Holidaying in Dubai

By David Collins

Dubai, playground of the millionaires, is the most populous of the United Arab Emirates and a city that has grown considerably due to tourism. Each year, thousands of tourists are drawn to the white sandy beaches and vast range of boutiques and market stalls that Dubai has to offer.

Throughout the years Dubai has become more tourist-orientated, with a number of luxury hotels and beach villas taking their place amongst the desert sands, offering a wide range of activities and the chance to experience the sights, sounds and flavours of the Middle East.

Boasting some of the world's tallest buildings - including the Burj Al Arab, the tallest hotel in the world - and a vast coastline with man-made islands that give you some privacy in paradise, Dubai is a haven for those who have money to spend, taking advantage of cheap flights to visit the resorts in the desert.

The city lies within the Arabian desert, with a vast coastline that offers opportunities for some delightful diving excursions in the Arabian Sea. The warm climate and Indian Ocean currents have lead to the forming of vast and colourful coral reefs, offering divers and snorkellers alike a chance to observe sharks and rays in their natural habitat.

If you'd rather ride the waves than take the plunge, there are a number of watersports centres along the coastline, offering the chance to jet-ski or parasail on the clear blue ocean. There are a number of water parks available for family excursions, as well as number of extreme sports clubs that offer activities such as skydiving. Dubai has also become a popular destination for those looking to take in a round of golf, with more lush green courses having sprung up in recent years.

As you'd expect from a city in the middle of the desert, the weather is perfect for those who are looking to catch a tan, but there's a lot more to Dubai than the beach resorts and gold shops. For those looking to cool off a little, the Dubai Ski Centre offers the chance to chill out and go skiing, in the middle of a desert? Sounds bizarre, but it certainly attracts a lot of tourists to the region each year. Flights to Dubai are now more frequently available from most UK airports, with the city also acting as a popular stopover on long-haul flights.

Dubai also has a vast range of shopping complexes for you to explore, filled to the brim with boutiques and shops selling everything from gold to electronics. The city has become popular for weekend breaks and honeymoons, with more flights now available from UK and an abundance of holiday packages available for those who are looking to kick back and relax in the resorts dotted around the desert landscape.

Looking to chill out in the desert and looking for cheap flights? Compare flights to Dubai and flights to a number of other Middle Eastern destinations to help you plan your holiday.

The Only 7 Star Hotel in the World

By Pankaj Gupta

A seven star hotel is considered a synonym for grandeur, class and style. Offering luxuries like limousine service, private transfer for all guests via private golf cart, private butler service and just about anything else that is being associated with vanity. These days, savvy and wealthy globetrotters, demand for caviar, personal butlers and Bentley and more tasty accommodation morsels as they prefer to travel (and rest) in style when it comes to bedding heads for the night. Seven star hotels accomplish all this.

There is an official body with standard criteria for classifying hotels in some countries. While most countries check their hotel rating systems at five, very few use six or seven star ratings, claiming to be the most beautiful and prestigious hotels in the world. At present there is only one seven star hotel in the world, though there are a few more under construction. Start planning your vacations now and be the first to see some of the amazing architectural wonders.

The Burj- Al- Arab in Dubai, the only Seven Star hotel began in 1994 and was modeled after the sail of a famous Arabian ship. The appearance was created by using Teflon-coated fiberglass and white materials that resemble a mast when viewed from a distance. The hotel is an architectural masterpiece. The foundation was constructed on an artificial island and the hotel is home to the world's tallest atrium. While the Burj- Al- Arab likes to believe it is the world's only seven-star hotel, it is officially known as a five-star deluxe hotel on the standard star system.

The Burj Al Arab is the only, "Seven star" hotel bearing a resemblance to a billowing sail, the hotel ascends to a height of 321 meters, overlooking the Dubai coastline. It is an unforgettable sight at night, surrounded by maneuvered color sculptures of water and fire. This all-suite hotel with the floor to ceiling glass windows viewing breathtaking Arabian Gulf reflects the finest that the world has to offer.

Designed to offer most comfort, unique service levels with chauffeur driven Rolls Royce, discreet in-suite check in, private reception desk on every floor and a brigade of highly trained butlers who provide around-the-clock attention, you can be assured of a highly personalized service throughout your stay. The hotel offers the highest levels of personalized service in the most luxurious surroundings imaginable, while the butler will ensure that every little need is met.

Surrounded by white beaches and the blue waters of the Arabian Gulf, one can choose from a variety of activities while staying at Burj-Al-Arab. Alternatively, there are unlimited amenities for recreation and entertainment; be it spacious airy gymnasium boasting the very latest in equipment and with personal trainers on hand or unlimited complimentary access to Wild Wadi Water Park for water sports, accessible via a complimentary buggy drive or short walk.

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