We are off to Auckland to our son's wedding in April, via a three night stopover in Dabai. Havent actually stopped over here before, and really dont know what to expect.
We will have two full days here, would like to catch bit of sun as well as a good overview of the city. I believe there is a 'big bus' type tour that we can do... is this something like we have in the UK, buy a day ticket and jump on/jump off type of thing on a certain route/routes?
Not so fussed about shopping malls but saw a posting somewhere that they are open till 2AM!!!!!! So perhaps a bit of shopping could be done once the sun goes down so to speak!!
Have no idea where would be good to stay, there is ourselves and two daughters so perhaps an apartment would be better for us on a budget. Just want somewhere half decent and clean to sleep [dont intent to spend much time indoors!!] and in a good location for airport and attractions.
Bearing in mind the short time there, where would be best to go in the evenings for something to eat/ nice bar where we could sit outside and take in the atmosphere?
Any advise gratefully received
Gosh... this is a quiet forum!!!!
Yes it is a relatively quiet forum, but if you put Dubai into the Search box you will find previous topics.
We did the Big Bus Tour which costs around £25pp for a ticket which is valid for 24 hours. It really is an excellent way to see the City and the Beach. You can do a City Tour then you can switch to the "Blue Line" for the Beach Tour. The only thing is it takes such a long time to do the full circle. However you are given a wealth of information from the guides so it really is worth it if you want to see as much as possible. If you want to hop and and off and sto at different places, you need to make sure you start very early. You can obtain more information from their website http://www.bigbustours.com/eng/dubai/default.aspx
If you have specific places you want to visit I would think about getting a taxi as they are so cheap in Dubai. Well they were the last couple of years. Only thing now is the exchange rate which is quite poor just now, just like alot of other places.
I am not sure re the Malls being open until 2am, I thought they closed at around 10pm however there may be some open until that time.
As for Hotels, you can stay at The Beach, The City, The Creek and there are some excellent deals on just now. We have just booked the Crowne Plaza Festival City for 6 nights through Expedia for a very good price. Festival City is another new part of Dubai that is eventually going to become a City in itself!
One thing in Dubai, no matter where you stay you will probably be around construction.
Thanks for replies. Bus tours a must....
We have eaten in the Malls a couple of times. The first time was in the Emirates Mall and we noticed a few locals in a restaurant that overlooked the beautiful water feature that has water "dancing" to the tune of Mission Impossible! It was called Cafe Havana and there are a few in Dubai. We had the most wonderful fillet steaks, fresh veg, home made chips, warm bread rolls, water and a Turkish and Latte coffee all for less than £20!! That was in 2007.
Last year we ate twice in the Burjaman Shopping Mall, once was a lunch snack which was a fab sandwich (cannot remember the name of the place now) then in the evening we ate in the Iranian restaurant upstairs which was a beautiful setting overlooking the water features.
Dubai is really a magical place and I cannot wait to go back next month.
We are having a real treat as we have booked an "indulgent afternoon tea" at the Burj Al Arab. Very expensive, but hey you only live once and to actually be able to get into the Hotel is a dream but have this tea in the Skyview restaurant will be a real wow factor!
Wow how spooky, just as I typed this there is an advert on STV for Piers Morgan in Dubai which will be shown soon. Just showed the Burj Al Arab!!
Thanks for info on shopping malls, this is where we want to eat as will do the open top bus to do the city/beach area first day, malls in evening and will eat there, looks like they will will be fine from your reply, and the girls can shop whilst we while away our time over a bottle of wine! Want to do pool or beach second day and malls probably on second evening too - reckon the girls will in there again!
Will be seeing Piers and Simon on Wednesday... got tickets for Britains got Talent in Glasgow!!!!
Cant wait for Dubai/NZ/Sydney.
As our Hotel is right next to the Festival City Mall we intend taking our breakfasts and meals in there and again, we will look for where the locals eat and leave out the Burger Kings, MacDonalds etc!! Not sure if you will get wine in the Malls though as I think it is mainly Hotels where you can purchase alcohol.
There is quite alot of information on Dubai on Trip Advisor if you haven't seen that already.
Enjoy BGT and look forward to seeing Piers in Dubai!
what a great place dubai is, went there last year & stayed in jumeirah beach hotel, went in june far too hot, did the big bus trip but glad to get off because of the heat so take plenty of WATER. Also try ski dubai sking on real snow indoors -4 while outside is 35+, sure you will enjoy it. Im going to Miramar Al Aqah Beach Resort in Dubai in september for 10 days as any one been there or heard any thing about it.
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