I am super-excited penning down the first post on my personal blog ‘TheBloggingHacks’ in the New Year 2019. One of the reasons being it falls under the ‘Travel’ niche- the genre I enjoy writing the most.
The New Year marked the beginning of a short yet very liberating and a fun holiday for me- long awaited trip with my female folks and a much needed break from the hectic work routine. I am here talking about my 5-day unforgettable trip to the spectacular cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
This must not be something new for most of you- “There is so much to be done and seen in Dubai that even a week long holiday might not suffice in this unique Middle Eastern destination.”
This is absolutely true and if you happen to be traveler like me, you’re going to fall in love with both the cities- Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The only condition is that you must know the best time to visit them which indeed is from November to March. It gets really hot in the remaining months of the year and the soaring temperatures might just ruin your holiday and you may never discover the true charm and glory of these places.
From abundant entertainment options to breathtaking views and scenic beauty to beaches and malls, Dubai is definitely one of the world’s most luxurious and modern cities. Its awe-inspiring architectural marvels and everything magical reflects me the idealistic vision, dedication, commitment and perseverance of the locals. The place excited me to dream big, work harder and achieve more. Being a travel enthusiast, I have roamed around a number of places and every place would motivate me to travel more. This one place I visited recently, however, wants me to dream and think big.
As mentioned above, there are too many things to be experienced, seen and explored in this city of gold. After carrying out extensive research and by studying all the available options, I drafted an itinerary that best suited the interests of our group with diverse age-groups. And I am certainly going to recommend the same itinerary to anyone traveling to Dubai anytime soon- it includes the best of almost every flavor the place has to offer.
Where we stayed:
BurJuman Arjaan by Rotana (4 Nights) and Atlantis, the Palm (1 Night)
We loved our stay at both the places. Everything seemed to be perfect except for the long queues at the Atlantis.
Day 1: Traditional Souks and Local Markets
Check-in to your hotel and explore one of the traditional souks or roam around in one of the local markets.
Our flight got delayed and we checked-in around 10 PM. So we could hardly explore any of the local areas. But, the traditional souks and local areas are must-to see places when visiting Dubai.
Or, you may go to the walk at JBR about which I have talked later in the post.
Day 2: Ski- Dubai, Miracle Garden and Souk Madinat
Kick-off your trip by visiting Ski- Dubai at the Mall of Emirates. You might find the entry passes quite expensive but they are completely worth your time and money. There are number of activities inside this beautiful snow-world that will give your adrenaline a rush. You might want to skip this attraction if you don’t enjoy the snow or if you have visited a similar place somewhere else. You need minimum of 3 hours to be able to enjoy all the activities.
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A lunch at Food Court or any other place of your choice at the Mall is a good idea to get the look-and-feel of the place.
Post-lunch and after wayfaring for an hour or two, you can head straight to the Miracle Garden. An evening stroll in one of Cityland’s signature creations, launched on Valentine’s Day in 2013, is an incredible experience.
End your day by dining out somewhere at Souk Madinat Jumeirah, the traditional Middle Eastern style bazaar with stalls & restaurants under the wooden covered arcade. Souk Madinat is one of the very beautiful souks in Dubai and a perfect place to navigate the local culture while you are in the sprawling city of Dubai.
Day 3: Abu Dhabi, Marina Walk and JBR
When traveling to Dubai, you simply can’t miss visiting Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Not as ‘flashy’ or ‘modern’ as Dubai, there is something extraordinary about this less explored heavenly place on the Earth.
Discover the richness and beauty of the place as you cross the Emirates Palace, the royal family houses and when you visit the Grand Mosque.
If you take a day tour to Abu Dhabi like we did, you would have the entire evening by yourself to spend in Dubai. The evening spent at the world-famous Dubai Marina Walk is mesmerizing. Later, you may head to Marina mall and in case you are craving Indian cuisine, there is no place better than Zafran Indian Bistro at Marina mall- Sumptuous food and some really nice Marina views.
The Walk at JBR is something you will not want to miss if you wish to shop, dine and stroll by the sea along the chic waterfront strip.
Day 4: Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and Global Village
You may reserve this day for the two main attractions of the city- Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall. Depending on how much keen you are on shopping, you may spend an hour to a full day in this largest mall in the world. For going up the tallest building in the world, it is recommended that you book your tickets in advance. You won’t only save time but also your money.
A scintillating show of sights and sounds at the Dubai Fountain– the world’s largest performing musical fountain is yet another thing not to be missed.
If you are travelling with kids and don’t wish to spend the evening at the Mall or in the downtown, you may move onto yet another famous and world’s leading multicultural festival park, Global Village. It combines the culture of 90 countries at one place. The excellent place for kids where there is culture, shopping and entertainment at one place and the whole world has been simplified into one village.
Day 4: Atlantis, the Palm
Let it be a day for some thrilling and record-breaking slides and rides as you feel the rush at Aquaventure Waterpark of Atlantis, the Palm. You may also love discovering an underwater world at The Lost Chambers Aquarium or meeting the marine mammals at Dolphin Bay and Sea Lion Point. Besides #DifferentInWater adventure at the Aquaventure, there are other exciting activities that make this resort the epicenter of adventure and the greatest holiday experience ever.
You must not complain in case you feel spoilt with the options available for restaurants and bars at this 5* Hotel and Resort.
Day 5: Unwind Yourself
Delight your taste buds with a lavish breakfast buffet and step outside to unwind and soak your body in the sunshine on the resort’s beach before you head back to home with a bucket full of memories.
P.S. In case you are thinking why we skipped the iconic Desert Safari, none of us was too keen on it and there were age restrictions for some of us.
A few more posts of mine which you might want to read on some other blogs:
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