Fred Mawer's Dubai Report - Need To Know
Posted On
04.04.07
Dubai is spread out Most holidaymakers stay in hotels by the beach in Jumeirah, up to 16km (10 miles) from Dubai Creek (the city centre). However, taxis are fairly cheap – that 16-km ride will cost around £9/€13 – and hotels run free shuttle buses to some malls. Drivers in Dubai are reckless, and the death toll on roads is high: tell your driver to slow down if necessary. Try to avoid travel at rush hours (7am–9am, 5pm–8pm), when the ever-worsening traffic can be at a virtual standstill.
What to wear Compared to most Muslim countries, Dubai is ultra-liberal. However, you’ll look out of place in skimpy clothes in the city centre (and you’ll be chilly in the malls, where the air-conditioning can be ferocious). Topless sunbathing is forbidden by law.
Shopping Malls typically open 10am to 10pm, except on Fridays when most open in the afternoon. Haggling is expected in the souks, but unlikely to get you far in the malls.
Eating out You can easily pay £40/€58 a head for a meal in a luxury hotel. Keep costs down by also eating in malls’ cafés and food courts.
More information The weekly Time Out Dubai magazine is the best source for events, and restaurant reviews; details also on www.timeoutdubai.com. />
Some of the content of the magazine refers to flights or prices from the UK. At Travel Counsellors Ireland we can source flights from Ireland and provide full quotes in Euros. Please call me for latest availability and prices.
