| Introducing Dubai | | | | and back. Then saunter along the waterfront trail, |
| The City of Dubai forms one of the seven emirates of | | | | which runs between the waters of the Gulf and |
| the UAE. The city sits on the southern coast of the | | | | verdant Creekside Park. Here you'll find fishing piers, |
| Persian Gulf. As recently as the 1950's Dubai was a | | | | gardens, mini-golf and a cafe. |
| georgic quiet trading and fishing town. Since those | | | | 2. Dubai Museum |
| times thanks mostly to huge oil riches a soaring skyline | | | | Al Faheidi Fort, built in the eighteenth century, is home |
| has emerged. Everything is larger, taller, and more | | | | to the Dubai Museum, which has an impressive |
| spectacular, at times even supernal. Concrete and | | | | collection of cultural, military and artistic finds. The fort, |
| glass towers emerge out of the sterile desert sands | | | | Dubai's oldest still standing building, was originally built to |
| and fantasy islands have been built in the sea, created | | | | defend the town from pirates. These days visitors can |
| in the shape of trees or even a map of the world. | | | | see alabaster statues, traditional musical instruments, |
| | | | pearl diving tools, clay pots and copper jewelry. |
| The air is sizzylingly hot making it necessary that all | | | | Situated on the south waterfront of Dubai creek. |
| indoor areas are air-conditioned all year round. In | | | | 3. Gold Souk |
| wintertime, Dubai has a superb climate, warm and | | | | Whether or not you're considering to purchase, a visit |
| pleasant, guaranteed beach weather. From April | | | | to the dazzling Gold Souk is a must. The stores offer |
| onwards temperatures can easily hit 40C, tiresomely | | | | incredible amounts of jewels, gold, platinum, silver and |
| hot. | | | | diamonds. It's a sensible idea to negotiate. All along the |
| Dubai Cruise Port | | | | alleys of the gold souk, each store display is full with |
| Early in 2010 a modern cruise facility was opened as | | | | gold necklaces, earrings, bracelets, watches and rings. |
| part of an extensive redevelopment of the ageing Port | | | | Gold prices are amongst the lowest in the world. |
| Rashid area. The modern terminal covers 3450 square | | | | Situated on the north bank of Dubai Creek. |
| meters and is planned to manage four ships at the | | | | 4. Jumeirah Park |
| same time thus allowing a rising number of visiting | | | | Jumeirah Beach boasts clean soft sand and clear |
| ships. | | | | waters. The beach is sometimes very crowded. |
| Ornate inscriptions, domes and arches are the main | | | | Facilities available include lifeguards, toilets, food outlets, |
| architectural elements of the exterior facade. This | | | | picnic areas, playground and showers. Mondays are |
| frontage of the modern terminal is of traditional Arabic | | | | set aside for women and children only. The park is |
| architecture, and reflects Dubai's long heritage as a | | | | situated around 2 miles in a southerly direction from the |
| trading center. The cruise terminal contains many | | | | cruise port. |
| services like duty free shop, currency exchange, a | | | | 5. The Desert |
| post office, ATMs, business center and souvenir | | | | Sample the desert outside the city with a four wheel |
| shops. | | | | drive safari. After the ride visit a traditional bedouin |
| The cruise terminal offers two free bus shuttles, one | | | | village and eat a feast with belly dancing for |
| to Mercato Mall and City Center, leaving every hour. | | | | entertainment. |
| 5 Best Things to Do in Dubai (Editor's Choice!) | | | | Picking a Cruise From Dubai |
| 1. Dubai Creek and Creekside Park | | | | A typical itinerary is a tour of the Gulf of Arabia visiting |
| Dubai Creek, which separates Dubai's Deira and Bur | | | | interesting cities like Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Muscat and |
| Dubai portions, is a saltwater inlet which is busy all the | | | | Fujairah. More extensive cruises to Far East and India |
| time with dhows disemboguing to India, East Africa and | | | | are also on offer. Another possibility is a cruise to the |
| Arabia. Jump on a water taxi for a trip up the Creek | | | | Mediterranean. |