Who does not love shopping? And when it comes to Dubai, it is the city of shopping which is absolutely amazing. Well, it definitely is for me I can indulge in ultimate retail therapy, be it at high-end shopping malls or in the charming souks of Dubai, for hours.
Dubai, over the years has earned a reputation of being a premier destination for holidays as well as memorable lifestyle, retail, and travel experiences. Therefore, when I was told by Dubai Tourism that the city is open and safe to return to, I did not miss a beat in agreeing to a trip to one of my favourite cities. I was told this would be a trip where I will be able to experience Dubai attractions beyond just shopping. And boy was I am glad I agreed to go on this trip! Here is a day-by-day narrative of how my trip and stay in Dubai went.
First things first – SAFETY – I must say the city officials have not left a single stone unturned to secure the safety of its global visitors. The city has quickly bounced back from the COVID-19 pandemic and already positioned itself as a safe, open, and welcoming destination for residents and visitors. This itself is a testament to Dubai’s expertise, commitment, and resilience in the face of a crisis. Right from the airport to hotels, malls, and other attractions, all places are protected to the greatest possible extent. Each of these places are sanitised frequently, and are equipped with sanitisers, gloves, and masks, for the safety of visitors.
On my first scheduled day of the trip to Dubai, I headed to Muscat International Airport to board an Emirates flight to Dubai. We were provided with safety kits on board our flight and utmost care was taken by the crew. On landing at Dubai International Airport, I found that the airport was fully functional, sanitised, and receiving crowds of tourists. Helpful attendants pointed me in the direction I needed to go for the immigration process, which was a breeze. I was then transported to the Sheraton Grand Hotel, a towering 54-storey beacon strategically situated on Sheikh Zayed Road, within walking distance of a Dubai Metro station.
The Sheraton Grand Hotel is a part of a three-tower, mixed-use development that features a comprehensive business centre, rooftop swimming pool, three restaurant and lounge concepts, and signature offerings like the Soul Wellness & Spa, the state-of-the-art Sheraton Fitness, and a Sheraton Club. It boasts of 416 luxurious guest rooms and 58 suites — including two Presidential Suites — as well as 180 premium serviced apartments. The room design conveys a sense of simplistic modern style, with a complementary colour palette and stylish light fittings and furnishings. All rooms promise magnificent views of Dubai and are equipped with signature Sheraton amenities. You can dine at Feast, an exciting live cooking experience from around the world, where breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served; & More Café in the lobby, a place for friends and colleagues to connect with premium Wi-Fi; and Larimar by Dawn & Dusk, the rooftop pool and lounge which makes the most of the laid-back, pool-side vibe, and gives fantastic views over the city.
After a hearty breakfast at the Feast and a much-needed rest I was all set to for my shopping expedition to the Dubai Mall. The Dubai Mall was a welcome sight with a well-behaved crowd. I made sure to avail of large festive discounts that were running in all major stores.
The exhaustion of shopping had to be sated with a feast at Tulum, a restaurant in the mall facing the Dubai Fountains and serving Mexico’s gastronomic delights. The décor of the restaurant is influenced by art and architecture from the ancient Mexican Mixteca civilization in XIV and XV. Here I was lucky to witness the tallest performing fountain in the world aka the Dubai Fountains. These fountains came to life every 30 minutes that evening with colourful, illuminated jets that swayed to a range of popular melodies. Post a big dinner and entertainment from the fountains and live music at the restaurant, I retired to my room looking forward to what would be coming next.
The next day I was at the Dubai Safari Park, a 119-hectare wildlife sanctuary located in the Al Warqa 5 area of Dubai and home to more than 2,500 animals from all over the world. I embarked on a safari expedition in a safari bus to explore different “villages” across the park, including the Arabian, Asian, African, and Explorer Villages.
The park features 15 species of carnivores alone, alongside an array of primates, reptiles, birds, and amphibians. Other highlights include a new “behind the scenes” experience, interactive activities such as feeding giraffes, and a dedicated Kids Farm for the little ones.
I was then on the way to the Al Seef district, Dubai’s latest waterfront destination that sits on the shores of Dubai Creek, spanning the redeveloped stretch by the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood in Bur Dubai. Connected to one of the city’s cultural hotspots, its banks pay homage to Emirati heritage with narrow sikkas (alleys), and sand-coloured buildings with ancient wind towers.
There is a fully operational marina here, where I was treated to a ride of the old and new city via an air-conditioned abra. The humble wooden abra has been a feature on Dubai’s waterways for hundreds of years, ferrying people across from one side of Dubai Creek to the other.
Al Seef is dotted with boutique stores, art galleries, and open-air markets, and is home to more than 70 restaurants and cafes offering local homegrown concepts, casual snacks, and fine dining experiences. Dinner at one of these restaurants with postcard-worthy views of the creek, as traditional dhows sail past was a definite treat.
The next day was beautiful with a planned visit to the Dubai Butterfly Garden and then the Dubai Miracle Garden. The Dubai Butterfly Garden is a true hidden gem of not only Dubai but the wider UAE and region. It is home to more than 45 species of butterflies totalling over 15,000 in number and housed in ten custom-built, climate-controlled domes.
Each dome is filled with thousands of the beautiful, winged creatures in different sizes and colours fluttering around visitor. The Dubai Butterfly Garden gives you the opportunity to see how these fascinating and colourful insects begin as caterpillars and evolve into their flying adaptations. Not to be missed is the Butterfly and Insect Museum on site, which features in-depth analysis and information about thousands of colourful butterfly species from around the world.
The next destination was the Dubai Miracle Garden, the world’s largest natural flower garden. This 72,000 sqm park has an impressive line-up of famous buildings and structures completely transformed into colourful flower displays. I walked down the heart-shaped pathway, a popular spot for Instagrammers, and wandered amidst the floral castles and full-size floral houses.
I was told there are about 50 million blooming flowers throughout the different exhibits. Not to be missed is the Guinness World Record-breaking floral rendition of an Airbus A380 superjumbo Emirates Airline aircraft – covered in more than 500,000 fresh flowers and living plants. This experience was like being transferred to a fairyland with blooming flowers and vaudeville music.
Post the fairyland visit, I had a late lunch at Madinat Jumeirah, an Arabian mini city inside Dubai, that comprises of five-star hotels, ornate souks and beachfront hotspots. There is also a five kms long river system complete with its own fleet of traditional abra boats. More than 50 restaurants, nightspots, and lounges are at your disposal across these 40 hectares. You can also access a private beach to laze away the day under the sun, with food and drinks on offer along with water sports equipment to use at leisure.
Madinat Jumeirah is also home to the Theatre of Digital Art (ToDA), a multisensory, multimedia immersive exhibition that gives famous artworks a modern twist with advanced technology and immersive storytelling. The theatre combines three formats of digital art including multimedia exhibitions, contemporary immersive installations, and art in virtual reality. Spread over 1,800 sqm, the theatre displays digital shows of classical art, accompanied by music, visual effects, and surround sound.
The following day was another memorable one with a visit to the Museum of Illusions, a world of visual and sensory magic, located in the Al Seef area. With 80 different exhibits, this is the biggest collection of optical illusions in the world. Perfect for entertaining the whole family, the museum is a great educational and eye-opening experience for all generations and age groups. I could interact, take photos, and laugh at each mind-boggling attraction. For example, the Vortex Tunnel made me feel as if the ground was moving when it was totally stationary.
After this dizzying experience, I headed towards old Dubai to visit Souk Naif for some local shopping. This Souk, which was once a camel market, today it is a grand general market for a wide variety of authentic Arabic goods and services such as henna designs, hair extensions, and clothing. It is also popular with local women for its selection of abayas.
Next, I headed to Alserkal Avenue in the Al Quoz area, where local artists add creativity to Dubai’s vibrant art scene. Once an industrial area, Alserkal Avenue now comprises around 40 warehouses, converted into galleries, dance studios, artisanal cafés, and more. The neighbourhood has nurtured a culture of creativity and is now one of the region’s leading art hubs with a parade of gallery exhibits and displays of contemporary artwork, as well as seasonal events and open-air community days. Even if you are not typically a fan of the arts, it is worth making time to visit Alserkal Avenue’s contemporary galleries and creative community spaces.
The day and my visit to Dubai was wrapped up with dinner at Weslodge, a Canadian cuisine restaurant located 68 floors up in one of the world’s tallest hotels, JW Marriot Marquis, offering some wonderful views of Dubai skyline. Mixing modern North American beats with a unique ‘Rock and Roll’ vibe, this Toronto import is brimming with contemporary cool. While the menu is varied, there are a couple of staples to look out for: the lobster poutine and the southern fried chicken. It might not be a small-town diner in Canada, but this is North American soul food at its best.
This is how my trip to Dubai was wrapped. I was returning with very different memories of Dubai which did not include shopping. I was glad that I went on this trip to experience the new sights and new places to hangout in Dubai. The trip back was also in line with all the safety measures in place at the airport and the aircraft.
Dubai has learned many lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic; with the events of 2020 helping shape a new focus on what is required to host global visitors in the months and years ahead. Dubai is therefore fully committed to following all guidelines and measures to ensure your family’s and your health. From the moment you arrive at the airport to when you check in to your hotel, whether you take your family shopping, treat them to the thrills of a waterpark, or a relaxing day at the beach, Dubai ensures your wellbeing is safeguarded every step of the way. My verdict? Dubai is definitely a safe place to travel to in the coming months as the city ensures your safety! Adieu until the next trip then!