Just a few of decades ago, Dubai was a desolate corner of the Persian Gulf but since the creation of the United Arab Emirates in 1979, Dubai has grown at an unbelievable rate and today, the city bears little resemblance to its past. Beautiful beaches combined with the outrageous luxury and duty free shopping on offer make Dubai one of the best upcoming holiday destinations in the world. Visitors can dip between the traditional Arabian culture to the awe-inspiring ultra-modern architecture that has sprung up in recent years including the world's only 7* hotel - the Burj el Arab and what's soon to be the world's tallest building, the Burj Dubai. Temperatures can reach unbearably high levels in the summer months so the best time to travel is between November and April.
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Dubai's duty-free shopping is the stuff of legend with many holidaymakers choosing Dubai for that reason alone. The huge array of malls and Souks located all over Dubai bustle with tourists trying to find a bargain with everything from jewellery to electrical items on sale. The beaches in Dubai are also world-class with Jumeirah Beach leading the way in terms of luxury and sheer beauty. Inland, desert safaris are one of the best ways to explore the world outside of the city and find out more about the Arabian culture as well as being a lot of fun. The traditional sport of camel racing has been an Arabian custom for centuries and has experienced an upsurge in recent years with races held frequently. Taking a trip into the desert to watch a camel race can prove to be a welcome break from all the hustle and bustle of Dubai's tourist hot-spots.
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With blue skies and high temperatures, Dubai is fast becoming one of the most popular choices amongst Brits in search of year round sun. Most visitors head to Jumeirah Beach, a long stretch of soft, white sand which is home to many of Dubai's best hotels, beach parks and private clubs. Access to beach parks such as the Dubai Jumeirah Beach Park, which is used a lot by tourists looking to swim and sunbathe are inexpensive and so long as you avoid the weekends, are relatively quiet. There are some public access areas on Jumeirah Beach but these can often get crowded.
| Dubai's duty-free shopping is the stuff of legend... |
Jumeirah Beach is the area to stay if you want to experience the true luxury of Dubai. Hotels such as the Hilton Dubai Jumeirah, Grosvenor House, and Le Meridian Mina not to mention the famous Burj Al Arab, and the Palm Jumeirah man made island which contains the newly opened Atlantis hotel are all there making it a playground for the rich and famous. Opened in September 2008, the 5* Atlantis is more like a holiday resort than a hotel with incredible rooms, white beaches and even its own waterpark.
Away from the beaches, no trip to Dubai is complete without experiencing the incredible duty free shopping on offer at the malls and Souks. Dubai Gold Souk is renowned as one of the cheapest places in Dubai to buy gold and jewellery. There are hundreds of market stalls which make for a fascinating visit even if you don't plan on buying anything. But if gold isn't your thing, Dubai also has a Spice Souk, Perfume Souk and Fish Souk which are well worth a visit. Designer fashion, electronics and traditional Arabic gifts are all on offer at the huge range of shopping malls which include the Dubai Mall located in the Downtown Burj Dubai development. Recently opened, the Dubai Mall has the world's largest number of retailers in one mall with 1,200 shops.
Visitors looking for a buzz should try a 4X4 desert safari which takes you on a tour of the nearby sand dunes and desert. Aside from the chance to admire the awe-inspiring dunes, you can stop at local Arabian settlements and even try your hand at sandboarding. Much like snowboarding but with sand dunes in place of snowy pistes, sandboarding doesn't suffer from the same seasonal problems as snowboarding but still offers thrill seekers the same exciting sensation.
