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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:
Fruitdryingpsychopath · 29/12/2019 17:29

No, I think Dubai looks absolutely hideous on every level and I have no interest in going there. There are loads of better places to take your kids.

CottonSock · 29/12/2019 17:30

My friend lives in the middle East and most definitely leaves for the summer. She's from there so not white, it's too hot for anyone.

CottonSock · 29/12/2019 17:31

I wouldn't go anyway due to human rights etc, but would go to Oman.

MiniEggAddiction · 29/12/2019 17:33

It's an awful place (morally and culturally) at any time of the year in summer it'll be even worse than usual.

Dontforgetyourbrolly · 29/12/2019 17:36

Me and ex dp used to travel together there for work ( events business ). Be prepared to be stared at and all communication to go via your husband

InfiniteSheldon · 29/12/2019 17:42

I'd be embarrassed and ashamed to pay into an economy based on slavery and misogyny. If you have a shred of common decency you wouldn't consider it. My judgy pants are up to my nose on this one I'm afraid.

Atilathehunter · 29/12/2019 17:47

It’s great. Your children will have a fab time. Water parks, camel riding, desert safari etc. They’ll love it. 40+ degrees in summer though. October half term is lovely, as is Christmas.

ALLMYSmellySocks · 29/12/2019 17:49

It's a fairly morally repugnant thing to do and you shouldn't ride camels, you'll end up spending all your time in an awful water park and why would you want to fly al the way to a desert to sit in an air conditioned water park and pay into such an economy?

Prawnofthepatriarchy · 29/12/2019 17:53

I just couldn't go on holiday to a country with such a dreadful record on human rights. I couldn't relax knowing workers were being treated like slaves and little girls were suffering FGM. But I know others have different priorities.

Hellokittymania · 29/12/2019 17:53

I have been and found it relatively easy. There are also women’s taxis, which I took. There is a lot to do, and most people are helpful. I don’t drink though or do anything that may cause a problem… I also have special needs, but most places were very very helpful. Unfortunately, the airport can be a different story… And in my case, you’re not allowed to make video calls, so that was a bit of a problem… But if you don’t need to rely on other people to describe things for you, then… It’s fine.

Notsosimple · 29/12/2019 18:05

UndertheCedartree Totally untrue about women having to be covered up. You get the tourists walking around in skirts, shorts, n crop Tops, in Bikinis at the Waterparks/beaches.

FudgeBrownie2019

We went in July last year DS’s 9 and 6 and absolutely loved it, used to spend the morning in the hotel pool an go out and just after 4pm, everywhere you go is air conditioned, plenty of Waterparks for the kids, Dubai mall and aquarium. desert safari with dune bashing.

bettybattenburg · 29/12/2019 18:09

I wouldn't go there on holiday, I've gone through the airport a few times and that was fine but actually going to the country holds no interest for me whatsoever due to their laws and also the fact that there are far more interesting places to go.

Having seen it several times from the air it's just sand and hot sun, why would I go there when I can go to places far more spectacular and interesting than a glorified sandpit which treats women as sub-citizens?

stormsurfer · 29/12/2019 18:09

What is it about Dubai that appeals to your DH? What do you like to do on holiday?

It is not my kind of place. It is very artificial and brash. It is soulless and I don't find it relaxing at all.

If you look beyond the hotels, you can see the way they treat immigrant workers and it is horrific.

Having said that, many people love it and you may too. If you want to visit fancy hotels, shopping malls, water parks etc... it's a bit like Vegas without the gambling, shows and cheap booze/food.

ineedaholidaynow · 29/12/2019 18:09

I assume Notsosimple you are only talking about the tourist areas where women don't cover up. I assume it would be very offensive to the locals if a woman went to traditional areas wearing shorts and bikini top.

IcedPurple · 29/12/2019 18:13

This just isn't true. I've been there many times and although yes they are outnumbered by drafted in workers you still see plenty of Emirati natives. There's a million of them there after all.

Only about 15% of the population is native - probably under half a million - and while you might 'see' them, you'll likely have little to no interaction with them as few of them would lower themselves to work in the service industries. For me, part of the interest in visiting a place is to interact with locals, and you simply will not get that there.

YankeeDad · 29/12/2019 18:14

I would not go there and i also would not want any friend or family member to go there, especially if they were female.

icfuae.org.uk/issues/women’s-rights-uae-0

I would not be surprised if many women may have had fine experiences there, but from what I’ve heard and read, each of them is blissfully unaware that they were just one unlucky encounter away from total horror.

usernamerisnotavailable · 29/12/2019 18:16

Have been many times. With DC. I absolutely would not go in the summer. It's 48 degrees in the shade which is absolutely horrific.

LesLavandes · 29/12/2019 18:17

I've been twice and don't like it. A big place built on dessert. No history and The only scenery are whacky buildings. Om an next door is beautiful and you feel you are in a country with a tradition. I love it there.

Each to their own..... 😊

LesLavandes · 29/12/2019 18:17

Oops 'desert!Smile

WendyMoiraAngelaDarling · 29/12/2019 18:19

Only about 15% of the population is native - probably under half a million - and while you might 'see' them, you'll likely have little to no interaction with them as few of them would lower themselves to work in the service industries

It's a million. Easy to check. And I have had plenty of day to day interaction with Emirati citizens on my visits there. Chats in passing. Children playing together and getting chatting to their parents, night time picnics and BBQs in the parks when it's cooler. I've not just been there on holiday I have had family living there so we didn't just visit resorts.

Bloomburger · 29/12/2019 18:20

Abu Dhabi is nicer and you get good AI deals there too. Not sure if there human rights records any better though.

Dubai was a bit blingy for our liking. Although older DCs lived in the water parks and younger ones in the aquarium.

BonfireStarter · 29/12/2019 18:20

A comparable holiday at a European or American resort will cost more than Dubai, because workers are treated much better.

If a cheap holiday to a morally bankrupt place is appealing then book now. Or go somewhere better and keep your morals.

FartnissEverbeans · 29/12/2019 18:21

I live in the UAE. We absolutely love it here. I prefer Abu Dhabi but Dubai is better for a holiday.

It’s incredibly safe - I feel much, much safer here than in the UK.

There’s tons to do - theme parks, water parks, beautiful beaches, amazing all-you-can-eat brunches, desert safari, dune bashing, shopping, the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi... It‘a not a cheap holiday mind you, but you’ll have a great time. The service is almost invariably amazing and the variety of food on offer is excellent.

No need to cover up, even on beaches - just don’t go topless! And it’s best to cover shoulders/knees when at the mall (both men and women) and in certain other places.

Having said that, absolutely do not come in summer. It regularly hits 50 degrees. We go home for a month in the summer. Everywhere is air conditioned but you just can’t go outdoors. Check that your proposed dates don’t fall during Ramadan either - things are changing a lot but Ramadan is very sleepy and quiet in the daytime. Until the end of Ramadan this year you couldn’t eat or drink in public, so most either shut altogether or put up heavy blinds/curtains on all the windows. I’ve grown to enjoy Ramadan but it’s not the best time for a holiday.

noenergy · 29/12/2019 18:21

I came on to say don't go in the summer holidays because of the extreme heat. But if it's Easter then I would go for it.

There's so much for kids to do, water parks, theme parks, dessert safari, great parks and every type of food from around the world.

FartnissEverbeans · 29/12/2019 18:22

*most restaurants