Waking up in the Emirates tomorrow

We spent our annual sister holiday in the United Arab Emirates this year and took an overnight flight to Dubai, where we landed early in the morning. After we passed the visa control, where we showed our passports, they stamped them, and we could leave the airport – easy peasy! During the following days, we explored the city’s main attractions, went on a day tour to Abu Dhabi, and joined a (very touristic) desert safari one afternoon.

Since we did a lot of sightseeing in the first few days and didn’t spend much time at the hotel, we stayed at Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Lakes Towers. Although it is a bit outside the city center, it is easy to get there by metro via the Jumeirah Lakes Towers station. From there, it is just a short 5-minute walk to the hotel. And for the last three days, when we only wanted to relax and tan, we stayed at Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai.

Things to do in Dubai

Climb to the top of Burj Khalifa, the largest building in the world and one of the main attractions of the city

Marvel at 150 million different flowers at the world’s largest natural flower garden, Dubai Miracle Garden

Go (window) shopping at Dubai Mall, the largest mall in the world by total land area, and combine your shopping experience with a visit to the Aquarium

Hop over to Palm Jumeirah and see the luxury hotel resort Atlantis, The Palm, the first resort built on the island

Visit Ski Dubai, the Middle East’s first indoor ski resort and snow park at the Mall of the Emirates

Things to do in Abu Dhabi

Admire the outstanding architecture of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the country’s largest mosque and home to the world’s largest carpet (dress appropriately!)

Visit the Observation Deck at 300 at Etihad Tower’s second tower for some of the city’s best views

Experience the traditional way of life in the desert in pre-modern UAE at Heritage Village

Walk in the footsteps of Arab luxury during a visit to the Emirates Palace, the world’s most expensive hotel

Try an extensive selection of dried fruits, nuts & sweets at the Abu Dhabi Dates Market