Holidaymakers are queuing up to holiday in Dubai and wallow in 5*plus luxury accommodation, steam in the guaranteed dry and sunny weather and shop until our credit cards can take no more. Holidays in Dubai offer many extraordinary attractions. The Burj Al Arab is Dubai’s icon. The world’s tallest hotel is coated with a fibreglass screen that looks like a billowing sail and is lit in changing hues at night. Under construction is the Palm, a man-made archipelago in the shape of the trunk and fronds of a palm tree, and the World which will have 300 islands laid out to resemble a global map. With their imaginative designs, great service and good multi-ethnic restaurants, Dubai has some of the world’s best upmarket resort accommodation including hotels that are great for families. Dubai is however a tourist paradise under construction. Add to the building list the world’s first underwater luxury hotel and a £15-billion development that will include Dubailand theme park, 30 hotels (including the biggest in the world, with 6,500 rooms) and 1,500 restaurants, and you can begin to understand why Dubai offers a holiday world unlike anywhere else on this planet.
An unchallenging long-haul break
Winter sun
Top-quality hotels
Travel from May to October – see weather in Dubai. Holidays during Ramadan - generally the only cafés and restaurants open in daylight hours are in hotels, and they won’t serve alcohol during Ramadan. Ask your Travel Counsellor for this year’s dates. Hotels near building sites - ask your Travel Counsellor to double-check on nearby building work. The speed of development in Dubai means the situation can change from week to week.
Compared to many Muslim countries, Dubai is ultra-liberal. However, you’ll look out of place in skimpy clothes in the city centre. Topless sunbathing is forbidden by law. Shopping Malls typically open 10am to 10pm, except on Fridays when most open in the afternoon. Haggling is expected in the souks, but unlikely to get you far in the malls.
Dubai offers virtually guaranteed warm or hot winter sunshine. From November to March expect daytime temperatures in the mid to high 20°Cs/75°-85°F, sunny skies, and usually just the odd burst of rain.From May to October it’s unpleasant to be outside unless you’re in the pool or the sea. Daytime temperatures normally reach the high 30°Cs/up to 100°F and in July and August they rise well into the 40°Cs/110°plusF
Flights to Dubai from London take approx seven hours.
Driving is on the right. Drivers can be reckless and the death toll on roads is high. In the rush hours in Dubai, the ever-worsening traffic can be at a virtual standstill. There is zero tolerance for drink driving. You should not consider driving in the desert unless accompanied by a trained professional and a suitable large 4x4 vehicle. You will need an international licence to hire and drive a car. Most holidaymakers stay in hotels by the beach in Jumeirah, up to 16km/10 miles from the city centre. However, taxis are fairly cheap and hotels run free shuttle buses to some malls.