Dubai,
one of the seven states which make up the United Arab Emirates, plays host
to an increasing number of visitors from all across the globe and since it
has an ancient tradition of trade it pulls visitors from throughout the
Middle East and neighbouring regions. This enigmatic city overwhelms the
visitors with its never-ending charm and vivacious energy and magnetizes the
travellers looking for something new and exciting. It caters to the demands
of the tourists with international facilities in congruence with the
adventure of the Middle East and provides with exotic destinations coupled
with a cosmopolitan lifestyle.
Dubai is remarkably the undisputed "sports capital of the Middle East",
hosting world class international events that attract some of the biggest
names in their respective sports, whether in golf, tennis, horse racing,
rallying powerboating, rugby, or sailing.
Today the city of Dubai has unanimously earned a name for itself in the
world of tourism and conducts the famous Dubai shopping festivals every year
which ensures a good reserve of forex for the city and a fulfilling
experience for the visitors who leave for their homes with colourful and
cherishable memories
Fact File
Country : UAE
Population : 997,000
Area : 35 sq km
Languages : Arabic, English, Hindi, Farsi
Climate : Moderate climate is found between October and March when
days are sunny and pleasant (Average Temperature - 26¼ C). Nights are
Cool (average temperature is 15¼ C) Summer is between April and
September, when temperatures peak at 50¼ C with high humidity levels.
In the summer, southerly and northerly winds blow over the UAE with
occasional sandstorms.
Official Currency : Dirham; 1 Dirham = Indian rupee = US $ = Euro
(subject to change).
Location : Dubai is strategically located on the Eastern coast of
the Arabian Peninsula in the South Western corner of the Arabian Gulf at the
crossroads of trade and commerce between East and West. Dubai is one of the
seven Emirates that make up the federation of the United Arab Emirates.
Getting There
By Air : Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the busiest airport in
the Middle East. The national carrier is Emirates, which flies to some 45
destinations in the Middle East, Europe, Australia, Africa and the Indian
Subcontinent.
Buses run from Dubai to other parts of the UAE and surrounding countries.
To get to most other cities in the Emirates one should take a Dubai
Transport minibus. There are two buses a day to Muscat, Oman. Balawi Bus
Service runs to Jordan twice weekly and Egypt on Wednesdays.
Long-distance taxis can take you to any other part of Emirate on a shared
or 'engaged' basis. Passenger ferries make the 12-hour trip between Sharjah
(a twenty-minute drive from Dubai) and the port of Bandar-é Abbas in
Iran daily. There's also a fortnightly passenger service in between Dubai
and Bushehr in Iran. It leaves the passenger terminal at Port Rashid every
second Sunday.
Getting Around
By Road : Buses run between Dubai International Airport and Deira
bus station every 15 to 20 minutes, and there are metered, beige-colored
Dubai Transport taxis. Local buses run from the Deira bus station, near the
Gold Souq, and the Bur Dubai station on Al-Ghubaiba Rd.
The older parts of Dubai are best seen on foot. Abras (small motorboats)
crisscross Dubai Creek from early morning until around midnight, and are a
great way to see the waterfront.
Accommodation
The city has very good hotels to ensure a comfortable stay for the
tourists. Mentioned below is a list of some of the hotels in the city:
5 star hotels in the city:
Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Resort & Marina
Seaview hotel
Hotel Coral Diera
4 star hotels in the city:
Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa
Jumeirah Beach Hotel
Hotel Al Bustan Rotana
3 star hotels in the city:
Hotel Marco Polo
Movenpick hotel Bin Dubai
The Metropolitan Deira hotel
Major Tourist attractions
Dubai Museum : Occupying the Al-Fahidi Fort, the city's oldest
building on the Bur Dubai side of Dubai Creek is a great site. A lovely
collection of antique khanjars (curved daggers) and a complete grave from
the Al-Qusais archaeological site are the major attractions of the museum.
One can also see multimedia and interactive displays touch on everything
from traditional and modern methods of water conservation to a presentation
of the city's development.
Grand Mosque : The Grand Mosque in Bur Dubai owns the city's tallest
minaret. It is a beautiful example of restoration work and was built in the
1990s in the style of the Grand Mosque, which dated from 1900 but was
demolished to make way for another mosque in 1960.
Dubai Creek : Dubai's waterfront summarises the city's personality.
The best way to see the grand trading port is from the water and one can
book a pricey cruise or hire an abra (small boat) for an hour or so; one
should go to Al-Maktoum bridge and back.
Ban Yas Square : In the heart of Deira dominated by Deira Tower,
Ban Yas Square can get you good bargains on electronics, textile products
and consumer products.
Other attractions
Shaikh Saeed al-Maktoum House
Bastakiya
Dubai Zoo
Hot Air Balloon Flights
Wonderland
