Dubai could be called a wonder of water and sands. For all its ultra-modern exterior makes it easy to forget that Dubai was still a small trading town not too long ago. Today´s modern Dubai emirate was founded during the formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971, and is now an elegant destination where many cultures come together. Eighty percent of the population is made up of expats, and the city itself is home to more than 200 nationalities.
Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Dubai, wonder of water and sands.
In the last few years Dubai has evolved into the most popular holiday destination in the Middle East. Its unique combination of traditional Arabic culture and modern Western lifestyle showcase a colourful, exotic, and attractive atmosphere. Residents are friendly, helpful, and very hospitable. The city offers beaches, golf, history, a hip nightlife, world-famous tax-free shopping, and an unrivalled level of service. No matter where you go or what you do in Dubai, it is a magical place reminiscent of the tales of A Thousand and One Nights.
History of Dubai
Not much is known about the pre-Islamic culture of the south-eastern Arabian peninsula, except that a series of old villages formed a trading route between the East and the West. The area had been under the rule of the Byzantine as well as the Sassanid Empires at least, before Islam took a definitive hold in the region. 
The first written account of Dubai dates back to the year 1095, in an atlas by Spanish-Arabian geographer Abu Abdullah al-Bakri. In 1580, a Venetian pearl trader popularised Dubai when he visited the city and returned to the West with tales of its pearl industry.
On January 8, 1820, a number of the areas Sheikhs, including the Sheikh of Dubai, signed a peace treaty with Britain, which resulted in Dubai coming under the protection of the British against the Ottoman Empire. The emir of Dubai took this opportunity to open up trade and lower taxes. Dubais strategic location with respect to the West, as well as its lucrative pearl-diving industry catapulted it into the top ranks of prominent trade centres.
By 1870, Dubai had become the most important port in the Gulf. Traders from Iran, India, and many other countries made great use of the city as a post. By the end of the 19th century Dubai was the largest market in the Middle East.
Pearls were the primary source of income until 1940. But World War I, the Great Depression, and competition from Japanese pearls led to a collapse of Dubais pearl market. Luckily the city still had a good share of the gold market, which was one of the reasons why the City of Merchants continued to grow despite the setback.
After World War II, the search for oil was on. It wasnt until 1966 that Dubais oil wells were found. By 1969 the first oil shipments would be sent abroad. Around the same time Great Britain announced the withdrawal of its troops from the Gulf, an event which significantly changed the political landscape of the area.
On December 2, 1971, seven emirates reached an agreement to create a federation of United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) in order to protect themselves in the wake of British absence. Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Qaywayn, Ras Al-Khaimah, and Fukairah were now to form a proud sovereign state with an area of over 83600 square kilometres, with Abu Dhabi as its capital. But Dubai is still its main centre of commerce.
In 1979 the Jebel Ali Free Zone was formed in the Jebel Ali harbour (the worlds largest man-made harbour), an event which allowed foreign business to import an unlimited amount of labour and capital. The success of this Free Zone led the Dubai government to create even more Free Zones.
Dwindling oil supplies forced the emirate to invest in tourism. Prestigious projects such as the Hotel Burj Al Arab, as well as the Palm Islands put Dubai on the map as a first-class vacation resort. In this city, only the largest, prettiest, and very best is ever good enough.
Dubai landscape and surroundings
Dubai lies in the east of the Arabic peninsula, in the south-western part of the Persian Gulf, and has a surface area of 4114 square kilometres. While it is situated in the Arabian Desert, there is evidence suggesting that it was not always a desert area. During the construction of the Sheikh Zayed Road, 7000 year old remains were found suggesting that the area had once been covered by mangrove swamps. A slow transformation took place about 5000 years ago, when the waterline receded and the area was covered with a thick layer of sand. This very fine sand is composed primarily of crumbled sea shells and coral, and is clean and white. To the east of the city are stretches of coast covered with salt flats (sabkha), which, over the centuries, have formed a long row of dunes. As one heads farther east these dunes grow in size and slowly turn reddish-brown due to their high iron content.
The flat desert connects to the Western Al Hajar Mountains, which run along the border between Dubai, Oman, and Hatta. This mountain range has a dry, jagged faade, with peaks reaching up to 1300 metres.
Dubai has no natural riverbeds or oases, but does have access to a multitude of canyons, ravines, and wells that are spread over the Al Hajar mountains. A dune sea overlaps with the southern part of Dubai, which is known for its reputation as The Empty Wilderness.
The desert surrounding the city is home to wild grass and a few palm trees. Desert hyacinths grow in the sabkha area, while acacias and Ghaf trees cover the foothills of the Al Hajar Mountains. A diverse collection of indigenous trees, such as date palms and neem trees, as well as imported trees, such as eucalyptus, grows in Dubais nature parks.
Local wildlife includes the Houbara buzzard, striped hyena, Persian Lynx, desert fox, falcon, and the Arabian Oryx, all of which are quite common in the desert. Dubai lies on the migratory path between Europe, Asia, and Africa of more than 320 bird species. The waters are home to some 300 species of fish, including grouper.
The Dubai Creek, a natural inlet from the Gulf, divides the city into two sections: Deira, to the north; and Bur Dubai, to the south
Locations of holiday villas and holiday apartments
It is virtually impossible to avoid the influence of Dubais man-made creations, which have had a definite, but certainly not undesirable, impact on the citys external appearance. In this exotic paradise, where creativity and originality are well and thriving, the sky is the limit when it comes to architecture. Here you will find the vacation villas and apartments that we have selected for your convenience.
Here you will find the vacation villas and apartments that we have selected for your convenience.
The Palm Islands
The islands Palm Deira, Palm Jebel Ali, and Palm Jumeirah are the three largest artificial islands in the world. This fantastic, almost megalomaniacal project was commissioned by Dubais current leader, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in hopes of fostering the tourism industry. The islands represent Dubais ode to the only source of wealth that really matters in the end: the palm tree and the ocean.
* Palm Jumeirah
was the first palm to be constructed. It has 17 branches, a size of 5 km by 5 km, and its coastline stretches some 520 km.
* Palm Deira
(construction started in 2004) will be the largest of all the palms. With a surface area of 80 km, it will be larger than Paris. Once completed in 2015, this palm will be 14 km long, 8.5 km wide, and will have 41 leaves. More than a billion cubic metres of rock and sand are figured into its construction.
* Palm Jebel Ali
(construction started in 2002) will be a palm surrounded by a series of islands that spell out a poem, in Arabic, by Mohammed bin rashid Al Maktoum:
Take wisdom only from the wise,
Not everyone who rides a horse is a jockey.
It takes a man of vision to write on water,
Great men rise to great challenges.
Each palm consists of 3 parts: the Crown, the Trunk, and the Ring:
The Crown consists of individual palm leaves which taper into the sea. This offers a unique piece of private dominion for each owner. Each leaf contains fantastic villas and impressive palaces, all of which include their own private piece of beach.
The Trunk provides entry to the palm from the mainland and offers a variety of facilities to its visitors: shopping centres, amusement parks, airports, restaurants, canals, sports halls, and, not to forget, pearly white beaches.
The Ring circles around the palm, thereby protecting it against floods. This is where hotels and luxury resorts are typically situated.
The City
The citys business centre consists of two parts: Deira, to the north; and Bur Dubai, to the south. They are connected to each other by a tunnel and two bridges. Either side has its own impressive mosques and fun, bustling souks (markets). At first glance, the city is quite modern, but the fascinating part about Dubai is its exciting combination of hypermodern buildings and traditional Arabic architecture with its characteristic shine and beauty.
Its worth it to take a boat taxi and to watch as the big, wooden dhows sail by on the water.
When in Rome ....
Just like the other emirates, Dubai is predominantly Muslim. Islams timeless values form the basis of inhabitants culture and lifestyle. The population consists of 57% Muslims, 20% Hindus, 20% Catholics, and 3% of other denominations. Dubai prides itself as being a hospitable country that stays true to its traditions. The city features many mosques, and residents usually wear traditional clothing. Unlike most other Middle Eastern countries, Dubai has a relaxed dress code, but please be mindful to wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees when venturing into public or religious buildings. In public, however, you are free to wear what you wan as long as it is not too daring. Bathing suits as well as bikinis are acceptable at swimming pools.
For the rest, pork is taboo, and alcohol is only served in hotels or certain bars and clubs. Foreign residents may apply for a special drinking licence with which one can purchase alcohol at a licensed liquor store. Supermarkets sometimes have a separate corner where you can buy pork and pork products.
Other religions are respected, as evidenced by Dubais two Christian churches, as well as its various mandirs and Hindu temples. You will not, however, find a synagogue: the UAE does not recognize Israeli passports, and will thus not allow Israelis to enter.
Family means everything to the Arab community. As such, hospitality and respect are important values. Visitors to Dubai will be surprised to find themselves charmed by the true warmth and friendliness of the citys residents.
Ramadan
During the Holy Month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. Eating, drinking, and smoking during daylight hours is absolutely forbidden. Alcohol may not be served during this period, except to non-Muslims in certain restaurants or bars, and then only after sundown.
Cuisine of Dubai
The Arabic kitchen offers a great diversity of smells and colourful dishes, the ingredients of which are made with indigenous herbs and spices. Onions, garlic, pepper, cinnamon, fresh herbs such a mint and coriander, lambs meat, chicken, fish, rice, couscous, prunes, and dates are just a handful of examples.
Try hummus (a paste made from peas and sesame), or grape leaves stuffed with rice.
The welcoming drink is Arabic coffee (ghawa) with cardamom. The pot contains a heated, jet black form of coffee that is poured into small, earless cups and offered to the guest. Always accept two to three cups, then shake your cup from side to side to indicate that you do not want any more coffee to be served.
The European and Asian kitchens are also represented quite well in the Emirates. Be careful to note, however, that tap water is, for the most, not drinkable.
Restaurant suggestions Dubai
Al Mahara (Burj Al Arab hotel)
A three-minute walk along a huge aquarium filled with exotic fish brings you to the seafood restaurant Al Mahara. A thousand-and-one-night ambiance with mouth-watering dishes.
Reservations: +971 43017600
Al Dawaar
Restaurant on the 25th floor of the Hyatt Regency hotel that rotates and offers a spectacular view of the city, the Gulf, and the nearby emirate Sjarjah.
Nina (One Only Royal Mirage)
Indo-Arabic restaurant with a beautiful decor of colourful lanterns and richly draped fabrics.
Almina Siyahi street - Tel: +971 43999999
Buddha Bar
An Eastern ambiance with a view of the Persian Gulf. The Buddha Bar has two storeys, and offers access to a restaurant, a bar, and a loungeeach in its own style. Not particularly cheap, but the atmosphere is outstanding, they play live music, the food is delicious, and the decor is one in a million.
Al Sofouh Road, Grosvenor House
Noodle House Madinat
Popular restaurant with a truly beautiful view. Also good for a quick drink.
Sheikh Zayed Road
BiCE (hotel Jumeirah)
Italian restaurant, a bit odd of course, but the kitchen and service are truly outstanding.
Dont forget to make a reservation: +971 43991111
Getting around in Dubai
A flight from London takes about five hours and change. Dubai International Airport (DBX) lies to the south of Deira and has the capacity to handle over 70 million people. You must possess a valid passport that does not expire less than six months before the time of your return. Those in possession of a Dutch, German, or Belgian passport do not need a visa to enter Dubai, and will receive an entry permit stamp in their passports, which allows for a stay of up to 30 days in the UAE.
Taxi travel is the most useful for tourists, as well as the easiest and cheapest. Most taxi companies are under the supervision of the government and use a GPS system instead of a taxi meter.
Should you still want to rent a car, you must hold an international driving license.
An interesting way to travel between Deira and Bur Dubai is to take the abra, or water taxi.
Administration and economy of Dubai
Abu Dhabi (capital of the UAE) and Dubai are the largest and most important emirates in the federation. The seat of the federal government resides in Abu Dhabi, along with the countrys largest oil-industry centre, while Dubai is the primary centre of commerce, handling trade agreements that span the globe. Abu Dhabi and Dubai are the only emirates with veto rights over critical matters in the purview of the UAE.
The current administrator of Dubai is Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is both the Premier and Vice President of the UAE itself.
The national currency is the Dirham, which consists of 100 fils. The Dirham is linked to the US dollar. Euros are accepted, but preference is given to the dollar. Dubai residents do not pay tax, which makes it both very attractive and significantly cheaper. Gold, silver, and cigarettes in particular are much more affordable. National as well as international banks have set up shop in Dubai, and money exchange and transfer offices can now be found everywhere.
For the government, schools, and a number of other organisations, Thursday and Friday are considered the weekend, and they are therefore closed. Business hours for stores and offices are often 8 AM to 1 PM, then from 4 PM to 9 PM.
Dubai has about 1 million residents, 79% of which are part of the active labour force. The official language is Arabic, but of course English is spoken fluently as well.
With a crime rate of practically zero, Dubai is one of the safest destinations in the world.
Sights of Dubai
Bur Dubai en Souks
Bur Dubai is the old part of the city and is known for its architecture, cosy alleyways, and Souks. Souks are traditional markets that have not let themselves be influenced by the citys rapid development. From colourful Herb Souk, to sweet-smelling Perfume Souk, to even an Electronic Souk, visiting this part of the city is certainly worth a day trip.
Dubai also has 350 jewellery stores, 250 of which are located in the Gold Souk in Deira. Whats more, Dubai is known for the purity of its gold and best price, as well as retention of quality.
Fort Al Fahidi & Dubai Museum
The Dubai Museum lies in a beautifully restored Fort Al Fahidi, and is recommended for those who have never visited Dubai before. The fort, built in 1799 to defend the city, served as both a palace and a prison.
Dubai Desert
Of course, a visit to the desert is, no doubt, an absolute must. It is a unique experience combining a 4-wheel ATV drive over the sand dunes with a camelback tour, belly dancing, henna designers, falconing, and a barbecue dinner under the stars to top it all off. Keep an eye out for any sign reading Fish for Sale....
Rockpools Hatta
After an hour and a half of driving through terrain that betrays no sign of human life you will arrive in a decor of steep rock walls with crystal-clear water pools teeming with colourful fish and cawing birds. An experience that will put you back in touch with nature.
Hotel Burj al Arab,
The only seven-star, and at 321 metres tall, also the tallest hotel in the world. This imposing tower of Arabia rises up from the azure-blue water, demanding awe and respect even from the rich and famous with the indescribable class and luxury offered by its hotel. A nice touch: In total, this hotel contains some two square kilometres of gold leaf. All that glitters is real gold!
Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House
A renovated museum in the former residence of the Sheikh. The building dates from 1800 and is a brilliant example of regional Arabic architecture.
Tea houses
We recommend you visit one of the hundreds of tea houses and take a stab at the Shisha: smoking a water pipe.
Jumeirah Moskee
The Jumeirah Mosque was renovated in 1998, and, with the tallest minaret in the city, is another great example of Islamic architecture. Tours every Thursday and Sunday morning at 10.
Bastakiya
In this historic neighbourhood you can find old wind catchers that used to provide cooling for the houses.
Activities in Dubai
Ski Dubai
An astoundingly large ski hall with 22500 square metres of real snow, 365 days a year.
www.skidxb.com/English/default.aspx
Wild Wadi Water Park
Dubais largest tourist attraction, with 23 slides and an artificial rainstorm. www.wildwadi.com
Shopping
Dubai is a shopping paradise. In any one of the many modern shopping malls you can find anything ranging from Porsche to skin-care cream. Deira City Centre Shopping Mall, Wafi Centre Shopping Mall.
Plantation Khawaneej
Here you can experience how people lived and worked in Dubai in the past.
Beachlife
Many beaches belong to hotels and resorts. For a small fee you can use these beaches and all its facilities. There are also public beaches, such as Corniche and the Creek, where they offer a wide variety of watersports. Sailing and windsurfing are particularly popular in Dubai.
Horseback riding
Indeed, on Arabian purebreds. Every year, Dubai hosts the most luxurious horse race in the world: the Dubai World Cup, with a prize of 15 million dollars.
Golfen in Dubai
Dubai is one of the worlds most spectacular golf destinations. Golfers have a wide selection of challenging courses. The impressive golfing clubs and their impeccably tidy green in the middle of the desert are worth a visit, even for non-golfers www.dubaigolf.com
Emirates Golf Club
This 36-hole golf course is the home of the world-renowned Dubai Desert Classic, and has a clubhouse built in the shape of a Bedouin tent. The subtitle, Wonder of the Desert is a rightly-held title, seeing as its impressive landscape is home to hundreds of indigenous flora and fauna.
Dubai Creek Golf and yacht club
Opened in 1993, this 18-hole course is situated on a beautiful location at the Creek and is surrounded by water hazards and sand bunkers. Also has a 9-hole Par-3 lane course with a stylish clubhouse.
Jebel Ali Golf Course
A beautiful 9-hole golf course that is not to be missed. Situated in the exotic landscape of the Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa, with a fantastic view of the Persian Gulf.
The Desert Course
Designed by Ian Baker-Finch and Jack Nicklaus, a real desert course that compares to Palmsprings and Scotsdale GC. A challenge for golfers of any level.
Montgomerie Golf
Challenging 18-hole golf course, designed by Colin Montgomerie and located in the prestigious Emirates Hills Estate.
Nad al Sheba Golf & Racing Club
The first golf club in the Middle East that has all 18 holes lit in the evening.
A traditional Links-style golf course designed around eight small lakes, where accuracy and finesses are more important than range.
Al Badia Golf Resort
The recently-finished 18-hole golf course, built on the banks of the Dubai Creek, is the first golf course featuring environmentally-friendly, salt-tolerant paspalum grass. A challenging course for golfers of any level.
Hyatt Golf Park
An 18-hole golf course connected to the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
National holidays in Dubai
- 1 January - New Years Day
- 6 August - The Prophets Ascension
- 2 December - National holiday (celebration of the seven unified emirates in 1971)
- 25 December- Christmas
- Ramadan (differs every year)
- Breaking of the Fast (follows Ramadan)
- Eid al-Adha- Pilgrims Tour to Mecca (differs every year)
- Hejra - Islamic New Years Day (differs every year)
Highlights Dubai Calender
There are many events year-round in Dubai which merit naming. Below you will find a list of the most important ones.
- January : Dubai Marathon, Dubai Shopping Festival, Dubai International Jazz Festival, Emirates Cup Traditional Dhow Sailing Race, Dubai International Sailing Week Regatta
- February : Dubai Terry Fox Run, Dubai Tennis Championships
- March : Dubai Dessert Golf Classic, Dubai World Cup, Dubai International Kite Surfing Challange
- April : International Jewellery Exhibition
- May : Local and international events
- June : Dubai Summer Surprises, UAE National Sailing Championship
- July : Dubai Summer Surprises
- August : Dubai Summer Surprises
- September : Local and international events
- October : Gulf IT Exhibition (GITEX), UAE Desert Challange
- November : Horse racing saeson, Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Race
- December : Rugby 7s, Dubai Air Show, Dubai Grand Prix, National Day celebrations
Climate and timezone Dubai
Dubai has a warm and humid subtropical climate. This means you can enjoy clear, sunny skies all year round. Between November and March, evenings are cooler and can bring on a few tropical rainstorms. Average annual precipitation is about 100mm, and average humidity is about 60%.
In the winter (January), daily afternoon highs reach about 24 degrees. Summers (July) see much warmer weather, with a daily high of about 40. In some extreme cases temperatures can reach as high as 48.
The time difference is +3 hours (GMT +4) in the winter and +2 hours (GMT +3) in the summer. Dubai does not follow Daylight Saving Time.