Dubai - What to do & would you recommend it?
May 12th, 2007, 07:36 AM
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Dubai - What to do & would you recommend it?
Hi Everyone - Ok, I am finally set with my itinerary to Africa!! And now I am looking into flights...I am planning to book a United Arab Emirates flight and am considering a 1 day stopover. Is it worth it to stop through just for 1 day?
My flight would land at 8AM on a Friday (August) and it would depart the next day at 3PM...So I would have 1 full day, and maybe a bit in the morning...
A few of my questions:
1) What is there to do in Dubai for a day?
2) Would I have to get a visa in order to visit (even for just a day)?
3) Is it safe?
Any other recommendations or advice on sightseeing, hotels, cultural considerations, safety precautions, etc. would be appreciated. Thanks!
Sorry if this is a duplicate, this was originally posted on the general interest borad initially...
My flight would land at 8AM on a Friday (August) and it would depart the next day at 3PM...So I would have 1 full day, and maybe a bit in the morning...
A few of my questions:
1) What is there to do in Dubai for a day?
2) Would I have to get a visa in order to visit (even for just a day)?
3) Is it safe?
Any other recommendations or advice on sightseeing, hotels, cultural considerations, safety precautions, etc. would be appreciated. Thanks!
Sorry if this is a duplicate, this was originally posted on the general interest borad initially...
May 12th, 2007, 07:50 AM
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I have gotten a lot of info on Dubai over on the tripadvisor forum-they have a very active UAE board. Also, the Emirates airline website has quite a bit of info too. We are stopping off in Dubai enroute to Africa also and Wayne, a regular on this board, enjoyed his stopover there.
May 12th, 2007, 09:33 AM
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I'm doing the same thing in September and learned a lot on trip advisor as moremiles suggested. planning on visiting the souks, a dhow ride and possibly to the museum and a desert trip. not going to be there on the day of the camel races, or i'd go see that.
May 12th, 2007, 07:35 PM
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August is one of the worst times to be in the UAE.
What ever you do, you'll want to do it inside until the sun goes down (still hot-humid). Desert safari in the evenings.
Visa depends on your nationality- check Emirates or Embassy.
It's a safe place to be, expect for the roads. Some of the worst drivers live here.
What ever you do, you'll want to do it inside until the sun goes down (still hot-humid). Desert safari in the evenings.
Visa depends on your nationality- check Emirates or Embassy.
It's a safe place to be, expect for the roads. Some of the worst drivers live here.
May 13th, 2007, 02:35 AM
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Dubai's very safe, so you'll have no problems. As a Brit, I don't need a visa.
But, in August the temperature is around 55 degrees (about 130 F) and you wont want to go anywhere. The souks are good, as is the desert safari, but in that temperature, you won't want to go and visit them!
But, in August the temperature is around 55 degrees (about 130 F) and you wont want to go anywhere. The souks are good, as is the desert safari, but in that temperature, you won't want to go and visit them!
May 13th, 2007, 03:40 AM
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The Emirate Air booking site for flights also has a wealth of information about the country, visa requirements (none for Americans if stay less than 72/hrs), hotels, even packages, tours, etc. Chuck full of goodie info.
May 13th, 2007, 10:44 PM
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The contributors on the BBC mesage board, (now closed), had a terrible "row" over a day trip to Dubai.
However there were a few points that came out of it. (I have been there a couple of times as well).
It is a building site at the moment but there are still things to do. The souks are good if you are up for haggling, especially the gold souk. Bargins to be had. However, watch how you dress. No shorts and girls keep your shoulders covered.
I understand there is now a city tour bus but I don't know anything about it.
A water park called Wild Wadi if it is too hot.
Incidentally, I've been in September and it was all you could do to just stand still, it was so hot.
Jeep safari's good. I'd give the boat trip down the creek a miss though.
Champagne and cakes at the Burj el Arab but be prepared to pay serious money and book in advance.
If you want to use the cabs, use the ivory coloured ones. They have meters and are state licensed. Cheap and efficient too.
If you get there during Ramadan then you need to be aware that they take it seriously. You will not be allowed to eat, drink, (including water) or smoke in public during daylight hours.
If you are up for retail therapy then you are in the right place. The airport is not bad for shopping either.
Have fun.
However there were a few points that came out of it. (I have been there a couple of times as well).
It is a building site at the moment but there are still things to do. The souks are good if you are up for haggling, especially the gold souk. Bargins to be had. However, watch how you dress. No shorts and girls keep your shoulders covered.
I understand there is now a city tour bus but I don't know anything about it.
A water park called Wild Wadi if it is too hot.
Incidentally, I've been in September and it was all you could do to just stand still, it was so hot.
Jeep safari's good. I'd give the boat trip down the creek a miss though.
Champagne and cakes at the Burj el Arab but be prepared to pay serious money and book in advance.
If you want to use the cabs, use the ivory coloured ones. They have meters and are state licensed. Cheap and efficient too.
If you get there during Ramadan then you need to be aware that they take it seriously. You will not be allowed to eat, drink, (including water) or smoke in public during daylight hours.
If you are up for retail therapy then you are in the right place. The airport is not bad for shopping either.
Have fun.
Jun 14th, 2007, 08:37 AM
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Yep I rode Emirates and had an overnight in Dubai. My flight left 3PMish, so we got up in the morning and did a 3 hour city tour. I wish we had time for going to souks or out to the desert.
If going back to Africa, I would definitely fly Emirates and spend 2 days in Dubai. You will feel completely safe and yes UNBELIEVABLY hot and humid.
If going back to Africa, I would definitely fly Emirates and spend 2 days in Dubai. You will feel completely safe and yes UNBELIEVABLY hot and humid.
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