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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take the DC on holiday to Dubai?

333 replies

FudgeBrownie2019 · 29/12/2019 14:16

We have two DC, 14 and 9. We've travelled fairly regularly with them but haven't ever done anywhere like Dubai/UAE. DH has found some summer holidays in those areas but I have a little weird feeling about going there - no idea why, no rational reason, I'm just uneasy but can't really put it into words.

Would you go there with DC? Have you been there with DC? Is it somewhere you'd be willing to visit?

OP posts:
SusanneLinder · 29/12/2019 14:21

Personally I wouldn't go to Dubai for many reasons, but main one is because DH has to get special permission from the UAE government to get his meds in, even to transit.( on Morphine).
However friends have been and had a great time. Apparently a lot to do for kids. Horses for Courses

BrickTop999 · 29/12/2019 14:22

Not for me even without kids!
So many better places to go to in the world

ohwheniknow · 29/12/2019 14:23

I wouldn't travel to a country that would imprison me if I had the misfortune to be raped.

BellatrixLestat · 29/12/2019 14:23

A lot of westerners travel to Dubai on holiday and there is a large ex pat community there so they are geared up for tourists. I don't think that it is any more dangerous to go there than other places. Have a bit of a read up on the culture and customs before you decide (understand the rules about covering up in public etc) I know a few people who have been, and one of my friends used to live there with her DC, who have said it's a fabulous place.

VladmirsPoutine · 29/12/2019 14:23

Some people really love it, some hate it for other reasons. I'm a bit meh on it but it would help if you could articulate what about the place makes you uneasy?

Isithometimeyet0987 · 29/12/2019 14:24

We have booked Dubai for next summer to go with dd4, we are also going with other family including a few other kids aged 3-13 and after looking into it there is plenty to do with children of all ages.

notacooldad · 29/12/2019 14:24

It's not my sort of holiday but quite a few of my colleagues have been with their kids and have loved it and are planning on going again. They say they've had an amazing time.
I would plan a few days in if I was doing a lay over there.q

2020newme · 29/12/2019 14:24

Absolutely not. My DC would refuse to go there anyway.....

Dontdisturbmenow · 29/12/2019 14:24

Fab destination, with kids or without, many things to do. The only thing to consider though is the heat. My kids would hate it because of the massively high temperatures.

Blueskywhy · 29/12/2019 14:24

A cousin of mine works in UAE, has been there for 5 years, likes the lifestyle, but she comes home to UK a few times per year. I've never been interested to visit, mostly for political reasons.

lovemenorca · 29/12/2019 14:25

I suspect your DH has found an amazing deal in the summer... yes?

Why? Because it will be as hot as the sun and no one in the know would go to Dubai for a summer holiday

Fr0g · 29/12/2019 14:28

many reports of foreign labourers being treated badly, akin to slavery
I know there are issues in the UK as well - but I don't think on anywhere near such a large scale.

I wouldn't visit, let alone take children there - it's suporting and enabling the status quo.

IcedPurple · 29/12/2019 14:28

Putting aside any other concerns, have you looked at average summer temps in the Gulf? Regularly well above 40 degrees. That's simply too hot for most people, even those who love the heat, and certainly for children.

heath48 · 29/12/2019 14:29

Go,it is a fabulous place,loads for children to do.I love it.

It is not the hottest part of the year there,everywhere has AC,even the bus stops.

Palavah · 29/12/2019 14:31

I used to live there, and can it's an easy lifestyle to live there with kids but I can't imagine what the appeal is of going there on holiday?

HardofCleaning · 29/12/2019 14:31

It wouldn't appeal to me at all. It's in the middle of a desert with few natural resources so is an environmental disaster. The climate is far too hot and sandy at that time of year so you'll probably spend all your time in air conditioned tourist spots.

harriethoyle · 29/12/2019 14:33

As PP have said, its extremely hot in summer... 40c plus. As a committed sun worshipper, I wouldn't go there until our autumn

Star81 · 29/12/2019 14:35

Look carefully at the summer temperatures - there’s a reason a lot of expats bring their children back to the UK for the summer !

JillGoodacre · 29/12/2019 14:40

Far too hot the summer. We have just been for 4 days over Christmas and loved it. We live in Kuwait so it's not too far for us to go to. It is a very brash busy place but there's lots to do as well.

Feelingfestivenow · 29/12/2019 14:40

Not my cup of tea at all esp not with children, just does not appeal to me in the slightest. I really cannot see the attraction, the airport is enough for me....

Even with the offer of a free 3 night stay (I fly Emirates regularly) as an all expenses paid stop over I said no thanks. Also had loads of my air miles which were about to expire on easy Jet to Europe rather than a rtn flight to Dubai for a break next year.

Its one of those places that you either love or hate.

UndertheCedartree · 29/12/2019 14:41

Out of interest - what kind of things are there to do? Not a typical beach holiday I guess as women have to be covered up? I know nothing about the place, though. My impression was people go there to shop, so not much fun for kids. But others have said it is great for kids so I'm curious in what way?

GoodDogBellaBoo · 29/12/2019 14:42

Don’t go during summer. It is way too hot to even sit in the shade outside. Even though pools have coolers, it is still too hot. Otherwise, go.

NoMorePoliticsPlease · 29/12/2019 14:43

What on earth would be the appeal? Is there nowhere your children would rather Be?

GoodDogBellaBoo · 29/12/2019 14:45

It was up to nearly 50c last summer, so too hot even to wait for a taxi outside the hotel.

IcedPurple · 29/12/2019 14:46

It is not the hottest part of the year there,everywhere has AC,even the bus stops.

Summer is definitely the hottest time of the year. And who wants to spend a holiday running from air-conditioned bus stop to air-conditioned cafe? Sounds grim. If it's a sun and sand holiday you want, plenty of places are cheaper, more accessible and have milder climates. If it's a 5* hotel and duty-free shopping holiday you're after, then is this really the best destination for teens?

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