We visited UAE this March for a short family vacation of five days. Though five days is not enough to cover all the places in Dubai, we tried our best to visit the top attractions and experience the Arab culture in our short trip.

Day 1

Dubai Frame – situated at a height of 150 m, this iconic architecture offers stunning views of the Old Dubai on one side with smaller and older buildings, mostly residential and small-scale commercial complexes and of the New Dubai on the other side where you can witness the futuristic city that Dubai grew to be with high-rise buildings, superior infrastructure, and clean and wide roads. Gold and Spice Souk – souk, a traditional Arab market, is dotted with hundreds of shops that sell gold, diamond, and other precious jewelry, dried fruits, spices and herbs. The souks have become a popular tourist destination for shopping and photography. Dubai Marina – a 7 km walkway along the canal, is dotted with a number of restaurants and high-rise buildings. The beach located in the Marina is a great place to unwind with people hanging out and kids playing around. You can also spot lots of boats and Yachts sailing on the canal. Dhow Cruise – is basically a traditional Arab boat sailing along the canal with mesmerizing views of the Dubai Marina. Depending on the tour you select, there could be add-ons such as entertainment shows and buffet dinner. We booked our cruise from Alexandra Dhow Cruise.

 

The Boardwalk at Palm Islands – the boardwalk at the Palm Island is an ideal location for an evening stroll, run or cycling. This place is so calm that you will get lost in your thoughts just by gazing at the blue ocean waters. Burj Al Arab from Jumeirah Public Beach – from the Jumeirah public beach, you get stunning views of one of the most luxurious hotels in the world, Burj Al Arab. This is a great place to photograph the hotel against the blue waters and the white sand. Burj Khalifa - At the Top – The highlight of a Dubai trip is a visit to the tallest building in the world standing at a height of 828 meters, the mighty Burj Khalifa. At the Top, an observatory deck at the 124th floor of the Burj Khalifa offers far stretched views of the Dubai City. The high speed lifts will cruise you to the 124th floor, which is at a height of 452 meters in 60 seconds. Dubai Mall – One of the largest malls, Dubai Mall has so many shopping outlets, restaurants, and other entertainment options that a day is not enough to complete everything that the mall has to offer. Even if you have nothing to shop here, you could easily spend a day here by admiring the glamorous and the luxurious mall.

 

Dubai Miracle Garden is a miracle indeed. This garden which is open for about six months every year has millions of colorful and pretty flowers arranged in various shapes and formations. It is just beautiful and fairyland like! The tickets can be purchased at the ticket counters for 50 AED. It is recommended to arrive early to avoid crowds. Dubai Desert Safari – The highlight of a desert safari is the Dune Bashing. You will literally go up and down, curving and dashing along the dune just like in a video game. Our tour included a photo stop and sand boarding activity in the middle of the desert and a camel ride post Dune Bashing. Once we entered the camp, there were a couple of activities such as Photo with a Falcon, Traditional Arab Clothing, and Henna Painting. The entertainment shows included a Fire Show, Tanura Dance Show and Belly Dance Show. The dinner provided had a lot of variety and was delicious.

 

Abu Dhabi, the capital of United Arab Emirates, is home to the famous Ethiad Towers, the stunning Sheikh Zayed Mosque and the luxurious Emirates Palace. Abu Dhabi is located about 140 kms away from Dubai and can be easily reached in 1.5 - 2 hours. The 8 km long Corniche road located in the city center is one of the best ways to tour the city. You will find Marina Mall, UAE Heritage Village and Corniche Beach here. Sheikh Zayed Mosque or Grand Mosque, located in Abu Dhabi, is truly a white beauty. There are intricate floral designs on the walls and the floors of the mosque. The main prayer hall houses three huge beautiful chandeliers, and the largest hand made carpet in the world. The pool outside the mosque reflects the columns and arches of the mosque. Ethiad Towers – This 5-tower complex in Abu Dhabi is showcased in the movie Furious 7. The views from the observation deck at 300 meters is spectacular. You can see the Emirates Palace and Hotel from here. We personally loved the views from here than from Burj Khalifa. There is a restaurant at the observation floor from where you have a 360 degree view.