Dubai Travel Guide

by Jonathan Milligan

Big, brash and bold, Dubai has cemented its reputation as a holiday spot where anything and everything is possible. The Middle East emirate has excelled in the development of superlative luxury hotels, world-class attractions, top quality restaurants, and shops

Whether you're on a short break or longer holiday, want golf courses, swimming pools, desert safaris, theme parks or even ski slopes, Dubai will indulge your every whim. After all, it's at the forefront of a tourism revolution.

Emirates, the national airline, flies direct to Dubai from London Heathrow and Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow or you can choose from one of several other carriers.

Once in Dubai, taxis are probably the best way to get about, or you could hire a car if you want to explore outside of the city. The bus service isn't that great, but you should definitely try an abra - a small ferry that carries people across the river. In addition, distinctive double decker buses offer tours of the main attractions.

Dubai has several excellent beaches and the main ones are found along Jumeirah Road. It's actually just one very long beach, but it has the appearance of being divided up into several smaller ones thanks to the numerous private stretches owned by hotels and clubs.

If your hotel doesn't have its own private bit of beach then there are plenty of public ones such as the one at Al Mamzar Park on the Deira side of the Creek. It has great facilities including playgrounds, barbecue sites, food stores and picnic areas for families.

Dubai may possess ancient relics but there are a smattering of sights worth considering. To get a glimpse of what Dubai was like over a 100 years ago, visit the Bastakiya District distinguished by its narrow lanes and wind towers. Or visit one of the city's oldest residences, Sheikh Saeed Al-Maktoum's House, which dates back to the late 19th century and displays historical photographs. The Grand Mosque is also magnificent.

The Dubai Heritage and Diving Villages which have displays on its social and cultural development as well as the history of pearl diving. The Dubai Museum is housed in Al-Fahaidi Fort, which is believed to be the oldest building in the emirate.

Dubai's duty-free status means it's a fabulous place to shop. The Mall of the Emirates is rammed with westernised stores carrying designer labels.

But to get a real flavour of local shopping here, visit the souks. Tourists throng the lanes of the gold and silver souks lined with necklaces, rings, bangles, earrings and brooches. But don't forget the textile souk where you can pick up material from around the region, or the fragant-smelling spice souk stocked with everything from cumin to dried lemons. If you're after electronic goods, visit Al Fahidi Street.

As well as standard Middle Eastern fare, you can enjoy all kinds of international cuisine in Dubai. Food courts are dotted around the city, making it easy to eat out on a budget.

If you're after something special, book a table at the Al Muntaha restaurant at the summit of the swanky Burj Al Arab hotel, or China Times, both on Jumeirah Beach; the Sphinx at Wafi City or Casa Mia for Italian fare at Al Garhoud.

Dubai's nightlife is vibrant and growing and there are nightclubs and bars galore, as well as lavish hotel bars. Bear in mind the rules: many clubs are for over-25s only and all clubs shut at 3am and you have to be at least 21 years old to drink in a bar.

There are Arabian, American, European, Philipino and Indian-style clubs to choose from, playing everything from house to R&B, soul and Arabic music. Some places worth checking out include: the Hard Rock Cafe, Carter's in the impressive Pyramid complex in Wafi City, the Buddha Bar, and Irish Village Pub.

In the next few years, visitors to Dubai will be able to enjoy the kind of family attractions that may put the likes of Orlando firmly in the shade. The snow dome and indoor ski slope are up and running and the rulers of Dubai are planning to spend £2 billion on the construction of Sports City, a complex which will sit within a gigantic area known as Dubailand.

Sports City will incorporate a Manchester United soccer school, a Formula One theme park in 2009, a second indoor ski dome, and a life-sized replica of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

There's also Wild Wadi, one of the most advanced water theme parks ever designed. It has an Arabian folklore theme and some of the highest and fastest water rides outside of North America. Try Jumeirah Sceirah, which drops you 108ft at 50 miles per hour.

Dune bashing is popular - these guided 4WD adventure into the desert where the drivers hurl you over massive sand dunes are thrilling as any theme-park rollercoaster.

But there are other less well-known day trips to consider. Take an east coast tour and discover wadis, mountains, local markets and fishing villages. Or visit the emirate of Sharjah, a cultural centre in the region which is only a 20 minutes drive away. Sharjah's Natural History Museum and Central Souk are fascinating. Alternatively, head to the Garden City of Al Ain, a cluster of villages in a desert oasis where you can see ancient irrigation systems at work and visit a camel souk.

Sunset cruises to see the Palm Jumeirah Development - where luxury hotels and homes are being built on man-made, palm-tree shaped islands - are also available.

Sorrento, Italy