24 Hours in Dubai.

In November, Mercia and I had to fly to Manchester for our annual Travel Counsellors conference. We flew with Emirates via Dubai and was treated to a 24-hour whirlwind stop in Dubai. UAE visas are easy to obtain and no admin at all. We arrived early morning and our city tour guide welcomed us with coffee. First on our list was the bustling Dubai Creek. Dubai’s traditional souks that specialise in gold, perfume and spices are situated in narrow lanes that can be explored on the search for bargains. The sounds of the souks and the smell of the spices feels like it is taking you away to another time. We then hopped on an “abra” (traditional ferry boat) to cross the creek to Bur Dubai. A very affordable, yet one of the most authentic experiences in the city. Our city tour took us through Dubai’s modern, vibrant metropolis. We visited the beautiful Jumeirah Mosque and the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world and a global icon. Naturally, we had to stop for the obligatory photo at the Burj Al Arab. We ventured to the famous Palm Jumeirah, where city beach lifestyle meets luxury. Along the way we caught endless glimpses of magnificent ocean views along the bustling Sheikh Zayed Road. Our guide took us to our hotel, the amazing Address Grand Creek Harbour Hotel to freshen up and lunch. We were not disappointed. The hotel is chic and elegant with stunning views of the creek and the city’s skyline. Our afternoon and evening were filled with so much laughter and fun on a dessert safari. The dune drive is so exciting and those drivers really know how to dune bash. We stopped to watch the sunset, on our way to our campsite. We were treated with camel rides, sand boarding, henna tattoo’s, a delicious barbeque dinner, shisha (the famous Arabic water pipe) and a fire show under starlight. By this time we were knackered and concluded our day with a night cap at the hotel. Dubai, a city that seamlessly blends tradition with modernity, offers an immersive experience even within the constraints of 24 hours. We will carry our memories of a day filled with architectural wonders, cultural richness and the allure of the Arabian dessert.