An epic start to 2020 in one of the most happening cities in the world, known for its luxury shopping and ofcourse the Burj Khalifa. Yes I am talking about ‘Definitely Dubai’. My family and I chose Dubai as it has a bit of everything. Be it the variety of cuisines, shopping malls, theme parks and other adventurous things. There is a certain welcoming vibe that it exudes that pulled us towards it.
Day 1 – THE GLOBAL VILLAGE
We arrived at the DXB international airport in the morning. Our stay was at the Park Regis Kris Kin (Bur Dubai). Our hotel was a 15 minute drive from the Airport. After resting, we left for ‘The Global Village’ which attracts tourists from every corner of the world.The world’s leading multicultural festival park displays the best of all countries and is truly fascinating. Walking down to every country’s gate and trying their food specialities, shopping local stuff and experiencing their art, culture and life left me spellbound. Spread over a massive space, the village always stands super crowded and boasts of a theme park inside it at an additional cost. Be it the thrilling rides, Ripley’sBelieve It or Not, carnivals, street and stage shows, circus, pavilions, lip smacking food trucks, restaurants and family rides, this place keeps you on foot and excited at all times!
Stay – https://www.parkregiskriskin.ae/
Price per Person – $ 120 (Rs. 70,000/- ) {for 8 nights} / An additional $ 5 (Rs. 360/- ) tourist fee per night is compulsory – Includes Breakfast
Park Regis Kris Kin (Bur Dubai) is located near all the major hubs and entertainment arenas, metro stations, Indian hotels and budget malls. The hotel has spacious rooms, designer bathrooms and many other amenities. Breakfast is full of variety. The hotel also boasted of an Indian restaurant.
Day 2 – LA MER, JUMEIRAH MOSQUE, DUBAI MUSEUM, DESERT SAFARI
After a heavy breakfast, we left for exploring the city that has uniqueness in every aspect, be it the astounding architecture, skyscrapers, museums, gardens and beaches. We toured the city in our own vehicle. Our first stop was La Mer, a newly opened beach with an eclectic waterfront that turns into a party lover’s cove by the evening with its fancy lights and glamour.It also has Laguna-a water park with great rides.
Next stop was Jumeirah Mosque which adopts an ‘Open Doors, Open Minds’ policy. The mosque welcomes visitors of all faiths to admire the surroundings, learn about Islam and the local culture . It was built entirely from white stone in the medieval Fatimid tradition, with towering twin minarets framing a large central dome. When it is lit up at dusk, the intricate artistry and true beauty are highlighted and there are 75 minute tours conducted most of the days in the week. We visited the Dubai Museum and also witnessed some iconic places like Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah Island and the Burj Al Arab Hotel.
I was excited for my next stop – Desert Safari. We spent the rest of the afternoon riding the ATV bikes on large dunes which cost about AED 150 for single and AED 250 for double ride. The main desert safari started off at 5pm in a Land Cruiser.Those 30 minutes were so ecstatic and wonderful where the sand brushed through the windows and the car just zoomed in a thrilling speed. We then witnessed some amazing belly dancing and fire show.The food there is not recommended and hence it is better to carry some of your own.
Day 3 – BOLLYWOOD THEME PARK
We headed off to ‘The Bollywood Themed Park’ which is a must for every movie buff and Indian cinema fanatic .It is the world’s first family theme park which is a celebration of Mumbai’s legendary film industry. It is spread around in 5 zones inspired by famous Bollywood blockbusters. Here you can enjoy live entertainment, stage performances, flamboyant SRK and Hrithik Roshan cinematic rides and various movie sets in an experience unlike any other. There are various dining options offering amazing cuisines along with some street side food. Other attractions were a Cinemagic experience on the sets of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Don(The Chase ride), Ra One(Unleash ride), Krrish( The flight 3D ride), Rangmanch stage and Mumbai Express ride.
DAY 4 – ABU DHABI CITY TOUR, QATAR AL WATERS, SHEIKH ZYED MOSQUE
We left early for the capital of United Arab Emirates- Abu Dhabi. We saw the Ferrari World from outside, visited the famous dates market and visited the breathtaking Sheikh Zayed Mosque.It is one of the largest mosque in the country with a strict code of conduct and dress code maintained.One must be perfectly dressed and women are given a proper robe called Abaya and Shayla to wear inside the mosque. The mosque is open to tourists everyday from 9 am to 10 pm except for Friday mornings. The best time to visit the mosque is in the evening.
We visited Qasr Al Watan, one of the most beautiful landmarks in Abu Dhabi which is so uniquely done. Qasr Al Watan is more than just a palace, it is an enriching interactive journey in a contemporary setting that reveals and reflects on governance, knowledge and craftsmanship. Entering it felt so royal and gave a gold touché. There is a Qasr al Watan Library, House of Knowledge, The Great Hall and The Presidential Banquet.
One can plan a proper day at various other places like the Corniche, Yas Island, Marvel towers, admire the clean water of the harbor as you continue to the opulent Emirates Palace, the official palace of Abu Dhabi’s ruling government that is the epitome of royalty. You can enjoy a hearty lunch at the Marina hall that has so many options leaving you confused.
DAY 5 – DUBAI FRAME, BURJ KHALIFA, FOUNTAIN SHOW
Dubai Frame is the newest attraction and is considered the largest frame on the planet. There is a Dubai Frame Garden apart from the Future Dubai Gallery. It is very skilfully designed in a way that you can see the old and new Dubai on the either sides. There is also a transparent walking path on a height which can be quite intimidating but provides the most stunning views. We then visited the Dubai Mall which required 2 days to explore owing to the multiple hubs, attractions, cafes, restaurants. Dubai Aquarium has an underwater tunnel with varieties of fish, sharks and many more oceanic creatures that transport you to living a scene of Finding Nemo.
Being a foodie, I was really looking forward to visiting the Cheesecake Factory at Dubai Mall.It is a true heaven with varieties of cheesecakes be it Nutella, S’mores, Oreo and many more. My personal recommendation would be the Oreo cheesecake and the Red Velvet cheesecake. As for proper meals and savouries, we had the Cheesy Grande nachos and a Margherita pizza.
We then visited the famous Burj Khalifa- superlative in every respect with its unique design. We enjoyed a new immersive experience, stepping on a glass-floor where the glass cracks underneath your feet as you explore the lofty heights . We reached upto the 124th and 125th floor in lightning speed from where you can see Dubai and it’s coastline from a bird’s eye view. Pre booking the tickets for At The Top and the observation decks visit here is mandatory as this is the building that has most tourist traffic.The light and sound fountain show is another attraction.The world’s largest musical fountain that sits on the base of Burj Khalifa left us mesmerised in the evening. It happens every 30 minutes and those 2-3 minutes that it lasts keeps you bedazzled and in awe. Performances are completely free and can be seen from various locations around Downtown Dubai.
DAY 6 -MEENA BAZAAR
Our 6th day was a free where we could plan anything we wanted. We went for some shopping at Meena Bazaar, a very famous local market with various brands in Bur Dubai where you can shop till you drop, bargain for the best prices till they suit. From bags, watches, perfumes, Indian and Pakistani dresses at textile stores, you can find everything traditional and modern to suit your needs. Meena Bazaar has a very Indian feel to it and also a lot of Indian restaurants and eateries there to satisfy the palate of hearty Indians.
Day 7 – SKI DUBAI, MIRACLE GARDENS AND YATCH RIDE.
After having some pancakes and croissants from the breakfast at our hotel, we all sat in our car and left for the day to see what’s in for us. SKI Dubai is the largest snow park in Dubai and is world famous for its structure and activities like snowboarding, watching Penguins, chairlift, rides, slope session and so much more. It has a variety of packages and the normal package includes ropeway, ring and other slides which are fun! It can get really chilly inside and although they do provide their bomber jackets, suit as well as other gear, make sure you wear the perfect clothes on your end for that extra warmth.
Our second destination was the Dubai Miracle Gardens, spread over a wide area and beautifully designed. One can do a garden tour and the tickets start from 10 AED as you step into the world’s biggest floral garden. The flowers are in different shapes and sizes resembling circles, sculptures, birds, and vintage style vehicles.The Dubai Butterfly Garden and a huge topiary of Mickey Mouse and his Disney friends is adorable.
The next was a Yatch ride(AED 800-1000 for 15 ppl approx.) that was included in our family tour package. The yatch was premium and extraordinary with a mini bar, seating area and a massive room. The ride lasted for 1 hour starting from Jumeirah Beach, the pristine white sand beach.The sight becomes magical when you are cruising along the shimmering gulf along the coastline. One must carry their passport to hire and enjoy the yatch facility. Ours was an evening ride with the 7 star Burj Al Arab as our view. Inspite of rains , the beauty of being on a yatch with so many luxurious amenities was an absolute delight.
DAY 8 – GOLD SOUK
Today we decided to indulge in admiring some jewellery. Gold Souk boasts of some beautiful jewellery. From Meena bazaar one can take a boat for AED 1 or a metro on the green line and get down at Al Ras to see the Old Big Gold Market. It consists of over 380 retailers, most of whom are jewellery traders. Here you can see precious metal that is 100% pure, best in quality with stunning designs.One must know the market prices, the types of gold, the technique to haggle and also try out various shops before making a sharp purchase to ensure a best buy. Right next to Gold Souk lays Spice Souk, a spices market where the smell of the variety of spices tickles your nose and transports you to remembrance of your favorite dishes.
DAY 9 – BID ADIEU DUBAI. UNTIL NEXT TIME
Started our day late with a scrumptious buffet breakfast and went around for shopping at nearby malls. After packing our bags and stuffing them with gifts and a whole lot of memories, we left for the airport to board our flight back home.
With all experiences and wonderful times come some precautions when travelling abroad. I thereby list some Do’s and Don’ts which all of you should definitely keep in mind so that your trip is not only memorable but also systematic and peaceful.
Flights – Oman Airways 23kg Bags
Flight Cost – $275 (Rs. 20,000 per person)
Check – In – 7kg hand luggage
Food – Vegetarians Food is available at a lot of places
Full Trip Cost Inclusive of Flights – $1,300 (Rs. 95,000 per person)
YouTube Vlog – https://youtu.be/Te3TbxmyvAU
DOS AND DON’T’S IN DUBAI
1. The UAE is a beautiful and exotic country but is extremely strict so one must take full care while travelling.
2. One must wear comfortable shoes because of the long endless walks throughout Dubai.
3. If your plan to stay in UAE for long and plan to commute by trains, buses, it is advisable to take a travel card than buying a ticket every time you want to go somewhere as you might end up spending double.
4. Bur Dubai has some amazing hotels as well as a lot of restaurants offering vegetarian and Jain meals making it a viable option for all my friends out there who are pure veg.
5. Shopping is always a must but according to my experience and facts one must shop from local malls as the Dubai Mall is very expensive as it has some high end brands not catering to all audiences.
6. Ittar or Perfumes are found in great varieties all over Dubai. You can get good deals for bags, watches and much more at Bur Dubai(Meena Bazaar).
7. Cabs are extremely expensive. Thus it’s highly recommended to opt for Metros here.
8. If you really wish to buy gold then you should head to Gold Souk which is 100% safe to buy as the laws governing it are very strict abstaining anyone from cheating.
9. Gifting near and dear ones after vacations abroad is mandatory. So if you want to bring some gifts for them you can go to these 1-10/15 AED shops.
10. To buy tickets for exciting parks, sites and places on your own can be a bit tough. I would recommend one to go through some agency or tour as the tickets can be done at a better price with a detailed itinerary.
11. You get a great variety of dry fruits and most importantly the dates found here are in abundance-like Mejdoul, Omani and Kimia.
12. The best months to explore Dubai and neighbouring areas are December/January as the climate is very pleasant and cold.
13. The hype about Dubai shopping festival did not do justice as things are really expensive and not worth it.
foodholic travels 