Dubai - anyone been

[friedgreentomato]

Thinking about going next year - was wondering which district to stay in.

also time of year to go - don't want it to be boiling.

Can anyone help?

[murraymints]

passed through airport on way to Oz..was December and hot..airport HUGE

[jno]

winter is coolest, summer really quite warm .

No particular districts to stay in - the whole place is maybe 50 years old (literally a fishing village before that), so just choose a nice hotel and take a bus or taxi to anywhere of interest. The Burj al Khalifa is probably worth going up, but make sure it's a clear day or you'll be above the clouds and not see anything. Gold souks are cheap (comparatively) and a boat trip along the Creek is interesting; they're close together, plus the old fort and museum. You could try getting a day excursion which would show you everything in a short time, then decide what you want to see more of.

[friedgreentomato]

Cheers JNO and I am assuming it is modist dress? Which believe me I have no issue with being a redhead with pale skin

[jno]

I should think you can wear bikins at a resort hotel though the locals on the beach will be in the full chador.

In the streets and malls, modest dress - cover your shoulders but elbows and knees are okay, as I recall.

Do check all this though as it's a while since I was there and regulations change.

Also beware taking codeines and stuff into the country without a prescription (though I have done so in ignorance and nobody ever noticed.)

http://www.dubaifaqs.com/drugs-dubai.php

[jno]

PS, I don't want to put you off; it's a nice place, well used to tourists, good infrastructure, and you can get a drink in hotels, unlike in some of the other emirates.

[beastmonkey]

it is very very hot in the summer months july/august. nice temperature is around april/may

i prefer Abu Dhabi, less to see and do, but a lot more relaxed and less intense than dubai, also only a drive apart so you could always do a day trip to dubai

[friedgreentomato]

Reason we are thinking of staying in Dubai - is that one of our friends is moving over there for 3 years - so we would get to see him when he is not at work.

thanks for all your advice looks like our holiday destination in October next year then!

[Duncer]

I used to live in the UAE and would heartily recommend Dubai for a visit. It is a fantastic city that has grown tremendously since the early Seventies. The gold souk is superb, as are most of the souks, but remember to haggle. The Creek is worth a jaunt and the rugby club at the weekend is well worth a visit too, but there is so much to see and do. Hili Fun City near Al Ain is a good day out, as is Al Ain, the garden city of the UAE, and the nearby Jebel moutains. Abu Dhabi is just over an hour from Dubai and much less humid. From Dubai you could visit Sharjah and it's famous souk, try wadi bashing, go out with the Hash House Harriers or just relax by some of the most beautiful beaches.

Weather is hot and humid, but winter sees a temperature drop. Do not go in the summer unless you can stand very strong tempreatures, usually in the high forties.

[friedgreentomato]

Duncer - thank you so much is October OK or would your reccomend November - I can't take too much sun as I burn really really badly

[237SJ]

Yes, October`s a good time to go. The summer months are way too hot and at around February there is a wind called the Shamal that blows down the beach and sandblasts you. The best part to stay is the main beach area where the big hotels are. I can recommend Le Royal Meridien although a friend of mine likes the Jebel Ali (it`s about 45 mins out of the city though)

[jno]

Abu Dhabi is only a couple of hours away; a friend of mine used to commute for work every day. It's much richer - they basically bought Dubai when it went bust a few years ago - but less blingy.

[Duncer]

If you burn really easily then pack the high factors and be very careful. The later the better really, November and December are the coolest, or perhaps January? It will seem cold(er) at night because temperatures drop significantly. It gets dark about six so you could spend the day exploring and visiting places before going out at night. In my five years in the Middle East I never had the A/C off once, and I take a really good tan. If the International hotel is still there then it is very handy to the airport and has a bar in the middle of the pool, with shade. The Hilton used to be very good too and had a great health club, very unimaginatively called The Hiltonia, I still have a few of their towels. You really are spoilt for choice though.

I'd recommend Scabby Dhabi for a day or two but it is much more like an American city with a grid system, rather than the glorious sprawl of Dubai. Taxis were very cheap and we regularly used them for long journeys.

[friedgreentomato]

Cheers all you have been very helpful - my hubby is laughing and saying I should just wear a Burka - which is not a bad idea as I burn through factor 50!!

[Duncer]

Dress is reasonably liberal in Dubai, but don't flaunt too much flesh.

[friedgreentomato]

Lol whilst I have lots of flesh to flaunt I think i will keep it covered - after my experiences in Egypt!!

I was man handled in Egypt apparently large red head pale skin women are much sought after - hubby was offered a 1000 camels for me!

[237SJ]

BTW the Meridien Mina Seyahi`s good too.