The Great Pyramid of Giza was the tallest structure in the world four millennia, then the London Cathedral claimed that honor; now, the Burj Khalifa, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has surpassed all the skyscrapers in the world and the Middle East once again boasts the world’s tallest building. Rising to a height of 2,723 feet, the Burj Khalifa has 164 floors. It’s one of the first things you notice when you step off the plane at the airport in Dubai should you decide to take a luxury vacation to one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Besides this impressive building with its superb architecture, there is much that you can do here in the city-state of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Although only about 25 miles across, you probably won’t get a chance to see everything it has to offer unless you’re on a long vacation.
Recreational Sports
Although you would not expect much in the way of sports in a desert clime, Dubai has all sorts of sports for everyone, from the weekend warrior to the committed athlete.
If you love to golf, then you may want to visit the Trump International Golf Club, Dubai, whose 18-hole course is spread over 500 acres of beautifully designed landscape.
Winter sports are available here, too, like Ski Dubai. This indoor mountain slope built into the Mall of the Emirates allows you to snowboard, ski, and, even, toboggan. And for ice skaters, there is always the Dubai Ice Rink, a fun place to visit with kids when you visit the Dubai Mall.
Additionally, there are all sorts of out-of-the-box sports that you might find fascinating, like experiencing a Formula One racing car from the driver’s seat, playing polo while riding a camel, or trying out an extreme sport like Skydiving from 13,000 feet above the Palm Jumeirah.
Ethnic Cuisine
After a good day of playing one or more recreational sports, you will probably have developed a ravishing appetite. In Dubai, you can sample ethnic dishes from all over the world. Restauranteurs from across the globe have set up shop here, providing dishes for whatever exotic cuisine you desire. If, for instance, you’re in the mood for Chinese or Japanese, Indian or Thai, Greek or Italian, you’ll find a restaurant that serves it in Dubai.
Day Trips
While there is much to do in the city itself, there are also plenty of options for those who want to experience a day trip. For instance, you can ride a camel through the desert, then dine on a traditional cuisine while being entertained by belly dancers. If you’re something of an adrenaline-junkie, then you might enjoy speeding around in a rented four-wheeler and visiting well-known waterfalls, rock pools, and other interesting wonders of the desert.
Shopping
Besides attracting tourists with its impressive buildings, recreational sports, superb dining experiences, and unique desert tours, Dubai has also become a tourist destination because of its reputation as one of the best places in the world to shop. Shopping here is a blend of ultra-modern malls and traditional Arabian marketplaces.
The Dubai Mall isn’t just a large shopping center, it’s the largest in the world and almost all the top retailers have department stores here. Besides the stores, there are also numerous restaurants for fine dining.
The Dubai Mall is also a perfect place to take the entire family, as your children will love KidZania, where they can enjoy role-playing games and the Dubai Dino, where they can see a real Diplodocus Longus dinosaur fossil. The mall also has the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, The Emirates A380 Experience (a flight simulator) and Reel Cinemas.
Dubai also has an abundance of traditional marketplaces, which are called “Souks.” Each is dedicated to one particular theme. So, for instance, you’ll find a Souk to buy gold jewelry, spices, or textiles. Quite often the work is handcrafted and unlike anything else that you will find anywhere else in the world.
The Time of Your Life
A Dubai vacation will be unlike anything you and your family have ever experienced in your life. There is more to do and experience, more to see and more wonder here than in any other city in the world.
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