A city built in the desert, skyscrapers reaching to the sky, the tallest building, the highest hotel, the most luxurious hotel, the largest shopping center, the biggest fountain, the largest flower garden, the biggest fireworks in the world? Yes, you are certainly right to guess that we are talking about the fairytale city of Dubai. After the opening of the new airport Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport at the end of October 2013, a wave of cheap plane tickets started.
Contents
Day 1 – DWC and Hotel Saffron
Day 2 – Al Mamzer Beach Park and Ramee Rose Hotel
Day 3 – Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall
Day 4 – Burj Al Arab and Dubai Fountain
Day 5 – Wild Wadi Waterpark
Day 6 – Palm Jumeirah and Old Town
Day 7 – Parks and Desert Safari
Day 8 – Marina Beach, Jumeirah Beach Park and Mall of Emirates
Day 1 – DWC and Hotel Saffron
Visas were cheapest through the company Pelikán and it took approximately 7 business days to process. To apply, you need a scanned passport, photos, and completion of a form with personal data and flight details. The passport can be ordinary as well.travel insurance is recommended. One night stay at the Saffron Hotel, which we eventually used, even though it was only a 2* accommodation. We are leaving from Bratislava on an early train at 5:50, and the journey practically starts all day long. Your visas will also be checked at the Budapest airport at the departure gate.
TIP: If you want a good view, sit on the right-hand side of the aircraft from the pilot’s perspective
The direct flight from Budapest took just over 6 hours, and there was a time difference of +3 hours in Dubai. We arrive at 9:00 PM local time, so you get to see the evening lit Dubai from the plane. The glimmering Burj Khalifa is unmistakable, even though it appears just like a small stick from the plane. Additionally, you’ll be dazzled by the vibrant Jumeirah palm. You need to hurry off the plane to the passport control because it’s very slow there. However, do not exchange currency at the first exchange office there.
TIP: Currency exchange offices offer disadvantageous rates; it’s much better to withdraw from an ATM or pay by card
The VISA card rate during our visit was approximately 5AED = 1EUR, so it was easy to convert. You can only get from DWC airport by a taxi. Although bus line F53 runs around the airport, the stop is far from the terminal building. It’s a 70km distance to our Saffron Hotel, and the taxi cost us around 25E. If you divide it by 4 people and consider an evening Dubai tour along the main artery Sheikh Zayed Road, it’s almost like a freebie. Watch out for Lexus taxis which are pricier and don’t even have a taxi sign. It’s almost midnight, and after a quick grocery shopping, we fall asleep like logs.
Day 2 – Al Mamzer Beach Park and Ramee Rose Hotel
Getting up in the morning is a bit harder, not only due to the demanding journey but also because of the time difference. We pack separate items for the beach and leave the rest at the hotel for check-out. The main highlight of today is the northernmost beach Al Mamzer Beach Park. For using public transport, you need a NOL card where you load credit. The nearest metro station is Al Rigga, where we take care of the necessary matters.
TIP: For tourists, the most advantageous option is the silver NOL card for 20AED
The card includes 14AED credit, so we topped up another 50AED directly. The credit will be deducted based on the zones, and you cannot exceed the daily limit of 14AED. It’s advisable to research the transport system beforehand as the buses didn’t always display stop names. For planning a trip from point A to B, use Wojhati. The metro is undoubtedly the fastest, most luxurious, and the easiest one to navigate. The card also works on the Water Bus, which we didn’t use. At Union station, we switch to bus C28, which goes directly to Al Mamzer Beach Park. The parks have a token entrance fee; this one specifically costs 5AED. Within the park, there are several U-shaped coves of beaches. Our initial madness convinced us to anchor at the first beach. The sun is scorching, feeling like around 30°C, while the water is a pleasant 25°C. We dare not imagine how scorching it must be here in the summer. We apply Daylong sunscreen and head into the water. All Dubai beaches are sandy with clean floors, limiting snorkeling opportunities. The water varies in cleanliness, with the cleanest public beach being Dubai Marina due to the luxury hotels lining the shore. In the distance, the majestic Burj Khalifa looms, visible from almost everywhere. Having had enough swimming and sunbathing, we continue along the park’s perimeter. At the end, you’ll have a beautiful panorama of skyscrapers on the opposite bank. This is followed by a pool, which was out of service, and right after, probably the most beautiful beach of this park. It’s relatively empty as most visitors anchored at the first three beaches like us, plus you have a view of skyscrapers. We plunge back into the water and enjoy a December swim in the Persian Gulf. It’s worth noting that the parks are meticulously maintained here, and we didn’t see a single gardener.
We are going back the same way, by bus and then by metro. We pack our things at the Saffron Hotel and move to our new four-star abode, Ramee Rose Hotel. The metro route involves one transfer at Al Rigga – Union – Dubai Internet City. From Dubai Internet City metro station, it’s about a 10-minute walk or you can take the F31 bus for two stops. The hotel gives a more luxurious first impression, after all, those 4 stars do make a difference. We secured a room on the 6th floor with a view of Ski Dubai, Burj Khalifa, and Burj Al Arab. Additionally, we were offered adjoining family rooms, so we were connected by sliding doors. Slippers and a bathrobe are not common items on our trips. It’s worth checking the minibar right at the beginning. Some clever ones left empty cans there, and then explaining that was a bit challenging, but they eventually acknowledged it. We unpack, test the Wi-Fi, and toast with our own supplies.
TIP: It’s worth bringing alcohol from home, as the hotel offers a bottle of hard liquor for 150E, and alcohol is not sold in stores at all
On the rooftop of the hotel on the 12th floor, there is a heated pool, so we head there right away to try it out. Fantastic view, empty pool, and warm water, it’s simply idyllic. The only downside was that the pool was officially open only until 7:00 p.m.
For dinner, we decide to try the skyscraper district Dubai Marina. In addition to the Burj Khalifa, there are 4 other tallest buildings here – Princess Tower, 23 Marina, Elite Residence, and Almas Tower. These are primarily residential buildings with endless luxury. For example, 23 Marina has “only” 57 swimming pools, and 79% of the units were sold even before the construction began. In 2013, the unique skyscraper Infinity Tower was completed, which is rotated 90 degrees. We leave the hotel by direct bus 84. Many stops were canceled due to renovations, so we rode all the way to the end of the harbor. After a short search, we found the Golden Fork restaurant, where we enjoyed a fine kebab with fries on the side. I personally took a risk with a spicier version, but it wasn’t that bad except for the green chili pepper. With full stomachs, we continue our evening stroll towards Marina Beach. Due to the renovations, finding the entrance was a bit challenging and it was even restricted to only the left end. We walked the entire beach, and since we didn’t want to turn back, we tried a quick passage through the Hilton hotel. Successfully. It’s around midnight, and all that’s left to do is flag down a taxi. Our new Ramee Rose Hotel is waiting for us.
Day 3 – Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall
For breakfast, we have buffet tables with sweet and savory options, fruits, vegetables, and juices. As for meat, the selection was limited to just sausages or chicken nuggets. The main highlight of today is the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa, which we have reserved for the exact date and time of December 1, 2013, at 1:00 PM.
TIP: We recommend making a reservation at least two weeks in advance on the At the top website and pay in advance by card.
The quickest times to book are around 5:00 PM, but we decided to enjoy the views in daylight. Tickets purchased on the spot cost three times more, and there’s no guarantee of entry. We made a sufficient time reservation and started at the shopping center Dubai Mall. Just the walk from the metro station to the beginning of the mall could take a good 15 minutes. Dubai Mall is the largest shopping center in the world with over 1200 stores. Everything exudes incredible luxury and shine; step into the Gucci aisles, and you’ll feel like you’re in a fairy tale. If you’re only focusing on souvenirs, be sure to stop by the small shops near the metro entrance. We randomly selected stores, like Samsung, and compared prices for the Samsung Galaxy S4. It seemed worth it; the price was at the lowest level compared to what we can find back home.
Tickets for Burj Khalifa can be collected at the At the Top Burj Khalifa souvenir shop on the lowest LG floor. You need to enter the details from your e-ticket into the machine. The entrance gate is right next to the shop and is very easy to overlook. I mention this intentionally because we might save you half an hour of searching, as happened to us. Despite allowing sufficient time, we barely make it, and before 1:00 PM, there’s already a decent queue. We walk through the entrance turnstile and embark on a long journey through the corridor to the elevators. We line up at the starting line in front of the elevators, and a witty gentleman engages us in conversation. The elevator ride is an experience, with a flashy light show, dramatic music, a popping sensation in the ears, and a transfer to a height of 452m—all accomplished in 59 seconds, although subjectively it felt shorter to me. Up there, it’s total relaxation, with no rush; you can easily spend an hour there. The visibility was fantastic, and endless photo-taking and filming can begin. The observation deck is partially open, and through the glass cutouts, you can extend your camera. This is where those famous photos of Sheikh Zayed Road are taken. In case you didn’t know, this road has the most concrete in the world. In 2013, a new skyscraper, Al Yaqoub Tower, inspired by the London Big Ben, was added. Other interesting buildings include The Address, The Index, Chelsea Tower, Hotel Rose, Emirate Towers, or the historically first skyscraper from 1978, Dubai World Trade Center. The contrast of light inside and outside is so stark that we couldn’t even manage to get a good photo of ourselves against the backdrop of skyscrapers. The indoor section of the observatory offers views of Dubai World Islands and the entire coastline of Jumeirah..
After about an hour of sightseeing, we are heading down, the elevator ride is not as grand anymore. Pictures of the main figures of the Burj Khalifa project stand out in the hallways. An interesting person is the crane operator who built the top of the tower. It took him 3 hours just to go up and down, so he decided to work up there on a weekly basis 🙂 After the Khalifa tour, we browse a few shops and try to find some t-shirts or scarves. Shopping, however, was not our main goal; while walking around, we tried to find the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, which is, for a change, the largest aquarium in the world. The entrance inside seemed quite expensive to us, so we were satisfied with an outdoor tour. Time flies incredibly fast at the Dubai Mall, and we need to head to the beach. We take the red metro to Bur Juman and then the green one to Al Ghubaiba station. In December, the sun sets around 5:30 p.m., so to speed things up, we opt for a taxi, which takes us directly to Jumeirah Public Beach. The beach is shaped like a U with stone embankments overlooking the beginning of Sheikh Zayed Road. In less than an hour, we enjoy the “dimming” Khalifa and the sunset. The sunlight gradually reflects from the top of the Khalifa down to its base. Our next steps lead us to the Jumeirah Mosque, which is just a short distance from the beach. We walk around the mosque, but no one dares to go inside. We continue homeward by bus number 8 with a transfer at Dubai Internet City. Enticed by a well-executed “China Man” dinner at the hotel entrance. We were convinced by complimentary white wine and a 10% discount off the bill, given the prices of alcohol. It must be said that the food was also good, so we visited this place on subsequent evenings.
Day 4 – Burj Al Arab and Dubai Fountain
Today is truly magnificent; the national day of the United Arab Emirates, celebrating the unification and formation of the UAE on 2nd December 1971 UAE national day. We had already seen UAE flags on cars and buildings from the first day, so we didn’t notice much of a difference today. Perhaps there were more people in the city, and more shouting from cars. After a hearty breakfast, we move to Dubai Internet City. It is a technological park with a lake and buildings of top companies like Microsoft, HP, IBM, Dell, Oracle. You get a great view of the tallest skyscrapers in Dubai Marina. After an hour-long walk, we board bus 8 or 88 towards the Burj Al Arab.This 7-star hotel, reaching a height of 321m, is considered the most luxurious in the world. The price per night ranges from 1000€, which probably doesn’t pose the slightest problem to the cream. A taxi driver told us that just a cup of tea there costs 60€, and he was driving a client who has been living there for 5 years. To the right of the hotel, there are private beaches adjacent to the hotel itself and another hotel in the shape of a wave Jumeirah Beach Hotel. We, on the other hand, hang out a bit further on the public beach Sunset Beach. The Burj Al Arab sailboat is within reach, allowing you to take a photo holding it at the tip 🙂 But be careful, it requires patience and, most importantly, a photographer. Moreover, there is Wi-Fi in the changing rooms, so you can immediately post on Facebook. This beach is a paradise for surfers, with a designated area, although it was not strictly enforced. We had enough fun in the waves even without a surfboard, although you had to watch out when a surfer suddenly popped up in front of you. After getting enough splashing and sunburn from the waves, we decided to sunbathe on the beach towel. We spend the whole afternoon here; after all, the view of the sailboat is worth it.
The next plan is to move to Jumeirah Beach Park. On the way, we stop to grab something to eat at a Lebanese restaurant. The sunset is approaching slowly, so we might not make it to the park. Instead, we anchor at its unpaid part on the left side called Jumeirah Open Beach, where you can also swim. We finally reached Jumeirah Park after a few days, but another restriction is that entry is allowed for women only on two days a week. To top it off, photography is also prohibited. We take a swim, watch the sunset, and quickly head back to dry land. Due to our increasing comfort, we move by taxi to Dubai Mall. We want to catch the evening show at Dubai Fountain. We were not sure if it was a national day, but there was a crowd at the exit doors to the fountain in Dubai Mall, literally fighting for their lives.
TIP: The fountain starts its performance every hour and a half, so make sure to secure a good spot early
We all agree that sledding down is a tremendous experience and another Dubai’s MUST. The jets spray water up to a height of 150m, dancing precisely to the music. The songs change; we caught the tune “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston. Frankly, you won’t even know where to look first; in the background, the sparkling Khalifa, changing colors and reaching into the sky, while in the foreground, a perfectly synchronized show of water jets with music and lights. We said we’d wait for one more show. We headed back to Dubai Mall, browsed a few stores, and suddenly an hour had passed. Now we enjoy it without taking photos or videos. The tune was not as familiar, but it did not diminish the perfection of the fountain. We hoped for a fireworks display at Burj Khalifa for the national day, but it didn’t happen, or we missed it. By the time we got to the metro, another hour had passed. And now just autopilot back home, a demanding day behind us.
Day 5 – Wild Wadi Waterpark
We start the day as usual with breakfast at our hotel. Today we have a plan to visit the Wild Wadi Waterpark located next to the Jumeirah hotel. The entrance fee is a staggering 47€, so we want to get there as early as possible. The park opens at 10:00 and at the beginning there is more staff than people. When we entered, they took all our water and put it in the fridge 🙂 We set up our things on sunbeds by the wave pool and start trying out the slides. There are two slides in a raft for 4 – one steeper with funnels and the other more gentle. Another attraction is a round trip around the entire waterpark. You get into a single or double raft and the track shoots you upwards with a water stream. Between each section, the park staff push you along. One round trip takes about half an hour and at the end of the track, you have to paddle on your own. We tried the most adrenaline-pumping attraction, the Jumeirah Sceirah, only once. You are locked in a capsule, cross your arms and legs, then the countdown begins. After that, the bottom opens up and you free fall for a moment. Pure adrenaline rush, so we highly recommend it. We continue with surfing. It’s like a surfing school where you have a flow of water, you jump in with a surfboard, and the staff show you moves and tricks to imitate. It’s all about balance, and once you master the basic surfing, there is a challenging flow for pros. For lunch, we have some pizza, but be careful not to overeat like I did, or you might feel sick on the slides. In the afternoon, we go around the waterpark again and enjoy the wave pool. You can put on a life jacket and just float along with the waves. You won’t be allowed in the children’s slide area unless you play the small baby act.
TIP: Before finishing off, take some great photos of the Jumeirah hotel and the Burj Al Arab
We return home relatively quickly from the waterpark, so we have time to enjoy our hotel’s pool. With a tripod, you can take some great photos of the evening surroundings. Today, we also want to try the Rock Bottom Cafe discotheque, which has been tempting us since the first day. Admission is free, but be prepared for prices starting from 10€ for a beer or a mixed drink. Around midnight, a live band plays, followed by a DJ. If only we didn’t have to get up early the next morning.
Day 6 – Palm Jumeirah and Old Town
For breakfast, we are not overdoing it as in the first days; everyone is having their usual items. Today, we are planning to visit the first artificial palm island Palm Jumeirah. The construction of the palm and homes was completed in an incredible 5 years in 2006. We pack our things and take a taxi to the Gateway Towers. It is the starting point of the monorail to the palm. The Palm Jumeirah Monorail currently has only a starting and ending station; all others are still under construction. Eventually, it should be connected to Dubai Internet City MS. The travel ticket is a card that you return at the end. The issue was that the machine only accepted cash, so we barely scraped enough. We managed to get seats in the front row, so we felt like we were driving. Of course, the train is automated. The ride takes about 10 minutes, and you get a bird’s eye view of the palm. The trunk of the palm consists of a park with a jogging track, and the branches are luxury houses with private beaches. At the end of the palm, the fairy-tale Atlantis hotel shines from a distance. The monorail goes around it from the right over the water, while for cars, there is an underwater tunnel from the left. At the end of the palm, you can only move along the perimeter stone wall; everywhere else, you are turned away with a “private property” notice. But it’s no wonder, the land here must have cost a fortune. Another option is to visit the second waterpark in Dubai, the Aquaventure Waterpark. The price is similar to Wild Wadi, but we didn’t plan on it either. We board the monorail and head back.
From Gateway Towers station, there is no bus, so we opt for a taxi again. We move to a luxurious market in an ancient style Souk Medinat. The yellow facade, wooden touch, and a canal with a view of Burj Al Arab are very calming. The atmosphere in this market is very pleasant for shopping, and souvenirs are easy to find. We are starting to feel like swimming, so we continue along the coast towards Jumeirah Beach. Apart from one person, there was no one else on the beach, the whole beach just for us. And not only the beach, even the shells were untouched. Just a few steps and you had your hands full of them, so we choose the most beautiful ones to take home.
As the sun sets, we swim and sunbathe, and in the evening, we are getting ready to visit the Old Town – the Bur Dubai district. We get off at Al Ghubaiba station, where we are tempted by an Arabic McDonald’s. Surprisingly, it tasted just like in Slovakia 🙂 Originally, we wanted to cross to the other bank by waterbus, which is included in the NOL card, but the Al Ghubaiba stop was out of service.
TIP: If you walk a bit further, you can take a ride on the old Abra boat for 1AED
During the Abra ride, you experience the true smell of motor fuel. Deira district is best known for the spice market – Spicy Souk and the Gold Souk. We tasted dried fruits. We return to the other bank on the green metro to Al Fahidi. The stop is named after the first building in Dubai – the Al Fahidi Fort built in 1787. Today, the Dubai Museum is located on its courtyard and in the underground spaces. We just make it in time for the opening hours, but the museum tour is worth it. Here, you can see ancient boats, weapons, huts, period mannequins, and even a map of the original Dubai. Excuse me, in 1822 it was still Debaia. In front of the fort, there is a large wooden ship, and in the background shines the fairytale hotel Arabian Courtyard. As a final sight, we visit the Grand Mosque and the Ruler’s Court. Today we have walked kilometers, and the journey home is our redemption. For dinner, we have a salad at China Mana.
Day 7 – Parks and Desert Safari
The title of today’s optional excursion is Desert Safari, or for the uninterested, a jeep ride through the desert with an all-inclusive dinner in an oasis. We booked this attraction at our hotel and managed to negotiate the price down to 200AED. It could have been cheaper online, but our aunt insisted that they offer a shorter desert ride. The jeep ride starts at 3:00 PM, and we arranged to be picked up in front of Jumeirah Beach Park. However, we still have plenty of time before then, so we decide to explore the parks in Dubai. Our first stop is Zabeel Park in the Bur Dubai area. The park has a thematic design with elements of astronomy, featuring a space center with models of 5 planets under the name Stargate. The second park we visit is Safa Park, where we take a nap on the grass by a lake with a view of the Burj Khalifa and the world’s tallest hotel, JW Marriott Marquis. We jokingly called them “the little flowers”. The park is almost empty, and while looking for some fast food, we stumbled upon Malik Burger. Nothing unusual except that one member of our group is named Malik.
Time is running out, and we end up having to rush to make it by 3. A few minutes past 3 o’clock, a white off-road Toyota arrives with a driver dressed in traditional Arabic clothing. Besides him, two couples join us. First, we travel about 70 km inland and stop at a camp with off-road buggies. This attraction required an additional fee, but since no one was willing to try it, we were a bit bored. Meanwhile, our driver let some air out of the tires. After about an hour, we head off on a circular route leading straight into the desert. The adrenaline-filled ride at sunset is about to begin. Our driver claims he has been doing this for 7 years, and it’s not easy at all. We witnessed this when the jeep tandem with us got stuck at the top of a dune, and we had to pull them out. The lady in the front of their jeep had to switch places with us as it was too wild for her. Just before sunset, we have a brief stop for pictures. The sand in the desert is a reddish-brown and entirely different from the beach sand. The dune bashing lasted just under half an hour, and then we head to the oasis for the evening program. In the camp, we enjoy all-inclusive soft drinks and a warm dinner, which needs to be prepared first. You can try sandboarding or camel riding while waiting. Or even meet a venomous bug in the toilet 🙂 We sit down at our table and wait for the meat to grill. Some pass the time with a water pipe. The evening culminates with a dancer’s performance and a belly dancer. To top it off, they announce a 1+1 promotion on alcohol, so we quickly grab a drink as our impatient driver is ready to leave. We ride back to the hotel in our tandem jeep. Upon arrival, we grab a bite at China Man to fuel up for the night; it’s our last evening. We start with mixed drinks at the bar, cigars, and continue with a concert and disco at Rock Bottom Cafe. Tonight, we stay up until 3 AM, but we need to rest as we have a full-day program ahead tomorrow. We must have been quite smoky, as the smoke detectors started beeping in the room.
Day 8 – Marina Beach, Jumeirah Beach Park, and Mall of the Emirates
For breakfast, we work out one last time, pack up, and store our stuff in the warehouse. We head to the beach Marina Beach, which was one of the last ones on our list. And as they say, save the best for last, it must be said that this beach truly had the clearest water. One could deduce that it’s thanks to nearby luxury hotels like Hilton. We change in the circular stalls, wait for the sunscreen to absorb, and then head into the water. We enjoy our last sunny day to the fullest. The water is so clear you can see right to the bottom, and we splash around all morning. It’s lunchtime, and we decide on the Golden Fork restaurant again. We only order kebabs, but as a gesture of goodwill, the restaurant also gives us soup on the house.
On the third attempt, we try to get into Jumeirah Beach Park. Finally, we made it; today there are no restrictions. However, there are signs everywhere prohibiting photography and videoing. The park is full of families with children having picnics on the grass. We head towards the water to have one last swim. Time is running short, and we need to slowly make our way to the Mall of Emirates shopping center Mall of Emirates. We want to check out some T-shirts and send a postcard. You can find ones with “Dubai” written on them, for example, at Carrefour.
TIP: If you’ve had enough of Dubai’s heat, you can visit the world’s largest indoor ski resort Ski Dubai, which is part of the complex
We move back to the hotel by metro since the taxi line was horrifyingly long. We grab our things and call a taxi to the airport. We depart at 21:35 local time, just making it. At the airport, they slightly stress us out, mentioning we have to exchange our online check-in for a boarding pass. We wave goodbye to Dubai from the plane, and our sunny idyll is slowly coming to an end. The journey back home is a bit more complicated as we have to stay overnight at the Budapest airport and then catch an early morning train. The snowy landscape and chilling wind are clear signs that we’re back home.
