Joanna James
Dubai is the kind of destination, which offers the discerning traveller a touch of exotic history, and loads of modern marvels to gape at. Enjoy a cosmopolitan yet charmingly rustic holiday here.
Standing at a height of 828 metres, one cannot miss the iconic symbol of Dubai. The Burj Khalifa is the world's tallest tower and a magnificent sight to behold. In order to truly appreciate this marvel of architecture, one needs to get up close and personal, to do this you need to head inside the building and make your way to the Observation Deck located on the 124th floor. The view is simply amazing and unsurpassable. Once there head over to the 'At The Top Sky Lounge', on the 148th floor for a luxurious respite and stop for a meal in 'At.mosphere', located on the 122nd floor. Guests at DUKES DUBAI will find the tower around 24 minutes away, making a stop at the Burj Khalifa a list topper.
The Dubai Mall is located next to the Burj Khalifa, and no self-respecting shopaholic should miss a scout of this marvellous complex. Do reserve an entire day to explore the mall in its entirety; after all, you have a total of 1,200 shops to explore. Shopping is not the only allure though; the place boasts 150 restaurants and a range of entertainment venues, such as, an ice rink, an indoor theme park, and a large indoor waterfall which is just mesmerizing. There is also a choreographed water fountain and underwater zoo and a large aquarium to mesmerize you. Easy to experience when you stay at a Palm Jumeirah hotel, Dubai shopping does not get any better than this enormous, all-encompassing mall.
Located at the base of Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Fountain is the largest choreographed fountain in the world; and is nothing short of spectacular. Watch as the dancing water mesmerizes you, shooting water jets to heights of 150 metres. The jets, radiating in various hues, dance to the rhythm of popular tunes from across the globe, making this one of Dubai's most iconic attractions. You can catch one of the two shows taking place at 1 pm and 1.30 pm in the afternoons, while the evening shows take place after sunset, occurring every half hour, until 11 pm.
This is one of Dubai's most iconic architectural marvels and certainly deserves some attention. Palm Jumeirah is a man-made archipelago of islands made in the shape of a palm. Booking yourself into a luxurious Palm Jumeirah resort will be the ultimate experience of lavish indulgence. Close to the marina, the archipelago offers a range of entertainment venues, in addition to the fine collection of the best luxury hotels in Dubai. The trunk of the palm is interconnected via a monorail system for easy access.
In a city where modern marvels, amaze at every turn, it is quite refreshing to discover a touch of exotic Arabic culture and history around the confines of Dubai Creek. The Salt Water Estuary remains legendary as the first settlement site for the Bani Yas tribe and the surrounding waters are where, Dubai's main economy for many years, pearl diving, was conducted. Enjoy a cruise in a traditional wooden dhow, watch the skyline against the backdrop of a fiery setting sun, and be transported back to magical Arabian nights.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a pas...
