Cheap Flights to Dubai

The Disneyland of the Desert. That’s what energy-rich Dubai has become known as because it’s taken all the money made through oil and gas sales and turned its once camp Bedouin camp into the most modern city on the planet, complete with the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa. Dubai has become known around the globe for its funky features like ski hills, skating rinks and ice bars in the desert but those glitzy attractions wear pretty thin after a while. The city’s Old Souk district, along Dubai Creek (river), is where you really want to spend some time, that is if you’re in to learning more about the culture and early beginnings of this Manhattan on steroids.  The old gold bazaar and traditional boats that ply Dubai Creek are exciting to see but for the ultimate Dubai experience, may we suggest you book a night in the desert at a Bedouin camp, which comes complete with camel rides, surfing sand dunes in a 4x4 and being feted to traditional songs, dances and dinners. Very exciting stuff. Dubai is proud of its shopping complexes but quite frankly most items here are very expensive – so stick with the souvenir shops or local souks to stock up on things to bring back home.

Best time to visit: Winter, spring or fall

Getting around: Hire a driver or rent a car – taxis are expensive but a new LRT system does work very well.

Where to stay: There are so many in Dubai – ranging from $1,800-a-night to a few hundred dollars a night. However, skip the downtown hotel scene and look for one around the city’s beach area.

Where to eat: All the major hotels offer gourmet dining but they can be expensive. The city has plenty of fast food outlets but it’s best to find out where the locals – not the ones born in Dubai – eat because they’re always looking for authentic Middle Eastern food at reasonable prices.