United Arab Emirates (Dubai) in the modern world is an exciting combination of contrasts, where old and new, East and West, modern rhythm of life and ancient traditions are closely intertwined. All this attracts a huge number of tourists.
Long before oil was found, this "paradise" gained a reputation as a "city of merchants", always welcoming travelers and traders who arrived in the United Arab Emirates. Hotels (Dubai) please with their comfort and variety, and the streets are clean and safe. This city has received the "safest place on the planet" award several times.
The United Arab Emirates is a dynamically growing world commercial center. This is the place where international exhibitions and conferences are held. Its role is difficult to overestimate. Every year the Dubai Shopping Festival is held here with great success. More than 2 million visitors come to it. It also organizes the festival "Summer Surprises", where tourists from all over the world are waiting for exhibitions of the latest fashion products, unimaginablesales, various cultural and entertainment shows for children and adults, opportunities for individual, group and family recreation. Therefore, tours to Dubai are in great demand. More on this later.
Main attractions in Dubai
Here everyone can find a lot of interesting things. Without a doubt, this place amazes tourists with a huge variety of attractions.
- The central territory of modern Dubai is divided into two districts - Bur (southern) and Deira (northern). In general, each part of this city has a lot of interesting things. Bastakia is worth seeing in the old district of Bur. Here you can see many Arab traditional dwellings with courtyards, wind towers that once replaced air conditioners.
- It is impossible to visit this city and not look into the Dubai History Museum, the not insignificant Al-Fahidi Fort, which managed to visit a palace, a garrison and even a prison. There are extensive collections of everyday life items from both the Bedouins of ancient times and modern residents of Dubai. The marine and underground parts of this exposition also operate.
- The pearl of Dubai is the palace of Sheikh Zayed, who was the first ruler of the city. So that he could watch the ships, his palace, surrounded by wind towers, was built on the seashore.
- Also another attraction is the Jumeirah Mosque. She is extraordinarily beautiful in the light of the special eveningillumination. This building is a striking example of Islamic architecture.
- Another recognizable monument of antiquity is Burj Nahar - a watchtower that guarded the old city. This building stands in the picturesque gardens of Deira. She is a favorite subject for photographing numerous tourists.
- Undoubtedly, the Dubai World Trade Center can be called a miracle of modern architecture. Hundreds of tourists visit the observation deck of this 39-story building every day.
- Beautiful parks and gardens of the city of Dubai (UAE). The most significant are Jumeirah Beach Park, Dubai Creekside Park, Mushrif Park, Raz Al Mamzar Park and Safa Park. The local zoo is considered to be the best in the Middle East.
- Holidays in Dubai can be varied endlessly. One of the most famous water parks in Asia is the Wonderland amusement park. From a fun carousel for your kids to a roller coaster for yourself, explore any of the thirty rides and enjoy a carefree time.
- Wanderland Amusement Park includes Splashland Water Park, Splash Land, with a shared ticket. It allows you to use any attractions without restrictions.
- Recreation in Dubai includes visiting the ethnographic museums of the emirate. Near the bay is the "Heritage Village". Here you can watch the work of masters of folk crafts. There is also a "Village of Divers", whose inhabitantsshow how pearls were mined in the UAE (United Arab Emirates) in the old days. And the Al-Bum ethnic museum will acquaint guests with the life of Bedouin nomads.
- In the center of the Hajar Mountains there is a mountain resort, the only one in Dubai - Hatta. It is a great vacation spot. Fresh mountain air, clear cool lakes, the ancient picturesque fortress of Hatta Fort, the Juma mosque, the oldest in Arabia, is a picturesque place that will undoubtedly attract the attention of every tourist.
United Arab Emirates (Dubai) - a paradise for shoppers
That's quite the right name. Dubai proudly bears its title of "shopping city". The UAE is a free trade zone with very low import duties. This allows you to sell imported goods cheaper than in the country of origin. In all sorts of outlets (from various shops to bustling markets) you can buy shoes and clothes, audio and video equipment, rosewood and walnut furniture, jewelry, Persian carpets, cars and much more. The variety of goods here is very large. You should not miss the wonderful opportunity to walk along the numerous shopping streets and markets of the city, where in a scattering of shops you can find absolutely everything that can please an experienced shopper. Virtually all stores have air conditioning, which makes life very easy in the hot climate of the United Arab Emirates.
An indispensable component of any transaction is bargaining. This is important when making a purchase. By bargaining, a persistent tourist will be able to get a tangible discount from 10 to 30 percent.
The most popular souvenirs are a variety of wooden boxes inlaid with stones, handicrafts made of "soapstone", wonderful national coffee pots (dalla), ancient silver jewelry. You can also bring home an Arabian saber or special curved daggers - khanjars.
Shopping malls
Dubai (UAE) has a lot of them:
- The most famous are the City Center, Al Guber (Deira). They operate about 300 stores.
- Gold Souk (“Gold Market”) is considered no less popular. It is also visited by many tourists. Considered by many to be the world's center for gold and gemstone retailing.
- Blue Souk is a famous shopping center in Sharjah.
- Also, many people go shopping on Al Fahda, the famous "shopping street".
- Suq Al Jumaa ("Friday Bazaar") between Sharjah and Fujairah is another popular shopping destination. Here they sell wonderful carpets from all over the east.
Opening hours of shopping centers and payment methods for goods
This is important to know. Large shopping centers generally operate until ten in the evening, sometimes around the clock. Department stores, markets, boutiques, certain shops are also open on Fridays - an official holiday in the UAE. All large and most small outlets accept credit cards. It is also possible to pay in US dollars. But we must remember that the United Arab Emirates is an eastern country, the greatest discounts can be obtained by payingcash in local currency.
Dubai Shopping Festival
Vacationers with experience buy tours to Dubai in the spring, namely in March-April. At this time, the Trade Festival is held there, lasting for a whole month. Sales provide unimaginable opportunities to purchase all categories of goods.
Many entertainment programs - shows, lotteries, horse races, and bullfights will not let you get bored between shopping trips. At numerous sales, discounts on goods can often reach seventy percent, and forty percent on hotel stays; airlines often increase the baggage allowance.
Restaurants
There is no person who, having arrived in the United Arab Emirates - Dubai, would remain indifferent to the local cuisine, to its magnificent variety.
It is not difficult to choose a restaurant in the UAE - there are a huge number of them and for any, the most demanding, taste - from chic to simple. Most of all, of course, Arabic. Although you can find both Russian and Italian restaurants, there are also Irish pubs. The quality of products in these establishments is strictly monitored by the sanitary and epidemiological service. Arabic cuisine has rich traditions, and the number of delicious dishes is incalculable and worthy of a separate detailed story. Everyone here can pick up something of their own volition. Arabian Gulf seafood dishes are constantly popular among tourists.and the Indian Ocean. They are in great demand. You will always be served the freshest seafood - perfectly cooked crabs, lobsters, shrimp, tuna. Impossible to resist the local desserts. Making coffee has been elevated to an art, and you should try it in one of the many Arabic cafes. Prices, as elsewhere, are very different - from democratic 8-10 dollars in a hotel to 50 dollars and more in a five-star hotel for a regular lunch. In numerous street restaurants and cafes, this is, of course, lower. This peculiarly characterizes the Arab Emirates (Dubai). Here you can safely drink tap water, it is quite safe. Nevertheless, most hotels and restaurants offer visitors mineral water from local manufacturers.
Alcohol
This product is subject to certain restrictions. The UAE is a Muslim country, therefore, alcohol can be bought almost freely only in hotels, bars and restaurants. Alcohol is prohibited on the open market. This is especially characteristic of the United Arab Emirates. Dubai in this respect is the most democratic city. For those who do not drink alcoholic beverages, there is always a huge selection of very fresh cocktails from a variety of fruits. It is allowed to import no more than two liters of alcoholic beverages into the country. It is important to remember that drinking alcohol in public places, on the streets, beaches, while driving is prohibited. Violation of this rule can result in a very large fine and sometimes jail time.
Clothes
In Dubai, locals appreciate modesty in this regard, whichespecially for the beautiful half. In the city, tourists should refrain from overly revealing clothing: short skirts, shorts and deep-cut dresses; topless sunbathing is not allowed, headscarves are encouraged.
Behavior
Visitors during Ramadan eat and drink at special restaurants for foreigners or at the hotel. Also, tourists should remember that in public places it is not supposed to smoke and chew gum. Noisy entertainment is also prohibited during Ramadan. In the UAE, cleanliness is very important: garbage that a tourist inadvertently throws on the street can be fined in the amount of 500 dirhams.
Dubai (United Arab Emirates): photo
Strictness is also present in this plan, as some rules must be observed. In this country, it is forbidden to photograph the palaces of sheikhs, any government institutions and, of course, military installations. Serious violation - attempt to film local women.
Tip
If you chose the United Arab Emirates (Dubai) for your vacation, then you need to remember the indicated features of this peculiar country. It is best to plan this trip from October to April, when there is still no sweltering heat. In this case, you can completely do with summer clothes.
However, we must remember that in winter the temperature drops sharply in the evenings. Then in this case, warm clothes can be very helpful.
Conclusion
Familiarizing yourself withabove, almost everyone will have a great desire to visit such a "paradise" as Dubai (United Arab Emirates).
Prices for tours in this direction are quite acceptable, that is, from 14 to 45 thousand rubles, depending on the company providing these services, the number of vacationers, etc.
