Luxury Holidays to Dubai

Second largest of the seven autonomous states which make up the United Arab Emirates and a premium leisure destination in the Middle East. Dubai basks in a dry subtropical climate on the southern shore of the Arabian Gulf, where long white sand beaches are lapped by the azure seas of the Gulf. It’s little wonder that Dubai is one of Arabia’s most in-demand leisure destinations. Modern, clean, efficient and welcoming, it delivers a superb mix of sunshine, watersports, luxury hotels, world-class cuisine, shopping, nightlife, sightseeing, championship golf courses, desert safaris - and pretty much everything you need for the best luxury holiday in Dubai!

WHAT TO SEE

Dubai Creek

Dubai’s main artery, winding inland from the Gulf, is a fascinating hive of activity by day and night - with traditional teak trading dhows plying their way across the Gulf and local water taxis (abras) endlessly criss-crossing its waters.

Deira

The Deira side of the Dubai Creek is Dubai City’s commercial and business heart and home to the best shopping. Highlights include numerous local markets or souks, among them the Spice Souk, the Gold Souk and Fish Souk.

Bur Dubai

To the west of Dubai Creek is historic Bur Dubai. Its many attractions include the Dubai Museum, housed in Al Fahidi Fort – a landmark dating back 200 years and former palace, garrison and prison. Here, too, is the imposing Grand Mosque, boasting the city's tallest minaret and 54 domes. The intriguing 19^th century Sheikh Saeed Al-Maktoum’s House also merits a visit. Majlis Ghorfat Um-Al-Sheef, former home of the late ruler of Dubai, is now open to the public and offers an insight into a world of opulence.

Bastakiya

Gain tantalising glimpses old Dubai by wandering around the narrow lanes of Bastakiya district, notable for its traditional courtyard houses with their distinctive wind towers providing natural air-conditioning.

Jumeirah Beach

To the west of the mouth of Dubai Creek this sweeping strip of sand washed by the warm waters of the Arabian Gulf is the setting of many of Dubai’s world-class luxury hotels

Wild Wadi Water Park

Next to the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, this 12-acre water park combines thrilling rides, a surf area, a wave pool and many more water activities - all themed in the style of Sinbad and ancient Arabia and in an authentic wadi setting.

Jumeirah Mosque

Jumeirah Mosque is one of the largest and most beautiful of Dubai's many mosques and a spectacular example of modern Islamic architecture, with twin minarets, a majestic dome – and dramatically illuminated after dark.

Heritage and Diving Village

You can relive something of Dubai's heritage at this fascinating re-creation of traditional village life and crafts as they were in years gone by, complete with displays and entertainment.

WHAT TO DO

Sports

If you’re staying at one of the Jumeirah Beach resorts, you’ll find watersports in plenty on offer – with windsurfing, sailing, parasailing, canoeing, waterskiing, wake-boarding and jetskiing available at your hotel or nearby. Scuba-divers and game-fishing enthusiasts are also well catered for in the area. Even for non-golfers, Dubai's fantastic golf courses – including three of world-class championship standard - are worth a visit for their spectacular clubhouse architecture and landscaping of the desert. See At a Glance section for more information on scuba-diving and golf.

Adventure

For a complete change of scene and style, take a trip into the desert and Hajar Mountains on an exciting ‘dune-bashing’ or ‘wadi-bashing’ safari. Go Bedouin on a camel ride in the desert – or enjoying a traditional Arabian meal under the stars. Aerial sightseeing and daylight and evening dhow cruises are also increasingly popular.

Horse-Racing

Nad Al Sheba Racecourse is home to the famous Dubai World Cup, the horse-race with the world’s highest stakes. The Dubai Racing Festival meets start in January and last nine weeks, and there are other meetings November and April.

Shopping

Big news in Dubai, shopping here is not for the faint-hearted! Huge modern air-conditioned, stylish shopping malls lurk all around the city, offering the entire top designer brands, as well as great duty-free prices on electrical goods and jewellery. As for the latter, if you're in quest of something special, make for the Gold Souk (one of the world’s largest retail gold markets) on Sikkat al-Khali Street for some genuine bargains, complete with authenticity certificates.

Entertainment

Dubai is a truly cosmopolitan affair and offers a buzzing after-dark scene from beachfront to city centre. Bars, pubs, discos and nightclubs are plentiful and most serve food and offer entertainment. Dubai increasingly attracts popular singers and entertainers from both the West and the East, in the winter months especially. Hundreds of high-quality restaurants tempt with a mouth-watering array of tastes from around the world.