Anastasia Smith
As one of the Middle East's most fascinating cities, Dubai is a holidaymaker's dream come true. From the city state's iconic retail venues to its luxurious recreational activities, here are some of the best reasons to vacation in dynamic Dubai.
Although beach lovers around the world may have been slow to catch on, Dubai is one of the region's finest beach holiday destinations. Lined with restaurants, changing rooms and sun loungers, Dubai's beaches are white, sandy enclaves dedicated to family time and wholesome enjoyment and are a far cry from the crowded beaches of Southeast Asia. From Jumeirah Public Beach and Mercato Beach to Kite Beach, Ghantoot Beach and the expansive Al Mamzar Beach Park, these breathtaking seaside highlights make a tour of Dubai an irresistible prospect for vacationers of all ages.
Ranked among the world's leading shopping hubs, it's not surprising to find that some tourists visit the city solely to explore its vast and impressive retail outlets. Lined with epic malls of truly grand proportions, the seasonal sales available at venues such as Dubai Mall also draw shopaholics by the thousands. In addition to sky-high department stores and plush shopping complexes, Dubai's retail landscape also includes authentic Arabian bazaars the likes of the Gold Souk. Situated in Deira, Dubai, this traditional thoroughfare and others like it offer visitors the chance to explore maze-like markets retailing everything from diamonds, gold and spices to Persian carpets and perfumes.
Thrill seekers looking for adrenalin-pumping activities will hardly find a more exciting holiday destination than Dubai as the city is renowned not only for its water sports activities but also its outdoor adventure packages. Providing idyllic conditions for engaging in wakeboarding, kite surfing, windsurfing, speed boating and water skiing, Dubai also allows visitors the chance to do indoor skydiving and embark on hot air balloon rides across the desert.
If there's one reason every globetrotter must include Dubai in their travel plans, it's surely the desert safaris that are only accessible in this part of the world. While driving across arid landscapes on a 4x4 vehicle is engaging enough on its own, those who sign up for desert safaris in Dubai can also enjoy a wide range of other unforgettable desert sporting activities. Dune bashing, quad biking and sand skiing rank high among these activities, which are some of the best things to do in the Arabian Desert apart from camping and stargazing.
While those based at Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort and other similar Dubai residences on artificial islands can experience it first-hand, the opportunity to explore Dubai's iconic Palm Islands is more than worth a trip to the city-state. As staggering feats of human ingenuity, the Palm Islands which consist of Palm Jebel Ali, Palm Jumeirah and Deira Island are also home to some of the world's finest entertainment and hospitality centres.
Home to the world's tallest building, The Burj Khalifa, one of the top reasons culture buffs should venture down to Dubai during its winter months is the chance to marvel at its top heritage sites. From the Hatta Heritage Village to the Al Bithnah Fort and the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, there's more to see in this desert capital than towering skyscrapers.
