Hip to Be Square? Why Dubai Is Still An Amazing Holiday Destination
Those considering a holiday in Dubai may have been dissuaded somewhat by recent news stories.
One British man may be facing up to three years in jail after touching someone in a bar. The Scot claims he innocently touched the man on the hip to avoid spilling his drinks.
Another Brit got into serious hot water when he unwittingly attempted to exchange a fake Scottish banknote.
A holiday destination in which you could find yourself in jail - almost by accident - hardly seems like the best location for a relaxing getaway.
However, Dubai offers a wealth of thoroughly modern-day activities, attractions and shopping opportunities that quite simply cannot be experienced anywhere else – or at least not with the same intensity.
For some people, naturally, the all-out consumerism of the glitzy city state is a little too much. There are no UNESCO World Heritage Sites here; no noteworthy museums or art galleries.
But for those who embrace modernity - and perhaps those with a penchant for unbridled tackiness - it could still make for an unforgettable break.
The city is impressive if for no other reason than a few decades ago it was an un-regarded sand-blown town best known as a staging post for even less appealing destinations (e.g. Afghanistan).
But of course, these days it has plenty of other things to recommend it. The sheer number and quality of its hotels is staggering – where 5-star opulence is de rigeur. Among the most incredible is the Armani Hotel, located in the soaring Burj Kalifa, the tallest building on the planet.
The city's hotels also serve as oases for foreigners intent on having a good time. Recent news stories might make Dubai seem like the last place you should try to 'get merry' - but the city's infamous hotel Friday brunches beg to differ. Le Meridien's, for example, is one of the best known, where revellers can consume champagne and food 'til their heart's content.
And as for shopping, it's hard to better. The Dubai Mall, aside from offering a dizzying array of ways to conspicuously consume, boasts a fantastic ice rink and a superb aquarium. And if this city gets a little too 'air heady' for you, a trip to the vast Kinokuniya bookshop is sure to meet your cerebral needs.
But to get a complete sense of what Dubai is, you need to travel skywards, to the observation deck of the Burj Kalifa.
From this lofty position you can observe the amazing dancing fountain far below and the city state's ambitious land reclamation projects.
"The World" is formed of 300 manmade islands and represents every country on Earth. And if you need more wondrously crazy structures, regard the Palm Jumeirah, an artificial archipelago that looks like, you guessed it, a palm tree. Its gigantic 'fronds' extend into the Persian Gulf and provide the foundations for countless high-end villas.
Need more of an adrenaline rush? Why not visit the Aquaventure Waterpark, where you can choose to shoot through a tube suspended in a shark pool - with real sharks. More thrills await at the competing water park, Wild Wadi.
Such attractions continue to pull in people from around the globe. And with plans to build another international airport 25 miles away - even bigger than the one they have already - it seems all flight paths lead to Dubai.
Few other cities embrace the future quite like this one. If you're interested in experiencing it, don't hesitate. Just keep your hands on your own hips - and check the watermarks on your bank notes before you leave these shores...
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