Dubai Holidays & Hotels

Dubai is located in the northern desert belt and as a result has a hot, subtropical climate with little rainfall almost all year round. The most popular time to go is between December and March when the average temperature is between 23 and 27 degrees C. This period is also when what little rain Dubai experiences falls, although the average amount of just 1 cm per month is still almost negligible. The hottest time in Dubai is June and September when temperatures, particularly in August, can reach as high as 41 degrees C. As there is also little cloud cover and humidity regularly topping 80 per cent, this can make the climate extremely unforgiving.

Dubai is primarily a coastal resort and with some of the most beautiful white sandy beaches in the world, this means that watersports and beach activities figure prominently on any list of things to do. With plenty of diving schools and delightfully warm water which never falls below 22 degrees C, even in the winter, Dubai could be the perfect place to learn to dive. Because of the rate of development to cater to tourists, off shore construction can cloud the water at times, so it may be best to either take a boat out to sea or to journey up the coast to discover some of the most crystal clear waters in the world. It’s not all about the ocean though, and two of Dubai’s other most popular activities could not be further apart. Firstly, you can explore the desert in a 4x4, either driving or being driven; speeding over rolling dunes makes a day out like no other before enjoying a candlelit meal under the stars. Secondly, Dubai now has its own ski centre in the world’s largest shopping mall, the Dubai Mall, where you can ski and snowboard on one of the longest indoor slopes in the world. An adult day pass can be had for 300 AED (£52) and this includes everything from a lesson to your clothes; just bring your own hat and gloves.

British citizens do not require a visit to visit the United Arab Emirates provided their stay is less than 30 days; this can then be extended another 30 days with a fee paid at the appropriate immigration office. Hepatitis A is the only required vaccination for visiting Dubai but there are several that are recommended. Depending on the length of your stay you may require at least Diphtheria and Hepatitis B; as soon as you decide on your trip, pay a visit to your GP and discuss your travel arrangements with them as they may want to recommend other inoculations. The currency in Dubai is the dirham or AED; one AED equals 17 pence so you should change your before you leave to get used to the amounts; the prices can be high in Dubai so it is best to become accustomed to the conversion rate as soon as possible.

Dubai is located in the northern desert belt and as a result has a hot, subtropical climate with little rainfall almost all year round. The most popular time to go is between December and March when the average temperature is between 23 and 27 degrees C. This period is also when what little rain Dubai experiences falls, although the average amount of just 1 cm per month is still almost negligible. The hottest time in Dubai is June and September when temperatures, particularly in August, can reach as high as 41 degrees C. As there is also little cloud cover and humidity regularly topping 80 per cent, this can make the climate extremely unforgiving.

Dubai has the only metro system in the Middle East after Cairo; while it may not cover the entire emirate, it can be great for getting up and down the coastline. Tickets can cost as little as 1.80 AED (31p) for short trips less than 3 km; however, a one day ticket which is valid in all five zones is just 14 AED (£2.44) and a 30 day pass is 270 AED (£47), so it may be worth buying your metro ticket in advance to save money. There are plenty of taxis in Dubai but these can become hard to find during rush hour and any do you find may insist on a predetermined rate that is too high. However, the rest of the time you should be able to find plenty outside of hotels and malls. The minimum rate for a taxi is 10 AED (£1.70) and as the metro stops might not take you exactly to your destination, can present a much easier way of getting around and staying out of the heat.

When it comes to hotels, Dubai has some of the finest in the world a Dubai holiday, including the first seven star accommodation in the world, the Burj Al Arab. A night in a luxury five star hotel can cost as little as 330 AED (£57), with prices rising to over £1,000 a night the higher up the scale you go. Expensive luxury isn’t your only option though, with plenty of budget options available; a night in a two star hotel can be found for just 86 AED (£15) a night during peak season.

Dubai began life as a small fishing settlement that was originally taken over in the early part of the 19th century by the Maktoum family, who still rule today. Relaxed tax laws combined with a burgeoning pearl industry first began to attract international visitors at the start of the 20th century, but it wasn’t until the 60s that the area first began to blossom. In 1959, the Emir of Kuwait lent the newly-crowned Sheikh Rashid all the money he needed to develop Dubai into a powerful trade centre and in 1966, Dubai discovered its own vast oil resources. In 1985, the state began its transformation into a tourist destination and the amount of wealth, combined with the beautiful scenery saw the area practically boom into one of the world’s most foremost tourist destinations.

Middle Eastern and Asian cuisine has been a firm favourite on the British menu since the 60s and today there are thousands of restaurants all over the UK. However, while these eateries typically serve a fusion of spicy cuisine tailored to British palettes, Dubai presents the opportunity to really discover the original. Just like hotels, there are both luxury restaurants and budget eateries in abundance offering everything from exquisite delicacies to cheap and cheerful pick me ups. While where you eat might be your priority, and you’ll certainly be spoiled for choice, what you eat should be considered as there a few foods that every tourist should try. Shwarma should be first on the list; the Dubai equivalent of the humble burger, a shwarma is skewered meat, typically either lamb or chicken, served on a pita bread with salad. Shwarmas can be found for as little as 5 AED (87p) from street vendors across the state. If a shwarma is the Arabic burger, the falafel is the French fry. Made from chickpeas and an assortment of spices, falafel is usually deep fried and again, can be found almost everywhere. If you’re not the most adventurous of traveller when it comes to eating, there are plenty of international restaurants ready to cater to the wary stomach including all the Western fast food chains.

The first thing to see in Dubai might not be by choice; at 828 m the Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world by some distance and can be seen from 60 miles away. For 100 AED (£17.46) you can take an elevator up to the 124th floor and look out across the gulf. Other attractions to see in Dubai include the Bastakiya Quarters for a glimpse into the Dubai of old, the Grand Mosque which has the tallest minaret in the city and Wild Wadi Waterpark, which has plenty of slides and rides for all the family to enjoy.