Joanna James
Blessed with a glimmering skyline, mind-blowing extravagance and exciting activities galore, holiday-seekers need no convincing to visit Dubai and revel in its fascinating glories. Stock up on these tips for a worry-free getaway in the exotic gulf metropolis, soaking up the best it has to offer.
The stunning emirate of Dubai is more or less a year-round destination, especially if you are habituated to tropical weather conditions. Well, not everyone feels at home with Dubai's heat, so the city sees the highest influx of tourists from November through April when the weather is cooler. Come May through August, temperatures reach the hundreds of Fahrenheits, and naturally, tourist visits would drop and so do accommodation and other costs. The shoulder season between September and October strikes a worthwhile balance, where the weather is bearable, prices are cheaper and fewer crowds. So, it is up to you to decide what is the best time to visit Dubai.
Packing for your vacation in Dubai will require more attention than packing for just any other holiday. Contrary to the rest of the region, Dubai is quite liberal for an Islamic state that greatly respects Sharia law. Dress up freely and go as fancy as you'd want, but keep things modest and respect the state's culture and traditions, even though there aren't any laws prohibiting you from wearing any specific kinds of clothing. However, it's always a good idea to cover your knees and shoulders when in public, although you are not supposed to.
If there's anything that you should be worried about on your trip to Dubai, it wouldn't be finding a good hotel to stay in. As a city that's renowned for its opulence, many hotels in the metropolis are on the higher end of the spectrum but there are also budget and mid-range options available for vacationing tourists in search of them. If you are after a more immersive and elegant experience, consider having your stay at one of the finest Palm Jumeirah hotels, including the likes of Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort.
With nearly 50 stations spread throughout the city, Dubai's metro makes getting around the city as easy as pie. Want to cross waters? Make your way to the marina where ferries run from three different terminals, with the option to choose between 2 classes of seats—silver class and gold class. Taxis are a quick and convenient option but rather expensive. If you are going out of the city, renting a car would be the best way.
Sure, Dubai sees things in a more liberal sense contrary to its neighbours in the gulf, but a set of off-limits do exist. The futuristic metropolis is in no way a dry country, but it is required by law to keep your drinking to licensed establishments. PDA is also a big no-no, so save the hanky-panky for the hotel room.
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 passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
