Marquis, which is located in Business Bay, Dubai. This is currently the world's tallest hotel – This hotel is recommended for business travellers and is close to Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa. The hotel has various restaurants and bars. The Vault being one of the nicest and offers the best view! The below hotels are located in the Jumeirah / Marina area - my favourite area
* Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort.
* Le Meridien Mina Seyahi & Westin Mina Seyhai, these two hotels are located next to each other and when staying at either of the hotels, the facilities of both can be used. Be sure to visit the World Famous Barasti Bar at the Westin Mina Seyahi Hotel.
* The Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Hotel & Residences.
For those that like to enjoy a glass of wine, you can easily pay up to 80 Dirham for a glass of wine, so it's recommended to travel with some wine – you are allowed up to 2 litres.
Ladies take advantage of the ladies nights at various bars and hotels, normally on Tuesdays & Wednesdays, where from 7 – 10 pm you don’t pay for any drinks.
If you want a unique experience, check with your hotel if they offer the famous brunch on Fridays.
If you require any further information on Dubai, or would like to plan your trip to Dubai, feel free to contact me.