DubaiG U I D E T O

INSIDER GUIDE TO DUBAI

DubaiWith thrilling theme parks, lavish luxury hotels, opportunities for desert dune-bashing adventures and shopping malls that have to be seen to be believed, this futuristic city custom-made for a stopover is well worth a look.

Dubai has fast become one of the world’s favourite stopover cities – and with good reason! Use this guide to get a feel for this glittering city big on luxury experiences. Featuring top tips from Travel Counsellors, recommended activities and a list of must-see places, this guide is a great introduction to United Arab Emirates’ most populous city and the perfect starting point to planning your next trip to Dubai.

Population: 2.7 million

Country: United Arab Emirates

National Anthem: Ishy Bilady (Long Live My Nation)

Currency: United Arab Emirates Dirham

Official Language: Arabic (although English is widely spoken)

Interesting facts...

Dubai is the fasted growing city on the planet. It’s been estimated that about

20% of the world’s cranes currently reside in Dubai.

Home to more than 70 shopping centres and the world’s biggest mall (Dubai Mall), Dubai is considered the shopping capital

of the Middle East.

Dubai is home to world’s largest flower garden. With more than 45 million flowers, Dubai

Miracle Garden uses more than 750,000 litres of recycled water each day.

Dubai is home to the world’s tallest building. At 829.8 m, the impressive

Burj Khalifa towers over the skyscrapers in the city.

With a dedicated gold souk home to more than 250 gold retailers and ATMs that dispense gold bars, Dubai is often

referred to as the City of Gold.

Secure a reservation at the Al Mahara restaurant in the Burj Al Arab, famous

for its wall-to-ceiling aquarium and two star Michelin chef Nathan Outlaw, allows

guests to dine ‘underwater’.

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Average Monthly Temperature: Dubai

19° 21°20° 23° 26° 31° 33° 35° 36° 33° 29° 25°

Climate

Dubai has a tropical desert climate. Summers are extremely hot and surprisingly humid, with an average high around 41°C and overnight lows around 30°C. Most days are sunny throughout the year, with warm and short winters. Dubai can bring short and irregular rainfall, mostly occurring between December and March.

The Dubai FountainThere’s a good reason that the Dubai Fountain is visited by thousands of people each day. Located in downtown Dubai, the fountain performance includes a sound, light and music show making it an incredibly entertaining spectacle. You can opt to watch from the sidelines or pay for a fountain lake ride in a small boat. Either way, this is one of Dubai’s most popular attractions.

Jumeirah Mosque The only mosque in Dubai that welcomes non-Muslim visitors six days a week, this large white stone mosque is a true architectural gem. Learn about Emirati culture on a guided tour, then enjoy Arabic coffee, tea and traditional pastries. Bookings aren’t necessary but early arrival and modest attire is required for entry.

Dubai MallSure, you may have visited malls in other countries but you haven’t seen anything of this scale, that’s for certain! With more than 1200 stores, an aquarium, ice rink, cinema, flight simulator experience, a dedicated play area for kids and a wide range of international dining options, it would be easy to spend a whole day here.

Dubai Miracle Garden & Butterfly GardenBeing located in the desert hasn’t stopped Dubai from creating the world’s largest flower garden. Using waste water, the garden is home to millions of vibrant blooms all arranged in an artful way to create an amazing botanical experience and a feast for the senses. Located on the same site, the Dubai Butterfly Garden is a lovely little spot to be surrounded by thousands of colourful butterflies.

The Arabian Desert Being located directly within the Arabian Desert, no trip to Dubai is complete without experiencing the epic scale of the desert. Enjoying an afternoon camel safari in the desert, followed by a traditional Bedouin feast under the stars is a must-do experience for travellers interested in the local culture, cuisine and natural world.

Things you must seewhile in Dubai

Why not try Arabian?

INGREDIENTS

• 1 brown onion, chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, chopped

• 2 teaspoons ground coriander

• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds

• 2 x 400g cans chickpeas, drained, rinsed

• 1 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves

• 1/3 cup plain flour

• 1 eggwhite

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• tabouli, yoghurt and lavash bread, to serve

METHOD

1. Place onion, garlic, coriander, cumin, chickpeas, parsley, flour, eggwhite, salt

and pepper in a food processor. Process until almost smooth.

2. Using floured hands, shape mixture into four 2cm thick patties. Place on a

plate. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

3. Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Cook patties for 4 to 5 minutes

each side or until cooked through.

4. Serve with tabouli, yoghurt and bread.

Want to recreate authentic flavours of the Middle East at home? Try this recipe to fill

you home with the smells and tastes to come.

Veronica Hunt’s Authentic Falafel Recipe

Whenever I travel to Dubai this is always one of my favourite street eats, with large freshly fried balls of exotic ingredients placed in a pitta with fresh salad and covered in tahina sauce. Falafel can be found all over Dubai, served everywhere from cheap and cheerful family-run eateries to high end restaurants. This recipe is one I managed to prize from a street vendor

outside my hotel on one of my first visits after declaring it the best I’d ever had, and will help you bring a little bit of the Middle East into your dining room.

TC Hidden Gems:The souks of Dubai

Many people have heard of Dubai’s famous Gold Souk, however there are other smaller souks and shopping hot spots that specialise in other items and wares.

Perfume SoukEver wanted to blend your own signature scent? The Perfume Souk can take care of that. This small collection of speciality perfume stores sell oil-based fragrances for the body and home, as well as incense. If you want to buy a souvenir that’s a bit out-of-the-ordinary, then a beautiful bottle of bespoke fragrance made in Dubai is a top idea.

Spice SoukLocated right near the Gold Souk, the Spice Souk is a true feast for the senses. Even if you’re not in the market for spices, wandering past the aromatic bags of colourful spices is a good way to get a feel for the local culinary scene. Nuts, legumes, rice, dried fruit, sweets, rose petals and more make this spot a great one for foodies.

The Textile SoukCross Dubai Creek, head to Bur Dubai and you’ll find the Textile Souk, an evocative place filled with fabric treasures, exquisite soft furnishings, clothes, shoes and more. This is the place to find yourself a few key wardrobe pieces and plenty of trinkets to hand out as gifts when you get back home.

Souk MadinatThis modern, boutique-style souk located within the Jumeirah hotel complex is open until 11pm and is a top spot for a late-night shopping trip. Home to everything from opulent home furnishings to luxury fashion, jewellery, souvenirs and food, this souk experience takes elements of traditional souks and melds them with a thoroughly modern design and offering.

Dubai Stopover HighlightsMany people stop off in Dubai on the way to or from Europe. Instead of just stopping at the airport to switch planes, a three-day stopover allows time to relax, explore and avoid the pain of a non-stop long haul flight. A thoroughly modern city with something for everyone, Dubai is perfect for a three day break. Follow this itinerary and you’ll get to experience the best of Dubai in a matter of days.

Day 1: Beat the heat at Ski Dubai and the Mall of the EmiratesArrive in Dubai and launch yourself straight into the strange world of the Middle East’s first indoor ski resort. Located within the Mall of the Emirates, choose to hit the slopes, watch penguins play in the snow, enjoy a warm mug of hot chocolate or even have a ride on an indoor chairlift. At this mall you can eat your way around the world at the international food outlet options inside. Tuck into a sweet treat from Dunkin Donuts, indulge in a taste of the Orient at Miu Shanghai or try a European-style coffee at the Emporio Armani Caffe. By night, head to the Dubai Fountain to see a sound and light show like no other before heading back to your hotel for an early night.

Day 2: Explore Dubai’s deserts, skyscrapers and street food Rise early and leave behind the dazzling skyscrapers of the city by going on a morning desert safari. Get your thrills from a dune bashing session aboard a quadbike or four wheel drive before the sun gets too intense. After the desert safari, return to your hotel to freshen up, then head out again to see Dubai from above at the Burj Khalifa observation deck. Booking tickets beforehand is highly recommended, as this popular spot can book out if you’re not careful. Afterwards, enjoy a decadent lunch at the on-site restaurant called At.Mosphere (reservations also recommended). Feast on oysters, foie gras and more while enjoying the incredible views and exceptional silver service. Afterwards, retreat to your hotel for a spell. Perhaps take a dip in the pool or if your hotel has an in-house spa, then book in for a relaxing spa treatment?

By night, head to Al Dhiyafah Road to rub shoulders with locals in search of cheap eats. Here you can find a diverse range of flavours, all at seriously affordable prices. From sizzling curries to barbecued lamb, this place is paradise for foodies.

Day 3: Get cultured in DubaiAfter you’ve fuelled up with a hotel breakfast, get ready enjoy your final day in Dubai. First up, head to Jumeirah Mosque by 10am to enjoy a guided tour. Be sure to wear modest clothing (although traditional clothing can also be borrowed from the mosque). Here you’ll not only get an up-close look at the impressive design of the mosque, you’ll also learn about the local culture and feast on pastries, coffee and tea. Afterwards, catch a taxi to see another side of Dubai’s cultural scene. While you might not think of Dubai as an arts enclave, you’ll certainly change your mind once you see Alserkal Avenue. Located in an industrial area, this place is home to a range of boutique galleries, studios and stores. Providing local artists with a place to exhibit their work and sell their wares since 2007, this arts hub is an impressive find. From artisanal chocolate makers to street photographers, sculptors, painters, furniture makers, jewellers and more, this spot is where where in-the-know locals go for artistic inspiration and one-of-a-kind art pieces. After the sun sets, celebrate your last night in Dubai with a five star dinner cruise aboard a dhow. Watch the glittering lights of the city come to life as you feast on a range of local and western-style dishes – a fitting finale to a sophisticated city break.

Spending moneyWondering how much spending money you’ll need for your travels? To help you plan your trip, here’s a rough guide to the United Arab Emirates Dirham and the cost of some of the things you might buy whilst you’re there!

150-250AEDA two course

dinner with a drink in a restauant

3AEDTypical fee to use

an ATM

65AEDA taxi to Jumeirah

Beach from the airport

3AEDA 1.5 litre bottle

of water

Chatter with the localsCan’t speak Arabic? Never fear. We’ve collated some useful phrases to learn before you go.

THANK YOU SHUKRAN

HELLO MÁRHABA, AHLAN

GOOD BYE MÁA SALÁMA

HOW ARE YOU? KÁYF HÁLAK? (TO A MAN)/KÁYF HÁLIK? (TO A WOMAN)

YOU’RE WELCOME AFWAN

YES NÁAM OR ÁIWA

NO LA

MAY I TAKE YOUR PHOTO? MUMKIN SURA, MIN FÁDLAK? (TO A MAN)/MUMKIN SURA, MIN FÁDLIK? (TO A WOMAN)

RESTAURANT MÁTA’AM

BREAKFAST FUTOUR

LUNCH GHADAA

DINNER ASHAA

I DON’T EAT MEAT ANA MA BAKUL LAHAM

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? ADÁYSH?/BIKAIM?

ENGLISH - ARABIC

Photography courtesy of Dubai Tourism.

Here, we’ve chosen a few of the things we think you should see, do and eat while you’re in Dubai. We hope it inspires you to journey to Dubai time and time again and

taste a little of Arabic life.Get in touch to build a bespoke itinerary, tailor-made

just for you! We’d love to see your photos and stories on social media so please share your memories using

#TCexperience