Tips and Tricks when Traveling to Dubai

Now that we are back in the states, we are going to keep up the blog with some of the highlights that we hear about from our Dubai connections. Also, Mike will be heading back in April for a conference, so I'm sure there will be new stories from him. I wonder if there might be another camel ride during his stay?!!

While in Dubai and since our return we have compiled a list of tips which will prove invaluable when you travel to Dubai and/or Oman. Although they are very modern, there are things that can help any businessman or family when coming half-way across the world to a new culture. You might want to save these for your future reference when you take your own Dubai trip!!

CURRENCY: 1. UAE - Dirham (3.67:$1)

2. Omanian Riyal (RO) - this is approx. 10-1 on the Dirham

CELL PHONE: 1. for the very sophisticated traveler I suggest checking out the Star Phone, a very “ahead of the times” option.

2. SIM card obtained with phone wait to buy @ Mall store. You will need to buy additional minutes of 20 to 60 Dirhams.

FLIGHTS: While Emirates Air has thought of every possible convenience, 16 hours is a long flight even in Business Class. It is really difficult for larger people in economy class.

RENTAL CAR: 1. Budget and Avis are always options

2. Requirements for US citizens to cross into Oman – copy of original passport & US license, credit card. Our total cost for a Toyota Fortune (or Privia) / 7 passenger car was 2,082 Dirham (approx $600) Total.

TAXI SERVICE: Prepare to wait…call for a taxi 30-60 minutes in advance and be there to get it or remind the front desk to call your room when it comes. Also note there are some unmarked taxis ???. Ask your hotel for a shuttle schedule. Many offer free shuttle service to various locations.

TOURS/DRIVERS: It is worthwhile to get an introductory tour to the city on day one and you may want to spend a little extra for a driver. Dubai is very difficult to get around and they will go out of their way to help show you the “ropes”. Le Rêve/Arabian Adventures can book this for you.

RESTAURANTS: The standard dinner time is around 8:00 or 8:30, so most are open for lunch from 11:30 – 2:30, dinner from 6:30/7:30 – 11:30, and are closed from 3:30-6:30pm with a few suggestions (Meat House for example). Also, it is also very difficult to find a place for cocktails/wine between these hours.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: Suggest you purchase wine at the airport and save the receipt for proof of where is was purchased. Only residents with a liquor license can purchase monitored amounts of alcohol in specified stores. Hotels (not including service apartments) are the only place allowed to service alcohol with a few exceptions for outside restaurants. Ask the alcohol restriction of the hotel you are staying at when making the reservation if this is important to you.
Water/milk : some chain restaurants including Pizza Hut do not offer either water or milk for the kids. Keep a bottle or 2 extra in your day bag.

SHOPPING: 1. Grocery Store = Supermarket (best ones to get Western product are inside the malls). Some hotels such as the Harbor Apts. offer free grocery shopping service, while others will do your shopping for 20%. Fruits and veggies need to be weighed and marked before getting to check out and note that you have to really select the fruits for freshness.

2. There are some excellent and enormous malls in Dubai such as the Mall of the Emirates, the Ibn Bettuta Mall, and the Dubai Mall. For deals the Ibn Bettuta Mall as well as the Outlets are your best bet.

Wow! We've already been back for a week and have fully transitioned into the California time and culture. The time just flew by, and we still can hardly believe that we spent a month in Dubai taking in the sights and sounds of this incredible destination.

We're Heading Home

Wow, we're home after an unbelievable trip! We can hardly believe that a month has come and gone and that we are back into the swing of things. We are all thankful to be back at home with our friends and family, and our sweet dog Buster, but miss our "Dubai home" and all of the adventures that we had there.

The plane ride went extremely smooth. We woke up at about 5:00 were on the plane by 8:30 and home by 1:00 in the afternoon, California time. We met some pretty interesting people on the plane and got to watch movies and play some pretty fun video games. The boys were excellent travelers by the way! Upon arrival, we made it through customs quickly and were greeted by our son Matt with a sign and everything!

Once we arrived, we simply have been settling in and are back to work and school tomorrow morning. The whole trip to Dubai was an absolutely wonderful experience, one which will touch all of our lives for years to come. We have come away with a much better understanding of other cultures and have been exposed to countless experiences and memories that will forever leave a mark on our lives.

But where does that leave us now? Our Dubai blog will still be running as we find out more about the destination and get updates from many of the people that we made friendships with back there. Also, our next post will be a listing of everything you need to know if you are going to be traveling to Dubai, so don't miss out on that one!

We also are returning to the Southern California Riviera with a new outlook on this amazing destination which we live in. You can keep up with our family and experiences on our Southern California Luxury Travel Blog, as we rediscover the hidden treasures of our own beautiful home.

Thank you again for your support and for following along with our experience in Dubai! Here is a copy of the Welcome Home sign that greeted us at the airport. It was mounted on gold and burgundy poster board so we could all see it!

A Traditional Arabian Night

I realize that we already got to experience the desert on an Arabian Safari, but we loved it so much, that we simply had to return for more. We had already visited two unbelievable desert oasis resorts, the Bab Al Shams and the Al Maha, which are located in the heart of a conservation reserve in the Rab Al Khali desert or "empty quarter." Last night, the Bab Al Shams was gracious enough to invite us back to experience their five-star Arabian experience.
I'm going to add more pictures then normal, because there are just so many "classics" that I want to share!


From the moment of our arrival we felt like we were in the center of a traditional Arabian town. The floors are lined with Arabic carpets to cover the sand and the buffet holds everything from lamb, goat, and lama, to baklava and basmati rice. After a wonderful meal which had something for everyone, even Justin and Dillon, who are pretty standard in their American tastes, we were able to enjoy the various shows and take part in the events. There were numerous shows including a lovely Arabic singer and band, a belly dancer, and even a camel and horse show on the lighted hill behind with fire and sword-fighting. The boys got henna painting on their arms and were even able to hold a falcon. It was such an interactive dinner. We were able to meet several interesting people (like Natalie from the Ukrain below), shop at the traditional Arabic shops, enjoy shows, and just enjoy a fun evening with family and friends!


But what is an Arabian experience here in Dubai without camels! Even Mike got into the fun this time and took a camel ride, which was quite the experience. Our good friend Paul Ruffino was with us as well, and even picked up a thobe (traditional Arabic robe) for a friend.

It was such a fun night, with tons of laughs and a lot of memories. It was such a wonderful experience to share with the whole family! What cherished memories we will bring home with us and what stories we will have to tell.

If you are thinking of going overseas this summer on vacation with your family, this should definitely at the top of your list!

A True Destination - The Madinat Jumeirah

After a full month of traveling throughout Dubai and the surrounding Emirates, we are revisiting those sites that made the greatest impact on us. My personal favorite is a resort that lays along the coastline just to the right of the Burj Al Arab (sailboat hotel). The Madinat Jumeirah is one of the most unique and incredible resorts I have ever seen, and it is quickly becoming one of my favorites in the world.

What makes the Madinat unique, is that it is not simply a gorgeous hotel with beautiful rooms and five-star service, which it is, but that it is truly a destination. On the extensive property there are three different hotels in one. The Al Qasr (The Palace) and the Mina A'Salam are two luxury hotels with amazing service and gorgeous rooms built to resemble an Arabian home. The rooms look out on a view of the resort and the coastline, and provide a wonderful experience of true Arabian style and service.

One aspect of the resort that makes it truly unique are the 29 summer houses and 7 villas which it affords. We got the chance to tour one of the villas, and were amazed by the luxury yet comfortable family atmosphere which they afford. From the private pool on the balcony overlooking the resort, to the comfortable yet stylish lounge area, these villas were some of the most beautiful properties we have yet to see.

But, beyond the luxury and the amazing rooms and villas, it is the destination that truly makes the Madinat unique. The resort is connected by waterways that extend throughout the property. In order to go to one of their 42 different restaurants, or just to get a Starbucks (which we always love!), you simply board a dhow (traditional Arabic boat) and sail across the resort to your destination. You can also take a dhow to go explore the 80 or more shops which create the traditional souk, where you can find gorgeous jewelry, beaded shawls, or fine furniture. There is an endless amount of exploring that can be done on this expansive property.

But wait, I forgot to mention my very favorite thing, which is of course, the beach! I have never experienced this type of five-star service while sun-bathing on my lounge chair. From popsicles and sand toys for the kids, to amazing food and cucumbers for your eyes for the adults, we were utterly impressed by the service. We spent several afternoons this week just enjoying the beautiful weather, collecting seashells or sailing over the Burj Al Arab on a small boat.

This resort impressed me with their impeccable service, beautiful beaches, and traditional ambiance. I couldn't help thinking that this would be the ideal wedding destination for a couple in love and their entire family! Come and experience this amazing destination for yourself!

The Address...."THE" Place to Be in Dubai

We have finally settled back into our Dubai apartment after a whirlwind, unforgettable trip to Oman. We are back into the swing of things touring the city, enjoying the beaches, and getting homework done!

We recently had the chance to take a tour of The Address Hotel, which is in the heart of Downtown Burj Dubai. We had heard that this downtown area hosts the most expensive real estate in the world, and now we know why. As you step out onto the back balcony area of The Address, your eyes are pulled upward into the clouds with a view of the breath taking view of the Burj Dubai, the tallest building in the entire world standing at 2,313 feet, almost double the Canada skyscraper which formerly held the title.

Spreading out at the base of the Burj is the marina area, which when it is completed within the year, it will be the largest man-made marina in the world, complete with gondolas and bridges. Next to the marina and to the right of the Burj, you see the Dubai Mall, which houses the giant aquarium which you can check out on one of our other posts. To the left of the Burj is Old Town Dubai, which is often described as the best shopping in Dubai, along with many excellent wine bars and restaurants. We actually had the chance to eat dinner at The Meat Co., which was a wonderful meal with excellent food and a fun, exotic atmosphere. We are definitely going back there again! The boys ordered ribs, which ended being enough for the whole family! Such a wonderful family meal!

However, even though the whole experience was absolutely wonderful for the whole family, what really stole the show was The Address Hotel. As you walk into the entrance, you breath is taken away by the beautiful wood paneling, beautiful furniture, and modern art, created especially for The Address. As you walk through the lobby, each sitting area and restaurant is unique and elegant in its own way, with hand-blown glass chandeliers and hanging beads.

The suites themselves are absolutely gorgeous with vivid colors, soft fabrics, and an unbelievable view of the downtown area. They are modern with beautiful art and elegant designs, yet very welcoming and warm.

Beyond the elegant lobby, the restaurants, and the gorgeous sweets, my absolute favorite part of The Address is the back balcony overlooking the marina. This area is truly unique with a series of cascading infinite pools, lovely wooden pool chairs, private sitting areas, a full bar and restaurant with five-star service, and one of the most amazing city views in the world.

While experiencing the luxury of The Address, walking through the traditional souk, enjoying dinner overlooking the marina, and starring dizzyingly up at the Burj Dubai, I realized that this downtown area was a destination within Dubai. Whether you are here for business, or for a couple's retreat, you will love all that The Address has to offer.

The Making of a Memory

We often tell the boys to stop for a minute, take a picture in their mind, and "make a memory." A memory can be anything from a wonderful family dinner to a spectacular site, but something that you will remember for the rest of your life. Today was just such a day when memories are made. From our arrival as we drove through the Omanian basalt cliffs to find a breath-taking sea-scape awaiting us, to our final departure as we waved goodbye to the dolphins and hopped back into our car, the whole experience was one which none of us will ever forget.

The day began with an unbelievable buffet breakfast as we overlooked the Arabian Sea. Then we met our tour guide for the day, and were off for a day tour of Oman. Our first site was the mosque of Oman which we saw from the road as we drove to our resort. This time around, Taya donned her abaya and we got the chance to go inside and view the amazing architecture and ornate decoration. It was absolutely unbelievable from the elegant chandeliers to the numerous fountains.

We also were able to see the Sultan of Oman's Palace, his private port, and his yacht, which is the second largest yacht in the world. Although we weren't allowed to go inside his palace, we were able to see the hundred-year-old forts to either side towering above the shoreline, which are still in use by the military today.

We returned that afternoon to our beautiful resort hotel, where we spent a relaxing afternoon collecting seashells and riding the lazy river. The boys also got the chance to play a water-polo match with several families from Austria, and then take a memorable camel ride along the shores of Oman. What a memory! Our night concluded with a scrumptious five-course gourmet meal overlooking the shore. The following morning we awoke to take a morning cruise to see the local dolphin population. We certainly weren't disappointed when we found a pod of over 200 dolphins.

But, like all good things, our short stay in Oman had to come to an end. We all piled back into the car for our drive back to Dubai. Our whole experience in Oman, from the first moment to the last, was a memory that we will all cherish for a life-time. The boys at dinner tonight said, it was the best place they had ever gone in their lives. You can't miss seeing this amazing destination!

"On the Road to Oman"

Often times, in order to create a truely unforgettable experience, you have to venture off the beaten path and take the "road less traveled by." While in Dubai, we had heard of the beauty and unique culture of Oman, and wanted to find out more about this incredible destination. But, before we even made it to our destination, our journey alone was certainly an experience we will never forget. We checked into all the modes of travel, our favorite of which was the three-day cruise through the Straight of Hormuz. However, we opted for the more expediate route, and rented a car. Today, we took a leap of faith as Mike boldly entered the dizziing traffic of Dubai.

Our first attempt at making it out of our familiar Sheikh Zayed Road intersection, didn't prove too promising. We made a wrong turn about 15 minutes out and had to double back and start from scratch. However, we weren't too heart broken as it brought us back to our favorite Starbucks, leading us to coin the phrase, clearly "all roads lead to Starbucks."

Finally we successfully exited Dubai and crossed over the border to Oman. After several turn-arounds, exit-visas, and Arabic guards, we finally made it into our destination country, with still about 400 km to go. We had been given driving directions from our hotel, that were, no kidding, three pages long, and equally as confusing. We were shocked each time that we seemed to make it to the next step, like an episode out of The Amazing Race. However, after about 85 round-abouts (all of which have a unique structure such as this one), a couple close-calls, and tons of laughter, we arrived safely at our unbelievable destination, the Shangri-La Resort.

In order to enter the resort, you have to cut through the stunning mountains of Oman over to the rocky coastline, where you will find one of the most picturesque sea-scapes you will ever see. There along the shore, you will see a fort-like structure perched atop the sandstone cliffs. It is like something out of a portrait or an image you might see in a magazine. But even with this backdrop, I think the boys were mostly thrilled by the wonderful mango juice and the unbelievable food. We arrived tired but extremely excited about what tomorrow holds.

On a quick cultural note, we wanted to let you know about the country of Oman. It is far more "traditional" in terms of how you might expect a Middle Eastern country to be. Most of the men and women you see, are wearing the traditional dress of the black "abaya" for women and the "thobe" for men. Although these are worn in Dubai also, Dubai is a far more modern and internation city, thus producing a more culturally diverse population. Additionally, throughout Oman you will see unique and beautifully ornate mosques about every mile as you drive. Mosques are a centerpiece of the Islamic religion, as each person must pray five times throughout the day.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner with the Locals

So, there is definitely more to Dubai then just family adventures and amazing hotels. We wanted to give you just a little "flavor" of the wonderful restaurants and the local hot spots. We recently got the chance to enjoy an afternoon dessert at The Circle Café, located in the center of town on Sheikh Zayed Road and overlooking Jumeirah Beach Park. We had heard that this was a truly unique cafe...they have all of their bagels shipped directly from the famous bakeries of New York and their desserts are family recipes. With scrumptious bagels and baked goods, friendly service, and a sophisticated yet warm atmosphere, The Circle Café is sure to be a Breakfast and Lunch staple while in the heart of Dubai. Don't miss the lemon meringue pie! I was also happy to find out that they cater as well...good to know!

Our local hot spot pick for dinner is Zuma. The award-winning London favorite for Japanese cuisine, was brought to Dubai just this past summer, and is sure to please any palette. It is located right in the center of the Dubai financial district, alongside a promenade of luxury boutiques. The architecture of the building alone is outstanding. This two-story restaurant was designed by the famed Japanese designer Noriyoshi Muramatsu, and is elegant, exclusive and welcoming. However, the true highlight of this restaurant is their unbelievable food, wine (try Isabel!) and sake selection. We enjoyed a wonderful, yet leisurely meal as we chatted with our local friends. Be sure to build in some extra time to walk around the shops and art galleries and take in the massive architecture in this area. Also, make note that the standard dinner hour here in Dubai is around 8-8:30pm and reservations are suggested, if not required.