Off to Dubai......any tips or recommendations.....

StevieP

StevieP

StevieP

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Hi all, I am off to Dubai for a few days with my wife and wondered if anyone had any tips with regards to do's & donts, tipping, recommendations etc etc??

Any tips appreciated as we dont know anything about the area!

Thanks......

StevieP
 
Getting frisky on the beach wasnt on our list of things to do so I should be fine with that! :D

As far as the money goes, we are staying at the Atlantis hotel and get breakfast and evening meal included so food shouldnt cost a fortune!

Anyone know what the etiquette is with tipping in these places is??

StevieP
 
DJMK4 said:
Dont carry a tiny speckle of cannabis in your shoe by mistake when going through the airport
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Again, shouldnt be a problem :D although I've heard that even prescription drugs can get some attention - is this right??

StevieP
 
StevieP said:
Getting frisky on the beach wasnt on our list of things to do so I should be fine with that! :D

As far as the money goes, we are staying at the Atlantis hotel and get breakfast and evening meal included so food shouldnt cost a fortune!

Anyone know what the etiquette is with tipping in these places is??

StevieP
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I'd say it depends on the hotel, but being Atlantis they will no doubt "expect" generous tips. But give what you believe is reasonable and you can afford. No need to feel pressured into tipping. Just dont be tight, and then your conscience is clear. That's the attitude I take anyway !
 
DJMK4 said:
I thought they had cool (small scale) formula racing?, I bet there is loads to do in Dubai
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Oh they had a quad bike place which looked quite cool- I was only there for a few days, but wasn't very impressed by the place to be honest!

Also they have that indoor ski place in the mall- funny to watch the women in hijabs going down these ice slide things! ;$

Each to their own, but I didn't really like Dubai all that much myself!
 
I've done a lot of work in Dubai and personally it is not my thing but I would plan to go to either Atlantis (on the palm - newer so would probably do that) or Wild Wadi for some waterpark action. There are countless malls if you like your shopping. there is massive replication among them in terms of retailers so probably go to Mall of the Emirates so you can do Ski Dubai. You could do the gold souk too. As others have said getting out wadi basing would be good too.

Eat, drink and don't be too merry.

If you want to see what Dubai was like before it was improved (is that the word?) you could head to the Dubai Museum.
 
I was there a few months ago, it was hot! Day and night! Not sure what the temparature's like this time of year, but I doubt you'll need a jacket.

On the tipping front, I didn't find it that awkward, just rounded bills up rather than always trying to leave an X % tip.

Oh, and be prepared to get taxis everywhere.
 
Flag down cabs instead of getting them from the rink
They start the meter at a higher rate if you get a one from the rink/call them

Other than that
Desert Safari is well worth doing
Skiiing is really cheap in the Emirates Mall

Water parks:
Atlantis has some great slides (leap of faith :D) and dolphins
Wild Wadi has more rides

i strongly suggest you go to a private beach you pay for rather than a public one, it will only cost you something insignificant like 5 dharams and you get real showers and toilet facilities and the beach is completely litter free
 
Al Mamzar is a free beach, never anybody there and you can do Jetskiing and the like. Much nicer than the Jumeirah area.
 
Awful place, like an unfinished soul-less Arabian theme park. Worst place I've ever been to. Can you get a refund? :D
 
haha/\ that's probably a bit harsh. I've been 4 times now and it has been better everytime I've gone. Granted there isn't much 'culture' to see in Dubai but if you love worshipping the sun and want nothing more than to relax and enjoy good food and drink it's a great break. We have stayed in the Jumeirah complex - Madinat, Mina Salem and Jumeriah Beach Hotel. Last stay was awesome. Mina Salem 5 star villa, with a 'butler's' drinks hour every night which was fantastic. Free drinks basically for the hour (which turned into a couple of hours most nights) which was worth its weight in gold. Have a few drinks on the house, then go out for dinner in one of the 42 restaurants (or something ridiculous!). Good times.
 
Go to Abu Dhabi, it's MUCH better. I used to live there, was great. As Wicksta said, Dubai really is a soulless theme park. Abu Dhabi is where the culture, and a better idea of what the UAE is, is at.
 
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