Luxury Dubai 2015

S H O P P I N G

D I N I N G

S I G H T S E E I N G

A R T S

LUXURY

DUBAI 2015

C U L T U R E

LUXURY DUBAI 2015

SHOPPING DINING SIGHTSEEING ARTS CULTURE

e Where L uxury M eets Lifestyle

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Top of the World

Burj Khalifa – 829.8 m

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WELCOME

Welcome to Dubai

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ubai can justifiably claim to be the luxury leisure, retail and entertainment hub of the world – and to prove it, it is currently creating, stage by stage, the world’s biggest airport. Dubai World Central will be a massive complex, with Al Maktoum International Airport at its centre.

Currently only partly operational, it will be in full swing by the time Dubai stages its next major global event, Expo 2020.

By then, several more showpiece projects will have come online. The Dubai Opera House, for example, is being fashioned in the shape of a traditional local dhow boat, and will provide a superb venue space for all manner of cultural and sporting happenings. Around it is being created a new neighbourhood, the Opera District.

By Expo 2020, it will have been more than four decades that the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the father

of Dubai, laid the foundation stone for the 184-metre World Trade Centre. At its opening in 1979, this was the first skyscraper on the Arabian Peninsula. In the years to come, high-rise buildings sprouted on the shores of the Arabian Gulf, claiming world records by the dozen.

Most recently, the JW Marriott Marquise Hotel has become the highest hotel building in the world.

Not to mention, of course, towering iconic structures such as the Burj Al Arab, the Burj Khalifa and the Jumeirah Emirates Towers.

At Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence, luxury meets lifestyle, and residents and guests at the five-star beach hotels and resorts can live life to the fullest.

With year-round sunshine, a safe environment and respectful multicultural society, Dubai is designed for people from all corners of the planet to enjoy.

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LUXURY DUBAI 2015

SHOPPING DINING SIGHTSEEING ARTS CULTURE

Contents UAE by numbers Dubai by numbers Rulers and ruling families Sands of time The Emirate of Dubai Trading places A glimpse of Islam Good to know National dress Arabic hospitality

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Calendar 2015

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Expo 2020 Dubai Design District Falcon City of Wonders Dubai Opera Green living

40 42 44 48 50

LUXURY SHOPPING Shopping malls All that glitters The world of 1001 fragrances The world of 1001 spices

52 54 67 68 70

LUXURY GASTRONOMY Traditional Emirati food Fine dining restaurants Friday brunch The best hidden culinary treasures

88 90 92 96 98

CULTURE & HERITAGE Art Dubai Galleries

100 102 104

Dubai Heritage Village

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LUXURY SPORT Meydan Horse Racing Dubai Polo Gold Cup Tennis in Dubai Golf Clubs in Dubai Motorsport Diving Yachting Camel racing

110 112 114 116 118 120 122 124 126

DISCOVER ABU DHABI Modern buildings High five Dubai’s bridges Dubai's beaches The Beach The Creek Historic buildings Old markets Bastakia Shindagha Parks in Dubai The Miracle Garden Natural heritage Desert adventures

128 132 142 144 147 153 155 156 163 166 173 176 180 182 185

DISCOVER THE EMIRATES Fast transit Arrive in style Dubai’s Port Essential numbers Dubai map

188 202 206 210 212 214

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Dubai Downtown

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Burj al Arab and the Burj Khalifa

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Sheikh Zayed Road

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FACTS

UAE by numbers

Arriving by road - Land checkpoints • Hatta – Omani border • A l Ain/Buraimi – Omani border • Dibba – Omani border (Musandam) • A l Ghuwaifat – Border with Saudi Arabia

TOURISM The UAE is one of the fastest growing tourist destinations worldwide. Its unique combination of Arab tradition and heritage, year-round sunshine, unbeatable shopping facilities, world-class hotels and a service-oriented safe environment leads to an ever growing numbers of visitors.

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TIMELINE

Ambulance 998 or 999 Police emergency 999, non-emergency 901 Fire 997 Coastguard 996 or 800 4438 Tourist police 800 2626 Directory Enquiries Etisalat 181 du Telecom 800 155 from any UAE phone/du Telecom 155 from du mobile

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Arriving by sea - Cruise Ports • Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal Mina Zayed Port • Dubai Cruise Terminal Port Rashid • Port of Fujairah • Passenger Cruise Terminal RAK Khor Port Ras al-Khaimah

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

ai ho w i n st s r Ex ig po ht t 20 o 20

Arriving by plane - International Airports • Abu Dhabi International Airport - AUH • Dubai International Airport - DXB • A l Maktoum International Airport - DWC • Sharjah International Airport - SHJ • A l Ain International Airport - AAN • Fujairah International Airport- FJR • Ras al-Khaimah International Airport – RKT

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ARRIVAL

Capital Abu Dhabi Political structure Constitutional confederation Official language Arabic Foundation of the country December 2, 1971 Territory 83,600 km² Population Total 7,200,000, UAE nationals 947,997

(Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce, April 2012) Official religion Islam Currency UAE Dirham Time zone GMT+4 (no daylight saving/summer time) Internet .ae International vehicle registration code UAE International calling code +971

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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is located along the southeastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula. It borders with Saudi Arabia to the west, south and south-east, and Oman to the southeast and north-east. The northern and western coast of the UAE lies on the Arabian Gulf, and its eastern coast is on the Indian Ocean. The UAE is a federation, formed of seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Qaiwain, Ras alKhaimah and Fujairah.

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FACTS

Dubai by numbers Dubai is the second largest of the seven Emirates. It is also the largest hub for tourism, business and international transport in the Arabian Gulf as a whole. The city of Dubai is located on the northern coastline of the Emirate of the same name. Due to host Expo 2020, Dubai is best known for its iconic contemporary buildings, most notably the Burj Khalifa. Lapped by the sea down one side, Dubai is bordered by Abu Dhabi to the south, Sharjah to the north-east and Oman to the south-east.

To the west is Ajman, to the north Ras Al Khaimah.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 2015 Dubai follows the Gregorian calendar as well as the Islamic Hijri calendar. Friday is the weekly day of rest. Schools and most offices remain closed during the two-day weekend of Friday and Saturday.

HOLIDAYS – FIXED DATES January 1 December 2

New Year’s Day UAE National Day

ISLAMIC HOLIDAYS – APPROXIMATE DATES The Hijri calendar is based on the moon cycle and therefore in 2015 the following dates for the Islamic holidays are approximate. The exact dates will be announced following the moonsighting.

January 13 May 26 June 28 July 28 October 3 October 4 October 25

Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday Ascension of the Prophet Beginning of Ramadan Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) Arafat (Haj) Day Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice) Al Hijara (Islamic New Year)

Capital Dubai Political structure Constitutional monarchy Official language Arabic Foundation of the country December 2, 1971 Territory 4,114 km² Population Total 2,174,00 UAE nationals c.10-15% (Dubai Statistics Centre, 2013) Official religion Islam Currency UAE Dirham Time zone GMT+4 (no daylight saving/summer time) Internet .ae International vehicle registration code UAE International calling code +971

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS Ambulance 998 or 999 Police emergency 999 non-emergency 901 Fire 997 Coastguard 996 or 800 4438 Tourist police 800 2626 Directory Enquiries Etisalat 181 du Telecom 800 155 from any UAE phone/du Telecom 155 from du mobile

TOPOGRAPHY Dubai’s land mass of 4,114 km² includes a significant amount reclaimed in recent years from the sea. Dubai lies within the Arabian Desert, with an area of sand dunes covering its southern area, the so-called Empty Quarter extending beyond. Towards the border with Oman rise the Hajar Mountains, with peaks at more than 1,000 metres high – though most of Dubai is at sea level. Dubai also features a natural inlet, its Creek, now dredged deep enough for large vessels.

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Rulers and ruling families Not that long ago, what is today the United Arab Emirates was a desert and mountainous land, inhabited by nomadic shepherds, settled people in villages in the mountains and traders and fishermen along the coast. People lived in tribal communities. In 1904, when the sheikhdoms were states with separate treaties with Britain, JG Lorimer, the author of an official study on behalf of the Indian government, reported on the tribes, their locations and the local economy.

There was a population of around 80,000, in 44 tribes, forming five principalities with the Bani Yas tribal confederation as the largest.

The first reference to the Bani Yas dates back to

TRIBAL IDENTITY AND AFFILIATION TO THE TRIBE ARE PART OF EMIRATI IDENTITY” 1633. Abu Dhabi’s ruling family, the Al Nahyan family, is part of the Al Bu Falah section of the Bani Yas tribe.

Dubai’s ruling Al Maktoum family hails from the Al Bu Falasah section of the Bani Yas, while the Al Qawasim family ruled in Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah.

Though many tribes shared common roots, rivalries were common in the struggle for survival in the harsh desert environment. Control over water resources and territories was crucial for their survival and only those leaders who could provide and protect these resources would be accepted by their people and able to remain in power. It was a very simple principle: if a leader looked after his people well, his people would stand behind him in times of trouble.

The formation of the UAE and the unification of the tribes under one leadership was one of the greatest achievements of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Na-

hyan, leader of Abu Dhabi from 1966, who became the first president of the United Arab Emirates.

Tribal identity and affiliation to the tribe are part of Emirati identity. Social structures in the UAE are still based on tribal affiliations. Even nowadays, Emiratis remain committed to their tribal identity, and, in return, their leaders take care of them. The implementation of tribal leadership has changed over the years. In the 21st century it manifests itself a different way. While a tribal leader in the desert might have managed the distribution of scarce resources, nowadays the leaders distribute the profit of their modern economies in the form of general welfare and gracious grants, ensuring a carefree life for all their people.

The rulers of the UAE enjoy a great amount of respect and affection from their own people and residents of the country alike. Even though they live in palaces, they still rule in the tribal tradition and the doors to their majalis, the Arabic counterpart to Western royal audience halls, are open for people to meet their Sheikhs and to discuss a wide range of topics with them.

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NAMES OF THE RULERS OF THE UAE AND THE SEVEN EMIRATES AL NAHYAN – RULING FAMILY OF ABU DHABI His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces AL MAKTOUM - RULING FAMILY OF DUBAI His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE; Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai AL QASIMI - RULING FAMILY OF SHARJAH His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Sharjah AL QASIMI - RULING FAMILY OF RAS AL-KHAIMAH His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras al-Khaimah His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras al-Khaimah

AL NUAIMI RULING FAMILY OF AJMAN His Highness Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman His Highness Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman AL MUALLA - RULING FAMILY OF UMM AL-QAIWAIN His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu’alla, Ruler of Umm al-Qaiwain His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mu’alla, Crown Prince of Umm al-Qaiwain AL SHARQI - RULING FAMILY OF FUJAIRAH His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah His Highness Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah

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Jumeirah Lakes Towers

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Sands of time

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The United Arab Emirates have a long history and recent findings support the theory that the region provided a key route for the early migration of Man from Africa into Asia.

In the 18th century, the Al Qawasim, or Qasimi family, in the northern emirates of Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah, emerged as a major sea power in the region. Their clashes with the British led to the area becoming known as the ‘Pirate Coast’.

Conflict was resolved in 1820, and peace treaties signed with all the sheikhs of the region. This guaranteed them British protection, while preserving their own sovereignty and control over affairs on land.

Renewed and amended, these provided the basis for a British presence in the area un-

IN 1833, MEMBERS OF THE AL BU FALASAH TRIBE MOVED FROM ABU DHABI TO DUBAI.” til 1971. The agreement also led to the region becoming known as the Trucial States.

In 1833, members of the Al Bu Falasah, a branch of the Bani Yas tribe, moved from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, with their leader, Sheikh Maktoum bin Butti Al Maktoum, becoming the ruler of Dubai. With its creek providing a safe harbour for shipping, Dubai rapidly emerged as an important trading port.

Trade flourished, as the pearling industry and date farming provided a humble but steady income and allowed the tribes a relatively stable life.

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Dubai Creek, over centuries a harbour for small trading vessels, came more into focus.

The ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, started an extensive programme to develop the creek. The shallow seabed was dredged and the beaches were developed to become quays, suitable for loading and unloading cargo.

With the discovery of oil in 1958, everything changed – the region suddenly became an important international destination.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan became the ruler of Abu Dhabi in 1966. When Britain announced in 1968 its intention to withdraw from the region, Sheikh Zayed started talks with the neighbouring rulers to join together as a new state. On December 2, 1971 the United Arab Emirates was formed and the flag of the

THE FLAG OF THE NEW COUNTRY WAS FLOWN AT JUMEIRAH IN DUBAI.” new country was flown for the first time at Jumeirah in Dubai.

Since then the seven Emirates have build up a distinct national identity and the UAE’s political system combines the traditional and the modern. The flag of the Emirates consists of the pan-Arabic colours of red, green, white and black, representing, according to common understanding, the four main historical periods of Islam.

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The Emirate of Dubai Of the seven states that comprise the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is the second largest, with its 4,110 square kilometres occupying about 5% of the total land mass of the UAE. The emirate consists of the city of Dubai and its suburbs, and the enclave of Hatta. The city was previous known as Al Wasl (‘The Connector’). How the current name of Dubai came about is not entirely

HOW THE CURRENT NAME OF DUBAI CAME ABOUT IS NOT ENTIRELY CLEAR.” clear. It might derive from the Farsi for ‘two brothers’, referring to the two parts of the city on either side of the seawater creek. ‘Dubai’ might also refer to the well known and vibrant market of Daba.

Lastly, ‘Dubai’ might originate from the Arabic word for ‘money’, since Dubai was

considered wealthy due to its flourishing trade. Hatta is located at the border with Oman, about 100km east of Dubai city.

Technically, it lies within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, but it is considered part of the Emirate of Dubai.

Territories and borders within the UAE are based on tribal structures. It is common that an emirate has enclaves, territories lying within another emirate and not physically connected with the main area of the one it belongs to.

Before the existence of the UAE, borders were not fixed. Tribes used to control the territories and wherever members settled, that area would be considered its territory. Some families lived away from their tribal leader’s residence and as a result their remote lands became part of the tribal territories.

This was the case with Hatta. The village became a popular weekend retreat and tourist destination thanks to its proximity to the Hajar Mountains and its nearby dry river valleys, or wadis.

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Trading places Dubai is and always has been a place of trade.

The 14-km-long Dubai Creek (Khor Dubai), a natural seawater arm of the Arabian Gulf, was a safe harbour for trading vessels for centuries.

In 1833, Maktoum bin Butti of the Bani Yas tribe settled on the Shindagha Peninsula at the mouth of the Creek, declaring the town’s independence from Abu Dhabi.

By the late 1870s, Dubai was the main port on the Gulf coast, known for its vibrant markets.

Full tax exemption, guaranteed to all foreign traders by Sheikh Maktoum bin Hasher Al Maktoum in 1894, encouraged foreign merchants

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COMMERCE WAS THE BACKBONE OF DUBAI’S EMERGING ECONOMY AND GREW OVER THE DECADES.” to settle here. The traditional markets, the souks, still attract traders and shoppers today.

Commerce was the backbone of Dubai’s emerging economy and grew over the decades. In 1966 the first oil resources were found but it was soon obvious that revenue would be limited. Sheikh Rasheed bin Saeed Al Maktoum paved the path for Dubai to be a trading and commercial hub, independent of oil.

The Creek was dredged to provide anchorage for ships of up to 500 tonnes. South of Dubai Creek, deep-water Port Rashid opened 1972 with 15 berths, later extended to 35. Large vessels of any size could now call into Dubai. In 1979, Jebel Ali opened, the largest man-made port in the world.

More than 500 international companies set up in the surrounding free-trade zone.

The Dubai World Trade Centre was opened in 1978, the tallest building on the

Arabian Peninsula at the time.

A huge building boom followed.

Three decades later manmade Palm Islands and the artificial island group known as The World established Dubai as a worldclass real estate destination.

Around 30 years ago saw first major mall, Al Ghurair, appeared in Deira. Many more followed – today Dubai is home to the world’s largest shopping hub, the Dubai Mall, with more than 1,200 outlets.

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A glimpse of Islam

Islam is the official religion of the United Arab Emirates. Followers of Islam, a monotheistic religion based on the believe that Allah is the one and only God and that prophet Mohamed (peace be upon Him) is his last messenger, are called Muslims. Allah is the Arabic word for God. The Prophet Mohamed (peace be upon Him) lived from 570 to 632 AD and, from the age of 40 until his death, he received revelations of God, verbally conveyed by Angel Gabriel.

After his death, these revelations were compiled into a single book, the Quran, considered the culmination of Godly revelations and Mohamed (peace be upon Him) the final messenger of God, following earlier messengers such as Adam, Moses, Ibrahim, David and Jesus. Muslims believe and respect all messengers of God. Five pillars form the basis of Islam. Shahada is the declaration of Faith in Allah as the one and only God and Mohamed (peace be upon Him) as his last messenger.

Salah are the prayers Muslims perform at five specific times of the day, defined by certain positions of

FOR MUSLIMS, THE WEEKLY DAY OF REST IS FRIDAY.” the sun. Zakat are the five percent of one’s wealth that are given as alms. Sawm is the fasting during the Holy Month of Ramadan. The pilgrimage to Mecca, which each Muslim is expected to perform at least once in a lifetime, is called the Hajj.

The Islamic Hijri calendar is a lunar calendar and was introduced at the time of the arrival of prophet Mohamed’s (peace be upon Him) in Medina in 622.

The Islamic year consist of 12 lunar months and is about 11 days shorter than the one used by convention in the West. The weekly day of rest for Muslims is Friday, and is part of the weekend in the Arab world. Sunday is a working day.

Islam has about 1.6 billion followers, making it the second largest religion in the world.

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Good to know The United Arab Emirates is a modern, cosmopolitan country and enjoys a high level of safety.

Out of respect towards local culture, modesty in dress and behaviour is advisable. Women are recommended to cover their shoulders and knees and to avoid see-through or low-cut outfits in public. For men, bare chests and shorts above the knee would not be appropriate.

When taking pictures, consideration of privacy should be given. Veiled women usually do not like to be photographed. As in many other places in the world, it is not permitted to take pictures of military or official buildings.

Gender segregation is common traditional practice in local society. Even traditional wedding parties consist of two events: a ladies-only party with music and dancing, and the men’s reception for male friends and relatives. A highlight of the celebration is the appearance of the groom towards the end of the ladies’ party. The couple receives congratulations, poses for pictures and leaves for their honeymoon.

It is not acceptable for unmarried couples to live together or even share the same room. Hotels usually won’t refuse unmarried couples and handle the situation discreetly. Discretion is also advisable for guests and even in introductions it is better to introduce your girlfriend as your wife.

Homosexuality and cross dressing are culturally unacceptable and are considered offences that could lead to unpleasant consequences, if discretion is not maintained. Overt displays of affection in public are not appreciated.

It is perfectly acceptable for couples to walk hand-in-hand and a greeting kiss on the cheek is not an issue at all, as long as modesty is maintained.

Although alcohol is considered forbidden in Islam, UAE’s hotels, and in-

ternational sport and recreation clubs are licenced. The legal age of 21 for consuming alcohol and visiting nightclubs is strictly observed. During the holy month of Ramadan and religious holidays, the serving of alcohol is either suspended or limited to the evening.

KEEP LOCAL CASH TO HAND FOR EXPENSES SUCH AS TAXIS.” The UAE has a zero-tolerance policy towards drinking and driving and the possession and consumption of drugs. No-smoking policies are implemented at most shopping centres and restaurants.

The currency of the UAE is the UAE dirham (AED). The exchange rate is fixed at AED3.67 to $1. Other currencies fluctuate. The best places to change money are at exchange offices, found in malls and shopping areas. Banks and hotels offer slightly lower rates. Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted, but not all shops and restaurants take American Express or Diners Club. ATMs are available all over town. Keep local cash to hand for expenses such as taxis.

A new navigation system, Gas, now gives each address a ten-digit code that can be easily found.

Because of its rapid growth, Dubai has no postcodes.

The local telecommunication infrastructure is highly developed and the two phone companies, Etisalat and du, have roaming agreements with most international providers.

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National dress The Emirati master the art of wearing their simple and traditional outfits with pride. The Emirati national dress is based on practical, traditional clothing for a hot climate, and the religious demands of modesty.

The long wide gentleman’s garment is the dishdash or khandoorah.

Most Emirati have theirs tailored from material of a shining white colour. In winter, darker colours and warmer materials are common. These garments feature round, collarless necks and long open arms without cuffs. Pockets are in the side seams. A special Emirati detail is a small cord, attached to the upper

WOMEN AT WORK PREFER TRADITIONAL OUTFITS WITH A PERSONAL, FASHIONABLE TOUCH.” button. It’s called kerkusha or tarbush, and is made from thread of the same colour as the khandourra.

Arabs love perfumed oils, especially oud. Remains of the oil, applied to the hands and ankles, would leave stains. To avoid this, Emirati capture the pleasant smell in the little cord.

The man’s outfit is only considered complete with the headdress, the

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guttrah. Even though white guttrahs are most common, colours and patterns are a personal choice and do not indicate social status or tribal identity. Under the scarf, a small white crochet hat, the gahffiyah, is worn. On top a black rope, the agal, holds the headdress in place.

The turban-like style or hamdaniya is mainly worn by youngsters and is considered informal.

In public, Emirati women wear an abaya, a loose black coat of fine material that covers the entire body, on top of their regular clothes. The hair is covered with a sheila, a black veil. Some cover their faces, some leave just the eyes uncovered and others only

cover their hair – depending on level of religious devotion and family traditions. In rural areas, older ladies and married woman wear a burqa, traditional facemasks covered with gold-coloured cloth.

While traditional sheila-abaya ensembles used to be of plain black colour, modern outfits are often artfully decorated with embroidery or colourful borders.

Women joining the work environment prefer to stick to their traditional outfits but give it a personal, fashionable touch. Although ready-made outfits are available, most Emirati woman will have their abaya and matching sheila individually tailored.

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Arabic hospitality The customs of welcome play a crucial role in regional practices. Each region has its own habits. As a gesture of hospitality in Arabia, a guest will be offered coffee and dates. Traditional Arabic coffee is made from ground beans, mixed with saffron and sometimes cardamom. Since a guest could arrive any time, coffee is always available.

Coffee is kept in a large dhalla, the traditional Arabic metal coffeepot. To keep the coffee hot, the dhalla is placed on a bed of glowing charcoal, and put in a pit in the sand in a wooden box. Today thermos pots in the shape of the traditional dallah are common.

Once a guest arrives, the host will offer coffee in a small cup without a handle.

The host holds the cup in his right hand and pours the coffee with his left. He serves it one-third full. The host offers the cup with his right hand to the guest, who should receive it with his right hand.

The host will then serve other guests and always remain alert to refill an emptied cup. If a guest wants to signal that he does not want more coffee, he should shake the cup slightly and hand it back to the host.

The slightly bitter taste of the coffee is compensated by the sweetness of the dates, offered together with it. Dates, high in sugar, were essential for the survival of the Bedouin in the harsh desert environment.

They are also the perfect fast-breaker during Ramadan.

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Calendar 2015

Global Village Autumn-spring Global Village is the largest seasonal cultural extravaganza in the region, with thousands of family-friendly attractions in more than 31 pavilions, themed events for Eid and Diwali and dining options from around the world.

Traditional abra boats ferry some five million visitors around the various stands and stages over the course of the five months. www.globalvillage.ae

Dubai Shopping Festival 1 January to 1 February Dubai Shopping Festival, acclaimed as one of the world’s great consumer experiences, celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2015. Between January and February, this extravaganza lights up the city with shopping events and prizes, as well as hundreds of activities for residents and visitors. From international concerts, musicals and shows, to outdoor sports and fashion events, the Dubai Shopping Festival caters to every generation. www.mydsf.ae

Al Marmoum Camel-Racing Season Early January Don’t miss out on this fast-paced sport as camels race off to the finish line during the Al Marmoum season. The event aims to maintain and build upon the long tradition of this

local sport. Race times 7am-9am, 2.30pm4.30pm, Al Marmoum Camel Racetrack, Dubai-Al Ain Road www.dcrc.ae

Dunlop 24Hrs Dubai January One of the most anticipated motor events in the region returns for its tenth anniversary in 2015, at the Dubai Autodrome. Over 80 teams from around the world compete from the Friday at 2pm and end, as scheduled, 24 hours later. All in all, this is a must-see, not only for motorsport fans but the general public, watching as witness drivers’ limits are put to the test. www.24hdubai.com

Omega Dubai Desert Classic Late January to early February Bringing together some of the biggest names in golf, the Omega Dubai Desert Classic is a PGA- sanctioned event on the European Tour, known for its $2.5 million prize pool.

Held at the Majlis Course of the Emirates Golf Club, it has seen the likes of Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Rory McIlroy, the youngest winner in 2009, come away with the trophy. www.dubaidesertclassic.com

Dubai Show Jumping Championships Late January to early February The Emirates Equestrian Centre is the stage for three days of intense competition. Elite international show-jumpers and their horses take part in this fun, family-friendly event, which forms part of the region-wide Arab League. www.emiratesequestriancentre.com

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships Mid to late February Top international tennis players compete for the title at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. From humble beginnings in 1993, the event now attracts the world’s best – previous winners include Goran Ivanisevic, Amélie Mauresmo and Roger Federer. www.dubaidutyfreetennischampionships.com

Emirates Airline Dubai International Jazz Festival Late February For three nights, the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre hosts some of the biggest names in the music business – with the agenda by no means limited to jazz. In 2015, acts included Sting, James Blunt and Christina Perri. Previous performers have included Santana, Stanley Jordan and Olly Murs. www.dubaijazzfest.com

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Emirates Airline Festival of Literature Early to mid March The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature is the largest celebration of the written and spoken word in the Middle East. It brings people of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds together with authors from around the world to promote education, debate and, above all, a love of reading and writing, in a celebratory and enjoyable way. With simultaneous translations between Arabic and English in all sessions, the LitFest strives to break down all barriers to communication, so ideas are truly shared and friendships formed – not least among the authors themselves. www.eaifl.com

Dubai International Boat Show Early March The Dubai International Boat Show is the largest, most important and most established event of its kind in the region. Approaching its 25th anniversary, the DIBS showcases yachts, equipment and supplies from local and international producers, together with the latest innovations in the marine industry. www.boatshowdubai.com

Design Days Dubai Mid March Design Days Dubai hosts the best of limitededition and collectable works from leading

international design galleries. Due to celebrate its fifth anniversary in 2016, and the first of its kind in the region, Design Days Dubai also offers a series of public talks and workshops. www.designdaysdubai.ae

Art Dubai Mid March As the leading contemporary art fair for the Middle East and South Asia, Art Dubai has become the essential gathering place for collectors, artists and art professionals from across the region and beyond. Some 25,000 visitors flock to Dubai for the event, part of Art Week, for which works by some 500 artists are exhibited. Besides the gallery halls, an extensive programme includes commissioned projects and performances, artists’ and curators’ residencies, educational workshops, the unveiling of works by the winners of the annual Abraaj Group Art Prize and the critically acclaimed Global Art Forum. www.artdubai.ae

Dubai International Horse Fair Mid March The Dubai International Horse Fair (DIHF) is the ideal platform for the equestrian trade to showcase their products and services, increase brand awareness and meet with potential customers. The event has attracted international

equestrians from the MENA region, Turkey, Iran and the Indian subcontinent. This event is held in conjunction with the Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship, a competition that displays some of the finest pure-bred Arabians in the field. www.dihf.ae

Emirates Classic Car Festival Mid March This festival is regarded as the premier showcase of classic cars in the Middle East. Over the course of four days, some 250 iconic automobiles – Bentleys, Rolls-Royces and Corvettes, some dating back to the 1920s – are paraded along focal Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard. www.emiratesclassiccarfestival.com

Dubai World Cup Late March A battle between the world’s best horses, jockeys and trainers, the Dubai World Cup attracts the biggest names in the business.

Held for the 20th time in 2015, the finale is the world’s richest race meeting. www.dubairacingclub.com

International Property Show Late March to early April The International Property Show (IPS) 2014 is a unique platform that brings real-estate

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markets together to showcase their products and services. The event, accredited by the Dubai Real Estate Regulatory Authority, aims to help companies improve their profitability, enhance competitive advantage, and sell properties to visitors and investors. www.internationalpropertyshow.ae

Dubai Polo Gold Cup April The premier polo competition of the year is played out at the stunning Dubai Polo Club grounds at the Arabian Ranches on the outskirts of Dubai. For the grand finale, a day of family-friendly entertainment and picnics is laid on, with DJ beats in the party tent for grown-ups after dark. www.dubaipologoldcup.com

GISEC Late April The one and only IT security platform in the Middle East, this event focuses on cuttingedge IT security solutions through exhibiting world-class and standard-setting products and services. Protecting individuals and corporations from cyber threats and attacks is a high priority field in today’s technologically advanced world and being prepared for anything might make the difference between a successful venture and a failure. Here you can network with a number of industry leaders and experts from areas such as finance, energy, law and telecommunications, as well as government representatives. www.gisec.ae

Arabian Travel Market Early May Arabian Travel Market unlocks the business potential within the Middle East for inbound and out-bound tourism professionals.

Destinations from the region and around the world showcase a diverse range of accommodation options, breathtaking new attractions and airline routes. www.arabiantravelmarket.com

The Airport Show Early to mid May Thousands of aviation professionals descend on Dubai to experience cutting-edge innovation and the latest regional developments in the airport industry. The Airport Show is the leading such event in the Middle East and North Africa, and one of the largest airportrelated exhibitions in the world. It all began back in 2001 when it catered specifically to

the Dubai International Airport expansion, and it has since evolved into a pivotal B2B aviation industry event, providing the MENA region and Indian subcontinent with the latest technologies and solutions from around the world. www.theairportshow.com

Summer Is Dubai Mid June-mid July This popular annual festival has put the Emirate on the map as an international summer holiday destination with world-class entertainment, great shopping deals and fun activities for the whole family. More than 6,000 shops participate in one of the biggest retail events in the world, offering consumers unmissable bargains across a range of items. www.summerisdubai.com

Ramadan 28 June-28 July (expected dates 2015) The holy month of Ramadan is one of the most important and reflective times in the Islamic calendar and commemorates the revelation of the Holy Quran. The Dubai government organises numerous events during the month and the retail sector witnesses brisk business. Emirati hospitality and traditions come to the fore. Fast-breaking evening meals, iftars, are hosted across Dubai and residents of different nationalities come together to share the spirit of Ramadan.

Planned activities emphasise the spiritual side of the occasion.

Dubai Music Week September Dubai Music Week returned in 2014, bringing a host of artists, and staging workshops and lectures on the music industry. Some of the world’s finest and foremost speakers in the field of music come to Dubai to talk about how to make it big and how they succeeded in the business. www.dubaimusicweek.com

Dubai International Dance Festival September The Dubai International Dance Festival is a week-long, multi-arts event that attracts renowned companies, classical academies, youth orchestras, bands and music ensembles from around the region and the world.

The festival is also a catalyst for the creation of new work and creative activity, with an education programme and artistic collaborations with organisations throughout the UAE, the Middle East, and the rest of the world. dubaidancefestival.com

Eid in Dubai Early October Eid in Dubai is a ten-day, family-focused event of performances and shows, bringing together people from different cultural backgrounds and reflecting Dubai’s multi-cultural setting and modernity. A glowing tribute to the spirit of the city and the visionary spirit of the people who call

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lourful displays allow visitors to gain insight into the heritage and modernity of the UAE through themed floats, dance performances, balloons, camel and horse parades, and music acts. Underlining the cosmopolitan outlook of Dubai, home to over 200 nationalities, cultural groups representing different communities also take part.

Dubai Ladies Masters

it home, Eid in Dubai also features spectacular firework displays throughout the whole celebrations.

GITEX Technology Week Mid October This event is the gateway for global brands to access the Middle East, the fastest emerging and investment ready ICT market. It is also one of the longest running annual conferences in Dubai with some three decades behind it, and attracts representatives from over 1,000 different media outlets. Visitors to GITEX can discover new products and solutions, understand consumer trends, appreciate how cuttingedge technology can assist their businesses, build new contacts, and, of course, observe the competition. www.gitex.com

Big Boys Toys UAE Late October Touted as one of the region’s premier lifestyle events, Big Boys Toys features some of the world’s biggest, baddest and coolest gadgets, technology, vehicles and luxury goods in one single location. Open to all, the event is also an educational experience, throwing light on how technology is making our day-today lives better and more futuristic than ever before. www.bigboystoysuae.com

Dubai International Motor Show Early to mid November This is the largest and most established motoring event in the Middle East. The annual Dubai International Motor Show, held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, welcomes over 100,000 motoring enthusiasts and motor trade professionals from across the globe. www.dubaimotorshow.com

DP World Tour Championship, Dubai Mid November This final event of the season-long Race to Dubai is where the top 60 golfers on the European tour battle it out over four days at Jumeirah Golf Estates for a share of the combined $11.75 million prize money and The Race to Dubai crown. With the Championship Village, live music, a Kids Zone, shows, and food and drink outlets, there’s plenty for all the family to enjoy off the fairways. www.dpwtc.com

UAE National Day 2 December The United Arab Emirates were formed on December 2 1971, when the treaty with the UK expired and the separate sheikdoms decided to form a union. To celebrate National Day, the Dubai government stages a wide range of family activities and festive performances, including shows, children’s attractions and much more, at shopping malls, parks and other venues around town. Co-

Early December The Dubai Ladies Masters has become one of the flagship golfing events in the emirate.

Promoted and organised by Golf in Dubai, the tournament has become a permanent feature of the UAE golfing calendar, showcasing the world’s leading players. Since its inception, players such as Annika Sorenstam, Laura Davies, Michelle Wie, Christina Kim, In-Kyung Kim, Natalie Gulbis Kerry Webb and Catriona Matthew, have competed in the event, making it one of the most popular stops on the Ladies European Tour. www.dubailadiesmasters.com

Dubai International Jewellery Week December This event is a gateway to the most precious and valuable collections and connections in the jewellery industry. Approaching its 20th year, this event connects buyers with suppliers, attracting a mix of leading global brands, regional distributors, retailers, boutique outlets and a variety of international exhibitors.

In all, more than 300 exhibitors from over 30 countries are involved. www.jewelleryshow.com

Dubai International Film Festival December Some of the best independent and blockbuster movies are on show over the course of a week at the Dubai International Film Festival.

Screenings take place at Madinat Jumeirah on the Green. Some 120 features, shorts and documentaries bring directors, actors, producers, writers and industry experts descend on Dubai and filmmakers from the region compete for the prestigious Muhr Awards. www.dubaifilmfest.com

New Year 31 December New Year in Dubai bring another spectacular year to an end, with citywide celebrations and festivities – and the most incredible fireworks display in the world.

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FUTURE PROJECT

Expo 2020

The master plan for the site of the Expo 2020 in Dubai is visionary, sustainable and underlines its motto: ‘Connecting Minds, Changing the Future’.

The Dubai Trade Centre-Jebel Ali site was selected due to its strategic location, equidistant between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and adjacent to the Dubai World Central Airport and Jebel Ali Port, providing ease of access to the expected millions of international and local visitors.

At the core of the site is an open plaza called ‘Al Wasl’, ‘The Connection’, a name with echoes in the history of Dubai. Branching out from Al Wasl are the three main zones that symbolise the themes of sustainability, mobility and opportunity. Inspired by traditional Arab souks, the site integrates the UAE’s unique architecture heritage and its environment of vibrancy and trade.

THE DESIGN IS ALIGNED WITH THE LEGACY AND FUTURE USE OF THE SITE.” As such, the Expo will foster the fundamental principles of innovation, partnership and collaboration.

The design is aligned with the legacy and future use of the site, with the main walkways shaded by a photovoltaic fabric structure that will capture solar energy to generate clean power. It will also contribute nearly 50 per cent of the energy requirement of the Expo itself.

Every element of the Expo has been designed with a defined strategy for the re-use of the site, striking a balance between the long-term needs for

FUTURE PROJECT

Dubai and the six months of the 2020 event itself.

Environmental sustainability will be combined with a cost-efficient and viable infrastructure for Dubai and the region.

EXPO 2020 AT A GLANCE Location: Ten minutes from Jebel Ali Port and Al Makhtoum International Airport – equidistant between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Size: 438 hectares.

Expected visitor numbers: 25 million, making upwards of a collective 33 million visits.

Design: Conceived by HOK, Populous and Arup, the core of the site features an open plaza with three main zones symbolising the themes of sustainability, mobility and opportunity.

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Dubai Design District

Dubai’s luxury, design and fashion sectors are poised for dramatic growth. Developers are allocating higher budgets for interiors and architecture, creating expectations of double-digit growth through 2015.

Expo 2020 is set to spur investment in infrastructure and design, boosting local businesses. To this end, the Dubai Design District operates as ‘An Ecosystem for Global Design and Creative Minds’.

Set in the heart of the city, Dubai Design District is close to Dubai Mall and the Dubai International Financial Centre, a short drive from Dubai Media City and Dubai Internet City. This unique hub focuses on four main areas. First, of course, is design itself, industrial, product and interior design, as well as architectural, conceptual, graphic and digital.

In terms of fashion, global fashion houses are being encouraged to set up offices, showrooms, stu-

THIS UNIQUE HUB FOCUSES ON DESIGN, LUXURY, FASHION AND ART.” dios, ateliers and workshops – and encouraged to interact with local designers, bringing international influences to bear.

The accent is also on luxury, bringing breathtaking ideas to upmarket jewellery, watches and lifestyle accessories for the discerning customer.

The final element is art itself. Studios, galleries, workshops and installations hum with activity – allowing for a fusion of design, fashion and luxury.

These complement art fairs that draw in a global audience.

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Falcon City of Wonders

The Falconcity of Wonders, itself a quite astoundingly ambitious project, is only part of a much more farreaching leisure development known as Dubailand.

Covering an area of 278km², Dubailand will be divided into six

THIS UNIQUE ATTRACTION RECREATES LIFE-SIZE REPLICAS OF THE WORLD’S MOST ICONIC BUILDINGS.” zones, including the world’s largest theme park, one of 45 major projects and 200 smaller ones.

One of its key elements will be the Falconcity of Wonders. Across an area of 400,000m², shaped in the national symbol of the falcon, this unique attraction aims to recreate life-size replicas of some of the world’s most iconic buildings, such as the Pyramids of Egypt, the Hanging Gardens of Baby-

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Mohammed Bin Rashid City

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FUTURE PROJECT

The Falconcity of Wonders

FUTURE PROJECT

Dubai Modern Art Museum

Bluewaters Island

lon, the Eiffel Tower and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The idea is to combine the Seven Wonders of the World – some of which no longer exist – with famous global landmarks that are still standing.

The idea of featuring a replica of the Taj Mahal, only four times the original size, has already attracted the interest of India’s Bollywood film producers.

The overall concept is to honour mankind through its various civilisations, and to inspire later generations with the power of the human spirit.

Construction is already underway, and a number of villas have already been put up. It is hoped that completion will coincide with the Expo year of 2020.

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Dubai Opera Due to open in 2016, the Dubai Opera House will not only bring a world-class venue for several artistic disciplines to Dubai’s Downtown area, but will recreate the neighbourhood around it too.

Concerts, theatre performances, films and sports events will be only part of the regular programme at this exciting new arena.

Changing the lay-out of the building to suit the type of event being staged, hydraulic machines can move blocks of seating in the 2,000-capacity venue to make it more intimate.

EXTERNALLY, THE OPERA HOUSE ALSO FASCINATES, FASHIONED IN THE SHAPE OF A TRADITIONAL DHOW BOAT.” Externally, the Opera House also fascinates, fashioned in the shape of a traditional dhow boat. Around it will open galleries, studio, hotels and a shopping plaza, as well as sundry recreational spaces and residential buildings.

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Green living It sounds completely remarkable but in the middle of the Arabian desert, a select number of companies have started creating green communities in sought-after neighbourhoods around Dubai.

First, there’s AKOYA by DAMAC, which refers to itself as ‘The Beverly Hills of Dubai’. This is not only a gated community with highend villas and apartments, luxury retail and leisure spaces – this is a gated community surrounded by 400,000 square metres of lush green parkland and an international golf course.

Here you can walk out from your

condominium to singing birds and fallen leaves.

Another major project is Al Barari.

Al Barari comprises 217 high-end villas, a gourmet restaurant, a plant nursery and a luxurious health club.

All around are themed gardens, freshwater streams and landscaped lakes.

Of the residential properties, the latest to open are part of The Nest, 99 exquisite villas with stunning views of the nature reserve and the city’s skyline. Each featuring their own landscaped gardens, they also contain private pools and are flooded with natural light.

Luxury shopping Gold, frankincense and malls

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D

ubai is one of the world’s great shopping hubs and its malls are far much more than just retail centres.

Each is a unique destination in itself, offering all the attractions of a vibrant city centre.

The only difference is that, in order to make shopping enjoyable during the hot desert summer, everything is under one roof and pleasantly air-conditioned.

Malls generally open from 10 am to 10 pm, and until midnight on Fridays. Most mall restaurants open until midnight. ATM cash dispensers and money exchange offices are conveniently located in all malls. As well as its fabulous malls, the other reason to come to Dubai is gold. Its quality is famous and is closely monitored by the Gold and Jewellers’ association. The free-trade environment makes Dubai probably the cheapest place in the world to buy jewellery.

The city’s famous Gold Souk, trading since the 1900s, is now a huge bazaar of more than 250 outlets, all linked by narrow alleys and traditional wooden archways. Dubai imports about 300 tons of gold yearly, worth a trade volume of Dhs 12 billion.

Since manufacturing charges for jewellery is reasonably low in the UAE, it is worth getting an individual piece tailor-made while here. Look out also for the precious stones traders, carrying rich selections at unbeatable prices. Certificates with detailed specifications are issued for each purchase and if in any doubt, officially approved labs are available for testing. Gold and jewellery shops can be found all over town, in the malls and luxury hotels. In recent years dedicated gold shopping centres have also been built, including New Gold Souk Centre, Gold Land and Gold Centre. The Gold and Diamond Park, a free trading zone for jewellery on the Sheikh Zayed Road, contains 100 outlets.

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Dubai Mall Spread over an area of 12 million square feet and home to more than 1,200 shops, 160 restaurants and cafés and an extensive array of leisure attractions, the Dubai Mall, the largest shopping centre in the world, and is located next to Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. Here the latest haute couture and lifestyle trends are available at Fashion Avenue, Galleries Lafayette and the first Bloomingdale’s store outside the United States – to name but a few. The front-ofhouse Dubai Fountain, the waterfall that runs down all four levels of this mega-mall, the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, an Olympic-sized ice rink, the SEGA Republic entertainment park and the 22 screen Reel cinema offer entertainment and fun for the whole family.

Opening hours Saturday to Wednesday: 10am-3am Thursday & Friday: Open 24 hours Restaurants & food courts Saturday to Wednesday: 10am to 3am Thursday & Friday: Open 24 hours Banks According to the directive of the Central Bank

+971 4 367 5588 www.thedubaimall.com

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Mall of the Emirates Conveniently located on the Sheikh Zayed Road and close to the Jumeirah hotel area, the Mall of the Emirates offers extraordinary shopping and entertainment opportunities over 223,000 square meters. The retail stores here stock more than 500 international brands, with the Fashion Dome the latest addition to the centre. A large food court and stylish cafés and restaurants provide the places for a culinary retreat. A unique attraction is Ski Dubai, the world’s largest indoor ski slope, with a ski and snowboard school and winter fun park. For those who did not think to pack their winter sports equipment for a trip to Dubai, all the gear you need is available to hire.

A 500-seat community theatre, a 14-screen cinema and the Magic Planet entertainment centre add to the mall’s visitor attractions.

Opening hours Saturday to Wednesday: 10am10pm Thursday & Friday: Open 24 hours Restaurants & cafés Saturday to Wednesday: 10ammidnight Thursday & Friday: Open 24 hours Restaurants & food courts Sunday to Wednesday: 10am-10pm Thursday to Saturday: 10ammidnight Ski Dubai Sunday to Wednesday: 10am-10pm Thursday to Saturday: 10ammidnight

Magic Planet Sunday to Wednesday: 9.30am10pm Thursday to Saturday: 9.30ammidnight DUCTAC Saturday to Thursday: 9am-10pm Friday: 2pm-10pm VOX Cinemas Every day 10am-1am Carrefour Every day 9am-midnight

+971 4 409 9000 www.malloftheemirates.com

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BurJuman BurJuman, located within easy reach of the Al Karama shopping area, is a long-established mall and well known for its luxury selection of top international brands. The new wing is home to high-end shops such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Channel, Hermes and many more. The mall has its own gift card, and can provide dining options that include Indian, seafood and Filipino.

Opening hours Saturday to Wednesday: 10am-11pm Thursday & Friday: 10ammidnight Food & drink Saturday to Wednesday: 10am-midnight Thursday & Friday: 10am1am +971 4 352 0222 www.burjuman.com

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Wafi Built in the style of the Egyptian Pharaohs, the Wafi complex offers luxury shopping, lavish dining and hospitality.

The pyramid-shaped mall and adjourning souk are home to about 350 retail stores, ranging from top international brands to regional shops offering the finest handicrafts, carpets and Arabian perfumes. The Raffles Hotel, the Cleopatra and Mefdi spas and Dubai’s tallest indoor climbing wall are just a few of the additional attractions Wafi has to offer. This unique ambience and elegant atmosphere make it the preferred shopping destination for sophisticated customers from all parts of the Arabian world.

Mall opening hours Saturday to Wednesday: 10am10pm, Thursdays & Fridays: 10am-midnight Cleopatra’s Spa & Wellness Female spa: every day 8.30am-8pm Male spa: every day 9.30am-10pm Pharaohs’ Club Saturday to Thursday: 7am -11pm Friday: 9am-9pm Restaurants As the opening hours of individual restaurants vary, please refer to their websites for opening hours.

+971 4 324 4555 www.wafi.com

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City Centre Deira City Centre Deira is a brand by itself and with its location in the heart of Dubai it is one of the favourite shopping destinations and hang-outs for residents and visitors alike.

With more than 300 shops and – equally important in the middle of town – 6,000 complimentary parking spaces, City Centre Deira contains an interesting mix of retail and leisure attractions, catering to fashion-lovers as well as anyone who just wants to spend time with friends or catch a film.

Opening hours Sunday to Wednesday: 10am-10pm Thursday to Saturday: 10am-midnight Carrefour Every day 10am-midnight VOX Cinemas Every day 10am-midnight Magic Planet Every day 10am-10pm

+971 4 295 4545 www.citycentredeira.com

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Ibn Battuta Mall Ibn Battuta is the world’s largest themed mall and most probably the only shopping centre where visitors can get a guided sightseeing tour. And this tour has nothing to do with shopping, but with the life and adventures of Ibn Battuta, the Moroccan Berber Muslim and legendary seafarer from the 14th century.

The six courts of the mall assemble the architectural styles of Andalusia, Tunisia, Egypt, Persia, India and China, the destinations of Ibn Battuta’s major journeys. Showpieces and an interesting selection of old maps and nautical instruments enhance your shopping trip with exotic stories from the past. An interesting international mix of brands and shops, a cinema complex, restaurants and a food court make the mall a popular retreat and retail destination for visitors and the residents of the southern Dubai areas.

Opening hours Sunday to Wednesday: 10am-10pm Thursday to Saturday: 10am-midnight Restaurants & food court 10am-midnight Geant Hypermarket Saturday to Friday: 9am-midnight

+971 4 352 1900 www.ibnbattutamall.com

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Souk Madinat Jumeirah The sights, the scents, and the shopping surprises that await around every corner – the spirit of the traditional Arabian souk survives at Madinat Jumeirah. Here you wander along the meandering avenues past towers, lantern-lit hallways and narrow waterways. You can discover treasures hidden along the way, in the form of fashion, jewellery, antiques, art, oils and spices. There’s also a series of world-class restaurants and bars at your service throughout the day and long into the night.

Opening hours Shops: Every day 10am to 11pm Restaurants, cafés & bars open and close later.

+971 4 366 8888 www.jumeirah.com

Dubai Festival City Mall Rising along the banks of the historic Dubai Creek, Dubai Festival City Mall is Dubai’s unrivalled waterfront destination for style and sophistication, showcasing an exciting selection of prestigious retailers, an international gourmet culture and a world-class entertainment retreat. Located at the heart of Dubai Festival City, Dubai Festival City Mall will total upon completion 2.8 million sq ft of leasable

space, with over 600 shops including 25 flagship stores, over 100 restaurants, cafes and bistros, a 12-screen cinemas complex, Bowling City and a vast entertainment centre and parking for 13,000 cars.

Today guests can browse over 400 world-leading brands offering a rich diversity of fashion, jewellery, home accessories, toys and gifts for every occasion.

Opening hours Sunday to Wednesday 10am to 10pm Thursday to Saturday 10am to midnight

+ 971 4 232 5444 www.dubaifestivalcity.com

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Shopping malls in Dubai THE DUBAI MALL Website www.thedubaimall.com Location Sheikh Zayed Road, by the towering Burj Khalifa Telephone +971 4 367 5588 Open Sunday to Wednesday: 10am10pm, Thursday to Saturday: 10am-midnight

MALL OF THE EMIRATES Website www.malloftheemirates.com Location Interchange 4, Sheikh Zayed Road Telephone + 971 4 409 9000 Open Sunday to Wednesday: 10am10pm, Thursday to Saturday: 10am-midnight

DUBAI FESTIVAL CENTER Website www.festivalcentre.com www.dubaifestivalcity.com Location Dubai Festival City, Dubai Creek, close to Dubai International Airport, easy access from the Garhoud and Business Bay bridges.

Telephone + 971 4 232 5444 Open Sunday to Wednesday: 10am10pm, Thursday to Saturday: 10am-midnight

CITY CENTRE DEIRA Website www.citycentredeira.com Location Opposite Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club on Baniyas Road Telephone + 971 4 295 4545 +971 4 295 1010 Open Sunday to Wednesday: 10am10pm, Thursday to Saturday: 10am-midnight

BURJUMAN Website www.burjuman.com Location Dubai Trade Centre Road, along Khalid bin Al Waleed Street in Bur Dubai

Telephone + 971 4 352 0222 Open Saturday to Wednesday: 10am10pm, Thursday to Friday: 10ammidnight

WAFI SHOPPING MALL Website www.wafi.com Location South of the Dubai Creek, next to the Grand Hyatt Hotel Telephone + 971 4 324 4555 Open Saturday to Wednesday: 10am10pm, Thursday to Friday: 10ammidnight

(Route 66) by the Al Ruwayya interchange Telephone +971 4 423 4666 Open Saturday to Wednesday: 10am10pm, Thursday & Friday:10ammidnight

THE BOULEVARD Website www.boulevarddubai.com Location Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Sheikh Zayed Road Telephone +971 4 319 8999 Open Saturday-Thursday: 10am-10pm Friday: 4pm-10pm

IBN BATTUTA SHOPP ING MALL Website www.ibnbattutamall.com Location Sheikh Zayed Road, between interchanges 5 and 6 Telephone + 971 4 352 1900 +971 4 368 5543 Open Sunday to Wednesday: 10am10pm, Thursday to Saturday: 10am-midnight

AL GHURAIR CENTRE Website www.alghuraircentre.com/en Location Al Ghurair City, Al Rigga Street, Deira Telephone +971 4 205 5309 +971 4 205 5285 Open Saturday to Wednesday: 10am10pm, Thursday & Friday: 10ammidnight

MERCATO SHOPPING MALL DUBAI

LAMCY PLAZA

Website www.mercatoshoppingmall.com Location Jumeirah Beach Road, near Dubai Zoo Telephone + 971 4 344 4161 Open Every day: 10am-10pm

Website www.lamcyplaza.com Location Sheikh Rashid Road, Oud Metha Telephone +971 4 335 9999 Open Sunday to Wednesday: 10am10pm, Thursday & Friday: 10ammidnight

DUBAI MARINA MALL Website www.dubaimarinamall.com Location Exit 32 directly off Sheikh Zayed Road Telephone + 971 4 436 1020 Open Saturday to Wednesday: 10am10pm, Thursdays & Fridays: 10am-midnight

DUBAI OUTLET MALL Website www.dubaioutletmall.com Location Dubailand, near Al-Ain Road

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SOUK MADINAT JUMIERAH Website www.jumeirah.com/en/hotelsresorts/dubai/madinat-jumeirah/ facilities/souk-madinat-jumeirah Location Madinat Jumeirah, close to Burj Al Arab Telephone +971 4 366 8888 Open Every day: 10am-11pm

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All that glitters Dubai’s famous Gold Souk has existed since the 1900s. From a small market with a few traders it grew substantially in the middle of the 20th century. The Gold Souk now spreads over half a square kilometre, and is home to 270 gold shops among its narrow alleys and traditional wooden archways.

Pure gold is fairly soft and since it can easily get knocked out of shape and is very sensitive towards scratches, it is not practical for jewellery that is intended to be worn every day.

Exclusive jewellery is usually made from gold alloys of 75% or more.

White gold is becoming ever more

fashionable; it is also available in various alloys, although its gram-price is usually about 20% higher than that for yellow gold. Something unique is Purple Gold (about 20-karat), now offered in select shops. Pay in cash in the local currency – credit-card charges or exchange rates above official rates could spoil an otherwise good price otherwise.

Since the UAE is not only a gold-trading state but also a place of manufacture, most of the shops in the Gold Souk and in the Gold and Diamond Park have their own workshops and will be able to fit or repair jewellery.

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The world of 1001 fragrances Traditional Arabic perfume is used in the form of pure oil and is not blended with alcohol, as is common in the West.

Traditional perfume shops carry perfume compositions – often in the scent of wellknown perfume brands – as well as pure oils that can be mixed to create an individual fragrance. These elegant creations are best presented in lavishly decorated perfume flacons and applied in very small amounts using the thin glass sticks.

Frankincense is an aromatic resin, obtained from trees of the genus boswellia.

It has been known and used on the Ara-

bian Peninsula and in North Africa for more than 5,000 years. Oman, Yemen, Somalia and India are its main producers of frankincense.

Burned over charcoal to release its scent, frankincense is used both as a fragrance and in the rituals of various religions.

The most exotic and expensive fragrance is oudh, from the wood of the tropical evergreen agar tree. Oudh is available as oil for perfume use or as woodchips to be burned on charcoal to release its scent in the house. Since

oudh is rare and difficult to harvest, its value is considered 1.5 times the price of pure gold, particularly types such as Cambodian and ‘Old India’.

Bukhoor are small bricks, consisting mainly of tiny woodchips, perfume oil and resins. In rural areas, women to make bukhoor with their own recipe, passed down over generations. Ready-made bukhoor is available in Arabic perfume shops and the salesperson will be happy to put a small piece on the hot charcoal in the bukhoor burner for you to sample the smell.

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The world of 1001 spices At local spice markets, large jute bags of exotic products fill traditional shops and stalls, before they appear in kitchens around the world.

Saffron, considered the most expensive condiment, is widely used in Middle Eastern and Asian cuisine. The tiny saffron stigmas are derived from the flower of the saffron crocus. To produce one ki-

logram of this precious spice, more than 10,000 flowers are needed. It takes about 40 hours to pick this amount of crocuses, about the area of two football pitches.

Various qualities are available from different regions. Even though saffron is not cheap in the UAE, it still costs a fraction of the prices abroad.

Some items sold at the market might

not be used in Western cuisine. Dried lemons are common in the local kitchen, giving traditional fish dishes their special taste.

A special herbal mix is za’atar, made from sumac, thyme, sesame seeds, marjoram, oregano and a bit of coarse salt.

Za’tar is used for meat dishes, to spice up white cheese and the yoghurt-like labneh

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for breakfast, on flat Arabic bread and even in croissants.

The traders offer an endless variety of curries, the often really hot spice mixes so popular in Indian cuisine.

Dried herbs are used for a variety of herbal infusions. Dried hibiscus flowers, known locally as karkade, is the base for a dark red drink, a delicacy hot or cold.

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Faberge

Tiffany & Co

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Cartier

Top Jewels Bvlgari

Graff

Buccellati

Chopard

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Chanel

Hermés

Top Fragrances

Jean Patou

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Arabian Oud

Amouage

Clive Christian

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Top Women’s Fashion

Burberry

LUXURY SHOPPING Chopard

Christian Louboutin

Glash端tte

Chanel

Jack Row

Fendi

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Top Men’s Fashion

Nikon

Ressence

LG

Bayan

Ryno

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Brioni

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Omega

Top Men’s Timepieces

A. Lange & Söhne

Jaquet Droz

LUXURY SHOPPING

Audemars Piguet

Vacheron & Constantin

Arnold & Son

Blancpain

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Top Women’s Timepieces Eberhard & Co

Piaget

Omega

Omega

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Bvlgari

Harry Winston

Cartier

Jaeger LeCoultre

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Chanel

Top Women’s Accessories Estée Lauder

Tiffany & Co

Louis Vuitton

LUXURY SHOPPING

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Chopard

Giuseppe Zanotti

Dolce & Gabbana

Elizabeth Arden

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ARMANI EXCHANGE A|X Armani Exchange is accessible Armani, inspired by street-chic culture, fashionable dance music and everything that signifies freedom and personal style. Armani Exchange is the youthful label created by Italian designer and entrepreneur Giorgio Armani.

With Armani Exchange, Mr Armani interprets his unique style to create a casual, yet sophisticated collection for the young, urban set. It designs, manufactures, distributes and retails fashion and lifestyle products, including apparel, accessories, eyewear, watches, jewellery and music. www.armaniexchange.com

CARTIER Founded in 1847 by Louis Francois Cartier, the family-run Cartier firm has expanded to become an international jewellery house with a reputation second to none. For generations, the House of Cartier has displayed the gift of sophisticated expertise in creating pieces that express a unity of style no matter the differences in artistic expression attracting customers from around the world in search of distinction. The jeweller never ceases to delight the public with its dazzling collection that places contemporary high jewellery creations alongside fine watchmaking master pieces in perfect continuity, bearing witness to the vitality of its creations both past and present. www.cartier.com

TIFFANY & CO. Tiffany & Co. is America's premier purveyor of jewels and timepieces, as well as luxury table, personal and home accessories. It was founded in 1837 by Charles Lewis Tiffany and established on the belief that 'good design is good business'. All Tiffany & Co. designs are presented in the Tiffany Blue Box速, recognised around the world as an icon of distinction and a symbol of the ultimate gift to celebrate life's most joyous occasions. Today, the company's more than 100 boutiques in 17 countries continue the company's tradition of excellence. www.tiffany.com

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JOBEENY The Jobeeny brand is set to shake up the high street with the launch of an unusual range of “modern antiques”. Conceived and created by designer Jo Cooper, the brand is proud to unveil its first collection of future heirlooms. “There are so many elements that my bespoke customers want:” Jo said “a sense of timelessness; properly crafted details; some luxury; a fashion sense. So I decided to draw them all together in a modern, practical way”. www.jobeeny.com

RODENSTOCK The Rodenstock brand stands for technologically demanding products of exceptional quality. For at Rodenstock we constantly ask ourselves: how can we make wearing spectacles even more pleasant, lighter, simpler and more comfortable?

This attitude gives rise to innovative product solutions – which meet demands for the highest precision. www.rodenstock.com

VICTORIA'S SECRET Victoria’s Secret, the world’s greatest lingerie store is now open! The store features a wide assortment of the brand’s signature bras, panties, sleepwear, and Victoria’s Secret PINK, the spirited lifestyle brand dedicated to the independent and inspired collegiate girl. The full lines of popular fragrances such as Victoria’s Secret Bombshell, Dre am Angels Glow and Victoria’s Secret Angel are all available along with VS Fantasies body care and PINK beauty products. This store is uniquely designed to embody the brand’s sophisticated and glamorous spirit. www.victoriassecret.com

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Luxury gastronomy Dubai goes global

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eading global restaurateurs are beating a path to Dubai’s door. With the UAE main hub of leisure and entertainment filling with more and more luxury hotels, their restaurants are in ever more serious competition to attract – and keep – custom. An average French or Japanese restaurant wouldn’t last long here.

Here in Dubai, serious money and thought go into décor and atmosphere. Standards of service, equally, need to be high.

All along the Sheikh Zayed Road, top-quality Italian, Tex-Mex and Indian restaurants beckon the discerning diner, within a relatively short taxi hop of each other.

Dubai Marina, too, is dense with attractive eateries, bringing into focus another factor: the view. Particularly advantageous to establishments located on the waterfront or many floors up, is what is laid on for the diner as he or she is waiting for the food to be placed on the table. Here in Dubai, diners are not only treated to global cuisine of international standard, but their meal comes with a jawdropping vista of the sea or gleaming cityscape – or both.

Although little expense is spared to fly over the finest and freshest core ingredients from Europe or the Far East, local produce also underpins Dubai’s dining scene. A trip to the local market should prove that decent fruit and vegetables don’t have to be flown in.

Fishermen have been plying their trade here for generations.

These provide the essentials for local Emirate cuisine, along with lamb, goat or chicken. Camel is even served on special occasions.

Stews are the mainstay of the Emirati kitchen, as distinct from the cuisine of the Levant.

Finally, those here for the weekend should not miss out on Friday brunch, local restaurants outdoing each other to provide the most sumptuous buffet and crowd-pleasing entertainment.

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Traditional Emirati food Traditional Emirati food is quite different to what is commonly known as ‘Arabic’. Most dishes are stew-like, since ingredients are usually cooked together in one single pot. Saffron, cardamom, turmeric, thyme, rosewater and dried lemons give Emirati cuisine its special taste.

Meat is mainly lamb, goat, chicken or local poultry, such as local houbara bustard. Camel is served on special occasions.

Machboos is a typical dish, made from meat, chicken or fish, cooked with onions, dried lime and spices. Once the meat is done, the stock is used to boil the rice. Layers of rice and the meat-vegetable mix are cooked together. The dish is served on large trays, garnished with nuts, raisins and fried onions.

Thareed is a stew made from mixed vegetables such as carrots, potatoes and pumpkin, cooked with chicken or lamb. The dish is traditionally served with thin Arabic bread.

Madrooba is cooked from salt-cured fish, a regional delicacy, available at the market. Once cleaned, the fish is slowly cooked with spices. Before serving the dish is topped off with clarified butter, ghee.

Fresh vegetables are usually served as appetisers or side dishes.

Local cucumber yoghurt salad is a favourite.

A refreshing drink, traditionally served with the meal, is Arabic lemonade, made from freshly squeezed lemon juice blended with mint leaves. Fresh fruit and sweets complete the meal.

Luqeymat is an irresistible treat: deep-fried balls of pancake batter rolled in sesame seeds and then covered with date syrup.

Asseda, a cold dessert, is made of pumpkin and gets its typical orange colour from the added saffron.

Tea with mint or traditional Arabic coffee is usually served at the end of a meal. The pleasant smell of the incense burner signals the end of the meal in a private home.

It’s customary for guests to leave shortly after.

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Balaleet

Harees

Saloona

Thareed

Chicken Machboos

Luqeymat

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The Gourmet Metropolis Dubai's Best Fine Dining Restaurants

Al Fanar Restaurant Al Mahara Address Reservation Cuisine Open

Festival City, Marina Pavilion +971 4 232 9966 Emirati Daily 8:30 AM – 11:30 PM

With an ambience of Dubai in the 1960s, Al Fanar offers fine dining in the nostalgic ambiance of a themed setting. The restaurant serves authentic Emirati cuisine, feeding the curiosity of visitors, and is very well known amongst the local Emirati community; a haven for locals, and an iconic showcase of exotic culture and exquisite taste.

Address Reservation Cuisine Open

Burj Al Arab Hotel, Jumeirah +971 4 301 7600 Asian, Continental and seafood Daily 12:30 am – 2:30 PM, 7 PM – 12 PM

There can’t be many restaurants in the world where you hop in a “submarine” to get to your dining table. But then Al Mahara isn’t your standard seafood restaurant. The fish on your plate is as fresh as that swimming in the stunning aquarium in this award-laden signature restaurant, which serves Western seafood with a Chinese touch. Connoisseurs of the suave please note: there is a harpist to serenade diners. Gents need to wear a collared shirt and jacket.

Buddha Bar Address Reservation Cuisine Open

Grosvenor House Dubai Marina +971 4 399 8888 Asian Daily 8 PM – 2 PM, on Thursday and Friday until 3 PM

The Buddha-Bar is legendary, its awesome spectacle instantly promising guests an evening of pure theatre and pleasure; one of Dubai’s hottest hotspots, the buzzing main bar and dining room is dominated by Buddha-Bar’s famous four-metre high gilded statue, and an entire wall of glass, soaring 20 metres high. To the sensual sound of chillout music, guests can luxuriate in a menu inspired by the cuisines of Thailand, China and Japan, with fresh seasonal ingredients from Arabia.

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La Petite Maison Peppercrab Address Reservation Cuisine Open

Gate Village 08 DIFC +971 4 439 0505 French Daily 12 AM – 3:30 PM, 7 PM – 11:30 PM

The home of Cuisine Nicoise, whose origins lie in old Genoese cooking, is the old town of Nice where French Mediterranean cuisine has blended and evolved with the influences of Ligurian Italy across the border. Local produce, notably artichokes, courgettes, lemons, olives, tomatoes, peppers and girolles are used generously with sea food, meat and fresh pasta to produce a style that’s light and healthy.

Address Reservation Cuisine Open

Grand Hyatt Hotel +971 4 317 2222 Singaporean, seafood 7-11:30 PM, on Thursday and Friday until midnight

A first of its kind seafood restaurant in Dubai, Peppercrab presents the unique culinary delights of Singapore with a mesmerising view of the action in the kitchen. A fun, lively, family-style restaurant, fish and seafood feature predominantly on a menu where flavours are enhanced and enlivened by the use of sauces and spices. The famous chilli and pepper crabs remain as highlights, perfect for sharing with family and friends.

Prime 68 Address

Reservation Cuisine Open

JW Marriott Marquis Hotel, 68th Floor +971 4 414 3000 Steakhouse Daily 6 PM – 12 PM

Prime 68 is a new generation of steakhouse, located high on the 68th floor, offering stunning views across Dubai's skyline. This Boutique restaurant combines traditional elements of a classic steakhouse menu and refining dishes with modern presentations, ensuring the ultimate recipe for an unforgettable experience.

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Reflets par Pierre Rhodes Mezzanine Tomo Address Reservation Cuisine Open

InterContinental, Festival city +971 4 701 1111 French For dinner

A world-class fine dining restaurant offering Michelin starred French cuisine. Reflets par Pierre Gagnaire combines exciting decor and outstanding service with memorable cuisine prepared by one of the world’s most famous chefs, Pierre Gagnaire. The latest distinction for the award-winning restaurant was its recognition as “Dubai’s Restaurant of the Year 2013”.

Address Reservation Cuisine Open

Grosvenor House Hotel +971 4 399 5555 Modern European Daily 7 PM – 11:30 PM

A flagship restaurant of Grosvenor House Hotel, Rhodes Mezzanine restaurant is overseen by its eponymous, Michelin-starred celebrity chef Gary Rhodes. The luxurious restaurant offers diners the very best of modern British cuisine with European twists within the stunning, contemporary Dubai venue.

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Address Reservation Cuisine Open

Raffles Dubai +971 4 3577 888 Japanese Daily 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM 6:30 PM – 11:30 PM

An authentic Japanese restaurant promoting Japanese culture and food in the Middle East.

Over the last three decades Partner Chef Takahashi with his the am of skilled chefs from Japan has gained an extensive following of Japanese nationals and people of other nationalities in the UAE who appreciate the real taste of Japan.

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Zuma Address Reservation Cuisine Open

Gate Village 06 DIFC +971 4 425 5660 Japanese Daily 12:30 PM – 3 PM, 7 PM – 12 PM

Following the Japanese izakaya style of dining, food is served to share. The dishes are steadily brought to the table creating an informal yet sophisticated style of eating and drinking, with a contemporary twist.

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The weekend starts here F B riday

runch

Al Qasr Hotel

Azur Restaurant

Madinat Jumeirah

Raffles Dubai

The Al Qasr brunch is without doubt the biggest of its kind in town, attracting a weekly crowd of about 800 diners. The kitchens of three restaurants contribute to the culinary feast that spreads over the entire ground floor of the hotel. Upon arrival, guests are handed a map to navigate the food and beverage stations.

The Friday Roast at the Azur Restaurant focuses on traditional British cuisine, serving Yorkshire pudding and a variety of roast meats from the carving station. There are also platters of smoked fish. Brunch time features a special kids’ corner, where little ones can find a cupcake and cookie icing station.

Address Al Qasr Hotel, Umm Suqeim Reservation +971 4 366 8888 Open 12.30pm-2pm

Address Raffles Hotel, Oud Metha Reservation +971 4 324 8888 Open 1pm-4.30pm

Mövenpick Hotel The Observatory Ibn Battuta Gate The lavish Friday brunch of the Mövenpick Hotel at Ibn Batuta Gate is a combined dining experience created by the five signature in-house venues. With names such as Silicia, Shanghai Chic, Mistral, Maroc Bar and Chor Baazar, you know you can look forward to Italian, Chinese, French, Moroccan and Indian cuisine.

Address Mövenpick Hotel Ibn Battuta Gate, The Gardens Reservation +971 4 444 0000 Open 12.30pm-4pm

Marriott Harbour The Friday brunch at The Observatory involves copious amounts of treats to indulge in, with dishes from the à la carte menu and a delicious buffet spread created by culinary masters. Renowned for its seafood temptations, the brunch includes carefully selected fresh oysters, mussels, clams, prawns and various fish varieties imported from around the world.

Address Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites, Dubai Marina Reservation +971 4 3194795, mhrs.dxbhr.observatory@marriotthotels.com Open 12.30pm-4pm

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Hakkasan

Hashi

Imperium

Jumierah Emirates Towers

Armani Hotel

Jumeirah Zabeel Saray

The Friday and Saturday dim sum brunch at Hakkasan features a ten-dish meal set plus a round of home-made sorbets for dessert. The dishes ranges from the tried and true favourites such as grilled vegetable dumplings and scallop siu mai, to unexpected offerings such as baked venison puff and poached Peking dumplings served in a spicy broth.

Armani Hashi delivers an imaginative twist on traditional and contemporary Japanese cuisine. The authentic Friday brunch offers a variety of Japanese options including sushi, sashimi, teppanyaki and tempura. Brunch time also means a wok station and live cooking stations, which enable you to view your meal being cooked in front of you while enjoying other dishes.

With classical home-made and hearty French favourites as well as continental delicacies, at Imperium you can explore an abundant choice from the lavish buffet or the Ă la carte options. When it comes to seafood, terrines and a carving grill, the French really do it best, with rustic and regional brasserie dishes and a Gallic twist on brunch classics.

Address Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Emirates Boulevard Reservation +971 4 384 8484 Open noon-3pm

Address Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites, Dubai Marina Reservation +971 4 888 3888, dubai@armanihotels.com Open noon-3pm

Address Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, West Crescent,Palm Jumeirah Reservation +971 4 4530 444 jzsrestaurants@jumeirah.com Open 1pm-4pm

Saffron

Splendido

Traiteur

Atlantis The Palm

The Ritz Carlton Dubai

Park Hyatt Dubai

The Splendido features authentic Italian cooking for contemporary palates. Here diners can enjoy fresh breads, pastas and deli items in New-York style decor with large outdoor patio. A wide variety of international dishes including a salad bar, oyster station, charcuterie station and sushi station are laid out for guests to sample.

Quite possibly the most elegant dining room in the Emirate, Traiteur at the Park Hyatt Dubai provides a complete culinary experience at any time and an exciting fine dining menu at brunch, which celebrates all things French. Guests will also find Dubai’s only panfried-foie-gras station and suckling-pig spit roast.

Address The Ritz Carlton, Dubai Marina Reservation +971 4 399 4000 dxbrz.leads@ritzcarlton.com Open 12.30pm-3.30pm

Address Park Hyatt Dubai, next to Dubai Creek Golf- and Yacht-Club Reservation +971 4 317 2222 Open 12.30pm-4pm

With over 220 different dishes to choose from at any given time, the Saffron brunch is one of the tastiest selections in town.

Here you can fill your plate and your glass with quality food and drink, while entertainment is provided by a resident DJ and a magician who has more than a few tricks up his sleeve.

Address Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites, Dubai Marina Reservation +971 4 426 2626 restaurantreservations@atlantisthepalm.com Open 12.30pm-4pm

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The best hidden culinary treasures Local and Emirati Food

© thehamblogger.com

Ewaan

Kan Zaman

Local House

A traditional Oriental experience

Best outdoor view of old Dubai

Signature dish: camel burger

The all-day restaurant of Ewaan evokes a truly regional theme evident from its regal arches and wooden trellis. The setting is vividly Arabian, making Ewaan an ideal venue for a traditional experience, brought forth by its luxurious drapery and flamboyant accessories. Arabic and Oriental dishes are served from live cooking stations and a buffet, along with coffee and shisha pipes on the outdoor terrace.

Kan Zaman is perhaps the best place in town, to get

Oriental specialties.

The Local House is a culinary treasure, located in one of the historic buildings in Dubai’s Bastakia area, the oldest residential district of town. It is one of the very few places in town where camel meat is served, giving visitors the chance to sample the region’s most traditional and delicate cuisine.

The signature dish here is the camel burger.

Address Heritage Village, Shindaga Reservation +971 4 393 9913 Open Daily 5pm-2am

Address Al Fahidi Road, Bastakia Reservation +971 4 354 0705 Open Daily 10am-midnight

Address The Palace Downtown Reservation +971 4 888 3444 Open Daily 6am-midnight

the feeling of the traditional Arabic settlement of Dubai. Located next to the Heritage Village at the bay of the Dubai Creek, it’s a place to sample downto-earth Arabic cuisine and enjoy an evening with a traditional sheesha water pipe. The menu consists of special meat grills and other Lebanese, Iranian and

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Fine Dining on Smartphones Download Your App for Smartphones and Tablets

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Download this app to discover the gourmet metropolis Dubai!

Culture & heritage The art of creation

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I

n Dubai, culture and heritage go hand in hand. Just one look at the packed arts and cultural agenda here will show that most festivals, events, performances and shows are multifaceted, each underscored with significant elements of culture and heritage.

Alongside, the world’s top singers, performers, film directors and artists are all regular visitors to Dubai. And the action takes place all year round – whether you come here around the time of Dubai Music Week in September or the long-established Dubai International Film Festival in December, you’re bound to find an attractive range of top-class culture and entertainment.

Another thing to bear in mind is the variety of what’s on offer, even for specific events. The annual Emirates Airline Dubai International Jazz Festival, for example, recently staged acts as diverse as Sting, James Blunt and Christina Perri. Even the new Dubai Opera House, currently being built in the shape of a traditional dhow boat, and reshaping the district around it, will be a venue for far more than opera.

If there is one area in which Dubai excels, though, it is art. Held in March, Art Dubai is one of the most prominent fairs of its kind in the world, displaying works by some 500 artists and attracting 25,000 visitors. Year-round, Dubai has a huge selection of galleries, many based in converted spaces around the industrial zone of Al Quoz.

Even though Dubai is a city of the future, its roots are carefully preserved. The Emirate’s biggest treasure, its Arabian and Islamic tradition and heritage, is guarded and carefully introduced into the modern world.

Living examples are the unique souks at the bays of the Creek, the wharfs themselves, and the Dubai Heritage Village, in the historical neighbourhood of Shindagha.

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Art Dubai Europe has Art Basel – Art Dubai shares the same prestigious role, as the leading contemporary art fair for the Middle East and South Asia. In a history spanning the best part of a decade, Art Dubai has become the essential gathering place for collectors, artists and art professionals from across the region and beyond.

Some 25,000 visitors flock to Dubai every March for the event, for which works by some 500 artists are exhibited. Besides the gallery halls, an extensive programme is broadly divided into three main categories: contemporary, modern and something la-

ART DUBAI HAS BECOME THE ESSENTIAL GATHERING PLACE FOR COLLECTORS AND ARTISTS.” belled as marker, a curated section of art spaces with a annually changing focus on a particular theme or geography.

Intertwined with these, Art Dubai also features commissioned projects and performances, artists’ and curators’ residencies, educational workshops, the unveiling of works by the winners of the annual Abraaj Group Art Prize and the critically acclaimed Global Art Forum.

Art Dubai is part of Art Week, an umbrella initiative that showcases a broader range of cultural events, including Design Days Dubai, the only fair in the region especially dedicated to furniture and product design. Run by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, Sikka showcases artists based in the UAE.

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Galleries

Alserkal Avenue Founded in 2007, Alserkal Avenue is the foremost arts hub in the region, bringing together collaborators from diverse artistic disciplines and encouraging open dialogue, the sharing of ideas and the collective ability to develop them. Spread across a large area, the creative warehouse spaces of Alserkal Avenue coexist with industrial workshops. The Avenue houses numerous galleries of international repute, dynamic art spaces and home-grown cultural initiatives.

1x1 Art Gallery This gallery has long sat firmly in a niche that is still relatively underexplored here: contemporary Indian art.

Tel: +971 4 341 1287, +971 4 432 4362 Fax: +971 4 347 2321 E-mail: 1x1artgallery@gmail.com Website: www.1x1artgallery.com Location: Warehouse No.4, Plot No.364-22, Al Quoz 1

4 Walls Art Gallery The gallery focuses on Middle Eastern and international modern art. Through the arrangement of personal and collective exhibitions, the owners hope to share their passion for Middle Eastern art and its development with the various communities in Dubai, as well as its visitors.

Tel: E-mail: Website: Location:

+971 4 420 2497 info@4walls-dubai.com www.4walls-dubai.com Fortune Tower JLT

The Ara Gallery This contemporary art gallery in Downtown

Dubai is dedicated to exhibiting artists from the Arab world.

Tel: +971 4 454 2784 E-mail: info@thearagallery.ae Website: www.facebook.com/thearagallery Location: Burj Plaza, Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard

Arsh Art Gallery This gallery is a modern and different space exhibiting contemporary Middle Eastern and international art and creative collections.

Tel: +971 4 420 3471 Fax: +971 4 360 5461 E-mail: info@arshartgallery.com Website: www.facebook.com/ArshArtGallery Location: No.2204, Indigo Icon Tower, Jumeirah Lake Towers

Art Sawa Gallery A leading gallery in the MENA region, Art Sawa has over the past four years made a measurable impact on the Art Scene in the region by championing both well established as well as emerging regional artists.

Tel: +971 4 340 8660 Fax: +971 4 340 8661 E-mail: info@artsawa.com Website: www.artsawa.com Location in Al Quoz: corner 8th Street/Al Marabea Road Tel: +971 4 386 2366 Location at DIFC: Unit R-01, Gate Village, Building #8, Al Sa’ada St

ArtSpace Dubai The gallery, founded in 2003, is dedicated to promotion of contemporary Middle Eastern art and artists. It caters to the taste and trends of the sophisticated Dubai art market and a discerning worldwide collector base. A diverse clientele includes private collectors, art consultants, corporate art consultants,

architects, interior designers as well as business people, the diplomatic fraternity and high-ranking VIPs. The gallery offers clients an extraordinary opportunity to sample and acquire some of the most contemporary art from the Middle Eastern.

Tel: E-mail: Website: Location:

+971 4 323 0820 info@artspace-dubai.com, www.artspace-dubai.com The Gate Village Bldg. 3, Level 2, DIFC

Ayyam Gallery The gallery is recognised as a leading cultural voice in the region, representing a roster of Arab and Iranian artists with an international profile and museum presence.

Tel: +971 4 323 6242 Fax: +971 4 323 6243 E-mail: dubai@ayyamgallery.com Website: www.ayyamgallery.com Location in Al Quoz: Alserkal Avenue, Exit 43 of SZR, Street 8, Al Quoz 1 Location at DIFC: B uilding 3, DIFC Gate Village E-mail: difc@ayyamgallery.com Tel: +971 4 439 2395 Fax: +971 4 439 2390

Carbon 12 Carbon 12, established in 2008, is the only contemporary art gallery in the region with a comprehensive programme consisting of long established international artists and emerging artists from the surrounding territories and across the globe. Since 2008, this dialogue between international and Middle Eastern artists has had a fundamental impact on the art scene of the entire Gulf region. Carbon 12 has held over more than three-dozen exhibitions, featuring artists such as Andr. Butzer, Olaf Breuning, Ghazel and Sara Rahbar, just to name just a

LUXURY CULTURE & HERITAGE

few. Works by these represented artists can be found in permanent collections of prestigious institutions such as the Centre Pompidou, Mumok, LACMA, the Gulbenkian Foundation and the Saatchi Gallery. Exhibitions at Carbon 12 have received international critical acclaim and the gallery also has an active international presence, having participated in more than a dozen art fairs around the world.

Tel: + 971 4 340 6016 E-mail: info@carbon12dubai.com Website: www.carbon12dubai.com Location: Alserkal Avenue, Unit D37, Street 8, Al Quoz 1

The Cartoon Art Gallery The gallery is the first of its kind in the Middle East that provides a focus on the art of the cartoon, as well as animation, illustration, conceptual art, comics, children’s book illustration and more. In addition to this unique selection of vintage and contemporary art, it displays prints and a collection of Original Production Animation Cels.

Tel: +971 4 346 6467 E-mail: info@cartoonartgallery.org Website: www.cartoonartgallery.org Location: Street 4B, Off Sheikh Zayed Road, Interchange 3, exit 43, Al Quoz

Courtyard Gallery The Courtyard Gallery is one of the oldest galleries in Dubai, and the first to establish itself in the Al Quoz industrial area that is today a major hub for the genre. The Courtyard promotes international art, with a focus on established and emerging contemporary artists from the Middle East, by organising and hosting individual

and group exhibitions, and by commissioning artworks for small, medium and large-scale projects.

Tel: Fax: E-mail: Website: Location:

+971 4 347 9090 +971 4 347 9666 info@courtyardgallerydubai.com www.facebook.com/courtyard.gallery Street 6, Al Quoz 3

The Empty Quarter This is the only gallery in Dubai devoted exclusively to fine art photography and serving a rapidly growing membership of artists and photo enthusiasts. Its goal is to expand the understanding and appreciation of photography as an artistic medium.

Tel: Fax: E-mail:

Website: Location:

+971 4 323 1210 +971 4 323 1524 info@theemptyquarter.com, krisztina@theemptyquarter.com www.theemptyquarter.com Gate Village, Building 02

Gallery 76 This is the oldest public art gallery in the UAE and occupies a special place in the history of Dubai’s thriving art scene. The gallery plays a key role at the Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) in facilitating the ‘Art For All’ programme.

Tel: +971 4 344 4398 E-mail: artdubai@eim.ae Website: www.artdubai.com Location: Dubai International Art Centre, Villa No.27, Street 75B, Jumeirah 1

Gallery Etemad – Dubai Etemad Dubai expands on the gallery’s vision to celebrate the Middle East as a global leader, at the forefront of cultural production and exchange. One of the largest galleries in Dubai.

Tel/fax: +971 4 347 0909 E-mail: info@galleryetemad.com Website: www.galleryetemad.com/index.php/Dubai Location: The Courtyard, near Times Square Center/ Al Tayer Showroom, Street 4B, Al Quoz 1

Gallery Isabelle van den Eynde Having organised her first exhibition of contemporary art in Dubai in 2004, Isabelle van den Eynde set up her own gallery in 2010.

It showcases an intense and innovative programme of exhibitions that break conventional understandings of art coming out of the Middle East at the present moment.

Tel: Fax: E-mail: Website: Location:

+971 4 323 50 52 +971 4 323 67 61 info@ivde.net www.ivde.net Unit 17, Street 8, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz 1

Gallery One Gallery One is the largest branded gallery group in the region and the home of ‘great things for walls’. Here you can browse contemporary art and decorative photographic prints in a welcoming and open environment.

Tel: +971 4 432 7493 E-mail: info@g-1.com Website: www.g-1.com Location: Galleries in Dubai: Mall Of The Emirates, Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Atlantis The Palm, JBR The Walk, Dubai Mall, Souk Al Bahar

Green Art Gallery This contemporary art gallery represents a multi-generational mix of artists, with a focus on the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, Turkey and beyond, working across different media, traditional and new, with a research-based approach.

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Tel: +971 4 346 9305 Fax: +971 4 346 9306 E-mail: info@gagallery.com Website: www.gagallery.com Location: Street 8, Alserkal Avenue, Unit 28, Al Quoz 1

Grey Noise This contemporary art gallery has its focus as work from South Asia and Europe.

Through active partnership with curators, galleries, art fairs and museums worldwide, Grey Noise aims to promote new and often experimental streams of thought in art and culture.

Tel: +971 4 379 0764 Fax: +971 4 379 0769 E-mail: info@greynoise.org Website: www.greynoise.org Location: Unit 24, Alserkal Avenue, Street 8, Al Quoz 1

Hamail Art Galleries – Dubai This is the gallery in Dubai that represents Pakistani, Indian and Bangladashi artists, with the particular aim of promoting young ones. The gallery was founded in 2001 in Lahore Pakistan. The gallery has become the ideal venue for a variety of styles to promote art.

Tel: +971 50 426 9401, +971 55 162 3291 Office: +971 4 380 6479 E-mail: contact@hamailartgalleries.com

mubashiratu@yahoo.com Website: www.hamailartgalleries.com Location: Warehouse#6, 8th street, opposite City Pearl Restaurant, Al Quoz 1

Hunar Gallery The gallery is one of the most prestigious galleries in Dubai and the region. The gallery works towards supporting the increasing role that art plays at all levels of public education,

and over the years it has presented more than 100 exhibitions by 150 renowned artists.

Tel: +971 4 286 2224 Fax: +971 4 285 6249 E-mail: hunarart@emirates.net.ae Location: Close to the Dubai Airport Expo, Street 49A, Villa 6, Green Coast Village, Nad Al Hammar Road, Rashidiya

J+A Gallery The gallery is a unique place in the region for authentic industrial antiques from the first half of the 20th century – and for contemporary German art and design.

Tel: +971 55 395 0495, +971 55 395 0910 E-mail: info@ja-gallery.com Website: www.ja-gallery.com Location: Al Quoz Industrial 1, Street 4a, Compound 5, Warehouse 15, close to Sheikh Zayed Road, Noor Islamic Bank Metro Station

The Jam Jar This is a creative space that works to promote artists and support the development of Dubai’s art scene through its extensive arts programme and DIY painting studio.

Tel: +971 4 341 7303 Fax: +971 4 341 7304 E-mail: info@thejamjardubai.com Website: www.thejamjardubai.com Location: RKM Properties, Street 17A, Comm 368, Al Quoz 3

Khak Gallery This gallery brings Iranian visual arts to an international audience at a new location in the Courtyard Dubai, where both prominent and emerging Iranian contemporary artists are represented. In association with Total Arts.

Tel: E-mail:

+971 4 347 5050 info@khakgallery.com

Website: www.khakgallery.com Location: The Courtyard, Street 4B, between the Times Square Center and Al Tayer Motors, Al Quoz 1

Lawrie Shabibi This is a contemporary art gallery with a mission to promote the works of relevant and innovative contemporary artists from the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia. The focus of its agenda is to support established and emerging contemporary artistic talent.

Tel: Fax: E-mail: Website: Location:

+971 4 346 9906 +971 4 346 9902 info@lawrieshabibi.com www.lawrieshabibi.com Unit 21, Alserkal Avenue, Al-Quoz

The Majlis Gallery Set in a traditional house in the Bastakiya, this gallery represents international artists with a special interest in the Middle East.

Tel: +971 4 353 6233 Fax: +971 4 353 5550 E-mail: majlisgallery@gmail.com Website: www.themajlisgallery.com Location: Al Musalla Roundabout, Al Fahidi Street, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Bur Dubai

Meem Gallery Since its launch in 2007, Meem Gallery has established itself as a leading specialist in the Arab and Iranian art world. The gallery’s aim is to promote the work of modern and contemporary Middle Eastern artists, and inspire viewers to engage with, and gain a deeper appreciation for, the art of this region.

Meem’s strength lies in its unparalleled access to both private and public collections of the world’s leading artists.

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Tel: +971 4 347 7883 Fax: +971 4 340 1640 E-mail: info@meemartgallery.com Website: www.meemartgallery.com Location: Umm Suqeim Road, Warehouse 1, Al Quoz

The Mojo Gallery As a gallery, the Mojo strives to maintain a reputation for hosting shows that are credible, innovative, thought-provoking and international in context.

Tel: +971 4 347 7388 Fax: +971 4 323 6367 E-mail: gallery@mojo-me.com Website: www.themojogallery.com Location: Unit 33, Al Serkal Avenue, Street 8, Al Quoz 1

Mussawir Art Gallery This gallery is an art space that represents both emerging and established contemporary artists. Its artworks include paintings, sculptures and ceramics.

Tel: +971 4 388 1663 Fax: +971 4 388 1664 E-mail: mussawirartgallery@gmail.com Website: www.mussawir.com Location: Unit 2, Opposite Al Sharawi Equipment, Al Marabea Street, Al Quoz 1

Opera Gallery Founded in Paris by Gilles Dyan in 1994, Opera Gallery is one of the leading dealers in modern masterpieces and contemporary art from around the world. It has offices in London, Geneva, Monaco, New York, Miami, Singapore, Hong Kong, Seoul and, since 2008, Dubai.

Tel: +971 4 323 0909 Fax: +971 4 323 0908 E-mail: dubai@operagallery.com Website: www.operagallery.com/ang/middle-east/ dubai-difc.html

Location: Gate Village Building 3, Dubai International Financial Centre

Pro Art Gallery From upcoming artists to the masters, this gallery is a one single source for art.

From one-of-a kind paintings to affordable limited edition prints, sculptures to photography, Pro Art offers an impressive collection of fine art.

Tel: +971 4 345 0900 Fax: +971 4 345 0912 E-mail: info@proartuae.com Website: www.proartuae.com Location: Palm Strip Mall, 1st floor, Jumeirah Beach road, opposite Jumeirah Mosque

Rira Gallery The gallery is an art space that represents contemporary artists from the Middle East, providing a platform to develop their talent, and showcasing their works beyond the social and political restrictions of their home country.

Tel: Fax: E-mail: Website: Location:

+971 4 369 9339 +971 4 369 9340 info@riragallery.com www.riragallery.com Gate Village Building NO.3, DIFC

Salsali Private Museum This museum founded in 2011 by the collector Ramin Salsali, is dedicated to showcasing artworks from the Salsali Collection. It also hosts guest exhibitions and projects, and is the first collector centre in the region.

Tel: +971 4 380 9600 E-mail: spm@salsalipm.com Website: www.salsalipm.com Location: Warehouse 14, Alserkal Avenue, Street 8, Exit 43 off Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Quoz 1

Showcase Showcase was founded in 1998 and it has been expanding its art offer ever since.

Originally, it exhibited local original antique wedding chests and tribal doors, while recently it has been showcasing the most innovative and creative artworks from subSaharan Africa and the Middle East. An in-house bespoke framing service is located within the warehouse space.

Tel: +971 4 379 0940 Fax: +971 4 379 0950 E-mail: info@showcasedubai.com Website: www.showcaseuae.com Location: Unit 35, Alserkal Avenue, Street 8, Al Quoz, Exit 43 off the Sheikh Zayed Road

The Third Line The Third Line represents contemporary Middle Eastern artists locally, regionally and internationally, with gallery space in Dubai.

Tel: +971 4 341 1367 Fax: +971 4 341 1369 E-mail: art@thethirdline.com press@thethirdline.com Website: www.thethirdline.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/thethirdline Twitter: https://twitter.com/thethirdline Location: Warehouse 7 & 8, Street No.6, between The Courtyard and Spinneys warehouse, Al Quoz 3

XVA Gallery This gallery is one of the leading galleries in the Middle East that specialises in contemporary art from the Arab World and Iran.

Tel: Fax: E-mail: Website: Location:

+971 4 353 5383 +971 4 353 5988 xva@xvagallery.com www.xvagallery.com Al Fahidi Neighbourhood, Bur Dubai

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Dubai Heritage Village

Shindagha is where Dubai’s ruling family lived for most of the first half of the 20th century. It has since converted into a tourist attraction of museums and exhibitions.

Flanked by Bur Dubai and the Creek, Shindagha is where Dubai’s rulers remained until the late 1950s – until, the discovery of oil and the first urban developments. As the ruling family moved out, so did various residents.

In 1997, the Dubai Heritage Village was established here, to provide visitors with a vivid and

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IT PROVIDES VISITORS WITH A VIVID PICTURE OF LIFE HERE BEFORE OIL WAS DISCOVERED.� accurate picture of what life was like here for generations of locals before oil was discovered.

In this traditional settlement, small shops display traditional pottery and fishing equipment.

Handicrafts are practised and womenfolk prepare samples of local delicacies.

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Luxury sport

World stars and spectacular adventure

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port is one of the main reasons to come to Dubai. For those who want to watch top-class players in action or try their hand at activities ranging from diving amid beautiful coral to driving at high speed around the Autodrome, Dubai is the place.

Dubai is best known for its golf courses. Since 1989, when the European Tour visited Dubai for the first time, the $2.5 million Omega Desert Classic championship has been the event. It takes place in late January at the Majlis course of the Emirates Golf Club.

The desert city of Dubai has more greens than anywhere else.

Seven 18-hole championship courses spread out within one single city. The courses are open to non-members, however a handicap, set at 28, is generally required.

With international championships held there, the Emirates Golf Club is one of the best-known. The Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club is located in the heart of the city. One of the most beautifully landscaped courses is the Montgomerie by Emirates Hills. Designed

by Colin Montgomerie himself, the course is challenging and full of surprises: the par-three hole 13 is, for instance, designed in the shape of the UAE. The Jebel Ali course, at the Jebel Ali golf resort and spa, golfers also see beautiful peacocks, residents of the hotel, pass by.

For more than 40 years, Dubai has hosted the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens, attracting almost 100,000 visitors.

Another regular visitor – and victor – is Swiss legend Roger Federer, the most recent winner of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship.

Finally, for sheer prestige, the Dubai World Cup attracts $10 million in prize money, the world’s richest horse race. It takes place at the Meydan racecourse, the largest of its kind in the world.

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Meydan Horse Racing

The 60,000-capacity Meydan Grandstand & Racecourse is the venue for the world’s richest horse race: the Dubai World Cup. The racetrack is the world’s largest integrated racing facility, with a all-weather Tapeta track of 1,750 metres and a 2,400-metre-long turf track.

Dubai’s racing season starts in November with weekly races on Thursday nights and finds its glamorous finish in March with the World Cup. With $10 million in prize money, the Dubai World Cup is also one of the most glamorous global horse-racing events.

THE RACETRACK IS THE LARGEST INTEGRATED RACING FACILITY IN THE WORLD.” The leading stable is Godolphin. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rasheed Al Maktoom, Vice President of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, founded it, naming it after one of the three foundation stallions, exported to England 300 years ago and to which all thoroughbred racehorses trace their roots.

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Dubai Polo Gold Cup Organised under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, deputy ruler of Dubai, the Dubai Polo Gold Cup, also known as the Dubai Open, is not only the most prestigious international polo tournament in the Middle East, but the fourthlargest tournament of its kind in the world, behind Argentina, the US and the UK. It sees the best teams and players coming to Dubai.

Founded in 2009, the Dubai Polo Gold Cup takes place at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club at the Arabian Ranches.

The tournament has grown in tandem with the city of Dubai and in 2012, the Dubai Gold Cup Series was recognised by the World Polo Tour (WPT).

With its exciting mix of topclass sportsmanship and glamour, it has earned a reputation as one of the most prestigious events on the international polo calendar. It’s also one of the most important annual tournaments in the region and always attracts a high-profile crowd. The sport of kings is also a great family day out.

Over the course of the afternoon, children can let loose in the kids’ zone, with games and attractions, face-painting, hand-painting and a photo booth. Alongside, adults enjoy the fashion show and everyone seems to appreciate the horse show. At some point, local and international DJs start spinning tunes in the Official Gold Lounge and after dark becomes a party for the grownups too.

As always, the Dubai Polo Gold Cup series promises the very best in sportsmanship, entertainment of the highest level and

THE GOLD CUP IS THE FOURTH-LARGEST TOURNAMENT OF ITS KIND IN THE WORLD.” an atmosphere unlike any other polo event.

This series is split into two tournaments, starting with the McClaren Cup in early February, and following up with the Bentley Emirates Dubai Polo Gold Cup from late February until mid March.

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Tennis in Dubai The Dubai Tennis Stadium in the heart of the city, close to Dubai International Airport, has been hosting international tennis championships and ATP and WTA tournaments for almost 20 years. It can hold up to 5,000 spectators.

The first Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships took place in 1993 as a men’s tournament only, with the women joining in 2001. The ATP, the Association of Tennis Professionals, has picked the Dubai tournament as tournament of the year eight times in its short history.

The list of champions over two decades, both men and women, makes impressive reading: Goran Ivanisevic, Rafael Nadal, Martina Hingis and Justine Henin. For the 2015 version, Roger Federer won a record seventh title, overcoming the world number one, Novak Djokovic, 6-3, 7-5. The victory also denied the Serb his 50th career singles title.

In the women’s competition, Romania’s Simona Halep beat Karolina Pliskova from the Czech Republic. In the doubles events, Rohan Bopanna of India and Daniel Nestor of Canada beat Alsam-ul-

Haq Qureshi of Pakistan and Nenad Zimonjic. In the women’s, Tímea Babos of Hungary and Kristina Mladenovic of France beat the Spanish pair of Garbiñe Muguruza and Carla Suárez Navarro.

This popular centre also contains eight tennis courts, with adjoining fitness and leisure facilities for members as well as guests. Many international music stars have also played here, as it is used as a concert venue.

THE LIST OF CHAMPIONS OVER TWO DECADES MAKES IMPRESSIVE READING.” For those who would like to enjoy their own game while in Dubai, most hotels offer immaculately maintained courts. The professional coaches of Clark Francis Tennis, a reputed tennis school at the Aviation Club next to the Tennis Stadium, are ready to help you brush up your backhand while in Dubai.

CLUB PHONE Al Ahli Club Al Nasr Club Al Shabab Club Al Wasl Club Body Line The Creek Club Dubai Aviation Club Dubai Country Club Dubai Inter-Continental Hotel Dubai Marine Beach Resort & Spa Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa Hatta Sports Club Hyatt Sports Club Indian Sports Club Insportz Jumeirah Beach Hotel Le Meridien Dubai Oasis Beach Hotel The Ritz Carlton Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa Sheraton Jumeirah Health Club

+971 4 298-8222 +971 4 337-2220 +971 4 296-7755 +971 4 324-3333 +971 4 282-0000 +971 4 228-1111 +971 4 282-4122 +971 4 333-1155 +971 4 222-7171 +971 4 346-1111 +971 4 399-5000 +971 4 852-3443 +971 4 209-6802 +971 4 337-1112 +971 4 347-5833 +971 4 348-0000 +971 4 282-4040 +971 4 399-4444 +971 4 399-4000 +971 4 399-5555 +971 4 399-5533

© Jumeirah

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Golf Clubs in Dubai

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GOLF & YACHT CLUB Address Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, Garhoud Area, PO Box 6302, Dubai.

Website www.dubaigolf.com Phone +971 4 295-6000 Fax +971 4 295-6044 Course & length An 18-hole, par-72, 6,857-yard championship course from the back tees, and a nine-hole floodlit one. course.

NAD AL SHEBA Address Nad Al Sheba Club, PO Box 52872, Dubai.

Website www.nadalshebaclub.com Phone +971 4 336-3666 Fax + 971 4 336-3717 Course & length One par-71, 18-hole course, 6,503 yards from the back tees and 5,619 yards from the front.

AL BADIA GOLF RESORT Address Al Badia Golf Resort, Dubai Festival City, Al Rebat Street, Ras Al Khor, Dubai Website www.albadiagolfresort.com Phone +971 4 285-5772 Fax +971 4 286-1280 Email golf@albadiagolfresort.com Course & length 18-hole, par-72 championship-standard that suits all skill levels with alternative tee-to-green routes.

Yardage is 7,250.

THE MONTGOMERIE DUBAI GOLF CLUB Address The Montgomerie, Dubai, PO Box 36700, Dubai; Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai Website www.themontgomerie.com Phone +971 4 390-5600

Fax +971 4 390-5700 Email info@themontgomerie.ae Course & length 18 holes, 7,308 yards, par 75.

ARABIAN RANCHES GOLF CLUB Address Arabian Ranches Golf Club, Emirates Road (311), PO Box 36700, Dubai Website www.arabianranchesgolfdubai. com Phone +971 4 366-3000 Fax +9714 366-3355 Email teetime@arabianranchesgolf.ae academy@arabianranchesgolf.ae Course & length 18 holes, par 72, 7,698 yards.

JEBEL ALI GOLF RESORT & SPA Address Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa, PO Box 9255, Dubai Website www.nadalshebaclub.com Phone +971 4 883-6000 Fax +971 4 883-5543 Email jagrs@jaihotels.com Course & length Nine holes, four different tees of championship standard. Par 36. Yardage is 3,299 for the men’s course, 2,904 for the ladies.

EMIRATES GOLF FEDERATION Address PO Box 31410, Dubai Website www.ugagolf.com Phone +971 4 295-2277 Fax +971 4 295-2288 Email info@ugagolf.com

EMIRATES GOLF CLUB Address Emirates Golf Club, PO Box 24040, Dubai Website www.dubaigolf.com Phone +971 4 380-2222 Fax: +971 4 380-1555 Email EGC@dubaigolf.com Course & length Majlis is an 18-hole, par-71 championship course; Wadi is an 18-hole, par-71 championship Course; plus the three-hole Academy Golf Course.

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Motorsport For those who love more horsepower under the hood, the Dubai Autodrome offers one of the ultimate experiences on a driving track. This 5.39-kilometre long circuit is a top course with a combination of high-speed straights and technical corners. The circuit allows six different configurations and can accommodate up to three races simultaneously. Beside regular races across a variety of different classes, visitors can get into high-performance cars to test their driving skills or compete in carts.

The Dubai Autodrome also hosts a number of top-class endurance races. Inaugurated in 2006, Dubai 24 Hour involves teams and drivers from Europe, the Gulf and surrounding region. Each annual event sees some 600 laps completed, an overall distance of more than 3,000 kilometres. In 2015, the winning team was Germany’s Black Falcon 2, the

drivers Hubert Haupt, plus Oliver Webb from Britain, Yelmer Buurman from the Netherlands and Abdulaziz Al Faisal from Saudi Arabia. Previous winning teams have come from Switzerland, France, Austria and Abu Dhabi.

The event is open to GT-type, sports and touring cars, and to professional and semi-professional outfits.

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VISITORS CAN GET INTO HIGH-PERFORMANCE CARS TO TEST THEIR DRIVING SKILLS OR COMPETE IN CARTS.�

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Diving The year-round warm waters and rich marine life of the Arabian Gulf make Dubai an ideal destination for underwater adventure.

Beginners as well as certified divers can find many opportunities to explore the sea world of Arabia under the experienced guidance of professional dive experts. Dive centres offer courses and dive experiences and arrange diving trips around Dubai and to the east coast of the UAE. Small reefs consisting of hard coral and a number of shipwrecks of various sizes are the main dive spots off the Dubai coast. Day trips there are easily found.

At sits in the Indian Ocean, soft coral and colourful tropical fish deliver combine to provide unforgettable underwater experiences.

The Pavilion Dive Centre, located at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, is a leading diving facility in the region and can offer programmes in various languages and for all levels of experience.

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Yachting Boat lovers value Dubai’s calm azure blue waters and consequently there is a large and sophisticated collection of vessels available for rent around the Emirate.

Yacht clubs and boating companies can be found in most beach hotels and will arrange cruises along Dubai’s coastline and around the Palm Islands and The World resort.

Xclusive Yachts, which operates from Dubai Marina Yacht Club, offers a wide range of

LEISURE CRUISES AS WELL AS DEEP-SEA FISHING TRIPS CAN BE ARRANGED.” high-class boats with experienced crews for individual charter. Leisure cruises as well as deepsea fishing trips can be arranged. Yellow Boats are located on Marina Walk, opposite Spinneys supermarket in Dubai Marina. They operate regular short trips along the coastline in their distinctive yellow rigid inflatables.

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Camel racing Bedouin ancestors used to race camels. These competitions were not just held for fun, but to identify the most suitable animals for breeding fast runners, necessary for hunting and, not least, in battle.

Nowadays, camel racing is purely a sport – but a serious one. Enthusiasts pay top dollar for a champion animal, and trainers feed the camels with dates and honey to build up their strength for prestigious competition. Spectators can cheer on the camels as they gallop around a specially

made track, and marvel at how these seemingly ungainly creatures can reach such high speeds. Races normally take place early on weekend mornings, particularly in winter, with additional races on public holidays.

In Dubai, the DCRC Camel Racing Festival (www. dcrc.ae) in April is the most important and prestigious event of the season. The festival aims to encourage locals to appreciate this long tradition and its culture.

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Discover Dubai

Explore this contemporary global wonder.

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f the seven states that comprise the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is the second largest, with its 4,110 square kilometres occupying about 5% of the total landmass of the UAE. The emirate consists of the city of Dubai and its suburbs, and the enclave of Hatta. The city was previous known as Al Wasl (‘The Connector’). How the current name of ‘Dubai’ came about is not ultimately clear. Several theories exist. The name might derive from the Arabic word for ‘money’, since Dubai’s people were considered wealthy due to the city’s flourishing trade.

It was in the 1970s when the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the father of Dubai, laid the foundation stone for the 184-metre World Trade Centre – at its opening in 1979 the first skyscraper on the Arabian Peninsula.

In the years to come the city almost became an adventure playground for architects, and high-rise buildings grew on the shores of the Arabian Gulf like mushrooms, claiming world records by the dozen.

One of the latest Guinness World Records certificates was awarded in 2013 to the JW Marriott Marquise Hotel, at 355 metres the highest hotel building in the world.

In between, Dubai had already earned the global reputation of producing the biggest and most lavish, from the Burj Al Arab to the Burj Khalifa. But if you’re interested enough to look, you can still find traditional souks, trading in textiles, spices and fish, and areas such as Bastakia and Shindagha. Bastakia is Dubai’s oldest residential district, since renovated because of its heritage value, while Shindagha is where Dubai’s ruling family lived for most of the first half of the 20th century. It has since converted into a tourist attraction of museums and exhibitions.

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Dubai Metro, Sheikh Zayed Road

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Modern buildings The sky is the limit when it comes to Dubai and its contemporary architecture. With skyscrapers attaining untold heights, this city has collected one world record after another.

The Burj Al Arab hotel, opened in December 1999, was not just Dubai’s millennium coup – as the world’s first seven-star hotel it raised hospitality standards to a completely new level.

Designed in the form of a giant sail, the hotel stands 321 metres high on a small island off the

coast of the Arabian Gulf. It became the icon of Dubai and has helped the emirate to boost its image as a world-class luxury destination.

The Burj Khalifa, completed in 2009, is the tallest structure in the world at 829 metres. This complex, complete with the Dubai Mall, the largest shopping centre in the world, and the surrounding residential and office towers, have become the city’s vibrant new heart. Old Town,

DISCOVER DUBAI

“THIS CITY HAS COLLECTED ONE WORLD RECORD AFTER ANOTHER.”

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MUST SEE Dubai

The Burj Khalifa

DISCOVER DUBAI

THE BURJ KHALIFA IS THE TALLEST STRUCTURE IN THE WORLD.� an adjoining residential complex, combines traditional architectural design with luxury lifestyle.

The Sheikh Zayed Road, with its high-rise buildings is an eloquent example of architectural diversity: no two skyscrapers look alike, and the World Trade Centre tower, once the highest building on the Arabian Peninsula at 149 metres, now looks like a dwarf among giants. Built in 1978, this was the first high-rise building in Arabia. Dubai Gate is a 21st-century interpretation of a giant entrance to the new financial centre of Dubai, and stands for the city’s ambition to become the financial hub of Arabia.

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THE DUBAI GATE STANDS FOR THE CITY’S WISH TO BE A FINANCIAL HUB.” Dubai’s natural coastline is only 60 kilometres long. It was quite a challenge to find a viable way to dedicate sections of it for commercial, residential and touristic development. Dubai’s approach was once again unique: if you don’t have enough coastline, just create more. With the development of the largest man-made islands, Dubai pioneered global waterfront projects. Palm Islands Jumeirah, Jebel Ali and Deira, together with island developments such as the archipelago called simply The World, will ultimately extend Dubai’s shoreline to 1,500km.

DISCOVER DUBAI

ICONIC BUILDINGS Dubai

Burj al Arab

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The Palm Jumeirah

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Alongside all this, Dubai opened its real-estate market to international investors and initiated an unprecedented building boom at the beginning of the new millennium. Beautiful residential villas and world-class accommodation such as the fairytale Atlantis theme hotel have opened on the Palm Jumeirah.

Since the 1990s, Jumeirah has been a synonym for luxury lifestyle. The lavish villas along the beach road are home to moneyed Emirati families. With Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence, a vibrant international community with plenty of small

THESE HOTELS ARE BREATHTAKING EXAMPLES OF DUBAI’S SUCCESS STORY.” restaurants and boutiques has built up alongside the southern beaches. In 2012 the 101-storey, 413 metrehigh Princess Tower became the tallest residential building on the planet.

Madina Jumeirah (‘The City of Jumeirah’) is the city’s Arabian resort, a unique complex of Arabstyled luxury hotels and a traditionally designed shopping area: the Souk Madinat. The Al Qasr (‘The Palace’) and Mina A’Sal am (‘The Harbour of Peace’) hotels are breathtaking examples of Dubai’s success story: a 21st-century Arabian fairytale.

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THE EMIRATES TOWERS STILL MANAGE TO RETAIN THEIR ICONIC STATUS.�

Finally, one particular notable construction is not one building but two: the Emirates Towers. Rising up face to face at more than 300 metres each, the Emirates Towers still retain their iconic status in fast-changing Dubai despite being open for more than 15 years.

Set on the Sheikh Zayed Road, they are linked by by The Boulevard retail complex, with gardens, lakes and waterfalls providing plenty of public space for relaxation.

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Emirates Towers

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High five

AT THE TOP

AT.MOSPHERE

At the Top is the observation deck on the 124th floor of Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. Floor-to-ceiling windows and an open platform provide a stunning 360-degree view over the city, the desert and the Arabian Gulf. The observation deck is accessible via the ground level of Dubai Mall, where you’ll find the ticket office.

Located at a height of 422 metres on the 122nd floor of Burj Khalifa, At.mosphere holds the Guinness World Record as the highest restaurant. If you’re enjoying fine dining at The Grill with Michelin-starred chef Dwayne Cheer, or a light meal and some chill-out time at The Lounge, simply unforgettable experiences are guaranteed.

MUST SEE Dubai

AL MUNTAHA

VU’S BAR

AL DAWAR

Al Muntah is the fine dining restaurant on the 27th floor of the Burj Al Arab hotel. Perched at a height of 200 metres, Al Muntah provides high-spending customers with prime, contemporary cuisine complemented by a unique view over Jumeirah Beach, Palm Island and the World Islands.

Needless to say, reservations are required.

Vu’s Bar is the place to end an exciting Dubai day on a high note: from the 51st floor of Emirates Towers Hotel. Up there, it might be difficult to judge what sparkles more, the night lights of the city or the bubbles in your cocktail, the drinks supremely mixed by the world’s most accomplished professionals.

Al Dawar is Dubai’s unique revolving restaurant, located in the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Deira. While enjoying an international buffet featuring dishes from European, Middle Eastern and Japanese cuisines, diners will notice that the restaurant is smoothly rotating, offering them a 360-degree view over Dubai’s historic town centre, the creek and the surrounding Arabian Gulf.

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Dubai’s bridges With Dubai’s growth a connection between its facing urban districts of Bur Dubai and Deira became a necessity. In 1963 the Al Maktoum Bridge was opened, providing the first road crossing, extended in 2007 with nine lanes.

A little further inland, a second bridge was built in 1976. Back then, Al Garhood had six lanes, three in each direction. With increased traffic, and bottlenecks, the old bridge was replaced with a new structure: 14 lanes, seven in each direction. To cater to burgeoning Festival City in Al Garhood, the Business Bay Bridge was built as the third major crossing.

Opened in several stages, the bridge – completed in 2007 – has 13 lanes, six in one direction, and seven in the other.

That same year, a more unconventional solution was found to ease traffic: a pontoon bridge between Maktoum and Garhood Bridges. Built in 23 days, the four-lane Floating Bridge is closed at night and moved to allow marine traffic to pass.

Bridges have not been the only solution to Dubai’s traffic problems: in 1975, the Al Shindagha Tunnel opened as a vital link between Al Shindagha area in Bur Dubai and Al Ras in Deira.

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“BUSINESS BAY BRIDGE WAS BUILT IN SEVERAL STAGES, WITH 13 LANES.”

MUST SEE Dubai

The Atlantis Hotel

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Dubai's beaches Year-round sunshine, crystal-clear azure water and beaches made of golden shimmering sand – these are what makes Dubai the perfect destination for lovers of sea, sun and sport.

With sophisticated projects such as the Palm Islands, Dubai is increasing its shoreline from an initial 60km to an eventual 1,500km, and much of this will be dedicated to sheer pleasure and enjoyment.

Most of Dubai’s beaches are free to access.

The most popular spots are the open beach at Jumeirah 1 and 2, Umm Suqeim Beach next to the Jumeirah Beach Hotel and the open beach in front of the Jumeirah Beach Residence.

The Khor Al Mamzar lagoon towards the border with Sharjah is a beautiful and, on

weekdays, very quiet spot. Beach parks offer a bit more privacy and comfort. Mamzar Beach Park is a landscaped park on the seaside north of the Al Hamriya Port in Deira. Large green areas and a swimming pool make it a popular retreat, open every day from 8am to

“DUBAI IS THE PERFECT DESTINATION FOR LOVERS OF SEA, SUN AND SPORT.” late evening. Jumeirah Beach Park, located at Jumeirah 2, has a beautiful desert garden, children’s playground, barbecue and sports ar-

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eas. It is open daily from 7am till late evening. Mondays are reserved for women and children only.

Beaches in front of the hotels are usually private but most welcome visitors for a reasonable fee at their beach and pool facilities.

Water-sport enthusiasts will find unlimited opportunities in Dubai. Kite surfing, scuba diving, fishing trips and leisure cruises are offered by the various sport and yacht clubs at hotels and along the beaches.

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“WITH THE PALM ISLANDS, 1,500KM WILL BE DEDICATED TO PLEASURE AND ENJOYMENT.”

MUST SEE Dubai

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The Beach Dubai’s most exciting new leisure, shopping and entertainment hub is simply called The Beach. Aptly facing the beach of the already sought-after Jumeirah Beach Residence (referred to by all as JBR) – in fact, providing a network of tree-lined alleyways to the sea – The Beach adds a new aspect to Dubai’s attractive waterfront. It comprises four distinct plazas, filled with luxury stores, and restaurants

for both fine dining and relaxed get-togethers. In turn, these plazas are linked by a pedestrian esplanade that meanders between them, with hotels at either end, the Sheraton and the Hilton.

Under the catch phrase, ‘Where urban meets the sea’, The Beach offers something that no other retail and leisure complex in Dubai can: sand, sea and shopping, all in one. There’s even an open-air cinema.

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The Creek The Creek was the starting point of Dubai’s urbanisation and has been its lifeline over the centuries. This 14km-long natural seawater channel was the heart of the old trading centre. Here tradition and modernity meet. Skyscrapers line up along the waterfront, where the traditional trading vessels, dhows, still drop their anchors.

At the moorings by the souks, boats are loaded and unloaded by hand. Water taxis, abras, still pro-

“WATER TAXIS, ABRAS, ARE THE FASTEST WAY TO CROSS BETWEEN FIXED STATIONS.” vide the fastest and most cost-effective way to cross between fixed stations.

Route one operates between the Old Souk Deira and Bur Dubai, while route two runs around the clock between Sabkha and the Old Souk.

The short journey costs pennies. Alternatively, there are private boats, including the Bateau Dubai, a floating gourmet restaurant.

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Historic buildings

Away from the gleaming, high-rise commerce of the contemporary city, a stroll through the narrow alleys of the historic part of Dubai feels like a journey back in time. Its small streets are laid out in such a way as to always provide some shade and allow fresh air to circulate, giving some relief during the hot summers.

Apart from discovering more about this fascinating part of the world, you can do so without having to sit in a car – it requires you to walk about and see how local people live their daily lives.

Perhaps your first port of call should be the Al Fahidi Fort. Dubai’s oldest building, the fort has been home to the Dubai Museum since 1971.

Built from coral stone, Al Fahidi hosts an impressive permanent exhibition on regional culture and heritage. Traditional markets, the desert and date oases come to life in a series of themed figurative

displays. There is also a whole section dedicated to pearl diving, boatbuilding and fishing – the traditional trades of the region. With its lively explanatory displays, the museum is highly recommended for

THIS PART OF DUBAI IS LIKE A JOURNEY BACK IN TIME.” families with children. From the Al Fahidi fort, it’s a relatively easy walk to Bastakia, the oldest residential area of Dubai. To get to it, you’ll need to first stroll down Al Fahidi Street, passing the Majilis Gallery, one of Dubai’s best-known, and the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. Under the

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banner ‘Open Doors, Open Minds’ this not-forprofit centre was established in 1998 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to provide a platform for intercultural exchange; the centre organises events and cultural programmes, as well as public tours of Jumeirah Mosque.

Still heading towards Bastakia, a small fence protects the only remaining segment of Dubai’s original city wall, which used to run for 600 metres in the beginning of the 19th century.

You’ll also see a large mosque with a nice little garden in front of it. Taking pictures is fine, but please remember that it is not considered appropriate for non-Muslims to enter a mosque in the UAE. Soon you reach Bastakia. This is certainly the best place to start any walking tour of historic Dubai, beginning at the open area just off Dubai Creek.

People began to move out of the traditional residential quarter in the 1970s, opting for more

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comfortable houses with modern facilities like running water and air-conditioning. Due to the poor building materials used, these historic structures almost disappeared over the years.

But the local authorities realised that Bastakia was not just a bunch of old houses – it was the heritage of the city that was vanishing. An ambitious project was soon set up: the rebuilding and restoration of what was the first residential area to be established in Dubai. The houses, built initially from coral stone and complete with wind-catcher towers, have been restored with much attention to detail and now host a number of cafés, restaurants, art galleries and cultural centres.

The other major area of interest for those looking to find out about historic Dubai and its urban development is Shindagha.

Bordered by Bur Dubai on one side, with the Dubai Creek running down the length of another, Shindagha is where Dubai’s rulers moved to around the beginning of the 20th century. They were to stay

A FENCE PROTECTS THE ONLY REMAINING PART OF THE ORIGINAL CITY WALL.” here until the late 1950s – until, in fact, the discovery oil and shortly before the first urban developments that it helped to finance.

No longer occupied by the ruling family, the historical buildings of Shindagha are now home to a number of museums and exhibitions.

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Most notably, the Sheikh Saeed House, the former residence of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum (grandfather of Dubai’s present ruler, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rasheed Al Maktoum), today contains a very private collection of photographs of the Al Maktoum family. You will also be able to find historical documents, stamps and a unique collection of coins.

Around the Sheikh Saeed House are a number of other historic attractions. The House of Sheikh Rashed Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, built in the 1940s, is today the Beit Al-Rekkab (the House of Camels), dedicated to

SHINDAGHA IS WHERE DUBAI’S RULERS MOVED IN THE EARLY 1900S.” showing visitors the activities and benefits of these ships of the desert.

In similar vein, Sheikha Moza bint Saeed Al-Maktoum’s former home is now the Horse Museum.

Also on hand is the Diving and Heritage Village, set up in the form of a traditional settlement with small shops and traditional pottery and fishing equipment on display. Handicrafts are practised and womenfolk prepare samples of local delicacies.

Finally, almost hidden away in Al Ahmadiya Street, just a few minutes from the gold souk, is the Heritage House, built by Mattar bin Saeed bin Muzaaina in around 1890. The old building has been restored and refurbished to showcase the typical household of a local merchant’s family.

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Old markets What better way to discover Dubai and its history than to wander around its traditional old markets that are still bustling today? In fact, trade was the main factor behind the development of Dubai, before the arrival of oil.

The souk area spreads over a small complex of streets, covered, accessed from several points, within easy reach of the waterfront that served the traders of yesteryear. The beautifully carved wooden roof and entrances to the main outlet have been restored over recent years.

Traditional oriental markets are laid out so that certain areas are dedicated to specific goods. Even in the textile souk, in this age of online shopping, bulk deals are still done in the old-fashioned way, over the table and face-to-face.

Material from all over the world is on offer and

even though most shops are wholesale retailers, they will sell smaller quantities as well if you are interested in making a purchase.

After walking along the main alleyway – about

MARKETS ARE LAID OUT WITH CERTAIN AREAS FOR SPECIFIC GOODS.” ten minutes unless you factor in time for windowshopping or bargaining – on the right-hand side you will find an open stall offering traditional Indian shoes. Years ago, this stand was only a shoemaker’s workshop, before he eventually started to offer some of these beautifully embroidered traditional foot-

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wear as a side business. Most of the material, in fact, will come from the Indian sub-continent.

You can also have clothes custom-made – make sure you buy enough material in case the tailor needs to make any alterations.

After about another five minutes, the alleyway divides. On the left-hand fork is a row of small snack shops, selling traditional Indian finger food. Take the right hand fork to walk out of the market area. As you’re heading out, you’ll see a large number of shops selling a great selection of colourful pashmina shawls and traditional garments from India and the subcontinent.

A few metres ahead on the left is an abra stations, from where water taxis cross the creek to the station in front of the spice market across the waterfront.

Near the gold souk, the spice souk is equally bright, the piles of saffron, cardamom and star anise competing for your attention with their stunning colours. And it’s not just the striking yellow, greens and reds – the aromas are worth the abra journey here alone. The stalls are

BULK DEALS ARE STILL DONE OVER THE TABLE AND FACE-TO-FACE.” ranged outside small shops – you’ll be asked several times to go in and sample the wares.

Some 200 metres away, the gold souk glitters behind a huge entranceway, any number of jewellery outlets tucked down narrow alleyways. In a separate area is a small hub of traders purveying perfumes.

Finally, on the other side of the Deira headland, near Palm Deira metro station, the fish market opens early for business, 5am, and runs until late morning or lunchtime. Even if you’re not interested in buying anything or you don’t have the facilities where you’re staying to cook, it’s fascinating to observe the noisy interaction between traders and customers, over finely presented rows of huge prawns, shark and blackstreaked mancole bream.

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Bastakia In a city of vast skyscrapers, brash commerce and multi-lane highways, Bastakia provides a welcome opportunity to take a pleasant stroll, and discover something about Dubai’s history at the same time.

You can start you little walking tour at the open area just off Dubai Creek. On the lefthand side is a small one-storey building, covered with palm leaves and a small wind-catcher tower. This house is a meeting place for former members of the Bastakia community.

This was the oldest residential quarter in Dubai. People slowly began to move out of it in the 1970s, preferring to live more comfortably elsewhere. Bit by bit, these historic structures all but disappeared over the years.

But Bastakia was not just a bunch of crumbling houses, erected with inferior building materials. The very heritage of the city was vanishing, something that the authorities be-

came gradually aware of. They decided to implement an ambitious project: to rebuild and restore this historic residential area.

Once work got underway, some of the former residents heard about it and came over to see what was going in their childhood

BASTAKIA WAS THE OLDEST RESIDENTIAL QUARTER IN DUBAI.� streets. To give the former residents a place to meet and enable them to reconnect, they opened the small communal house with the palm leaves and wind-catcher tower.

Often in the afternoon former Bastakians will come here and over tea share stories from their youth.

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The walls of the nearest building to the right have been partly left, so that the original coral stone can be seen. Another unique feature of these traditional houses are the wind-catcher towers, while the windows face the inner courtyards and the solid high walls protect each family’s privacy.

Turning to the right, the first building on the left side of the small street hosts a typical local restaurant, the popular Bastakiah Nights.

Opposite stands the office of the Municipal Historic Building Department. During working hours the doors are open for visitors. Unique floral ornaments dominate the courtyard and the view over the creek from the terrace of the first floor is stunning.

Further along, stands a large mosque with a nice garden outside. From here, the route trails along past a row of more small buildings and after a sharp left turn, heads towards Al Fahidi Street.

Straight ahead, a small fence protects what is the only remaining segment of original city wall around

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Dubai. In the early 1800s, it run for more than half a kilometre around the old town.

Walking further on towards Al Fahidi Street, more side streets run in from the old quarter on the left, and even from a distance the displays of the art galleries and the signs of the coffee shops can be seen, tempting you in for a quick spot of shopping or a refreshing drink.

As you enter the main outer road, Al Fahidi Street, to the left is the Local House restaurant, which specialises in camel meat. Further on is the Majilis Gallery.

As the street takes a turn to the left, you’ll see the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding.

This platform for intercultural exchange was set up in 1998 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Walking on further – keeping the Bastakia buildings on the left hand side – will lead you back to the starting point of the walk. Right at the main road, and you find the Dubai Museum at the Al Fahidi Fort.

THE VIEW OVER THE CREEK FROM THE TERRACE IS STUNNING.”

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Shindagha Shindagha is the area where Dubai’s rulers moved to with their families at the beginning of the 20th century. Here they stayed until the late 1950s.

Their former residences have been restored and are now open to the public. You can start your tour at the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum house, the former home of the grandfather of Dubai’s current ruler.

The Maktoum galleries on the ground floor house a collection of private photographs of Dubai’s ruling family.

Also revealing is the Sheikh’s office, equipped with the most humble office equipment. Don’t miss the wonderful view from the first floor gallery –

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THE MAKTOUM GALLERIES HOUSE PRIVATE PHOTOGRAPHS OF DUBAI’S RULING FAMILY.” across the creek and the old souks on the Bur Dubai side.

Parallel to the waterfront, almost behind the Sheikh Saeed House, are two smaller museums. One is dedicated to camels, the other to horses. These museums offer a fascinating insight into their bloodlines and uses.

The next historic building on your left is the Sheikh Obaid bin Thani House, hosting the Al Siraaj exhibition and information centre on Islamic teachings and the religious values of the region.

Further along the promenade is the entrance to the Heritage and Diving Village. Its large courtyards replicate traditional settlements. In the surrounding small shops, you’ll find hand-made local products crafted from palm leaves, baskets, placemats, food covers and fans.

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Parks in Dubai Looking at the greenery and flowers that you’ll see dotted all across Dubai, it is quite difficult to imagine that the land around here was originally desert – or, indeed, that the natural vegetation consisted of just a few date palms, ghaf trees, acacia and small bushes.

Dubai has a number of public parks, plotted around the city. All the immaculately landscaped greens and gardens offer children playgrounds and are popular retreats for a walk, a handful of sporting activities and, of course, to enjoy a barbecue with family and friends.

The largest park in the city centre is Creekside, which is open daily from 8am to 11pm.

A special attraction is the cable car, offering a stunning view over Dubai Creek and the entire centre of town. If you are looking for a little work-out, inline skates and tandem bicycles are available for hire.

Also here is an excellent Children’s Centre, full of colourful, educational games that provide gentle, fun instruction about science, nature and the history of the United Arab Emirates.

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“IT IS DIFFICULT TO IMAGINE THAT THE LAND HERE WAS DESERT.”

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The Miracle Garden The Miracle Garden is one of a kind in the region for its unique display and extravagant show of outdoor recreation. Here, more than 45 million blooming flowers are spread out in stunning designs, awesome shapes and structures. Their eye-catching colour combinations are achieved through 45 different flower varieties and colour. The Miracle Garden in its first phase is providing state-of-the-art ser-

vices and facilities including parking, public and VIP, sitting areas, a prayer room, first aid, and even carts for handicapped visitors. There are various stalls and kiosks that dot the gardens, purveying snacks, drinks and little gifts and trinkets.

The Miracle Garden has even earned an entry in the Guinness Book of Records for having the longest flower wall in the world –

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which should help in making it a real landmark for the city of Dubai, among its diverse cultural tourist attractions.

The Miracle Garden is an ever developing concept, and one that increases its beauty, with new designs and attractions, season after season.

It also points towards a new kind of tourist activity for Dubai, one in the field of environmental tourism, one that has ever increasing importance and growing rapidly in a world depending on dwindling natural resources.

Most of all, though, it’s a family-friendly environment, and one for all ages.

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Natural heritage Beside its beautiful beaches, Dubai has a large variety of natural treasures to offer.

The wetland at Ras al Khoor, where the Dubai Creeks ends in the desert, has been an area of natural protection since 1998. It covers an area of about 6.2 square kilometres. Every winter about 20,000 water birds, a estimated 67 species in all, stop by here to enjoy the pleasant weather. The most prominent permanent inhabitants of the sanctuary are the greater pink flamingos, some 2,000 in all.

In 1999 the Al Maha desert reserve was established, covering an area of 27 square kilometres. This is now home to 70 Arabian oryx, a species previously indigenous, then found to be close to extinction and re-introduced. Also 6,000 indigenous trees and shrubs have been planted. The reserve was expanded in 2003 to 225 square kilometres – which is 4.7% of Dubai’s total land area.

The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve is a pioneering project in sustainable tourism, hosting vari-

ous tourist attractions in the desert, while minimising the impact on fauna and flora.

The Arabian Gulf, with its year-round warm waters, has a rich marine life. Large swarms of fish, shellfish and rich pearl banks have all contributed to the economy of the region.

In the UAE, even the street cats are part of the natural heritage. Unnoticed for many years, these skinny, shy cats have come to be recognised in recent

IN WINTER 67 SPECIES OF WATER BIRD STOP

BY RAS AL KHOOR.” times as one of the oldest breeds of feline, the Arabian Mau. Originally living in the desert, they migrated to human settlements, where food was easier to find.

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Desert adventures For centuries, camels and date palms have been partners in man’s desert survival, treated with great respect and integral to the local natural heritage.

Camels were not only the most suitable mode of transportation – their milk was often the only drink

“CAMELS AND DATE PALMS ARE INTEGRAL TO LOCAL NATURAL HERITAGE.” available in the desert. A camel would only be slaughtered on very special occasions, such as for a wedding or the Eid celebration. Even today, their meat

is still considered a very special delicacy. But camels are not only bred for milk and meat – but for the traditional local sport of camel racing. For generations, the Bedouin forefathers would race their camels.

Those competitions were held not just for fun, but to identify the most suitable animals to breed as fast runners, necessary for hunting and in battle. Nowadays, of course, camel racing is a pure sport. Real enthusiasts will pay up to a few million dollars for a racing champion and trainers feed their camels with the best food, including dates and honey, to build up their strength for prestigious competitions.

Hand in hand with the camel, in terms of hardy survival and benefit to man, is the palm tree. Thanks to their deep roots, palm trees are able to reach water far underground and survive – even if this water is

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TRIPS INTO THE DESERT TAKE PLACE MORNING, EVENING, EVEN OVERNIGHT.” slightly salty. Often the Bedouins had to survive on a diet of only camel milk and dates – whose high nutrition of some 3,000 calories per kilo helped them challenge the elements in the harsh environment of the desert.

These days, commercial date farming is a huge industry and the United Arab Emirates are the thirdlargest producer in the world. Palms are also important for aesthetic reasons, promoting Dubai’s image to visitors. In recent years, thousands of palms have

been planted along the streets and across the parks of Dubai. More than 150 different kinds of date palms are cultivated in the UAE. The fruits are either of yellow or red colour and different in shape and size.

Only the female date palms bear fruit, to the tune of 60 to 80 kilos of dates per tree.

A number of local companies in Dubai offer trips into the desert, which take place in the mornings, evenings and even overnight. These feature sand skiing, quad biking and a barbecue dinner. There will also be traditional entertainment, in the form of belly dancing, and displays of local costumes and henna painting.

The evening trips allow tourists to watch the desert sunset, both a treat and a challenge for the photographers in the party.

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ccupying the south-eastern tip of the Arabian peninsula, the United Arab Emirates were formed from the Trucial States created by the British.

These seven – Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain – became the UAE in 1971 under the wise and forwardthinking stewardship of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, leader of Abu Dhabi.

With the discovery of oil in the 1960s – 30 years after the local lucrative pearl industry collapsed – riches began to pour into the Gulf. Instilling a sense of unity, Sheikh Zayed forged a nation and oversaw its unprecedented development.

Today the vast majority of the UAE’s nine million-plus population is expatriate – and tourism now plays a significant role in the local economy.

While Abu Dhabi is the capital, Dubai is the big tourist draw, its limited oil reserves forcing the most populous Emirate to reinvent itself on a grand scale. The tallest, the biggest, the richest, you’ll find it in Dubai. Due to host Expo 2020, Dubai was the world’s seventh most visited destination in 2013, over Hong Kong and Barcelona.

Each of the other Emirates has its own attraction. Sharjah is known as a cultural hub, its Art Biennial due to be staged in the spring of 2015. The Museum of Islamic Civilisation here is a real don’t miss. Boatbuilding and a seafaring tradition underscore little Ajman, as well as Ras Al Khaimah, where sailors fought with coastal pirates for centuries.

The clear waters of Fujairah, its coral and multi-patterned fish, attract scores of scuba divers, its beaches the ideal relaxing getaway.

Birdwatchers flock to Umm al Quwain, whose wildlife can be observed by the casual visitor thanks to tours arranged by the landmark hotel there, the Flamingo Beach Resort. Crab hunting is another popular pastime.

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The Seven Emirates

Abu Dhabi

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THE GLEAMING CITY OF ABU DHABI OCCUPIES THE MAIN ISLAND, WHERE STUNNING SHEIKH ZAYED GRAND MOSQUE EMBODIES CULTURAL DIVERSITY.”

Abu Dhabi is the capital and business and administrative centre of the UAE, brimming with culture and entertainment.

2015 sees the opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, designed by award-winning architect Jean Nouvel. As well as significant loans from its Paris counterpart, the Louvre Abu Dhabi will display its own collection of artworks and artefacts spanning many civilisations.

It is part of the ambitious cultural district on Saadiyat Island. Alongside stand the Zayed National Museum, the UAE Pavilion and Manarat Saadiyat, an exhibition centre with displays of the world’s largest Guggenheim also being built here.

On Yas Island, a tourism development features Yas Marina, a Formula

One circuit, the vast Ferrari World theme park and Yas Waterworld.

The gleaming city of Abu Dhabi occupies the main island, where the stunning Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque embodies cultural diversity.

On the mainland, early settlements have been found at the Garden City of Al Ain. This is the birthplace of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder and first president of the UAE, who laid the foundation for today’s developments.

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The Seven Emirates

Sharjah THE MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC CIVILISATION IS TOPPED BY A GOLDEN DOME, FILLED WITH 5,000 EXQUISITE RELICS.”

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Sharjah, the third largest of the Emirates and Dubai’s northern neighbour, has long been considered the cultural capital of the UAE, with a passionate commitment to the arts.

This role may change as establishments of global importance, the Guggenheim and Louvre Abu Dhabi, open over the border in the next two years, but Sharjah, a former UNESCO’s Cultural Capital of the Arab World, still offers a surprisingly large number of unique museums and attractions.

Named Capital of Islamic Culture for 2014, Sharjah has recently seen its historic centre rebuilt, and many former residences transformed into museums and houses of culture.

The most notable is the Museum of Islamic Civilisation, topped by a golden dome, filled with some 5,000 exquisite relics such as manuscripts, carvings, ceramics and scientific objects.

The Emirate hosts a significant contemporary art event, its Biennial, the next one taking place over three months from March 5, 2015. The Sharjah Art Foundation also runs a year-long programme of exhibitions, performances and screenings.

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The Seven Emirates

Ajman

At just 260 square kilometres, Ajman is the smallest of the seven Emirates.

Located on the coastline north of Dubai, it is a traditional place of shipbuilding and home to one of the bestknown shipyards in the country. Gulf Craft Inc is a manufacturer of luxury yachts and fibre-glass vessels.

Ajman’s history is presented in its Heritage Museum, located in the fort where the ruler once resided. Even though today’s Emirate has less than 20km of coastline – Ajman is otherwise entirely surrounded by Sharjah – this history is invariably linked to the sea. Seafaring tribes, trade, fishing and shipbuilding have underscored life here, tourism taking a back seat until international chain Kempinski picked the local beachside here to open its first

SEAFARING TRIBES, TRADE, FISHING AND SHIPBUILDING HAVE UNDERSCORED LIFE HERE.” hotel in the UAE in 1998. Others have since followed.

Since 2008, the Emirate has been planning the construction of a major international airport of Al Manama, capable of dealing with a million passengers a year. Now due to open in 2018, it forms part of Ajman Vision 2021 to push the local economy and boost tourism.

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The Seven Emirates

Fujairah

Fujairah is the only Emirate on the eastern shore of the UAE. The Indian Ocean coastline is a well known tourist attraction. The proximity of the Hajar Mountains and the quiet beaches make it an ideal destination to unwind and relax.

The area is particularly popular among scuba divers, who find here beautiful spots full of tropical fish and colourful soft and hard coral.

Fujairah contains the only multi-purpose port on the eastern seaboard of the UAE, from where large quantities of its oil exports are shipped.

The Friday Market on the road from the main-

land through the mountains to the east coast is the largest and most popular of its kind in the country. It opens on other days too.

Al Badiyah Mosque, in the small village of the same name, is considered to be the oldest in the UAE. According to the latest findings, the mosque and two watchtowers overlooking the village were built in 1446.

All is told in the Fujairah Museum, where archaeological remains date back several centuries. It stands

by Fujairah Fort, overlooking the coast, built in 1670 and restored in 2000.

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The Seven Emirates

Ras Al Khaimah On the northern edge of the west coast lies the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, literally translated as ‘The Top of the Tent’. The region was a former stronghold of seafarers who fearlessly defended the area – known in previous centuries as the Pirate Coast – against potential invaders.

Its most famous son was seafarer and navigator Ahmed bin Majid, who lived in the 15th century and published the ‘Book of Useful Information on the Principles and Rules of Navigation’ in 1490.

ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN LIES THE FIRST AND ONLY CULTURED PEARL FARM IN THE GULF, AN AGE-OLD TRADITION”

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With its long sandy beaches, Ras Al Khaimah is a hidden treasure on the UAE’s tourist map.

It will surely become better known with extensive new tourism developments in the Al Hamra area, where the UAE’s first Waldorf Astoria Hotel features an 18-hole championship golf course and 350 metres of private beach.

On the outskirts of town lies the first and only cultured pearl farm in the Gulf, continuing an age-old tradition displayed in the National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah. Set in the former palace of the ruling Al Qasimi family, this is the Emirate’s major cultural attraction.

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The Seven Emirates

Umm Al-Quwain The Emirate of Umm al Quwain, located on the north-western coast of the Arabian Gulf, offers unspoiled landscapes and plenty of outdoor adventure sports.

The least populous of the seven emirates, Umm al Quwain also known for its wildlife, its waters home to green turtles and reef sharks, its island of Al Sinniyah a birdwatcher’s paradise just two kilometres from the north-east coast of the peninsula.

Seafood lovers also flock here, crab hunting being a major pastime. Located in the lagoon of Umm al Quwain, the landmark Flamingo Beach Resort hotel offers a crab-hunting trips. Boats ferry guests to the natural mangroves abundant with crustaceans. Experienced staff is on hand to assist and make sure the crab-hunters come back with enough spoils for dinner.

It might be worth spending a while around the old harbour before setting off – traditional dhows are still crafted in wood by skilled boatbuilders.

Visitors can also pay a visit to Umm al Quwain Fort, with displays of weaponry, jewellery and finds from local archaelogical digs. These

THE ISLAND OF AL SINNIYAH IS A PARADISE FOR BIRDWATCHERS.” have turned up from the Bronze Age and before.

Umm al Quwain also caters to visiting families with Dreamland Aqua Park, with dozens of rides, slides and chutes, and panoramic views of the Emirate.

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Fast transit If anything reflects Dubai’s status as a groundbreaking destination firmly focused on the 21st century, it’s the transport you’ll see all around you.

Two modern services opened at the end of 2014. First came the gleaming Dubai Tram, the first tramway outside Europe to be powered by surface cur-

THE DUBAI TRAMWAY ALSO CONNECTS WITH THE EQUALLY MODERN METRO NETWORK.” rent collection originally pioneered in Bordeaux. Running for nearly 15 kilometres, from Dubai Marina to the Burj Al Arab and the Mall of the Emirates, the tramway also connects

DISCOVER THE EMIRATES

with the equally modern, fully automated metro network, and with the driverless monorail that first opened in 2009.

A month after the tramway was inaugurated, Emaar Properties unveiled the Dubai Trolley, a hop-onhop-off service linking Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall and the upcoming Opera District. Some seven kilometres in length, the trolley is operational from 2015.

And those sleek Ferraris and Lamborghinis you see whizzing around are not part of any sports car race, but are part of a fleet being put to everyday use by Dubai’s police force.

Brought in to celebrate Dubai’s successful bid to host Expo 2020, the fleet also includes Bentleys and Aston Martins. Even for the everyday driver,

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A NEW LOCAL NAVIGATION SYSTEM PROVIDES EACH ADDRESS IN DUBAI WITH A TEN-DIGIT CODE.” either in a private car or taxi, recent technological improvements have revolutionised navigation around Dubai. Previously, because of the way that Dubai developed so rapidly, the Emirate had no postal addresses or postcodes. Letters were often sent to people at places of work, usually at more recognisable landmark buildings, or destinations were described by the features immediately around them. Even renowned galleries would have to use terms such as ‘opposite the garage, near the roundabout’ on their websites. Now this is all chang-

DISCOVER THE EMIRATES

ing with what is now as Gas, a local navigation system that provides each address in Dubai with a ten-digit code that can be easily found. Codes are accurate to within a few metres of the destination.

Finally, it’s not only on land that progress in transportation and navigation is changing Dubai. On water, too, the local transport authority, RTA, has introduced a new fleet of affordable public vehicles. The recently introduced water buses comprise luxurious seating, ample space and air-conditioning for passengers going across Dubai Creek.

Fares are low, four dirhams for a return journey, just over $1.

Already in place are motorised versions of the abra, a traditional boat, that shuttles either side of the Creek on two routes, one that runs 24 hours a day.

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Arrive in style Dubai World Central – that’s the name of the vast undertaking to make Dubai the hub of global aviation. At its heart is Al Maktoum International Airport, 35 kilometres south-west of Dubai at Jebel Ali. Already established as a major port, Jebel Ali will undergo massive changes over the next few years. Partly opened in 2010 and currently serving a select number of airlines, Al Maktoum is scheduled to handle up to 160 million passengers a year when it is fully operational, as well as provide an annual cargo capacity of 12 million tonnes.

This will make it the largest airport in

the world by volume – it will already be the largest in the world by size, 140 square kilometres. By comparison, London’s Heathrow served just over 73 million passengers in 2014 – and the entire Alpine nation of Liechtenstein covers 160 square kilometres.

When ready, Al Maktoum will have three passenger terminals, including two luxury facilities.

Currently, Dubai International Airport is the busiest airport in the world by international passenger traffic, according to 2014 figures.

With its three terminals, DXB is almost a destination in itself, with the

THIS WILL MAKE DUBAI THE HUB OF GLOBAL AVIATION.”

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largest duty-free shops worldwide, as well as hotel and leisure facilities. Terminal 3 is the largest of its kind in the world. It is also the hub of Emirates airlines A380 fleet, purpose-built and with an underground train that whisks passengers to their gate on time.

Executive flight services are available for private aircraft at a special terminal.

Marhaba (‘Welcome’) is a special meetand-greet service, available at all three terminals. Guests are individually escorted to pass quickly through arrival or departure procedures.

Dubai’s flagship Emirates serves a rapidly expanding network of nearly 150 destinations on all five continents. First- and business-class customers enjoy pampering in 60 executive lounges worldwide and limousine services are also laid on.

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Dubai’s Port

Dubai is inseparably connected with the Arabian Gulf. From its strategic location at the mouth of the creek, the city’s urban development started and sea trade was – and still is – one of its major lifelines.

Dubai Creek, with its traditional docksides for the dhows, the ancient Arabian wooden ships, is the town’s oldest commercial port facility.

To keep the tradition alive, these popular vessels are the only commercial ships still allowed to anchor in the creek. Restaurant and leisure boats and Dubai’s

water taxis, the abras, make it a busy and bustling waterway. Port Rasheed, a few kilometres south, started operations in the 1970s as Dubai’s first port to handle large commercial vessels and cargo ships.

As part of Dubai’s strategic tourism development, a cruise terminal was opened at Port Rasheed in 2001.

Over the years the numbers of passengers has risen from 10,000 in 2003 to 420,000 in 2012, establishing the Emirate’s reputation as a leading global cruise destination. Dubai Cruise Terminal has received the

DISCOVER THE EMIRATES

SEA TRADE IS STILL ONE OF DUBAI’S LIFELINES.” Middle East’s Leading Cruise Port award, and the World’s Leading Cruise Port award in the World Travel Awards.

Located 35km south-west of Dubai, the Jebel Ali Port, developed in the 1970s, is now the major sea trading hub for the region. More than 90 weekly services run direct from here to 115 global ports. It became the world’s ninth largest container port in 2010.

The Jebel Ali Free Zone, where some 6,400 companies operate, surrounds the port.

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Essential numbers EMERGENCY SERVICES Police Fire Department Ambulance Electricity Water Back to top

LIMOUSINES 999 997 999 991 991

Exotic Limo Europcar Limousine Galaxy Limousine

+971 4 286 8635 +971 4 339 4455 +971 50 795 1624

HOSPITALS HOSPITAL EMERGENCY NUMBERS Al Maktoum Hospital Al Wasl Hospital American Hospital Dubai Hospital Kuwait Hospital Rashid Hospital Welcare Hospital

+971 4 228 4584 +971 4 324 1111 +971 4 309 6645 +971 4 271 4444 +971 4 707 8206 +971 4 337 1323 +971 4 282 9900

LOST CREDIT CARDS Citibank Commercial Bank of Dubai Emirates Bank International National Bank of Dubai 3166 American Express Diner's Club Mastercard International Visa

800-4000 800-4474 800-4080 800-4767 / 223+971 4 336 5000 +971 4 349 8200 +971 4 332 2956 +971 4 223 6888

AIRPORTS Dubai International Airport Abu Dhabi International Airport

+971 4 216 6666 +971 2 505 5555

TAXIS Dubai Taxi National Taxi Metro Taxi

+971 4 208 0808 600 54 3322 600 56 6000

American Hospital Dubai Dubai London Clinic Health Bay Polyclinic Mediclinic

+971 4 377 6645 800-352 +971 4 3487140 +971 4 435999

GOVERNMENT CONTACTS Civil Aviation Department Courts Department Department Of Economic Development Department of Naturalization & Residency Development Board Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority Dubai Electricity & Water Authority Dubai Government Workshop Dubai Internet City Dubai Muncipality Dubai Police Dubai Ports Authority Dubai Ship Docking Yard Dubai Tourism & Commerce Marketing Endowments & Islamic Affairs Dept Finance Department Federal National Council General Information Authority General Postal Authority General Secretariat of UAE Muncipalities Health & Medical Services Heritage & History Committee HH The Ruler's Affairs & Petroleum Affairs Institute Of Administration Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority Jebel Ali Free Zone Administration Lands Department Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries Ministry of Communications

+971 4 206 6333 +971 4 334 7777 +971 4 222 9922 +971 4 313 9999 +971 4 228 8866 +971 4 299 5555 +971 4 324 4444 +971 4 334 2999 +971 4 399 8888 +971 4 221 5555 +971 4 229 2222 +971 4 345 1545 +971 4 334 1217 +971 4 223 0000 +971 4 266 3535 +971 4 353 1076 +971 4 282 4531 +971 4 282 1565 +971 4 337 1500 +971 4 223 7785 +971 4 337 0031 +971 4 222 7498 +971 4 353 1060 +971 4 282 1575 +971 4 881 5000 +971 4 881 3000 +971 4 222 2253 +971 4 295 8161 +971 4 295 3330

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Ministry of Defence Ministry of Economy & Commerce Ministry of Education Ministry of Electricity & Water Ministry of Finance & Industry Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry of Health Ministry of Information & Culture Ministry of Islamic Affairs & Endowments Ministry of Justice Ministry of Labour & Social Affairs Ministry of Public Works & Housing Ministry of Youth & Sports Ports & Customs Dept Prime Minister's Office Protocol Dept Public Prosecutor Real Estate Dept State Audit Institution UAE Radio & Television Dubai

+971 4 353 2330 +971 4 295 4000 +971 4 299 4100 +971 4 262 6262 +971 4 353 2323 +971 4 222 1144 +971 4 334 8000 +971 4 261 5500 +971 4 269 1220 +971 4 282 5999 +971 4 269 1666 +971 4 269 3900 +971 4 269 1680 +971 4 345 9575 +971 4 345 1900 +971 4 353 1086 +971 4 334 6666 +971 4 346 1444 +971 4 228 6000 +971 4 336 9999

FOREIGN EMBASSIES IN DUBAI Australian Consulate General & Trade Commission British Embassy Consulate General of Canadian Consulate General of Afghanistan Consulate General of Bulgaria Consulate General of Egypt Consulate General of Eritrea Consulate General of France Consulate General of India Consulate General of Indonesia Consulate General of Iraq Consulate General of Italy Consulate General of Japan Consulate General of Jordan Consulate General of Lebanon Consulate General of Malaysia Consulate General of Mozambique Consulate General of Niger Consulate General of Pakistan Consulate General of Romania

+971 4 508 7100 +971 4 309 4444 +971 4 404 8444 +971 4 398 8229 +971 4 344 2419 +971 4 397 1122 +971 4 239 9933 +971 4 408 4900 +971 4 397 1222 +971 4 398 5666 +971 4 358 4700 +971 4 331 4167 +971 4 331 9191 +971 4 397 0500 +971 4 397 7450 +971 4 398 5843 +971 4 398 8304 +971 4 266 4642 +971 4 397 3600 +971 4 349 2971

Consulate General of South Africa +971 4 397 5222 Consulate General of Sri Lanka +971 4 398 6535 Consulate General of Sudan +971 4 397 7722 Consulate General of Switzerland +971 4 329 0999 Consulate General of Tanzania +971 4 394 0200 Consulate of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria +971 4 344 4377 Consulate General of the Arab Republic of Syria +971 4 357 2227 Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany +971 4 397 2333 Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran +971 4 344 4717 Consulate General of the Libya +971 4 397 3972 Consulate General of the People's Republic of Bangladesh +971 4 272 6966 Consulate General of the People's Republic of China +971 4 394 4733 Consulate General of the Philippines +971 4 220 7100 Consulate General of the Republic of Angola +971 4 344 7541 Consulate General of the Republic of Djibouti +971 4 252 8853 Consulate General of the Republic of Ethiopia +971 4 269 9111 Consulate General of the Republic of Kazakhstan +971 4 339 7151 Consulate General of the Republic of Korea +971 4 344 9200 Consulate General of the Republic of Panama +971 4 337 2538 Consulate General of the Republic of Singapore +971 4 321 9498 Consulate General of the Republic of Somalia +971 4 272 2559 Consulate General of the Republic of Turkey +971 4 331 4788 Consulate General of the Republic of Uzbekistan +971 4 394 7400 Consulate General of the State of Kuwait +971 4 397 8000 Consulate General of the State of Qatar +971 4 396 0444 Consulate General of the United States +971 4 309 4000 Consulate General of Vietnam +971 4 398 8924 Consulate of Norway +971 4 382 3880 Consulate of Russia +971 4 328 5347 Consulate of the Sultanate of Oman +971 4 397 1000 Consulate General of the Republic of Yemen +971 4 397 0131 New Zealand Consulate General +971 4 331 7500 Palestine General Consulate +971 4 397 2020 Royal Consulate General of Denmark +971 4 348 0877 Royal Consulate General of Saudi Arabia +971 4 397 9777 Royal Thai Consulate General +971 4 348 9550 The Royal Consulate of Netherlands +971 4 440 7600 Tunisian Consulate +971 4 261 7070

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Shopping Malls in Dubai

LUXURY DUBAI

THE DUBAI MALL

DEIRA CITY CENTER DUBAI

Website Telephone

Website Telephone

www.thedubaimall.com +971 4 367 5588

www.deiracitycentre.com +971 4 295 4545

MALL OF THE EMIRATES

BURJUMAN CENTER DUBAI

Website Telephone

Website Telephone

www.malloftheemirates.com +971 4 409 9000 Dubai Mall

DUBAI FESTIVAL CENTER – DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY Website

Telephone

www.burjuman.com +971 4 352 0222

WAFI SHOPPING MALL

www.festivalcentre.com www.dubaifestivalcity.com +971 4 232 5444

Website Telephone

www.wafi.com +971 4 324 4555

ARABIAN GULF

THE WOR

EL ALI

Atlantis The Palm

Kingdom of Sheba

THE PALM JUMEIRAH

ebel Ali esort & Spa

Oilrelated

Jebel Ali Harbour

The Taj Exotica Resort and Spa Jebel Ali Port

Bus Connection Point

treet

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Emirates Hill First

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Al Sufouh

Kempinski Mall of the Emirates

316 Rd

Emirates Hill Second Emirates Hill Third

Dubai Pearl

Al Barshaa Third Jabal Ali Race Course

Police College

Al Barsha First

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Al Barshaa Second

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Green Community Village

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Emir

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Courtyard by Marriott Green Community

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Umm Al Sheif

Al Manara

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Al Goze Third Industrial Area

Al Goze First Industrial Area

323 Road

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77

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Al Goze Second Industrial Area

651

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Jumeirah Lakes Towers Commodities Centre

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Anantara Dubai The Palm Movenpick Jumeirah Zabeel Saray The Fairmont One and Only The Palm Rixos The Palm One and Only Royal Mirage Habtoor Grand Beach Burj Al Arab Resort & Spa Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Resort Jumeirah Be Jumeirah Beach Hotel Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Madinat Jumeirah Dubai Le Royal Meridien Jumeir BurJuman ArjaanAl Colony Grosvenor House Sufo uh Road American

by Rotana The Westin Jumeira Umm Suqueim University Dubai Umm Suqueim Marriott Hotel & Suites of Dubai Pearl Knowledge Sheikh Zayed Road Dubai Souk Madinat Jabel Ali Village Al Wasi R Marina Mall Dubai Harbour Sh

Al Manara Rd

540th S

Ottoman Palace

Grandeur Residences

Refinery

Sh

Sofitel Dubai Palm

Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah

A

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d

Al Khail Road

Essential Numbers

T

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IBN BATTUTA SHOPPING MALL

DUBAI OUTLET MALL

LAMCY PLAZA

Website Telephone

Website Telephone

Website Telephone

www.ibnbattutamall.com +971 4 352 1900

MERCATO SHOPPING MALL DUBAI Website Telephone

www.mercatoshoppingmall.com +971 4 344 4161

www.dubaioutletmall.com +971 4 423 4666

THE BOULEVARD

SOUK MADINAT JUMIERAH

Website Telephone +971 4 319 8999

Website www.jumeirah.com Telephone +971 4 366 8888

www.boulevarddubai.com

DUBAI MARINA MALL

AL GHURAIR CENTRE

Website Telephone

Website Telephone

www.dubaimarinamall.com +971 4 436 1020

www.lamcyplaza.com +971 4 335 9999

www.alghuraircentre.com/en +971 4 205 5309

THE WORLD

el Dubai Palm

Dubai Marina

Zayed R

Hyatt Regency

Corniche Deira

Sheraton Creek Hotel

oad

Deira Center

Dubai

Hospital

Al Muteena Le Meridien

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InterContinental Dubai Festival City

Water Bird

Al Ittihad Ro

Centre

Al Bustan Rotana

Al Garhoud

Festival Center

Al Mamzer Lagoon

Dubai International Airport

Al Khan Lagoon

Al Iittihad

ad

Dubai Police Head Quarter

ad

Ras Al Khor Wildlife InterContinental Residence Suite Sanctuary Festival

The Meydan Hotel

Al Khabeesi

Al Mamzer Beach

Nah

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Al Quasais Industrial Area

Al Qusais Rd

Al Rashidiya

t

204 Rd

reet

Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City

Hor Al Anz

Abu Hali Ro

Port Saeed

Crowne Plaza Dubai Deira

JW Marriott

Millenium Hotel Park Hyatt

Dubai Raffles Creek Creek Golf Club ad Ro Al Wasi Dubai Park a h et Hospital dM Al Wasi Ou Sports Municipal Grand Hyatt Club Stadium

Al Waheda

Al

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Oud Metha Rashid

Al Jadaf

Al Merkad

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Zabeel Second

Zabeel First

Court

Abu Hall

Baghadad St

Dubai Mall

Nad Al Sheba

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Al Murr Mosque

Hospital

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Jumeirah Rotana

Al Satwa

Shangri-La

Al Hudaiba

Al K

Al Jafiliya

Al Garh

mbers

Al Satwa Road

Street

Al Khail Road

Al Goze Second Industrial Area

Rd

Al Hudaba

Al Bada

Al Doha

Al Goze Fourth Industrial Area

Safa Park

Jumeirah

JW Marriott Marquis The Address Downtown

oad

Al Goze First Industrial Area

Archaelogical Site

Al Asiqa St

318th Street

Al Safa

8th Street

Al Goze Third Industrial Area

323 Road

Barshaa Second

S

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Al Wasi Road

651

Mall of the Emirates

Al Manara

Dubai Police Head Quarter

Umm Suqqeim Street

arsha rst

Al Wasi Road Umm Al Sheif

Jumeirah Third

Al M

ina Rd

dS

Police College

Umm Suqueim

Dubai Zoo

Al Mina

Rd din ud lah Sa Al Rigga Rd

fouh

pinski irates

Jumeirah Road

Jumeirah Beach Park

iya

Souk Madinat

Umm Suqueim

Al Manara Rd

h Road

Jumeirah Beach

Jumeirah Beach Hotel

nat Jumeirah

Port Rashid

Jumeirah Mosque

Creek

Mercato Shopping Mall

Burj Al Arab

AlR

alm

Container Terminal

Dubai Marine Beach Resort & Spa

Abu Hall Rd

ra Dubai The Palm

Rd

Al Quasais Industrial Area

Indus Are

Indu Are

Ind Ar

216

LUXURY DUBAI 2015

SHOPPING

DINING

SIGHTSEEING

ARTS

CULTURE

Luxury Dubai 2015 is a premium lifestyle publication published by Luxury Cities Media FZ LLC. Continuously updated, published once or more a year. Available everywhere in fine hotels.

Publisher Thomas Botka, Luxury Cities Media FZ LLC Advertising sales@luxury-cities.com Design & Layout Absolut Design Studio Group Art director Csaba Szomor Photo Production Luxury Cities Media Editor Peterjon Cresswell

www.luxury-cities.com 2015 edition ©

All photos used in this publication are by Luxury Cities Media, Photos.com, Shutterstock, Susa Dosa, MQ Naufal, Sophie James, Kiev Victor, Nasser Ali Nasser Albahrani, Tamás Dombovári, Sanchai Kumar, Laborant, Dubai Autodrome, Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Cunard, dinosmichail / Shutterstock, Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, IRB/Martin Seras Lima, Yara, www.aquiziam.com, www.rasalkhaimahtourism.com unless otherwise credited.

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