To ask anyone who has been to Dubai...

[dubai2021]

Me and my partner (no kids) are going to Dubai for 10 days over Christmas this year.. eeek!!

I wanted to ask for recommendations on the MUST DO things out there? And the best restaurants (not necessarily food wise, but maybe view, experience etc - as I'm acrually quite a fussy eater!)

Also, any recommendations on what we should do on Christmas Day?

Thanks xx

@19lottie82

I'm mostly place-marking to follow the telling off you're in for for considering visiting Dubai.

From people that have never been there and base their views on Daily Mail articles 😂

Or those of us who lived there and have valid personal experience of what is like.

Fascinating how defensive people get about entirely well-founded concerns and need to pretend they are raised only by ‘armchair warriors’ who base their views on newspaper coverage.

Or whataboutery.

I would visit Expo 2020

www.expo2020dubai.com/en/experiences/theme-weeks

Explore the Seef heritage area they have nice Middle Eastern restaurants with views over the creek.

The cafe next to abra stop taking you over to Deira is a great place by the creek.

Baker and Spice has good views of the dancing fountains if you sit outside.

Christmas is a lovely time of year to visit Dubai. The weather is extremely mild, you won't need more than a light wrap or cardigan on an evening. All the hotels and malls have festive decorations and events. Whereabouts are you staying?

The fountain show, next to Dubai Mall and Souk Al Bahar, is a must-see. I'd recommend booking at outside table at Thiptara restaurant at The Palace Hotel, overlooking the fountains, with cocktails first in the Fai Lounge. Such a great atmosphere and very romantic. The Palace also does a lovely afternoon tea. I take all my visitors there and they love it.

Set aside a morning or afternoon to visit Souk Madinat, which is near the Burj Al Arab. Take an abra boat ride through the resort, it's really picturesque and relaxing, meandering through all the waterways, and the guide has really interesting facts/stories. Souk Madinat has lots of great bars and restaurants, and a big indoor market place for souvenirs, art and more high end items. You can easily spend half a day there.

I'd also recommend doing one of the Big Bus tours early on in your trip so you can get a good overview of everything and see where you might want to return to - there's a lot more to see than you might think, and the audio commentary throughout is interesting.

Hope this helps, and that you have a great trip!

This all sounds great! We’re also thinking of Dubai but the clothing rules are putting me off a bit. My 14 year old dd is autistic and very fussy about clothes, when it’s warm she only wears short shorts or a play suit which will be problematic. Might well be stressful for all of us.

Definitely the open top bus tour!
city-sightseeing.com/en/112/dubai

And go up the Burj Khalifa too

but the clothing rules are putting me off a
bit

Honestly, you’ll be fine. In the touristy areas no one cares. It’s nowhere near as strict as everyone thinks. Maybe avoid visiting any mosques but apart from that you don’t need to worry.

@bendmeoverbackwards

This all sounds great! We’re also thinking of Dubai but the clothing rules are putting me off a bit. My 14 year old dd is autistic and very fussy about clothes, when it’s warm she only wears short shorts or a play suit which will be problematic. Might well be stressful for all of us.

We went four years ago and my daughter was tutted by a group of men in the Dubai Mall, we couldn’t understand why and someone said it was because she had jeans on with ripped knees? No rips anywhere else!

Other than that one incident (she was 12) and just in jeans and T-shirt we had no issues. I had a maxi skirt on and t-shirt. We also travelled on the train with no issues.

Really @19lottie82 I've heard that in public areas, shopping malls etc shoulders and knees have to be covered. It would really freak dd out if she's told off for what she's wearing.

If you are not married @dubai2021 just lie and say you are, they won't check, but if you are seen touching your dp in public you could in theory be prosecuted if not married or if hotel staff report you. Holiday companies play down this but the laws do exist if they choose to enforce them. It has happened in the past.

As someone who lived in Dubai until recently - book somewhere for Christmas Day now! It books up so quickly. All the fountains are a must in the evening. Go up the Burj for drinks at Atmosphere (don’t worry about paying extra for the Burj tickets, Atmosphere gives you the same view). Dubai Frame was always a favourite when people visited us, as well as the miracle gardens. If you want a day at the beach La Mer is absolutely the one to pick, gorgeous views and loads of places to eat nearby, plus water sports! Personally always preferred Wild Wadi for water park. Aquarium in Dubai Mall is cool as well for the novelty. Green Planet is amazing - plus loads of nice places to eat at City Walk!

Spend sometime Downtown near the malls (lots of cool spots). CZN Burak for lunch when you’re down there. If you want a cheaper lunch, Black Tap for burgers!

Also don’t worry about the comments above about being covered etc. Dubai is very relaxed, 90% of the country is expats who are pretty liberal. It’s a great party city. Just make sure you’re conservative if you visit a mosque (you’ll be made super welcome). In the malls I always wore T-shirt etc. But no strappy tops or short skirts just out of respect and was absolutely fine.

The laws relaxed in the UAE about a year ago regarding unmarried couples (and alcohol, as well as few other things).
www.google.ae/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/07/united-arab-emirates-to-relax-islamic-laws-on-personal-freedoms
The laws definitely aren’t perfect but there has been some liberalization in recent years.

Regarding clothing (especially for women) if you stay in the tourist areas of Dubai and Abu Dhabi then you’re completely fine in normal summer clothing (you’ll see lots of women wearing dresses/shorts and strap tops).
If you go to some of the more local areas of the cities or to some of the smaller cities then I’d suggest covering knees and shoulders. Obviously if you want to go to the mosques then you’ll need to be completely covered including a headscarf.

If you want to travel to Abu Dhabi then you’ll need proof of vaccination and to download the Al Hosn app in order to get into any of the malls/restaurants/tourist attractions.
To be honest it’s probably more hassle than it’s worth unless to really want to see the Louvre and Grand Mosque.

In Dubai I’d recommend:

• The Green Planet (it’s a indoor rainforest with lots of educational tours to learn about the wildlife and plants).
• Bur Dubai. Personally I don’t love the souls there but it’s pretty interesting to walk around for an afternoon.
• The water parks are great (although quite expensive).
• Expo 2020 has just started and would probably be worth a look.
• The weather should be lovely so a day of dune bashing and exploring the desert would be great (you can organise tours really easily).
• If you like snorkeling then I’d head up to Fujairah and stay near ‘Snoopy island’. You can see quite a few different fish as well as turtles.

@gogohm

If you are not married *@dubai2021* just lie and say you are, they won't check, but if you are seen touching your dp in public you could in theory be prosecuted if not married or if hotel staff report you. Holiday companies play down this but the laws do exist if they choose to enforce them. It has happened in the past.

Not true. Cohabitation is legal now.

Please be careful, they don't respect women out there so stay with your partner if you're not within the resort complex.

@bendmeoverbackwards

This all sounds great! We’re also thinking of Dubai but the clothing rules are putting me off a bit. My 14 year old dd is autistic and very fussy about clothes, when it’s warm she only wears short shorts or a play suit which will be problematic. Might well be stressful for all of us.

What clothing rules? I wear shorts or playsuits daily! Maybe not in the office but in every other situation. I also run in shorts/sports bras outdoors with zero issues. You will be 100% fine!

@CBroads

Please be careful, they don't respect women out there so stay with your partner if you're not within the resort complex.

This is just totally untrue on so many levels.

@CBroads

Please be careful, they don't respect women out there so stay with your partner if you're not within the resort complex.

I'm guessing you've never been to Dubai.

@CBroads

Please be careful, they don't respect women out there so stay with your partner if you're not within the resort complex.

This generalisation is completely untrue. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the top two safest cities in the Middle East. In the decade that I've lived here I have never felt unsafe as a woman walking on my own at night or at any other time. Ignore the scare mongering.

It's usually very very busy and crowded at Xmas - but I don't know how Covid has affect that now. .

Don’t forget a head covering if you go to the mosque or you’ll be made to wear one of the mosque’s horrendous handmaids tale style hooded dresses!

Oh muststopeating can’t believe Ravi’s is still going. I went loads as teenager. Was amazing. I remember when a friend asked for knives and forks and they had to ferret in the kitchen for them. Might have moved on a bit since then!!!

Op you also absolutely have to have a schawarma from one of the stalls.
Also recommend hardees for fast food, there hot beef slice burger with yellow liquid cheese sauce on it is epic!

@CBroads

Please be careful, they don't respect women out there so stay with your partner if you're not within the resort complex.

I used to live in Dubai and while I loathed it cordially for all kinds of excellent reasons, you really don't need to have a male chaperone outside your hotel.

@CBroads

Please be careful, they don't respect women out there so stay with your partner if you're not within the resort complex.

You’ve clearly never been there, then. Either that, or your prejudices are spilling out.

Shorts are only likely to be an issue if they're really short and she looks old for 14. Even then you're unlikely to be stopped. I've seen hotpants + crop tops in Dubai Mall a lot. Normal length shorts and a strappy top aren't an issue.

EXPO is worth doing. You get a free entry ticket with Emirates and under 18s are free.

What sort of things do you like doing? Much of it has been mentioned on here already but we may be able to give more ideas.

We moved out here at Easter and I have to say that my experience has been the opposite. Very respectful and friendly.