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Tranquil deserts, glitzy glamour and tumultuous bazaars!

Tranquil deserts, glitzy shopping, and tumultuous bazaars lead to the one and only city of Dubai! Dubai is known for everything glamorous but that’s not what it’s all about. There is a huge variety of things to see and do. In one day, you can see vast dunes, traditional villages and remarkable skyscrapers. Let’s take a little look!

‘…vast dunes, traditional villages and remarkable skyscrapers…’

 Ain Dubai

Ain Dubai, the world’s tallest observation wheel on Bluewaters Island stands more than 250 metres tall. About 9000 tonnes of steel was used in the construction of the wheel, which is 25% more than the amount of iron used to build the Eiffel Tower. Around 30 buses could fit inside each leg supporting the wheel, which carry 48 passenger capsules with a capacity of 1900 people. Due to its height and slow movement Ain Dubai provides an impressive view over the surrounding areas. The wheel turns at low speed so it’s possible for users to get on and off the cabins in the bottom section while the wheel is turning.

‘…capacity of 1900 people…’

Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood

The Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood is a stray away from the thought that Dubai is a wealthy oil-fuelled economy and pulsating tourism destination; Dubai’s emergence in its current, modern form is a fairly recent development.

Take a stroll through the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, alongside the Dubai Creek to gain another perspective on the heritage of the city. Among traditional-style houses and other buildings from before Dubai’s rapid modernisation in the 1970s, you’ll find art exhibitions, creative studios, museums, and much more.

‘…from before rapid modernisation…’

 Arabian Desert Safari

A trip into the Arabian Desert is a popular excursion for visitors to Dubai. You can take to the sands in a 4×4 for an exhilarating dune bashing experience or explore it at a more leisurely pace on an obliging camel. A desert safari in the morning is a magical way to start to a day in Dubai.

‘…exhilarating dune bashing…’

Burj Khalifa

The Burj Khalifa towers at an amazing 828 metres. It’s an adrenaline-charged feeling of being on top of the world on The Top Burj Khalifa observation deck. The deck is on the 124th floor of the world’s tallest tower and is guaranteed to be a highlight of any visit. You can marvel at the dazzling lights of Dubai that lie below at sunset. If you visit during the day, you can bask in the sun on the funky outdoor terrace.

‘…adrenaline-charged feeling…’

Dubai Frame

Dubai Frame is one of the city’s skylines that represents a remarkable engineering feat. Situated in Dubai’s Zabeel Park, directly between old and new Dubai, the towering structure offers sweeping panoramic views of the city from 150 metres high. One of its most amazing features is the state-of-the-art clear glass bridge connecting parallel vertical towers to create the shape of a picture frame. The Dubai Frame is a must-see attraction!

‘…state-of-the-art clear glass bridge…’

Dubai Mall

At the Dubai Mall you’ll find everything from ski fields to aquariums. The sprawling shopping mall has 1200-plus shops and 150 restaurants, the venue is home to an indoor theme park, an ice rink, a huge indoor waterfall, a choreographed outdoor fountain and the giant Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. The boutiques and markets are open until midnight daily.  When it comes to one-stop-shopping, Dubai Mall is the go-to hub for luxury, mid-range and high-street brands.

‘…aquarium and underwater zoo…’

Dubai Museum

The Dubai Museum is where you can trace the history of Dubai; you’ll see re-created reed houses and a pearling-era souk among other interesting artefacts, while learning about the city’s amazing transition from a backwater into an affluent modern city. The Dubai Museum is set in the historical Al Fahidi Fort, the oldest remaining building in Dubai constructed at the start of the 1970s when the city’s breath-taking reinvention began to materialise. The Dubai Museum conserves the traditional way of life that existed before.

‘…amazing transition from a backwater into an affluent modern city…’

Grand Mosque

The Grand Mosque in Bur Dubai features Dubai’s tallest minaret that offers dizzying heights; it stands at an impressive 70 metres tall and boasts 45 small and nine larger domes. Each dome has beautiful stained-glass panels that glisten in the sun. The Grand Mosque is one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks.

‘…stained-glass glisten in the sun…’

Palm Jumeirah

The iconic Palm Jumeirah is an artificial archipelago on the stunning coastal area of Dubai. Jumeirah is in the shape of a palm tree, it’s as large as 800 football pitches. You can relax in the sunshine and watch people go about their daily business along the coastline. Once you step back onto dry land, take time to explore the sights of the area’s luxurious hotels, or go diving around the exotic artificial reef that was created by purposely sinking two F-100 Super Sabre fighter jets.

‘…archipelago on the stunning coastal area…’

Souks

Dubai’s souks are fabulous, you can to wander around, soak up the atmosphere and find a bargain in these traditional markets. You will find everything from spices and hand-woven textiles to gold and organic fruit and vegetables. Bargaining is an essential part of your shopping experience, so don’t be afraid to negotiate. Situated on the Deira side of Dubai Creek, the Gold Souk and Spice Souks are within walking distance.

The Gold Souk is probably Dubai’s most famous market, it’s said to be the largest gold bazaar and one of the best places in the world to shop for fine jewellery, gold, silver and gemstones. Whether you want to create a bespoke piece, buy wedding gems or pick up fashionable designer jewellery, all tastes and cultures are catered for.

‘…largest gold bazaar in the world…’

The popular Spice Souk is where you’ll encounter a dizzying collection of dried herbs and spices at fantastic prices. Seasoned cooks love the delightful aromatic journey, while non-foodies are amazed by the variety of colours and exotic fragrances. Take your pick from cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, saffron, turmeric, sumac and many more herbs and spices.

‘…delightful aromatic journey…’

Dubai is definitely an exceptional holiday destination where rich culture and history, adventure, first class shops, dining and entertainment attractions make a perfect combination. Dubai has something for everyone; beautiful beaches, mysterious deserts and heritage sites.

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Beaches, caves, forests, mountains, rivers and ruins in one of the most enticing cities on earth!

Imagine travelling 1610 kilometres in a busy and interesting country with an amazing amount of diversity! A country full of beaches, caves, forests, mountains, rivers, ruins, with spectacular landscapes; we’re talking about Vietnam, an incredibly unique destination. Vietnam has a coastline running along almost all of it; tourists from all over the world love this buzzing country.

‘…incredibly unique…’

Beaches and sand dunes

The length of Vietnam means that it’s blessed with an unbelievable contrast of blue and green, the sea and forest.  There are beautiful beaches all along the coastline especially near Hoi An, Mui Ne and Nha Trang. Near Mui Ne you find incredible red and white sand dunes that are best enjoyed at sunrise and sunset.

‘…contrast of blue and green, the sea and forest…’

Buzzing cities

There’s something for everyone in Vietnam’s cities, whether you’re in the north or the south, there is so much fun to be had in the enjoyable chaos. In Central Vietnam, the city of Da Nang has a bright yellow dragon bridge that breathes fire, followed by water that is sprayed over gathered spectators.

‘…breathes fire, followed by water…’

Caves

Vietnam is famous for its incredible caves, its home to Son Doong, the world’s biggest cave, found in the emerald-covered expanse of Phong Nha Kẻ Bàng National Park. There are also smaller caves to explore that have many stunning formations hidden inside of them; two of these are the Phong Nha Cave and Paradise.

‘…formations hidden inside…’

Food

Vietnamese food really stands out, the most delicious savoury dishes include many types of noodles, banana blossom salad, stuffed pancakes, fresh spring rolls, and tasty banh mi better known as filled baguettes. It’s also one of the best places in the world to get deliciously dark coffee that is blended with everything from coconut to egg for a sumptuously rich experience.

‘…sumptuously rich…’

History

Vietnam has a fascinating history that can be seen in exquisite buildings from the Nguyen Dynasty in Huế, to the grim Hoa Lo Prison that was built in Hanoi during French colonial times. There are several sites from the Vietnam War, like the Cu Chi and Vinh Moc tunnels that you can visit. Central Vietnam has a demilitarized zone where there are several monuments and museums to visit built on the land where the battles were fought.

‘…monuments and museums where battles were fought…’

Karst bays

It’s impossible to look at any photos of Vietnam without coming across the eternally famous Ha Long Bay. This picture-perfect seascape is dominated by green limestone karsts with tiny fishing villages in the shadows. The karsts are a great way to see the landscape where wide rivers run through grassy rice fields at the bottom of stunning valleys.

‘…wide rivers, grassy rice fields, stunning valleys…’

Mekong River

Laos is the country famous for the Mekong River but it actually finishes in the South of Vietnam. The sprawling streams that spill out into the sea is the perfect place to explore traditional life in Vietnam. Watching the sunset over the Mekong is truly an unforgettable experience, it’s no wonder Vietnam is famous for the Mekong Delta and all the incredible activities on offer.

‘…unforgettable experience…’

Motorbikes and rice terraces

If you travel to Vietnam, a visit to the rice terraces is a beautiful experience; it’s one of the best places to meet the local people. For the adventurous, you will love the Ha Giang loop which is a stunning three to four days motorbike journey that begins and ends at the capital Ha Giang.

‘…best places to meet the local people…’

 

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Breath-taking paradise.

Known for its white sand beaches and bright blue waters, Zanzibar is a breath-taking paradise holiday. In Zanzibar you manage to relax and be excited almost everywhere you go.  One of the best things to do in Zanzibar is to swim in the clear waters, but there is also much more.

Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania, is the largest island of the Zanzibar Archipelago, which consists of several islands.  Here are some fun things to do in Zanzibar.

Acrobats and capoeira

At sunset, on pleasant evenings, you can head to the Stone Town public beach to enjoy the last light of the day watching acrobatics and capoeira performed by the locals. Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics, and music. It’s pretty fun to watch from any of the nearby restaurants or on the beach.

‘…dance, acrobatics and music…’

Jozani Forest

Take a trip to Jozani Forest, the last sanctuary in the world to see the Zanzibar red colobus monkey. The forest is one of the lushest places in Zanzibar. It’s a reminder of what has become of our environment over the centuries. On the nature trails through the beautiful forests, it’s easy to find the red monkeys because they are not shy.

‘…the red monkeys are not shy…’

Mwani Zanzibar

A visit to Mwani Zanzibar is a must. Previously known as the Seaweed Center, Mwani Zanzibar is a women’s initiative that employs local women to make products from the abundance of seaweed around the island. You get to see the daily tasks of the seaweed farmers and it’s a pleasure to relax at the shop with a glass of seaweed fruit juice.

‘…relax with a glass of seaweed fruit juice…’

Paje Beach

Paje beach has hip cafes, burger joints, kite surfing, bars, and hostels, making it one of the great places to visit in Zanzibar. The most popular thing to do in Paje is kitesurfing but relaxing in the inviting turquoise waters is the perfect thing to do! Paje is considered one of the best places in the world to go kite surfing, and it’s easy to understand why when you feel the wind and see the gorgeous water.

‘…feel the wind and see the gorgeous water…’

Prison Island

Prison Island is one of the great places of interest in Zanzibar. Built in the late 1800s, the prison served as an island for slaves and prisoners, but is now a joy to visit the nearby tortoise sanctuary, home to some of the giant Aldabross tortoises.

‘…giant tortoises…’

Spice Tour

Zanzibar, often referred to as ‘Spice Island’ for its centuries of clove, nutmeg, vanilla, and cinnamon production offers spice tours to a large farm where you can see, touch, and taste the many flavours of Zanzibar.

‘…see, touch and taste…’

Stone Town

While in Zanzibar, a visit to Stone Town is essential. The ‘Palace of Wonders’ is the tallest building in Stone Town and a main point of interest. It’s next to the Old Fort and is a sight to see; it’s the spot for the first elevator in all of East Africa.  You can learn about the history of Stone Town and view old exhibits here. There are many unique places to see in Stone Town, including beautiful boutique shops and plenty of fabulous restaurants.

‘…beautiful boutique shops and fabulous restaurants…’

 

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