Travel Tips For First-Time Visitors To Dubai – Get The Most Of Your Trip To This Luxurious City

While Dubai might exclude a glossy and futuristic vibe, it's important to remember that it is a Middle-Eastern country and that the cultural norms here are much different compared to the West. Do keep in mind that dressing to show a lot of skin and getting inebriated in public is frowned upon and can potentially land you in an uncomfortable situation.

Dubai has two seasons, Summer and Winter, and it can get unbearably hot during summer. Travelling the city on foot for excessive time is a big no! It's made for driving, so always make sure to hop in a cab to get to places, avoid getting sunburnt and dehydrated. Most major hotel chains including the properties offered by Minor Hotels usually offer to arrange for car services upon the request of their guests.

The glittering skyscrapers of Dubai might be a stunning and awe-inspiring sight of its own, however, nothing beats Dubai's magnificent desert. It takes no time at all and will take 45 minutes at maximum to make your way from the modern city to the seemingly endless desert dunes. To take the mesmerising views from above, you have the option of taking to the skies in a hot air balloon, where you can observe herds of graceful gazelles and wandering camels. For those keen on keeping their feet firmly planted to the ground, consider a dune drive or a sundown safari for a memorable experience.

The Emirati locals take their shopping very seriously, and the adage shop till you drop is very popular here! The malls are enormous and have everything to offer including designer flagship stores, cute cafes, and fine dining restaurants. Even if shopping does not figure too highly on your must-do activity list in Dubai, a short visit is a definite must just to take in the splendour and the size of these cosmopolitan shopping complexes.

While the beaches in Dubai are undoubtedly beautiful its extremely hot, with temperatures from June to August soaring to 40 degrees Celsius. So for those keen on visiting the beach while in Dubai, doing so during the winter period is best. Which generally falls between November to March. This is when the temperatures cool down enough to make lounging on the beach an enjoyable experience. Things to do while on the beach include sunbathing to your heart's content, jet skiing, and parasailing above the Arabian Gulf.

Your weekend in Dubai will start on Friday and usually with brunch. If you're a western visitor, you will most likely be habituated to weekends that usually span from Saturday to Sunday. However, Dubai does things differently with Emiratis enjoying their weekend on Friday and Saturday and working from Sunday to Thursday.