Sunrise view over Dubai city center skyline, United Arab Emirates ()
You’ve made it to Bahrain and are getting ready to start your new life in a foreign country. How exciting! There’s no time like the present to start planning all of the places you want to explore for your next set of adventures. Why not add Dubai to the list? The city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates boasts more “world’s largest” titles than most. Here you’ll find the world’s largest indoor snow park, choreographed fountain system, shopping mall, buildings and much more. Add luxury shopping, modern architecture, the beach and a busy nightlife scene and you are certainly in for a good time!
The World’s Largest
Let’s start with a few of the “world’s largest” places to visit. Almost everything here is bigger and better. Dubai is home to the world’s largest indoor snow park, Ski Dubai. Located in the Mall of the Emirates, you can ski, snowboard, toboggan and zip line in this eternal winter. If you love penguins, now is your chance to get up close and personal! The Peng-Friend Encounter lets you spend around 40 minutes learning about penguins and how to protect them. You’ll also get to interact with two species of penguins! Leave the cold weather behind and head to the Dubai Mall, the largest in the world based on total area, containing more than 1,200 shops. It also holds the world’s largest candy store, an ice rink, a 5-star luxury hotel, a movie theater and 150 eateries. Don’t forget to visit one of the largest aquariums in the world, the Dubai Mall Aquarium. It holds 2.64 million gallons of water and 33,000 living animals. There are over 400 sharks and rays peacefully swimming here. Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest building, standing tall and proud at 2,723 feet with 160-stories. The building houses suites, a sky lobby, restaurants, residential homes and a hotel.Head to the observation deck on level 124 for stunning view of the city. The world’s largest choreographed fountain system is located on the man-made Burj Khalifa Lake in downtown Dubai. With 6,600 lights, 50 colored projectors and water shooting up to 500 feet, the Dubai Fountain is truly spectacular. In case all of these “world’s largest” titles just weren’t enough for you, there are more! Palm Jumeirah is a palm-shaped, man-made island and one of the largest artificial islands in the world. You can stay at a high-end hotel here and have easy access to the mainland with the monorail system. Other beachside accommodations include staying at the Madinat Jumeirah, a luxury resort complex modeled after an ancient citadel. This mini city is its own destination with hotels, summerhouses and villas, as well as over 50 restaurants and lounges. Take a tour around the area in a traditional abra boat on the river system or lounge on the private beach. Hit up the spa for a relaxing massage or work up a sweat at the fitness center. You really don’t even have to leave this little slice of heaven!
Kite Beach
If a private beach doesn’t tickle your fancy, head to Kite Beach, where water sport enthusiasts and sun bums alike can enjoy the area. Try kitesurfing, wakeboarding or paddle boarding if you want to stay active. Grab some friends and play a game of beach volleyball, walk along the track or grab some food and just relax. There’s a little something for everyone at this free beach just off Jumeirah’s main street.
Dubai’s History
You can’t venture to Dubai without learning a little something about the fascinating history. Visit ancient trade routes on the Dubai Creek, where the Bani Yas tribe settled in the 19th century and made a living pearl diving and fishing. You’ll also find a labyrinth of gold, spice and textile bazaars near the creek. Hop on a traditional abra boat for a ride and imagine how people survived long before all the modern marvels were added to this city. Delve even deeper into Dubai’s past by visiting Al Fahidi, one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city. Over a century of history is on display here, including traditional wind towers, twisting alleys and food. Visit the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding where you can take guided mosque tours or even participate in an Arabic class. The bustle and buzz of the city fades away here as you get acquainted with the old way of life, its values and principles.
The Arabian Desert
Once you’ve seen what the luxury of the city has to offer and learned about the fascinating past of Dubai, venture outside the city to the Arabian Desert. Take a desert safari by going off-roading, quad-biking or sandboarding. If you are feeling extra adventurous, go for a camel ride. Adorn your hands with a henna tattoo and experience a traditional feast. Make sure you stay for a sunset, after which you’ll be astounded by the brightness of the stars in the sky. The desert is a quintessential Arabian experience and not to be missed! With such a vast array of entertainment options in Dubai, everyone can find something to keep them happy. Whether you want to experience some of the world’s largest buildings or bask in the sun, there is a plethora of opportunities. Experience cultural history along the creek or stargaze in the desert. Regardless of what you choose to do, use Bahrain as a starting point to explore the fascinating city of Dubai.
