Wayfaring Travel Guide. Interesting vacation places, spa and resorts » Dubai

Palm Jumeirah

misha — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:06:23 +0000

The ‘eighth wonder of the world’, Palm Jumeirah is an audacious feat of human engineering. Fashioned on the date palm, with its roots on the Dubai coastline and its 17 fronds fanning out into blue waters, this is the first of the planned ‘Palm’ islands and, though it’s the smallest of the three, it is already the world’s largest man-made island. Photo by: twocentsworth

Extravagant boutique hotels and villas are built and residents moving in, with the project aiming for competition in 2009. Measuring 5 x 5 km, the crown is connected to the mainland by a 300 m bridge, and the very top of the palm is reached by a sub-sea tunnel. Ninety four million cubic metres of sand and seven million tons of rock have gone into the formation of this premier resort. Beaches, marinas, cafes and restaurants of every conceivable nature are planned. Photo by: The Red Pill

Dubai is the fastest growing city in the world, and the shortage of beaches and hotels seems to have given rise to the three Palm Island resorts which will together increase Dubai’s coastline by 520 km. In 2007, the Cunard Line sold the Queen Elizabeth II liner to Dubai World – to be permanently anchored at Palm Jumeirah as a hotel and tourist destination. Photo by: hrbdpaint

Once a peaceful town frequented by Bedouin fisherman and pearl divers, Dubai is now rich and racy, and somewhat surreal. Shiny skyscrapers overshadow the surviving and still buzzing souks, and shopping is the major pastime. There you are escaping from people and may be from reality. There is nowhere like it on earth. Photo by: The Red Pill

When to go: The weather is more manageable and cooler from November to April. In the Muslim month of Ramadan hotel prices may drop, but it’s illegal to eat, drink or smoke in public between sunrise and sunset. Population: 8,000 residental units are planned. How to get there: Fly to Dubai. Photo by: miketheredbarron

Photo by: buggolo

The National Bank Building, Dubai

Asya — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:03:22 +0000

Built in the 1990, it is one of several new buildings that signal a desire to shape the image of the city as one of a modern commercial center. The National Bank of Dubai building sets the high modern, progressive standards of architecture of the new generation. Located along the busy waterfront, the Tower is supported at the sides by two massive granite columns. The facade is inspired by the sails of the local and reflects both the sky and the water in its curved mirror.

And the most importance – before you start investing your hard-earned money, you need to know what you’re doing.

The bank’s official site – http://www.nbd.com/

World’s highest tennis court

Asya — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 11:12:26 +0000

The Burj Al Arab is just 65 m shorter than the Empire State Building in New York. It is home to the world’s highest tennis court. Itâ€™s set at 211 m high on hotelâ€™s helipad, which can also become a heliport for emergency landings or guest traffic and covers a surface area of 415 sq. m.Â There is wire mesh around to prevent them from falling.Â Andre Agassi and Roger Federer play friendly fight on the worldâ€™s most unique tennis court. Both players were in Dubai to compete in the US$1 million Dubai Duty Free Menâ€™s Open, which is the first round of the two-week Dubai Tennis Championships. For more photos and information click here.

A Weekend In Dubai

misha — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 15:11:25 +0000

Dubai is located on the Persian Gulf coast of the United Arab Emirates and is roughly at sea level (16Â m/52Â ft above). Dubai lies directly within the Arabian Desert. But the topography of Dubai is significantly different from that of the southern portion of the UAE.

Dubai has a diverse and multicultural society. The city’s cultural imprint as a small, ethnically homogenous pearlingethnic groups and nationals â€” first by the Iranians in the early 1900s, and later by Indians and Pakistanis in the 1960s.

The diversity of cuisine in Dubai is a reflection of the cosmopolitan nature of the society. Arab food is very popular and is available everywhere in the city, from the small shawarma diners in Deira and Al Karama to the upscale restaurants in Dubai’s many hotels.

The two Emirates Towers amid other skyscrapers under construction.

The Five Green store.

Al Mahara Restaurant

Asya — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 08:25:46 +0000

The Al Mahara is a seven star seafood restaurant at the gaudy Burj Al Arab hotel at Jumeirha Beach, Dubai. Elevators to the restaurant take guests on an amazing underwater journey to a restaurant surrounding a 300,000 liters coral reef aquarium. If you’re planning to visit Al Mahara, you should wholeheartedly immerse yourself in all its folly to appreciate its true delights.
The dining tables are arranged around the giant glass aquarium, known as “The Oval” , the sweeping 360-degree tank contains 300,000 liters of deep-blue salt water, and with all kinds of marine life â€“ including eels and blacktip reef sharks â€“ darting about and throwing you wide-eyed stares. The window is made out of acrylic and is 18 cm thick, and cleaned every couple of days. With a dinning experience as exciting as this, it is no wonder that this place was named one of the 50 best restautants in the world.Â

Example Menu for two

Mineral water – Dhs70, Scallops tart – Dhs110, Abalone soup – Dhs110, Truffle lobster – Dhs360, Turbot – Dhs360, Chocolate sphere – Dhs110, Strawberry composition – Dhs110

Total (including service) – Dhs1230

(1 U.S. dollar = 3.6725 dirhams)Â

Open daily 12.30pm-3pm, 7pm-12 midnight.
All major credit cards accepted

The business Bay of Dubai Holdings – Ra’s al-Khor

Asya — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:49:13 +0000

After ambitious initiatives such as Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Dubai International Financial Center, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai is creating another multi-billion dollar project to add to its portfolio of extraordinary developments. Dubai Business Bay set to be the biggest and best business hub in the Middle East, it is going to be the financial center of Dubai’s growing economy. Business Bay will be a free zone business, commercial and residential district that will cover an area of 64 million square feet. It will be located next to Burj Dubai and extend along a new creek from the edge of Dubai Creek (Ras Al Khor), all the way to Dubai’s coast.
Dubai’s Business Bay, created by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, will be similar in nature to Manhattan, Ginza and Canary Wharf, which are the business centers for the cities of New York, Tokyo and London. The Business Bay, developed by Dubai Holding Group, will become home to many of the World’s leading multinational firms, and will feature the finest infrastructure and business environment. Multi-nationals and regional corporations can establish their headquarters on a freehold basis in Dubai’s sprawling central business district. It’ll mark the beginning of another glorious era in Dubai’s history.

The project will be made up of over 230 towers, with many of these already under construction. The enormous scale of the development includes the dredging of the Dubai Creek an extra 11km towards the coast to create the bay, designed to the highest standards and offering a previously unimagined lifestyle. The first buildings are to be finished in 2007, it is expected to be fully completed by 2010. Dubai Business Bay offers medical facilities, sports complexes, health clubs, swimming pools, supermarkets, landscape gardens and children play areas; with a two-level shopping strip facing the creek and offering fine dining restaurants, cafes and shopping outlets for some retail therapy. With so many high-rise buildings already in the area, the vastness of the Business Bay should fit in well with the current surroundings, as well as adding landscaped gardens, restaurants and cafes to an already first class financial district.

Dubai

misha — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 11:26:20 +0000

Dubai is the busiest city of the seven United Arab Emirates and is a city raising the bar literally. Dubai is also famous with the world’s tallest building, the world largest aluminum plant and probably soon, the world’s longest bridge.

The only way to enjoy Dubai on a maximum scale is from the sky. So China Moon Champagne Bar is the perfect place for you. Surrounded by glass apex of the new Raffles Hotel, it is one of the hottest bars in Dubai. What makes this place really fabilous is the view: 360 degrees of sky out to the Arabian Desert.

At the same hotel you’ll also bump into the Fire & Ice Restaurant, which is very warm and invinting place with exposed brick walls, leather chairs and flattering lighting. But it is not just that. There is an open-air kitchen ringed by fire. The menu is wide so it’s easy to order everything you’re onto.

In Dubai there’re many boutiques which are rare and beautiful, even if it’s technically attached to a mall. Sauce, which doubled in size in November, carries an eclectic mix: funky gowns, wispy tops, ironic T-shirts, travel journals, candles, earrings, stilettos, pillows made of denim, and lamps made of neon bowling pins.

The design gallery Traffic is the Middle East’s answer to Moss in New York City. This 7,000-square-foot gallery in central Dubai contains one-of-a-kind designer chairs, tables, benches and fixtures — furniture so avant-garde as to be deemed museum-quality “pieces.”

The Restless Planet dinosaur theme park

vanhal — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 08:47:33 +0000

Imagine going back 100 million years or more to feel the power of the cosmic forces that helped shape our planet, and come face to face with giant dinosaurs.

Restless Planet is a unique electronic media and natural history experience, where visitors enter a prehistoric world.

Thatâ€™s really impressive. Located in the heart of Dubailand, this place has the feeling of being back 100 million years ago in the era the prehistoric dinosaurs. The worldâ€™s ultimate theme park faces you with state-of-the-art electronic media and natural history experience. Partnering with Natural History Museum of London , dinosaur authority Jack Horner, Tokyo-situated animatronics team Kokoro and international theme park specialists Jack Rouse Associates, the Restless Planet will become real very soon.

New 7 star hotel in Dubai

Asya — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 10:36:27 +0000

Apeiron Hotel is a design concept for a new 7 star hotel in Dubai. Developer and construction schedule have not been announced as of October 2007. The Apeiron Hotel would be the second 7 star hotel to be built in Dubai (The Burj Al Arab hotel was the first 7 star hotel). Designed by UKâ€™s Sybarite Architects, the hi-tech futuristic hotel would feature a two-storeyed jungle at the top of the 28-storeyed building. The seven star hotel is an US $350 million project that would be 300m from the coast of Dubai. Access to the hotel is restricted to water and air only. HOTEL STATISTICS: total floors: 28 (above ground), total suites: 438, suite sizes: 180mÂ² – 750mÂ², building height: 185m, gross floor area: 300,000mÂ², site footprint area:26,500mÂ², passenger lifts: 14, service lifts: 8, distance off shore: 300m (Building design is equally as powerful within a landlocked site), wind load factor: 350km per hour, structure: steel, reinforced concrete. The hotel also contains private cinemas, luxury boutiques, conference rooms and restaurants. Other features will include an art gallery, shops, underwater spa & gym, an underwater restaurant. The hotelâ€™s internal facade has louvers to prevent direct sunlight and will made up of solar cells as is the ribbon that frames the building that can generate some energy for the entire hotel. The 28-storey hotel environs will have an artificial crescent-shaped beach, private lagoons and a central lagoon with colourful coral reefs surrounding it.

If you ever dreamt of living underwater like mermaids then your dream has come true

Asya — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 12:35:28 +0000

The early part of the 21st century is quickly becoming known as The Age of Dubai. Many of the world’s most spectacular, breathtaking, and startling architectural projects are being erected in a city that until recently was little more than a desert outpost. It’s leaders have the foresight to know that that its primary natural resource, oil, is in limited supply. The worldâ€™s first luxury underwater hotel, Hydropolis, is at this moment under construction in Dubai. The Â£300 million, 220-suite hotel is due to open at the end of 2007, which is quite amazing considering the grandiose vision. This submarine hotel is inspired by the Jules Verne tale 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. It will be an underwater oasis where visitors can marvel at the architecture surrounding them, and the sea beyond. It is one of the largest contemporary construction projects in the world, covering an area of 260 hectares, about the size of London’s Hyde Park. The hotel will also provide its guests the facility to soak under the sun on its sandy beach complete with snorkeling over the hotel suites. What more to ask for! Hydropolis will be located on the famous Jumeirah coastline of Dubai, which already play host to the worldâ€™s first seven-star hotel Burj al-Arab. The underwater hotel designed by Joachim Hauser covering 27 acres will feature 220 suites sitting on the floor of Gulf 20 meters below the surface linked by a submerged transparent 1700 feet long tunnel, marine institute, cinema, cosmetic surgery clinic and museum. It is one of the largest contemporary construction projects in the world. It will include three elements: the land station, where guests will be welcomed, the connecting tunnel, which will transport people by train to the main area of the hotel, and the 220 suites within the submarine leisure complex.
The original idea for Hydropolis developed out of Hauser’s passion for water and the sea, and goes much deeper than just building a hotel underwater. More than just curiosity, it is a commitment to a more far-reaching philosophy. “Once you start digging deeper and deeper into the subject, you can’t help being fascinated and you start caring about all the associated issues,” he explains. “Humans consist of 80% water, the earth consists of 80% water; without water there is no life.” Hydropolis reproduces the human organism in an architectural design. There is a direct analogy between the physiology of man and the architecture. The geometrical element is a figure eight lying on its side and inscribed in a circle. The spaces created in the basin will contain function areas, such as restaurants, bars, meeting rooms and theme suites. These can be compared to the components of the human organism: the motor functions and the nervous and cardiovascular systems, with the central sinus knot representing the pulse of all life.
The hotel will have two parts. The land station, will serve as the welcoming area, marine biology research center, restaurant, and cinema among other things. From the lowest level, hotel guests will be transported down towards Hydropolis by using a train system. The “land station” is a large building with a roof that dips and rolls like the crest of a wave. The tunnel is 1,700 feet long and carries a train beneath both the land and the sea. Mimicking natural forms, it is shaped like a collection of bubbles and curves designed to provide maximum resistance against the everyday pressures of the sea water as well as the occasional typhoon that may stray into this area. It has already been compared to both a jellyfish and a sea turtle. It features a pair of observation domes which allow an expansive view of the water and the creatures that live in it. They are large enough to emerge above the waves, and one is planned with a retractable roof allowing people to be surrounded by the ocean while looking directly into the sky. The land station also includes a restaurants, an entertainment park and a lot of attractions inspired by the sea, high-tech cinema screening the evolution of life in the ocean and the history of underwater architecture. The upper storeys of the land station house a variety of facilities, including a cosmetic surgical clinic, a marine biological research laboratory and conference facilities. On the lower levels are the staff rooms, goods storage and loading areas, and hotel and parking areas. As a finale, the screen will open to reveal the real-life Hydropolis. A viewing platform at the front opening of the spanning roof will allow views of the architecture as well as the light shows of Hydropolis.
He views his creation as a place where those who do not dive – or do not even swim – can experience the tranquillity and inspiration of the underwater world. You may soon be able to sleep with the fishes in the Middle East – and in luxury, which you might well expect when you’re paying as much as US$5,500 for a day’s lodging. The ballroom, located at this nerve center, will have asymmetrical pathways connecting the different storeys along ramps. A large, petal-like retracting roof will enable the staging of open-sky events. Staircases, lifts and ramps will provide access to the ballroom, while flanking catering areas will supply banquets and receptions.
Dubai has played host to some amazing plans that will re-write engineering and architectural history, but this has to be one of its most ambitious. Hydropolis will, quite simply, be the world’s first underwater hotel. Accessed by a connecting tunnel, the marine theme is likely to continue throughout the hotel’s rooms and decor. “Hydropolis imparts a unique impression of distinctiveness and exclusivity, an attraction that does not diminish after a first phase of curiosity,” Hauser said in his press conference presentation. “Guests from all over the world and from all cultures will be attracted by a multitude of offers, which simultaneously address mind, body and soul in an unparalleled manner. It is the dream of all humankind to live in and explore the sea.” Are underwater holidays the beginning of a new era?

One of the most interesting events in Dubai – Shopping

Asya — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 08:33:58 +0000

Dubai Shopping Festival started on February 15 1996, as a retail event intended to revitalize retail trade in Dubai. It has since been promoted as an tourist attraction. This yearly month long event is usually scheduled during the first quarter of the year. If there is such a thing as an international shopping is in Dubai. The next annual pilgrimage has been schedule. Initially, was conceived as a pure retail event, the primary aim of which was to revitalize the retail trade in Dubai. It was later developed into a comprehensive tourism product in line with Dubai’s far-sighted stance to set global standards in every field.

December 20, 2007 through February, as part of a larger approach to developing the city as the tourist capital of the Middle East, Dubai is trying hard to rival Hong Kong and Singapore as a shop-til-you-drop destination. They’ve made shopping largely tax free and allowed merchants to import products from other countries with very few duties or tariffs. The result is that everything from gold chains to Ipods, Gucci purses to Persian rugs can be found in the malls of Dubai at rock bottom prices. Shopping haven, various entertainment acts such as art exhibitions and folk dances are also organized for the travelers which provide an insight into the culture and traditions of the country. The guests will be enthralled by the performances by world renowned artistes and musicians who perform every evening during the annual Dubai Shopping Festival. Latest and rare collection of toys for KIDS, dress/cloth for TEENS, gold ornaments for LADIES, new international models CARS for men, make Dubai Shopping Festival an incredible show.

Forget about paying a hefty sum of money for a small bottle of Chanel, Jâ€™adore or any other famous designer brand perfumes. At Dubaiâ€™s Perfume Souk, you can get a unique perfume concoction specially prepared for you by the smart shopkeepers to suit your taste and body for a fraction of the price! Thousands of sweet smelling fragrances and aromas beckon as you walk through the narrow lanes. Every kind of perfume imaginable is available here from the strong Arabic scents to the latest designer brands. Dubai is a fantastic place to buy carpets, as traders from Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan converge in this shopping Mecca, selling their wares for anything from a few hundred to thousands of Durhams.
More than two million visitors attend the Dubai Shopping Festival each year, with retail spending totalling in excess of US$1 billion. Sponsored by Dubai Duty Free, the event is enlivened with international theatre and street performances, fashion shows, nightly fireworks and laser shows, prize draws (with booty such as Rolls Royces and gold), film festivals, children’s events and handicraft shows.
Every year, The Dubai Shopping Festival lives up to its promise of staging the most exciting activities for the whole family inspired by the theme One World, One Family, One Festival. As universal brotherhood, happiness, excitement, joy and adventure became the signature trademarks of Dubai Shopping Festival, the Festival itself has become a tribute to the inherent ambition.

830 Million Dirham Contract Positions Dubai Sports City as Centre of Global Sporting Excellence

vanhal — Thu, 17 May 2007 17:27:00 +0000

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Dubai Sports City, the world’s first integrated sports city and corner
stone project of Dubailand.Arabtec-Max Bogl, a joint venture partnership, has been contracted to design and build a 60,000-seater multi-purpose outdoor stadium and a 10,000-seater multi-purpose indoor stadium.
The contract, worth 830 million Dirham, would see the indoor stadium completed in April 2009 and the outdoor stadium by the end of that year. Designed by gmp, the architectural practice made famous for its work on the Olympic Stadium in Berlin and the Commerz Bank Stadium in Frankfurt, both stadia are set to be recognised internationally for the elegance and ambition of their design.Taken together, they will become key venues at Dubai Sports City, capable of hosting the most prestigious sporting and entertainment events and firmly positioning Dubai Sports City, and Dubai, as a leading sports and entertainment destination.

The 60,000 multi-purpose stadium will fully comply to specifications for international football, rugby, American football and
athletics events, while the 10,000 seat indoor multi-purpose stadium will allow for a wide range of sporting events including ice hockey, basketball, tennis, and volleyball. In entertainment mode, the venue will be capable of hosting concerts and other major public gatherings. “Dubai Sports City aims to partner with the world’s most advanced designers and developers in the construction of this pioneering project, to ensure that we create a dedicated environment capable of playing host to spectacular sporting events,” said Khalid Al Zarooni, President of Dubai Sports City.

“Dubai Sports City is one of the most exciting construction projects in the world today, which will further propel Dubai onto the world stage as a global leisure destination,” said Riad Kamal, Chairman of Arabtec-Max Bogl

Dubailand New Headquarters Features Scale Models of Leisure Destination

vanhal — Thu, 17 May 2007 16:54:23 +0000

Mohammed Al Habbai, CEO of Dubailand, a member of Tatweer officially announced the 180,000 sq ft Dubailand headquarters is now open to public, providing a preview of the architectural and landscape marvels at the regionâ€™s largest tourism and entertainment project.

Mohammed Al Habbai, CEO of Dubailand said: â€œIt was the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed that began this road to a world of fun and leisure. The concept of the headquarters is unique with scale models that reflect the innovation and creativity of Dubailand.

â€œThe headquarters will set new benchmarks for such sales offices in the region in providing investors and visitors with a glimpse of the projectâ€™s offerings.â€
Situated on the Dubailand roundabout on Emirates Road, the headquarters, now open to the public, is uniquely designed as a mini Dubailand, featuring a 3,200 sq ft scale model of the entire development.

The exhibition area of the headquarters will feature a host of interactive features, both audio and visual. A snow dome will delight visitors with its virtual ice cracks. Adding to its attraction is a 35 metre high motorbike positioned at the top of the sales centre, a 220 m roller coaster, a man made volcano, miniature space shuttle and a racing car. Two Bengal tigers, housed in a dedicated secure enclosure, will add to visitorsâ€™ excitement to the centre.

Conceived as the largest destination for family-oriented, tourism and entertainment in the Middle East, Dubailand will have a number of theme parks, including one of the largest water parks in the world.

â€œWe are thrilled to share the excitement that all of us experience in translating the vision of Dubailand. Visitors to the headquarters will be able to see for themselves the progress being made towards delivering a unique project that will significantly add to Dubaiâ€™s positioning as a multi cultural tourist haven,â€ said Al Habbai.

Dubailand, situated alongside the Emirates Road, will cover an area of three billion square feet. It will feature several attractions catering to the entire family. These include the ‘The Restless Planetâ€™, a dinosaur theme park being developed in cooperation with the Natural History Museum in the UK; a Sports City, featuring large state-of-the-art stadiums; the Great Dubai Wheel; the Islamic Culture and Science World; the Mall of Arabia, set to become one of the largest shopping centers in the world and the Tiger Woods Dubai.

Dune Bashing

vanhal — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 07:53:16 +0000

The dune bashing or desert driving continues as you enjoy the dunes actually bashing, then with the thrill of going up and down the dunes provoke many a screem and laughter full of excitemen.
Dune bashing is to Dubai what skateboarding is to Venice Beach â€“ just with higher-priced equipment. Hair raising thrill rides in 4×4 jeeps over miles of towering sand dunes, the fun starts when your Arab driver lets a little air out of the tires and instructs you to strap yourself in. Suddenly youâ€™re off, zooming over swollen sands like a boat on stormy waves. The jeep rises, sinks and spins, sand spraying against the car windows like dense brown water. Add a pumping soundtrack of Eastern beats and you are in for the ride of your life.

Mall Of The Emirates

vanhal — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 10:57:05 +0000

Mall of the Emirates, the ultimate leisure, entertainment and shopping resort opened on September 28th 2005, and is the largest shopping centre outside of North America. Strategically located in the heart of what is now deemed â€˜New Dubaiâ€™. This 223,000 square meter centre offers a full range of shopping, leisure, and entertainment.
Mall of the Emirates is home to over 450 retailers and also features a complete range of entertainment options including Ski Dubai, the first indoor ski destination in the Middle East, a two-level Magic Planet, the largest indoor family entertainment centre in the country, a 14-screen Cinestar Cinemas and the Dubai Community Arts and Theatre with a 500 seat-theatre and art gallery. It also has over 70 restaurants and coffee shops with everything from fast food to themed restaurants and exclusive dining alternatives.
This mixed use development will incorporate two hotels, including a 5-star Kempinski, which will offer over 900 rooms combined, a host of licensed restaurants, tennis court, swimming pools and spas.