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Winter in the desert (2 hrs - ½ day)
In Dubai it’s always hot. Even in winter you won’t find any snow in this Emirate. Or are we wrong? Yes we are, because in Dubai they can make everything artificial. If they can make the world in islands, they can make snow when it’s 45 degrees Celsius outside as well.
Inside Mall of the Emirates is a huge indoor ski world, called Ski Dubai. It has five runs that vary in difficulty, height and gradient. And for the kids there’s a nice Snow Park as well. Don’t worry about your clothes and equipment; you don’t need to bring it from Switzerland, as they have everything for rent.
The temperature inside is about -2 degrees Celsius, so very cold for the Middle East. But you don’t really need to go there to cool down, because most shopping malls are cold enough to freeze, but still Ski Dubai is absolute great experience. Here you will find more information.
Wild Wadi (1 day)
Hot in Dubai but still want to be outside? Cool down at Wild Wadi. A wadi is a river in the desert, but it wouldn’t be Dubai if they couldn’t make it artificial.
Sit in a ring and and go uphill by powered water jets, experience the exhilaration of weightlessness on a speed slide that hurtles you at 80 km per hour, enjoy the largest wave pool in the Midlle East or try surfing at a ‘real’ wave. It’s all possible at Wild Wadi, but if you like to relax besides the pool in the sun or in the shadow… be their guest as well.
Find the ‘kid’ inside you and enjoy the water fun. A bit weird idea, so much water in the middle of the dessert, but it’s Dubai right?
The entrance fee is 195 Dirham for a full day. For more information have a look at their website.
Desert safari (1 day)
Dubai has water, snow and a lot more, but don’t forget, Dubai has an enormous amount of sand as well. Dubai is a desert, so let’s enjoy that as well. And the best way to do that is in a 4WD drive.
There are options several times a day, but the best time to go is in the evening. Most of the tours are including dune driving, sun set photography, camel rides, belly dancing (not yourself, but a show), some drinks and an optional dinner.
But remember. For the dune driving you mustn’t have a weak stomach. Don’t drink before the ride, take it afterwards, and you will have an unforgettable evening. This trip can be booked at many offices and at every hotel. Prices are about 50 us Dollar per person.
Creek Park Cable Car (½ hr)
A great place to see how quickly Dubai is expanding is from the cable car that runs the 2,3 km length of Dubai Creek Park (between the Creek’s two bridges). Suspended 25 metres in the air, you can see for miles in each direction.
Creek Park has several entrances but the main approach is from Garhoud Bridge. Due to the heat, the cable car only runs from 5pm to 9pm in summer, during the winter, it runs all day.
A ride in the cable car takes approximately 30 minutes. There are three stations en route, and passengers can embark or disembark from any of these. The admission for an adult is AED 15 and there’s an entrance fee for the Creek Park as well, this is AED 5. Taxi directions are Umm Hurair, near Wonderland. On Wednesdays the entrance to the park is for ladies only.
Hatta (1-2 days)
Hatta is a Sheikhdom in the Hajjar mountains- an exclave of the Emirate of Dubai, about 115 km east of Dubai City. Because of its altitude, Hatta has a milder climate than the city of Dubai, making Hatta a popular vacation place for Dubai residents. But it’s also nice for visitors to go there.
The drive to this place is wonderful. You pass several landscapes, varying from orange dessert, green mountains and dry wadies.
The capital town is also named Hatta, which includes a reconstructed heritage village by the same name. The old village of Hatta includes two prominent military towers from the 18th century and the Juma mosque (built in 1780), the oldest building in Hatta, as well as about 30 loamè houses. The reconstructed heritage village displays scenes from everyday life in the past. The traditional water supply (falaj system) has also been repaired.
It’s easy and not expensive to rent a car in Dubai and drive to Hatta yourselves. You can do this as a daytrip, or stay overnight.
Dubai Dancing Fountains (5 minutes)
Very impressive to see in Dubai are the Dubai Dancing Fountains, which are located at the foot of the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa. Set on the 30-acre Burj Khalifa Lake, the fountain shoots water jets as high as 150 metres. The fountain is 275 metres long, which makes it the largest dancing fountains in the world.
Over 6,600 lights and 25 colour projectors create a visual spectrum of over 1,000 abstract attractions. The beam of light shining upward from the fountain can be seen from over 20 miles away, and will be visible from space making it the brightest spot in the Middle East, and quite possibly in the entire world.
Every half hour there is a different show. There’s a show with Arabian music, classical music, pop music and much more. The first show starts at 7.30 pm, the last one is at 11 pm.
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Language of the world
Of course you like to speak a few words of the local language onboard the plane or at your destination. Here you find some simple basics of the main language spoken in Dubai.