Things to do in Dubai
In addition to watching fascinating films at DIFF, there are many other things to do in Dubai.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) provides visitors with legendary shopping, camel racing, mountains, beaches, deserts and oases, among many other delights. Dubai is a futuristic metropolis boasting year-round sunshine that has become a playground for vacationers and jet setters from around the world.
Visitors who choose to explore below the shiny surface of what may seem to be a city of skyscrapers can enjoy a deeply rooted heritage. Old Dubai is filled with ancient mosques and souks, which (markets) selling traditional goods and gold jewelry. There are endless opportunities for bargains, particularly in the gold souk, where prices are very competitive! Get to the fish souk early in the morning or late at night to see the city’s fishermen arrive and to sell their catch. If you want to stock up on spices or rose petals be sure to stop by the famous spice souk… obviously!
Drink tea with the locals, or try some traditional unleavened bread from the local bakeries while you shopping for beautifully decorated textiles. For those seeking a recreation of Dubai life before the modernity entered the city, stop by the Dubai Museum in Al Fahidi Fort where you can see features an exhibit solely dedicated to the Bedouin lifestyle and pearl divers.
Most desert safaris offer camel riding, dune driving, sand-skiing and spectacular sunsets; some tours offer romantic, intimate experiences and others are fast-paced evenings of traditional feasting, music, belly-dancing, henna painting and smoking hookahs under the stars in Bedouin-style tents.
The following links are filled with great ideas for how to spend your time in the city:
www.timeoutdubai.com
www.dubaicityguide.com
For those keen on shopping, check out the Dubai Shopping Festival, which will take place in the city from the 20th of December, 2006 till the 2nd of February, 2007: www.mydsf.com
