The UAE has come a long way from the desert it was once regarded as. In fact, this country is known to create history with its underwater hotels, spinning skyscrapers and manmade islands. It isn’t just the tourists who are attracted to the UAE; thousands of expats from Europe and the US move to this country each year, lured by its luxurious lifestyle. Moreover, there is a lot to do and see in the UAE. Therefore, it is best that you make the most of your time in the land of superlatives. Here is a list of 5 things that you should try, before you return home –
1. Try The Desert Safari Driving through the desert needn’t be a dull and boring experience, at least not when the four-wheel-drive Desert Safari in Dubai takes you on a 5-hour excursion through the country’s dunes. Learn more about the UAE’s landscape and geology from your tour guide. Of course, you don’t have to sit in a car for the entire time; the day also includes sand-boarding races and a camel ride.
As the sun sets, you get to enjoy a barbecue dinner under the Arabian sky, while watching a belly dancer perform the traditional tanoura dance. After dinner, sit around the campfire with your tour-mates and smoke a shisha (Arabian pipe). Women can also choose to get henna tattoos on their hands and feet.
Desert safari packages are offered by various companies. Some of them can also customize their packages according to your preferences, like night or evening safaris with dinner cruises.
2. Take A Dip In Dreamland Aqua Park
Drive down to Umm Al Quwain to spend a few hours or days at UAE’s largest water park, which boasts of everything, even a salt-water pool and lazy river. Water lovers of all ages can spend hours on the numerous slides, rides and rafts while the huge Jacuzzi and Pool Bar mainly cater to the adults. The other attractions of this part include a Go-Kart track, video arcade and zoo.
Dreamland offers waterside camping, where families can rent out a tent or cabana in a private camping zone for a day or two. This outdoor experience comes with benefits like access to rides, camping gear, cooked meals, sun-bed lounges, proximity bathrooms, lifeguards and security. You can also roast marshmallows around a bonfire after sundown.
For bookings and more information, log on to www.dreamlanduae.com.
3. Shop At The Souk
Dubai is known to have gold of the finest quality. Most tourists and expats buy gold in Dubai at a much cheaper price than what they would pay back home. However, if you want a good deal, you’ll have to bargain. This means spending at least 5 to 10 minutes haggling and perhaps even walking away a few steps before you are called back.
Whether or not you really want to buy gold, a walk through the dazzling Gold markets or Souk is a must! You will see merchants drop their asking price to half, just to tempt you into buying their wares. Since all the Gold Souk merchandise is closely controlled by the Government, you can be sure that you are purchasing genuine products. Be prepared to spend at least 2 or 3 hours walking through the Deira Gold Souk.
4. Go Skiing
As strange as this may sound, it is possible to go skiing at any time of the year in this desert. The UAE’s Ski Dubai is an indoor skiing facility real snow. The mountain-themed wintery interiors of this facility will transport you straight to Europe.
Apart from skiing, you can also snowboard, toboggan, build a snowman, sit in a chairlift or just sip on some hot chocolate while you warm your hands. For many, one trip just simply isn’t enough.
To know more about events and packages, log on to www.skidubai.com.
5. Tour The World In A Single Day
You don’t have to leave the UAE to get a glimpse of the whole world. Dubai’s Global Village has an international collection of pavilions that represent countries from across the universe. These pavilions sell food, clothes and trinkets that are characteristic of various nations and their cultures. There are several cultural shows to watch, which are not only entertaining, but also very informative.