United Arab Emirates Activities

Al Nasr Leisureland (Dubai)
Located in Bur Dubai, off Zabeel Road, is this modern leisure park offering a variety of sports facilities including an amusement park, ice rink, a bowling alley swimming pools, restaurants and evening entertainment. Phone: (+971) 04 3371234.

Bastakiya (Dubai)
Take the kids to Bastakiya to experience traditional bustling marketplace. The district is filled with traditional courtyard houses and classic wind towers, which offer a charming glimpse of how Dubai once looked. The surrounding historic buildings are home to museums, galleries, restaurants and markets. Bastakiya is a district you will not want to miss, especially if you are interested in traditional culture.

Desert Safaris
Desert Safaris are fun for the entire family during the cooler months between November and April. A wide range of safaris are available from 4-wheel desert driving to camel safaris and remote barbeques with belly dancing by bonfire. Arabian Tours organizes some of the best excursions in the country. Enquire at your hotel for further information or call Arabian Tours on (+971) 4 343 2288.

Ice Skating
Take a break from the heat and retreat to the ice rink in the Hyatt Regency Galleria in Dubai. The ice rink offers skate rental and lessons. It is usually crowded with teenagers on Thursdays and Fridays (the country’s weekend). Other ice rinks are located at Al Nasr Leisureland, Dubai, Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club, and Hili Fun City in Al Ain.

Jumeirah Beach (Dubai)
Some of Dubai's prettiest beaches are located along the Jumeirah strip. This long stretch of beach is lined with palm trees and has plenty of lifeguards on duty. Next to the beach is the Jumeirah Park, which provides a nice place to eat lunch or gather with friends in the shade. Jumeirah Beach is especially appealing to women, as they have their own days to bask in the sun without unwanted male attention.

Magic Planet (Dubai)
The Magic Planet is an escape for kids with parents who want to shop. Located on the ground floor of Deira City Centre in Dubai, it is a magical entertainment mecca for kids. Filled with state of the art theme rides, video games and a bowling alley it prides itself on being the largest family entertainment centre in the Middle East.

Wonderland (Dubai)
Wonderland hosts the usual suspects - roller coasters, go carts, restaurants - as well as some exotic water park specials, including a water mist show and a water cinema (where films are projected onto a thin film of water). Located near Al Boom Tourist Village and Creekside Park Phone: (+971) 4 324 1222.

Wild Wadi Water Park (Dubai)
Imagine 12 acres of desert filled with 30 million litres of water and solely dedicated to having fun. That is Wild Wadi. There are 23 rides to entertain the entire family from thrill-seekers to leisure-lovers. The wave machine of Breakers Bay creates continuous 1.5-metre waves all day. Wild Wadi has at least 90 lifeguards on duty at all times to ensure safety. An exciting and relaxing desert oasis.

Zoo (Dubai & Al Ain)
The Dubai Zoo is relatively small but boasts an impressive collection of endangered species, including Bengal and Siberian Tigers, Arabian Wolves and Scimitar-horned Oryx. It's the oldest zoo of its kind on the Arabian Peninsula, and the first Arabian zoo to breed the chimpanzee and the Arabian wild cat. The Al Ain Zoo and Aquarium houses an extremely large and varied collection of wildlife from all over the world. The zoo is also well known for its display of Arabia’s indigenous wildlife which includes the beautiful Arabian Oryx.

Desert Safaris
Desert Safaris are a popular activity during the cooler months between November and April. A wide range of safaris are available that include 4-wheel desert driving to remote barbeques with belly dancing by bonfire. Arabian Tours organizes some of the best excursions in the country. Enquire at your hotel for further information or call (+971) 4 343 2288.

Dhow Cruises
Enjoy a cruise on a traditional wooden dhow (boat) along the coast or up a river. A variety of cruises are on offer, combining sightseeing with fine food, traditional music and belly dancing. Some hotels provide their own dhows or your hotel can refer you to one.

Fishing
There is an abundance of game fish in the Gulf. Fully-equipped boats with crew can be hired from the Jebel Ali Hotel marina for deep-sea fishing trips.

Golf
The UAE offers some of the best and most luxurious golfing in the world. The Emirates Golf Club in Dubai offers two championship golf courses, extensive recreational facilities and fine dining. In addition, there is the centrally located Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club and the Nad Al Shiba Golf & Racing Club, both with extensive and luxurious facilities. Abu Dhabi Golf Club has two 18-hole courses and the largest driving range in the Gulf, along with an array of recreational facilities open to the public. The newer and more central Abu Dhabi Golf & Equestrian Club includes horse racing and a children’s riding club in addition to its 6453 yard golf course.

Skiing
Skiing in the desert? Only in Dubai! Ski Dubai is an enclosed ski area with 22,500 square metres of real snow year round. There are five runs that vary in difficulty, from gentle beginner slopes to the world’s first indoor black run. Snowboarders can also practice their stunts on the 90-metre long quarter pipe. Ski Dubai provides ski clothing and equipment rental, themed restaurants, party rooms, Snow Pro shop with expert staff offering advice and lessons and a huge interactive Snow Park for kids and parents, which at 3000 square meters is the largest indoor snow park in the world.

Sheesha
Smoking Sheesha is a favourite and traditional past time of Arab culture. Sheesha, a tobacco mixed with molasses and flavours such as apple, cinnamon, rose and mint, is smoked in tall hookah pipes. If you are not use to smoke, don’t inhale too deeply, as it can make you dizzy. There are Sheesha cafes throughout the country. The best place to partake is along Dubai Creek or the Abu Dhabi Corniche. It’s generally a male activity, although women sitting with friends will be accepted into the Sheesha circle as well.

Spectator Sports
Dhow (boat) racing is a traditional sport that is becoming increasingly popular. Camel and horse races are also held at various race tracks. Falconry is a traditional Arab pastime and ancient hunting technique. Today falconry is still extremely popular among Arabs and a very interesting sport to watch.

Water Sports
Boats, jet-skis and water-skiing equipment are available for hire. Sailing and windsurfing are popular around Dubai and boats are available for hire.

Scuba diving is remarkably good off the coasts of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Fujairah. Fujairah’s Snoopy Rock is renowned for its friendly population of blacktip reef sharks and turtles. It’s a good spot for snorkelling too. There are numerous dive centres in the coastal areas. An extensive range of equipment is available for hire and purchase at reasonable prices.
For more information please visit www.desertsportsdivingclub.com, www.divingindubai.com, www.dubaitraveltours.net, www.divasindubai.com.

Swimming is enjoyable from November to May when the sea is a pleasant temperature. During the long hot summer, the waters of the Persian Gulf heat up to a non-refreshing 35ºC. All up-market hotels provide swimming pools, some with water slides.

Wild Wadi Water Park is an enormous park for aquatic fun in Dubai, offering all kinds of slides, pools and facilities for the entire family.

Dining out in Dubai and Abu Dhabi is a delight. There is virtually every kind of cuisine available for every budget from little local eateries to opulent fine dining. There are Indian cafes, Lebanese restaurants and bakeries, Chinese, Cuban, French, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Thai, and of course Arab restaurants among others. Even Planet Hollywood, Hard Rock Café and Spago have addresses in Dubai. There are numerous fresh fruit juice shops that freshly squeeze a succulent array of fruits and vegetables to order. A refreshing treat!

In many restaurants, especially the more local places, there are segregated “Family Rooms”. This is where you should dine if you are a woman or if you are dining with a woman. Western women are not forced to eat in the Family Rooms, but may feel uncomfortable if there are many men in the main dining room.

Specialties of Arab cuisine include hummus (chickpea and sesame paste), tabbouleh (bulghur wheat with mint and parsley), ghuzi (roast lamb with rice and nuts), warak enab (stuffed vine leaves) and koussa mashi (stuffed courgettes).

Many restaurants and hotels put out enormous buffets that are not only fresh and delicious, but an opportunity to sample many regional dishes. The Renaissance Hotel in Dubai has one of the best all-you-can-eat-and-drink buffets, spread among seven international restaurants.

Food products from all over the world are available in the well-stocked supermarkets such as Carrefour and Spinneys.

All of the Emirates, with the exception of Sharjah, permit the consumption of alcohol by non-Muslims. It is illegal to drink alcohol in the street or to buy it for a UAE citizen.

There are several nightclubs located in major centres and entertainment ranges from Arabic singers and belly dancers to Russian revue, jazz, South African and international pop stars. Salsa dancing is popular as well. Bars are found in all top hotels (except in Sharjah) and range from sophisticated cocktail lounges to English-style pubs. If in Dubai, check out the popular Irish Village, located near the airport. Some hotels also have discos

Most people come to the UAE to shop. The country is tax-free with low customs duties. Therefore, luxury goods are cheaper than in most countries. The Dubai Airport duty-free shop is one of the cheapest in the world. Dubai and Abu Dhabi have their share of slick shopping malls along with lively souks (markets). Be sure to experience both.

From haute couture and high-tech electronics to Persian rugs and Pashmina shawls, you’re likely to find a treasure or two to take home.

Carpet prices are astoundingly inexpensive and worth every dirham. You will find exquisite hand-made family heirlooms of pure silk or wool as well as ridiculously cheap yet presentable machine-made carpets. If you do plan on buying, it’s a good idea to do a bit of research beforehand to familiarise yourself with the various styles and qualities. The finest are from Iran of course (Qum, Tabriz), while India and Pakistan produce some lovely, yet cheaper pieces. Most carpet traders are knowledgeable and will be happy to explain the difference between a machine made or hand-woven carpet and describe in detail how carpets are made and from which villages they originate. Check the knots per square inch, the higher the number the greater the quality; whether it is hand or machine made and whether natural or artificial dyes have been used. Do shop around, take your time, and remember to bargain.

Make sure to stop into a gold shop or two as well. The gold shops in the UAE are unrivalled and you pay the market price per gram with very little added for workmanship. Gold shops drip with every kind of gold body-wear imaginable from gold vests and tiaras to gold ring-gloves and anklets. You can also custom design your own or exchange your gold jewellery for something of equal weight or pay the difference. Eighteen and 22-karat are common, but 24-karat is also available. You can also purchase kilo bars, ten tola bars, small minted bars and gold bullion bars. The gold and gold jewellery sold in the UAE is solid gold, not plated. Visit the Gold and Diamond Park in Al Quoz, Dubai (04 347 7788). Apart from a spectacular array of gold and gems, you can watch the craftsmen at work.

Generally speaking electronic and computer products are considerably cheaper in the UAE. There are several superstores offering just about everything that plugs in and plays, as well as numerous smaller outlets that are extremely well stocked.

Some of the best bargains are to be found at the Carrefour hypermarkets throughout the UAE. Plug Ins is an enormous electronic superstore in Dubai’s Deira City Centre, and Jumbo Electronics, with several stores in Dubai, offers some of the best prices in town.

Dubai is the home of Gitex, the Middle East’s largest IT exhibition held annually in October. Most stores offer a good after sales service and pricing is so competitive between stores, that shopping around is usually not necessary.

A stroll through a Spice Souk is a treat for the senses. Sacks of spices spill out into the narrow alleyways, filling the air with exotic aromas. Saffron is one of the best bargain buys, while clove, cinnamon, cumin, cardamom and pine nuts are plentiful, along with delightful rose and orange flower water used in cooking and to refresh the skin.

Shopping hours are generally from 9:00am to 9:00pm or later, with most shops closing for prayers on Fridays from 11:30am to 1:30pm.