Dubai (United Arab Emirates)

...Note *

Dubai is an absoloutley gorgeous city, rich with culture and history, complemented with the huge modern shopping malls and brilliant service that Asia is famous for.

As a lot of people that I have been in correspondance with over the months whilst at CIAO, will know, I spend a lot of time in Dubai. Although getting hot now (Being April), Dubai is definately worth a visit! I would recommend it over any other destination, ...
...not a new Ibiza, but Dubai is growing so fast, that I wouldnt be suprised one day that the cultural style and diversity that pushes on the development of Dubai, will soon allow the club culture to surpass of those more popular clubbing destinations in the Meditteranean today.

Dubai, unlike some of the other popular young places to visit such as Ibiza, Malaga, and Ayia Napa, it maintains an heir of class, a cut above the rest is the ... more

* Initial Note *

Dubai is an absoloutley gorgeous city, rich with culture and history, complemented with the huge modern shopping malls and brilliant service that Asia is famous for.

As a lot of people that I have been in correspondance with over the months whilst at CIAO, will know, I spend a lot of time in Dubai. Although getting hot now (Being April), Dubai is definately worth a visit! I would recommend it over any other destination, as I will now explain.

Dubai has a wealth of different things to do. It has a bustling night life, a wide array of tours in to the desert (desert safaris), beach activities, beautiful hotels, tax free shopping, and much more.

- The Night life -

* Initial Note *

Well, Maybe not a new Ibiza, but Dubai is growing so fast, that I wouldnt be suprised one day that the cultural style and diversity that pushes on the development of Dubai, will soon allow the club culture to surpass of those more popular clubbing destinations in the Meditteranean today.

Dubai, unlike some of the other popular young places to visit such as Ibiza, Malaga, and Ayia Napa, it maintains an heir of class, a cut above the rest is the best way I can put it. The reason, really, is firstly the distance from the UK. As its quite far away, its not generally a discounted or cheap holiday. The drinks here are also relatively expensive, due to what is known as 'haraam' tax. This basically means that there is a 30% tax on anything that is against the Muslim religion. This therefore applies to Bacon, and meats which are not slaughtered in the proper islamic way. It however more importantly relates to our beloved english past-time of drinking.

You will therefore expect to pay approximately 20 Dhs for a drink on average, which works out at about £3.60. This therefore discourages younger tourists or typical 'lager louts' to visit. Which in my opinion stops it becoming spoiled, and allows, although being possibly sterotypical, a more sophisticated crowd.

Dubais commercial sector has picked up on this, and therefore Dubai has seen the sprowt up of classy wine bars, as well as ultra modern night clubs, with sophisticated drinks (-instead of cider) such as interesting and surprising cocktails.

I often visit Dubai, and therefore know it very well. I will classify the different clubs by either the type of music, or theme of it.

-House Music Clubs-

Many people from Ministry sound, and for example MTV Mash has been here with many successful gigs. The house music culture in Dubai is on the increase, due to mainly the greater influx of tourists.

There are therefore many clubs in Dubai that relate to the ever increasingly popular house music scene. The most prominant one in my mind, is The Lodge located near the Movenpick hotel in Bur Dubai.

This nightclub was set up by the British Council in the 1980s, and therefore being established for so long, attracts a lot of the House music enthusiasts, as well as many of the western expatriates. The drinks are a little cheaper here as well, averaging out at about 14 Dhs, being just over £2.

The Lodge has a relatively large indoor area, where older music is played from the 70s and 80s. There are three bars inside, and generally have small queues - so no extra long waits. Outside there is an absoloutley massive dance area, with a huge dome. DJ Dave, an established DJ from Northern Ireland, pumps out all of the latest house tunes, and also plays some interesting mixes.

Outside there are 8 bar outposts, as well as a fast food area to buy drinks. I will however point that during the summer, the outside area is generally closed due to the extreme heat. However, if visiting from October through April, The Lodge is definately one of the bigger hot spots to visit.

Another nightclub which sticks in mind is Planetarium, located in the Wafi Spa complex on the sheikh zayed road. This although plays a mix of music, ranging from old school, and R n B, it has a regular evening with house music, played out by their resident Dj, DJ Teddy (Egyptian). He is extremely talented, and although a much smaller venue than the lodge, is well worth a visit if on holiday here.

* R and B Clubs *

Rhythym and Blues has hit the United Arab Emirates, and especially Dubai with a bang. The R and B scene here is one of the biggest in the world, with many established artists touring here (e.g. Blu Cantrell).

A lot of the clubs here are orientated to this type of music, such as Zinc (Crowne Plaza, Shk Zayed Road), The Kaz Bar (Royal Mirage Hotel), and Planetarium (See ABove).

The most prominent being Zinc. This night club has recieved many awards such as the "Whats on Magazine, 'Best Nightclub' Award" for 2003 and 2004. This new and very trendy nightclub includes a main dance area and a stage, as well as three bar locations

Zinc also has a live band, which performs the latest R n B tracks from the previous weeks. This band is highly talented, and can really attract the crowds. The drinks, are about 22Dhs here, nearing towards £4. You may think that this is very expensive, but if you make sure that you goto a pub first, which I will advise you on shortly, you will not have to spend so much money.

I will mention that Zinc has a very stringent entry code. You must wear fashionable clothes, and if you are obesely overweight, or for example have bad acne, you will not be allowed to enter (which I think personally is very prejudist). Also, as is everywhere in dubai, it is stricltly over the age of 21. So even if you are 20, forget it (you may get away with it in most of the other clubs in Dubai)

The Kaz Bar also has a brilliant reputation, which follows on the same lines as Zinc. They recently held a gig for MTV Mash, where reputable R n B artists played live to the crowd. For more information, visit http://WWW.MTVMASH.COM

- Rock Clubs -

Although a much quieter scene, there are still some great places to go if your are into rock music. Three of the best places to go, include Rock Bottom, which usually has a live band on (mixed with a dj), Billy Blues ( a very relaxed, cheap place where you can expect a quite un-nerving crowd i.e. people below the age of 14), and Waxy O connors.

Waxy O Conners, or deemed "Waxys" by the local expatriate population is a brilliant place to go. The atmosphere is mad, with customers dancing on the tables, and having free drinks with drinking competitions going on at the bar. The people in here are very friendly, and are generally of a western culture. This is definately a place to go to!

Waxy o Conners is located in the Ascot Hotel in Bur Dubai. If in a taxi, and he is fumbled, say The bur Juman Centre. From here, you will be able to get out and walk. With asking a few people where to go, it will take about 5 minutes to walk.

- Chill Out Bars -

Sevilles is the best place to go if you fancy a bit of a chill out evening. Every Thursday, the management put out huge bean bags, and play a dance themed film outside on a huge plasma screen. Typical films to expect are Boogie Nights, Dance Fever, and Dirty Dancing. The atmosphere is very friendly and very relaxed.

The drinks are also pretty average priced, so it wont break the bank balance either. I will guarantee, that you will have a good night here.

- Just a Pint at a pub ? -

If youre looking for price, The George and the Dragon at the Ambassador Hotel IN Bur Dubai. I will however warn, that although the drinks are under £2, it is very difficult to reach, and is in one of the poorer districts of Dubai, so dont be alarmed at the state of the building it is in.

If you are looking for a little class, but cheap drinks at a certain time, I would recommend the Dhow and Anchor in the Jumeirah Beach Hotel. They have a happy hour that lasts from 6pm to 7.30 pm, where the drinks are 12 Dhs, or £1.80. After this they double in price going up to 25 Dhs a pint which is over £4. It is however a very nice place, with good seating facilities, brilliantly trained staff giving the best of service, and warm and pleasant people.

Finally, if youre looking for somewhere to watch the footy, I would advise the Sports Bar in the Emirates Golf Club. This is a very presitigous bar, where you will be expected to dress respectively, although looks, or weight is not regarded a problem. They have access to many sports channels and therefore have most sporting events. They have a very interesting abr set up with a circular bar in the middle, and millions of large plasma screens, so that you dont miss any of the action.

- A final note on the nightlife in Dubai

Dubai is a great place for clubbing. Please do not listen to the ignorant claims of, 'you cannot drink in dubai', ' you cannot dance in dubai'. It is all rubbish. It has a better night life than most of the UK cities which I have visited, and has a bustling, vigorant, and unique style to clubbing that you will not experience anywhere else in the world.

- Desert Safaris -

These are definately worth going on. It gives you an honest and interesting view into arabic culture, going through traditional bedouin villages, and eating traditional food.

I did a tour with Fairyland tourism, which cost 180 Dhs per person, leaving the hotel at 4pm, and arriving back at about 10 pm.

You start off by driving in to the desert. The desert landscape is absoloutley beautiful. You will notice as you drive further along the rugged Hajar mountains in the distance, which, due to the lack of rain are uncovered, or should I say unspoiled by vegetation and soil, making them look like 'real' mountains.

You will reach a sand dune called ' big red ' called this because of its sheer huge size, and red sandy colour. When you reach here you have the option of riding on quad bikes over the sand dunes, for an additional £8 per person. If you want to do this, you will have to mention it to your tour operator, and he will stop and wait for you.

I would strongly recommend doing this, as it is a whole load of fun.

After this, the driver will take you to a cafe, and adjust the tyre pressure for dune driving. He will then get the car load refreshments before going off road in to the desert.

This really is a very exiting experience. Riding up and down huge sand dunes, and ripping the tips of them, making you feel as if the car is going to tip over. Although this sounds very dangerous, it is a lot of fun, and shouldnt be worried. The drivers are extremely experienced, and I will insist that they are very safe, and know what they are doing.

The driver will then take you to a camel farm, where you may see camels being born, and you will also have the opportunity to stroke them and feed them. You will also be given the choice whether or not you would like to sand surf.

Sand surfing is very similar to snow boarding, but on sand. It is a lot of fun, especially when people fall off them and are covered in sand.

The evening will finish by the car taking you to what can be described as a traditional bedouin camp. Here you can buy alcoholic refreshments, sample the local food, and try the arabic hubbly bubbly, or as the locals say "Sheisha".

Live entertainment will be provided as well, by either a lebanese or syrian belly dancer. This is one of the better highlights of the evening, being very entertaining. They usually, will try and get men on to the middle of the dance floor, trying to get them to do the belly dancing. I will say for certain, that it isnt a pretty sight for the kids and the wives.

- They also do many other tours, for example in to the hajar mountains, which is about £40. Here they will take you to visit the intermittent rivers, and some of the ancient sites including a mosque over 1300 years old.

To find out more about the tours that are available, visit:

Http://www.arabianadventures.com

- Beach Activities -

The beaches in Dubai are definately spectacular. The sea is crystal clear, and sand a definitive white. Snorkelling isnt popular in dubai, due to huge protection nets that protect swimmers from some of the nasty animals that live in the arabian gulf, such as sea snakes, and jelly fish that can give a pretty nasty sting.

Apart from this however, averaging at about £20, you can have a ride on a banana boat, rent a jet ski, or even arrange a fishing trip for the day

If you are an avid snorkeller or would like to see the marine life, I would advise contacting your hotel about visitiing the east coast. The east coast lies on the Indian Ocean, and has some of the most beautifully diverse marine creatures you will ever see. It is also famous for turtles, and further down the coast, in Oman, can go and see them lay their eggs (See oman Review)

- Beautiful Hotels -

The service in Dubai, is inferior to none. With hotels ranging from the tallest hotel in the world, also being the only 7 star hotel (Burj Al Arab), to the wave hotel (Jumeirah Beach hotel), and Emirates Towers.

All have very good facilities, and can help you with any arrangements you may have. For further information on the better hotels in dubai, visit:

Http://www.jumeirahinternational.com

The Emirates airline is linked with many of the hotels (linked ownership) So if you fly with emirates, you will generally get a good deal in one of the better hotels in Dubai.

- Tax Free Shopping -

This is what Dubai is really famous for. There are hundreds of shopping centres offering some of the most technologically advanced, for the most basic prices.

The best example I can give, is that my friends boyfriend came out (he owns a mobile shop in Darlington). When he came here, he said that the mobile phones were cheaper here at retail price, than what they were at wholesale in the UK. Now if thats not cheap, I dont know what is.

The best shopping centres include:

Deira City Centre - A multistorey shopping centre, with a large range of main stream retail stores, at very good prices. It also has many entertainment facilities such as a kids area, a cinema, a bowling alley, and an arcade.

-Burjaman Centre - Similar to Deira city centre (ask somebody from your hotel reception, which one is closer) Deira City Centre, is much larger however.

- Mercato Centre - Mainly Upper Class shops, such as Gucci, Burberry, and Armani.

I would also strongly advise visiting the Gold Souk where you are charged by the weight of the gold, and not the design of the jewellery ( a friend bought some very modern jewellery for approximately £1000. When she travelled home, and had it valued, it was worth around £3500). So haggle, and keep trying to put the price lower. I have also learned that if you leave the shop they will come out and chase you, to give you a better price.

Another place which is similar, but sells clothes and fashion accessories such as handbags, is the souk (market) or karama. Again haggle, and you will come away with some brilliant deals.

- Final Conclusion -

If you can get a cheap deal, which by the way can usually be found in the back of the Sunday Papers such as the Mail On Sunday, take the opportunity.

Dubai is a beautiful place, and with so much to do. It would be a shame if you could not see it for yourself, before it is spoilt by mass tourism.

I hope that you have found my review useful. If you need any additional informatoin please do not hesitate to contact me at my guesbook. Thanks Everyone. Antony 

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