Dubai

WHERE TO STAY:

Hotels here are both business centers and resorts. Just about every major hotel chain in the world is represented and more are on the way. Some properties, such as the new Armani and the Kempinski are located in soaring skyscrapers that also house offices, shopping malls, and a variety of exciting attractions. Others are built by the sea and include full resort and spa facilities as well. As many of the leading restaurants, bars and clubs are located in hotels, chances are good that you will have an opportunity to visit several and experience their cutting edge amenities.

• BURJ AL ARAB: One of the most over-the-top hotels in the world! The soaring sail shaped building that stands on its own man-made island is a symbol of Dubai's progressive modernity. Service, facilities, decor and restaurants are all unique and outrageous. It defies any hotel in the world to match its luxury and opulence. A heli pad, a fleet of Rolls Royces and a dancing fountain at the entrance and a giant water- fall in the lobby set the scene for guests who are spoiled from the first minute they land in the airport. Each suite has its own butler to pack and unpack, run your bath, and cater to your every whim at any hour of the day or night. Exquisite restaurants offering everything from sushi to gourmet cuisine, a spa, and a private beach are also part of the sybaritic honeymoon experience. This is for couples who love luxury and can afford it. Spending some honeymoon nights here guarantees unforgettable honeymoon memories.

  Tel: (971) 4 301 7777
  Email:
  
  

• WESTIN MINA SEYAHI RESORT & MARINA: The perfect combination for business and pleasure travellers. Indoors, you'll find spacious, ultra comfortable rooms, a variety of wonderful restaurants, and a spa along with every possible perk for making honeymoons happy. Outdoors, is a full fledged, seaside resort and marina with a sprawling garden shaded by graceful palms and lovely open air seaside restaurant. When the desert heat ramps up, you can take a cooling dip in the clear waters of the Arabian Gulf just steps away from your lounge chair or stop for a light meal in the breezy seaside restaurant overlooking the water.

  Tel: (971) 4 399 41 41
  Website:
  
  

HONEYMOON TRAVEL TIPS:

HONEYMOON TIPS

• LANGUAGE: The official language is Arabic but English is widely spoken.
• CURRENCY: Dirham. Banks are open Saturday-thursday from 8:00 a.m.- l:00 p.m.
• AREA CODE: 009 714.
• ELECTRICITY: 220/240 volts, 40 cycles, same as Great Britain. U.S. appliances need an adapter.
• DRIVING: Driving is on the left. Be careful to keep the speed limit as hidden cameras can issue tickets automatically.
• SHOPPING: Dubai is Duty Free throughout. Many shops close from ll:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. but all are open until 9:00 p.m. every night.
• MEDICINES: Many medicines, even some which are sold over-the-counter elsewhere, are banned here. Make sure that you bring a doctor's perscription or letter for everything you need.

HELPFUL HONEYMOON HINTS

• CUSTOMS: Here are a few local customs that you should be sure to follow:
  • Dress: Don't wear revealing clothes, tank tops, low necklines, short shorts or revealing clothes in public places.
  • Kissing and fondling in public can make you subject to arrest.
  • Meeting: Women should not shake hands with Arab men. Men can shake if a hand is offered.
  • Alcoholic beverages are only available in hotels.
• WEEKENDS: Fridays are the day of rest. Friday and Saturday are the weekend.
• TIPPING: Check that restaurant bills include service. If not, a tip of 10% is adequate. Taxi drivers do not expect tips but most passengers leave small change.
• GETTING AROUND: An ultra modern metro can whisk you around town. Taxis are affordable and ferry boats cross the creek. At the airport, pink taxis whose female drivers wear pink uniforms are for women and children.
• NIGHTCLUBS: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights are prime time when you can dance until 3:00 a.m. Some clubs are segregated into Arabic, Western, Indian, and Filipino clientele. Check with your concierge.
• RAMADAN: Muslims fast from dawn to dusk during this sacred holy month which falls on different dates every year. Visitors can dine in hotels throughout the day.
• BARGAINING: Most mall stores have fixed prices but bargaining is the a custom in typical souks (markets) and street stalls. Be patient and enjoy it. You'll save lots of money on items for your new home.

DON'T MISS:

There won't be a dull honeymoon moment unless you want one. Dubai offers such a wide variety of things to do that you'll have many left over for an anniversary trip. Get a taste of life in the desert by visiting a Bedouin village. Watch sports you've never seen or practice your favorites. Ski on snow or on soaring sand dunes. Dine in one of the world's most luxurious hotels. Shop in centuries old markets (souks) or ultra modern malls. Visit internationally famous art galleries. (Dubai is the art center of the Middle East.) Desert Adventures (www.desertadventures.com) can make it easy to do it all.

• GET OUT TO THE MALL: Malls here are sights to see. Many house state-of- the art, multi-floor hotels and offices and some of the area's major attractions as well as hundreds of world class shops and boutiques. For example, The Dubai Mall has over 1,000 shops, an olympic sized skating rink, a giant Cineplex and a Cyber World. Mall of the Emirates has a ski resort with runs for every skill level and a 400 room Kempinski Hotel as well as plenty of fashionable stores and restaurants. Typical souks are choc full of local handicrafts and treasures. This is truly a shoppers' paradise. Everything is Duty Free!
• SKIING: This may be the only place in the world that you can choose to ski on snow or sand! At Ski Dubai in Mall of the Emirates, you can rent cold weather clothes and equipment (Bring your own hat and gloves!,) then step into the snow covered wonderland complete with a chair lift, 5 ski runs and a ski school. Non skiiers who want to experience snow can build snow men, have a snowball "fight" or go tobogganing. The slopes are sometimes open until midnight! Or, you can go into the desert with a snowboard and snowboard down high sand dunes. Be sure to wear light pants!
• VISIT THE SPICE MARKET AND THE GOLD MARKET: Get a taste of days gone by as you stroll the covered alleyways of these two centuries old souks. Taste juicy fresh desert dates and exotic spices at old fashioned shops, the prepared to be awed at the Gold Market shops next door. All that glitters is gold here and the price per carat is posted on an anachronistic ticker tape high above the ancient front gate. Gold comes in 14-24 carats and prices here are among the world's lowest. Shops close from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
• BASTAKIYA ART & CULTURAL CENTER: A cluster of small houses, wind towers and narrow streets dating back hundreds of years is a heritage area that is now a series of shops and art galleries. Their annual Art Fair complements the intera- tionally famous Art Dubai Fair. A small restaurant in the courtyard is a perfect place to cool off and enjoy a snack after sightseeing.
• RIDE THE METRO: It's amazing! Stations are air conditioned inside and out. Each train has wireless Internet access and cell phone reception. Buy a First Class (Gold Class) ticket to enjoy comfortable leather seats in the front of the train. This is not only a great way to get around but also a perfect opportunity to see spectacular city views.
• FIND YOUR FAVORITE SPORT OR TRY A NEW ONE: Championship golf courses, tennis courts, sailing, windsurfing, fishing and diving (Bring your credentials.) are easy to find. You can also try sand skiing over high dunes, take a camel ride, drive over high desert dunes, watch a polo game or a hawking expert, or swim with dolphins.
• SEE IT FROM THE TOP: Panoramic city views can take your breath away and help you get oriented. The 40th floor of Burj Dubai, the world's highest building, is the perfect place to begin. For a romantic view after dark, have a drink at the bar at Grosvenor House Hotel where you can see sparkling city lights spread out below you as you listen to soft piano music.

ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS:

Dubai dining covers the world. Everything from Burger King and small cafes to gourmet meals and state-of-the-art restaurants is available. Because of Dubai's large foreign population, just about every major ethnic cuisine can be found. If you want alcoholic beverages or wine with your meal, dine in one of the spectacular hotel restaurants. Many offer money saving pris fixe menus. Some also offer cooking classes where couples can learn to make their favorite dishes. Reservations and stylish resort wear are suggested for evening meals.

• BLUE ELEPHANT: Reserve a table beside the stream that runs through this unusual restaurant which is decorated in an opulent Oriental style. It's famous for sumptuous portions of Thai cuisine and international dishes. You'll feel as if you took a trip to Asia and there will be enough money left to go out on the town after dinner. Al Bustan Rotana Hotel. Tel: (04) 282 0000
• SHIMMERS: Romance reigns supreme at this stylish restaurant right on the beach. Linger over a delicious dinner of light Arabian food as you listen to the soothing murmur of soft waves and share your dreams under the stars. Mina A'Salam. Tel: (04) 336 8888
• RODEO GRILL: An elegant, world class steak house with a modern decor sets the tone for a delicious dinner of prime meats, made-to-order Caesar salads, and tempting desserts. You can watch your meal being prepared in an open kitchen, then enjoy circumspect service as you savor the tastes. Al Bustan Rotana Hotel. Tel: (04) 282 0000
• LATINO HOUSE: Have a drink at the sophisticated bar on the mezzanine before going downstairs to dine. You can opt for a table by the lake in the middle of the complex or linger over dinner indoors. Delicious Latin American cuisine is prepared over an open grill. Al Muraj Rotana Hotel & Suites. Tel: (04)321 1111
• ITALIAN BICE: The tastes of Italy--pasta, meats and seafood--are all here in a trendy modern setting. You'll feel as if you're in Europe and you'll want to stay for dessert and coffee to make the night last longer. Hotel Dubai Jumeirah. Tel: (04) 399 1111
• HUNTER'S ROOM & GRILL: Contemporary style, exotic meats from through- out the world, appetizers and side dishes with gourmet flair and a refined atmos- phere make this restaurant easy to love. Stop in Oeno, a lively wine bar, for a drink before dinner. Westin Mina Seyahi. Tel: (04)399 1111

DESTINATION WEDDINGS:

• Coming soon!