Jumeirah Beach Park

Jumeirah Beach Park is the first beach park in Dubai and is one of best known beaches in Dubai with crystal white sand and turquoise blue water. Actually it’s a single soft unending carpet of sand dispersed with hotels, clubs and public access areas. The beach park is an ideal location for people of all ages as a picnic spot with kid’s recreation area, games area and restaurants / food courts jewelling the area. For a family picnic you can get together at the picnic tables, have a small barbecue, children can play at the kid’s area while you can relax or swim at the beachfront. Alert lifeguards, special swimming pools and showers are available whenever you are in the mood to swim. There’s even a small amphitheatre to showcase live musical or stage performances. Palm promenades and small wooden seats complete the picturesque view. If you want to visit this God gifted marvelous place, then Dubai government charges Dhs 2 per person or Dhs 20 per vehicle. The park is open from 8.00am to 9.00pm daily with Saturday’s and Sunday’s especially reserved for women and children.

Al Mazmar Beach Park

The conceptualization behind Palm Islands, World Islands have always surprised us and the same idea takes over behind the construction of the man made Al Mazmar Beach Park. An all-in-one beach projects its amusement, relaxation and pleasure all at one place. Covering 106 hectares its includes huge expanses of green coverage, an amphitheatre, numerous swimming pools, kid’s play areas, picnic and barbecue spots, lagoons and several beaches served by alert lifeguards and all the necessary luxury options. Al Mazmar Beach Park is not just about lazing at the beaches or playing watersports but also includes enjoying the different green zones, relaxing under the trees, laying out the picnic basket, flying the kites or playing football. Colors merge together at the Al Mazmar Beach Park which is open from 8.00am to 11.00pm daily except Thursday’s and Friday’s. Wednesday’s are reserved for women and children.

When we talk of future architectural structures in Dubai, it can literally be termed as ‘eccentric’ because creativity and imagination here know no boundaries. Designed in all shapes and sizes, you get to experience in present, what ’star trek’ kind of future will be in Dubai. Eye popping images and unthought-of intelligence behind the building structures are better seen to be believed. Here are some structures that probably will stand the test of time in near future.

0-14 Tower

A 22 storied building pricked with 1326 ‘holes’ strangely reminds you of a sponge or cheese cube. This unusual structure has been designed by Reiser for Dubai Business Bay that encompasses about 200 towers along with 0-14 tower. At a single look, these holes may be found random, but watch closely and you will realize that they are placed in a systematic diagonal angle. The building is expected to be complete by August 2009.

Al Sharq Tower

A beautiful twist in architectural definitions, Al Sharq tower is made of nine compact cylindrical towers interconnected with each other challenging sky limits making it the tallest tower on Sheikh Zayed Road at 360 meters, when built. SOM has designed the structure which is under construction.

Almas Tower (Diamond Tower)

Still under construction the tall towering building of Almas Tower or Diamond Tower, is supposed to be the second tallest building after Burj Dubai. Made up of 74 floors, 4 of them will be service floors while remaining will be commercial. Built on an artificial island, the Almas Tower will be the nucleus of the Jumeirah Lake estate development. It is being built by Nakheel Properties and has been designed by Atkins architects. Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) has already moved it offices in the unfinished construction that is expected to be completed in 2009.

Aperiron Hotel

Aperiron Hotel is a futuristic 7-star hotel to be built by Sybarite Ltd on the lines of Burj Al Arab. Standing on its own lagoon about 300-350 meters from Dubai beachside, the hotel will be accessible only by yacht or helicopter. The 28 floors above ground will provide all the luxury facilities and amenities expected from a 7-star hotel including a crescent lagoon cultivated with its flora & fauna like underwater sea world to create a dramatic ambience for the guest.

Arabian Blade

The Arabian Blade has been designed by Claudio Catalano and will be used for residential, hospitability and commercial purposes. A triangular, sky pointing structure its design has been inspired by the arrangement of plants with several layers integrated in one unit.

Dubai Promenade

The Dubai Promenade is a hole shaped structure to be built on a man made island along with a series of Channel Towers located in between the Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah primarily for hospitability purposes. While the Channel Towers include residential apartments, the wheel structure will house the 5-star “Icon Hotel”. Along with this a variety of luxury facilities and retail services that come along with Nakheel properties will also be available.

Dubai City Tower/Dubai Vertical City

A twisted cone shaped structure spiraling towards the sky can be one of the greatest excesses of Dubai if realized. If ever built it will taller than Burj Dubai and the second tallest building envisioned after X-Seed 4000. The building will comprise of 400 floors that can be accessed by a bullet train reaching a speed of 200 km/h. Six curled structures will be wrapped around a central core every 100 floors. It will consume 37,000MWH of electricity per year supplied by solar, thermal and wind energy.

Dubai Towers

Four towers swirling the sky tip in the shape of a timid flame, Dubai Towers is an artist’s imagination named as Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates. Constructed for mixed use, its completion date is estimated at end-2009 by its developer Sama Dubai. This project is a major part of the “The Lagoons” consisting of seven inter-linked artificial islands near the Dubai Creek. Ranging from 57 to 94 stories it will comprise of residential apartments, hotel, offices, retail spaces and restaurants.

Emaar Towers

Standing at the doorway of Burj Dubai development, Emaar Towers is located right across the street from Burj Dubai; tallest tower in the world. Sheets of skins with sweeping lines merging together at 42nd and 34th floors of the two towers, the design has been textured keeping in mind the traditional Islamic traditions. As they reach the top, the sheets bend together to melt with each other. Designed by Aedas, its primarily made for commercial use.

Golden Dome

The Golden Dome, as the name suggests is a golden plated semi-circular dome standing tall at 455 meters high with 2.2 million of surface area. One of the largest buildings in terms of surface area, it will host 3,000 luxury townhomes, 1,000 room luxury star hotel, 500 offices, 50,000 sq.mtr convention and sports arena, a 23,000 space car park and a shopping mall. A 120 floor dome, modern navigation wagons will transport five elevators with people in them to the necessary floor.

Hydropolis

Hydropolis is an ambitious project undertaken by Prof. Roland Dieterle to be the world’s first underwater luxury resort. A self proclaimed 10-star resort with the most advanced hospitability facilities which includes 220 suites, villas, shopping malls, cinema theatre, children’s seaworld, and restaurant and missile defense security, Hydropolis is estimated to cost £300 million. As big as London’s Hyde Park, the resort is located 20 meters beneath the surface and shaped in a petal from the outside to benefit open-sky events. Designed by Joachim Hauser it has been completely assembled in Germany and re-construction work has been proposed to be started again in 2009.

Infinity tower

Promoted as the tallest tower with a 90 degree twist, The Infinity Tower is designed by SOM and constructed for mixed use. Standing 80 stories and 330 meters high, it will house luxury apartments, pools, state-of-art gymnasium, conference rooms, tennis courts and a luxury spa. Due to its design, each apartment faces a different direction with a breathtaking view depending on which ‘angle’ of the tower it is situated.

Lam Tara Towers

The Lam Tara Towers, currently under construction is a complex of two towers situated across Sheikh Zayed Road each escalating at 60 and 70 stories respectively. Totally they measure a height of 360 meters with construction planned to be completed by 2010.

Lighthouse

An environmentally conscious decision to make a Green Building that sustains its architecture with the help of the sun as well as lowering its dependency on energy and water by 65%. A low carbon commercial tower its uses large scale wind turbine and photo voltaic panels to generate renewable energy. A single tower as an image, its in fact a combination of two tower that bridge with each other from level 10 upto its 66th floor.

Nakheel Harbour and Tower

Proposed to be Dubai’s tallest skyscraper,  Nakheel Tower would defy sky limits at 1,400 meters. Located on Sheikh Zayed road and built on the principles of Islamic design, the project also keeps in mind the environmental situation in Dubai; especially strong currents of wind and harsh sunlight. The multimillion Nakheel Tower and Harbour covers 150 hectares, 250,000 m2 of hotels and hospitality space, 100,000 m2 of retail space and sweeping green lush lands with beautiful landscaping.

P-17 Tower

Again a project sustained by Atkins architects, this structure transmits views of a pack of cards arranged methodically in layers. A slim building at just 30 meters it will stand tall at 379 meters when completed by November 2011. Located on Sheikh Zayed Road the inner glass & steel panels of the building slightly tilt sideways protruding a gravity resisting appearance. It will hold about 17 commercial floors, a five star hotel, and 74 serviced and 176 residential apartments.

Porsche Towers

Located in the prime location of Dubai Business Bay, Porsche Towers occupies a 30,000sqm residential tower and an 85,000sqm commercial tower that concatenate to form a project that will include office spaces, cafes, residential apartments, etc. The geometrical designed blocks consist of a square shaped office tower with side wings to minimize sunlight effect and cylindrical shaped residential tower with an atrium as high as the tower itself. The interiors of the towers have been done up by Porsche Design Group while OMA is responsible for outside architecture.

RAK convention and exhibition centre / Dubai Death Star

Dubai Death star is a design by Rem Koolhaas for the RAK convention and exhibition centre which takes its inspiration form ‘death star’ in Star Wars epic. A 44 storey circular structure will land on the new artifical island of Waterfront city. A bizarre and imaginative design, its feasibility is yet to be seen as everything is still at planning stages. Perception of its design depends on everybody’s viewpoint. For some it might be just a geometrical design and for some it’s an elegant pendant.

Trump International Hotel & Tower

The Trump International Hotel & Tower is located on the trunk of the Palm Jumeirah Islands and has been designed by Atkins Middle East. A joint venture between Nakheel properties and Trump organization, the striking sculpture gives us the appearance of two nail shaped structures linked together at the top. It will feature top-class residential, hotel and office facilities all offering a breathtaking view of the Palm Islands and Jumeirah skyline.

Wave Tower

A project by A-cero architects and touted as world’s first sea scraper the design is inspired by the gentle waves of the ocean. This wave shaped curved bridge connects the form to the sea that sits on its own man made island. The tower is planned as a Green Building in the Madinat Al Arab district by the Madrid based architects.

Zaha Hadid Dancing Towers

Just imagine you are creating waves with your palms intertwining both into each other and then the moment freezes. This is exactly what the design of Zaha Hadid Dancing Towers looks like. Three buildings standing tall from the base they bend in the middle to connect with each other in the sky to create a fluid form. Made for mixed use the towers will merge with each other, two at a time serving the purpose of commercial offices, a hotel and residential apartments along with other luxuries. ‘Choreographed architecture’ is the theme behind the design.

The World - Dubai (GFDL / Imre Solt)

The World Islands – Dubai is a set of artificial islands created by man to highlight his standard of luxury. A city that is distinctively different from any other in the world, due to its shape and the vision needed to imagine it. The World Islands are unique because such kind of man made islands can nowhere be found in the world leading to a new rise and expansion in real estate developments. The islands have produced unmatched opportunities for real estate developers and visitors.

The World islands structure which looks hard to imagine, yet is believable because of the 4 major transportation hubs that optimize travel time to Dubai. These hubs are so well located and connected by series of waterways/channels that reaching the Jumeriah beach is a matter of minutes. Also it allows easy access to other islands within the whole city/world helping to organize traffic along the network.

These continents or islands are adaptable and dependent upon the investor who decides its use, size of his estate and configuration. They are divided into four major parts: Low density, Mid-High Density, Resort and Commerical according to their uses. The network and hubs provide the main source of travel through and towards the islands. Both small and large vessels can passage in smoothly connecting various islands, their owners and visitors.

The World Islands can become your permanent home or a family vacation getaway depending on your idea of luxury. These land parcels can be sculpted together to form continents or resort sanctuaries where hoteliers have the full freedom to design their own idea of a perfect luxury resort. Visitors or residencies can enjoy indulge in luxury facilties like boutiques, cafés, restaurants and shopping. All around year sunshine, blue waters and gentle winds flowing through your hair is an ideal thought of a home away from home.

A destination that has showcased that nothing is impossible. Imagination combined with ambition is the only way to achieve your dream – The World Islands.

Gold Souk

Whenever we say the word Dubai, another word from the Oxford dictionary automatically gets affixed to it and i.e. ’shopping’. Shopping in Dubai doesn’t always mean getting more for lesser money, but it also is the enjoyment and fulfillment that you derive from wandering and maybe getting lost in large malls   gold shopping in souks and buying smaller antiques on shopping streets.

A term aptly given to Dubai as the ’shopping capital of Middle East’, doesn’t prove wrong as the city boats of duty free luxury goods compared to their price in western countries. Low custom duties have resulted in the Dubai International Airport being the best visited duty-free airports in the world for last minute shopping.
Shopping in Dubai is divided into three segregates: Shopping Malls, Souks and Shopping Areas. Shopping Malls are visited largely for designer brands and are stylized according to malls in the western countries. Souks are great places if you are looking for gold, clothes and electronic items while shopping areas will provide you the same items at a bargained price.

Mall of The Emirates

Bargaining is unofficially “authorized” in Dubai, even in shopping malls. Utter the word “best price” an you will receive an additional discount on an already discounted item. A good deal depends upon how much you are ready to pay after you should start bargaining. In souks, cut off the shop owner’s price on an item by half which in turn will form the backdrop for a good deal. Some emotional tactics like leaving the shop or refusing to buy the item may result in the shop owner accepting your bargained price.
Along with clothes, designer brands and electronics, there are quite a few people who come to Dubai just to shop for gold specially The Gold Souk in Deira which is the largest retail gold markets in the world. Other than the above mentioned items, you can shop for Arabia dates, sheesha pipes or hookahs, Arabic coffee, Persian carpets and wooden furniture.
The Dubai Shopping Festival in spring and Dubai Summer Surprises in summer are two major events where you will find lot of bargains and other entertainment activities.
Shopping Hours: Shops: 10am to 1pm and 4pm to 9pm. Shopping Malls: 10am to 10pm,
Closed from 11.30am to 1.30pm on Friday for prayers

Some of the best places to visit for shopping:

BurJuman Mall
Highlights: 300 retail shops, designer brands such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, Hermes, Valentino, Emanel Ungaro, Loewe, Etro, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Christian Lacroix, Salvatore Ferragamo and Just Cavalli. Also includes a variety of restaurants, a food court and cafes.
Mall Timings: Saturday to Thursday 10:00 am to 10:00pm & Friday 2:00 p.m. to 10:00pm
All Food & Beverage Outlets: From 10:00am to 11:00 pm daily
Address: BurJuman, PO Box 8022, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Telephone: +971-4-3520222
Fax: +971-4-3510824

Deira City Centre
Highlights: 340 retail shops, Magic Planet entertainment centre, International brands and shops such as Carrefour,   One of the hosts for Dubai Summer Surprises, 11-screen “CineStar Cinemas” theatre, food court encompassing 15 restaurants, direct access to Sofitel City Centre Hotel
Mall Timings: Sunday to Wednesday: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, Thursday to Saturday: 10:00 am to 12:00 midnight
Carrefour: Saturday to Wednesday: 9:00 am to 12:00 midnight, Thursday to Friday: 9:00 am to 1:00 am
CineStar Cinemas: Daily: 10:00 am to 1:00 am
Magic Planet: Daily: 10:00 am to 12:00
Email: dccmarketing@maf.ae
Address: Deira, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Telephone: +971-4-2951010
Fax: +971-4-2953765

The Dubai Mall
Highlights: 1200 retail shops, one of the hosts for Dubai Summer Surprises, Olympic sized ice skating rink, world’s largest aquarium and gold souk, 150 restaurants and cafes serving international cuisine, refreshments and fast food , light and water play at Dubai Fountain.
Mall, Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo Timings: Sunday – Wednesday 10:00 – 22:00, Thursday – Saturday 10:00 – 24:00
Ice Rink: Sunday – Wednesday 10:00 – 22:00, Thursday – Saturday 10:15 – 23.45
Address:  The Dubai Mall Downtown Burj Dubai P.O. Box 113444. Dubai, UAE
Email:  enquiry@thedubaimall.com
Telephone: +971-4-437-3200, +971-4-362-7500
Fax: +971-4-362-7566

Emirates Towers Boulevard
Highlights: 50 retail shops located within Jumeirah Emirates Towers, boutiques of leading designer brands, restaurants and cafes.
Mall Timings: 10.00am to 10.00pm daily, and 4.00pm to 10.00pm on Fridays
Address: PO BOX 72127, DUBAI, UAE
Email:JETemo@jumeirah.com
Telephone: +971-4-3198999, +971-4-3300000
Fax: +971-4-3303030

Festival Waterfront Centre
Highlights: 600 retail shops, 25 flagship stores, 100+ restaurants, cafes and bistros, 12-screen Grand Cinemas multiplex, Bowling city, entertainment centre and parking for 13,000 cars.
Mall Timings: Friday to Saturday 10am until 1am
Address: Festival Centre, Dubai Festival City, P O Box 49776, Garhoud, UAE
Email: martina.boor@dubaifestivalcity.com
Telephone: + 971-4-2325444
Fax: + 971-4-2325667

Ibn Battuta Mall
Highlights: 275 retail shops, 50 restaurants and food outlets, 21-screen cinema theatre, mall divided into various courts such as China Court, India Court, etc, UAE’s only IMAX theatre, “Fitness First” state-of-the-art gymnasium, Geant Hypermarket (a French retail store).
Mall Timings: Sunday to Wednesday: 10am to midnight, Thursday to Saturday: 10am to 1am
Restaurants & Food Court: Saturday to Friday: 10am to midnight
Geant Hypermarket: Saturday to Friday: 9am to midnight
Address: P.O. Box: 261177, Dubai, UAE
Email: info@ibnbattutamall.com
Telephone: +971-4-3621901 or +971-4-3621902
Fax: +971-4-3685140

Mall of Emirates
Highlights: 400 retail shops, International brands and shops such as Carrefour supermarket, Harvey Nichols and Debenhams, Middle East’s first indoor ski slope, Ski Dubai, 14-screen cinema theatre, Al Accad Group’s organic supermarket.
Mall Timings: Sunday – Wednesday: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm, Thursday – Saturday: 10:00 am – 12:00 midnight
Carrefour: 9:00 am – 12:00 midnight every day
Address: Interchange 4, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, Al Barsha, Dubai, UAE
Email: info@malloftheemirates.com
Telephone: +971-4-409 9000, Ski Dubai +971-4-409 4000, Carrefour +971-4-409 4899, Magic Planet +971-4-341 4444, Cinestar Cinemas +971-4-341 4222, DUCTAC +971-4-341 4777
Fax: +971-4 409 9888

Souk Madinat
Highlights: 75 boutique shops, 23 waterfront cafes, bars and restaurants and 442 seating capacity Madinat Theatre.
Mall Timings: Daily 10 am to 11 pm
Address: PO BOX 75157, DUBAI, UAE
Email: MJinfo@jumeirah.com
Telephone: +971 4 3668888
Fax: +971 4 3667788

Wafi Mall
Highlights: 350 retail shops, exclusive shopping and entertainment mall for international brands such as Chanel and Escada for clothes, Edra and VG for furnishings, 30 multi cuisine restaurants, Encounter Zone for kids, Ginseng, China Moon Bar, New Asia Club, Plan B for live entertainment and nightlife pubbing, Cleopatra’s and Medi Spa for luxury and rejuvenation.
Mall Timings: Saturday to Wednesday: 10.00am to 10.00pm, Thursday and Friday: 10.00am to 12.00 midnight
Address: 26th Street  Dubai, UAE
Email: customerservice@wafi.com
Telephone: +971 4 324 4555, Pyramids and Fort Restaurants, Bars and Clubs:+971 4 324 4100, Cleopatra’s Spa:+971 4 324 0000, Pharaohs’ Club: +971 4 324 0251, Raffles Hotel: +971 4 324 8888

Desert Safari in Dubai - AP Photo/Jim Krane

The Arabian city of sun and sand is full of magical surprises and one of them is the premier attraction of Dubai: Desert Safari.
Desert Safari is also known by its colloquial name; Dune Bashing or Dune Drive which explores the sand dunes of Dubai in an off-road vehicle. Generally sport utility vehicles like Toyota Land Cruiser are used as they are at a lesser risk of getting stuck in the sand. The vehicles come with a roll cage as a security measure for the passengers in case the vehicle overturns.
Dune Bashing is not only about thrilling adventure of swimming across the sand dunes in 4X4 vehicles but involves hoards of other options such as Quad Bike Safari, Camel Safari, Dune Buggy Safari, Night Safari, Falconary and Sand Boarding. Whichever option you choose it is always packaged with complimentary attractions such as Arabic belly dancing, Henna Tattoos, BBQ dinner, refreshments, Sheesha and camel ride. So as a whole you get an exhilarating experience that is worth every penny spent. Dubai vacation without a Dune Bashing ride is never complete.

Desert Safaris companies categorize their packages into three: Morning, Evening and Overnight Safaris.

The Morning Safaris:  take you up the sand dunes at Dubai outskirts early in the morning, after which you are let into experiencing the most wonderful and roller coaster ride of dune bashing in a SUV vehicle. Later on you may be given the choice of trying Quad biking, camel riding or sand skiing. Refreshments and snacks are provided by the tour company itself and by noon you will be back to Dubai.

Quad Bike Desert Safari

The Evening Safaris:  lasts till late night and dune bashing in this case is not much different from Morning Safaris. The difference lies in the events that happen thereafter. After the dune bashing is over with you will be served with dinner which differs according to the tour company. But BBQ is the highlight of Evening Safaris along with Buffets and vegetarian options. Women try their hand at Arabic henna tattoos while the men try to puff in the sheesha. You will also be served with Arabic Coffee (gahwa) and fresh dates and have the chance to dress in traditional Arabic costumes. Opportunities of trying your hand at Quad biking, camel riding or sand skiing depend upon Tour Company. Belly Dancing and Sheesha are not available during the Ramadan month.

Overnight Safaris: are the same as Evening Safari’s except that you get to stay overnight with your group under the moonlit sky in sleeping bags and blankets. Next day breakfast is also included in Overnight Safaris.

Quad Bike Desert Safari: If you are an adventure and sports enthusiast then Quad Bike Safari can really impress you where you control the steering wheel/handlebar. Quad Biking is much more dangerous and experimental version of discovering the sand terrain and its necessary that proper safety gear and briefing about off road driving is taken.

Dune Buggy Desert Safari: Same adrenalin rush of a Quad Bike Desert Safari can be experienced while riding a Dune Buggy which is a recreational vehicle with large wheels and wide tires to be used only on sand. Rolling up and down the sand can be quite mind-blowing as you challenge the dunes. Minimum age needed is 15 years and proper safety gear and briefing about off road driving should be taken.