Dubai is an island of magnificent opulence contrasting the stark splendour of the surrounding desert. Undoubtedly the most popular among all the Emirates, Dubai has redefined the idea of a world-class luxury destination. Home to the tallest skyscraper in the world, the Burj Khalifa, Dubai remains grounded with its age-old culture and traditions. Though it has some of the best shopping malls, it still cherishes its traditional souks which were the original malls of the Arab world. The gold souk will overload your senses with the lavish displays of gold in every shape and size imaginable, displayed casually in the stores. Broiling hot during the day and freezing at night, Dubai has even converted the desert into a playground for adventure seekers. As a holiday destination, Dubai is the complete package. The city boasts of an efficient public transport system that is the best option to get around on your urban explorations. Start your tour with the iconic Burj Khalifa and the awe-inspiring Dubai Fountain. Indulge yourself with some retail therapy at the Dubai Mall and witness the triumph of Dubai’s architecture at the Palm Jumeirah. These man-made islands are symbols of the city’s substantial authority in shaping its own landscape. While the Dubai Marina is a new-age extension of the city, the Dubai Creek is its heart. This is where the original settlers of Dubai made home. Take a trip back in time at the historic Al FahidiNeighbourhood and take a trip to the Etihad Museum for a more contemporary take on history. Venture into the fantastical IMG Worlds of Adventure to experience the thrill of an escapade in 5D. All this and more awaits you in Dubai. Book your own Dubai holiday from Rising Star Tours & Travels for a holiday experience that goes beyond the facade and taps into the city’s very essence.

Winter, from November to April, is the best time to visit Dubai for a holiday. Dubai has only two distinct seasons, summer and winter. Between May and October, the summer season takes over Dubai and the temperatures average between 24°C and 43°C. On the other hand, the winter temperatures are relatively pleasant and range between 19°C to 32°C, making it the ideal season to be in Dubai. Winter is also the season when Dubai receives most of its rainfall, but the showers only help cool things down and don’t affect your sightseeing. The mild winter weather allows you to explore Dubai’s beaches and indulge in outdoor activities such as picnics, desert safaris and dune bashing. The days enjoy warm sunshine and bright blue skies while the evenings are cooled down by gentle winds. But if you’re a shopaholic looking to score some amazing deals, January and February are your months to visit Dubai. The Dubai Shopping Festival starts in January and continues into February and offers incredible deals, as much as a 75% discount, on electronics, jewelry, fashion and more.

Flying is the only way to reach Dubai from India. The Dubai International Airport is a world-class terminal and the busiest one in all of UAE. It is well-connected to almost all the major Indian cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Hyderabad. You can easily get regular direct or connecting flights into Dubai from any of these cities.Some of the well-known airlines that operate flights to Dubai include Emirates, Etihad, FlyDubai, Air India, SpiceJet and IndiGo. Dubai’s airport sits 5 km outside the city but is well connected with public transport. If you cannot find a flight to Dubai, the next best option is to fly into Sharjah, which is Dubai’s closest neighbour. You will need a visa before you land in Dubai. Getting a UAE visa is easy, and you can get yours in 4-5 working days. However, if you hold a valid US, UK or Schengen visa, you do not need a separate visa for Dubai. All you must do is fill up a form after landing.

Starting out as a busy fishing village, Dubai has transformed itself into one of the most-sought-after holiday destinations in the world. From its larger-than-life, world-class entertainment to its parks and resorts, there is a lot to explore.

• Burj Khalifa Start your Dubai Tour on a high note at the world’s tallest tower. Piercing the sky, the Burj Khalifa dominates Dubai’s landscape and is visible from miles around. The observation deck on the 124th floor opens to some of the most stunning vistas of Dubai and the desert around. It is said that you can watch the sunset twice in the same day at the Burj Khalifa! Take in the views as you enjoy a sundowner at the highest lounge on the planet located on the 154th floor. This is one experience in Dubai you should not miss.
• Al Fahidi Neighbourhood Dubai is proud of its past, culture and traditions, and the historic Al FahidiNeighbourhood is a living testament of that pride. Dubai’s iconic heritage district, located in Bur Dubai, has been lovingly conserved to showcase the way of life as it existed back in the older days. It is a veritable time machine that takes you back in time when Dubai was a flourishing trading port. The precise maze of winding alleyways and the traditional wind towers are your ticket to a bygone era. Take a guided heritage tour offered by the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding and gain a better appreciation of the local culture.
• Dubai Opera Opera is not something that one would associate with Dubai. Yet the Dubai Opera is a cultural centre of note that mimics the shape of a traditional Arabic dhow. Offering spectacular views of the Dubai Fountain and the Burj Khalifa, the glass-enclosed structure is a marvel of architectural design. More importantly, it is the perfect platform to exhibit local and international talent in the form of acts and performances. It has a full calendar throughout the year, and you can catch a show to add a hint of drama to your Dubai holiday. If not, this is worth a visit just to admire its design, especially during nighttime.
• Dubai Mall To call Dubai a shopper’s paradise would be quite an understatement. The retail experience in Dubai goes beyond just shopping. Not only do you enjoy amazing discounts, but you’re also a part of an extravaganza that knows how to pamper shoppers. The Dubai Mall, right next to the Burj Khalifa, is the best example of shopping indulgence. You will be spoilt for choice with more than 1,200 shops and 150 restaurants. It also houses an indoor theme park, the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, an ice-skating rink and a majestic indoor waterfall. With so much to explore, you can easily spend one whole day at the Dubai Mall.
• The Dubai Fountain The Dubai Fountain is a modern marvel in a city that is surrounded by desert. It is a stunning show of aquatic beauty that easily surpasses any others of its kind in elegance and magnitude. It is the largest choreographed fountain system in the world. It puts on a mesmerising show of water’s acrobatics to the accompaniment of lights and sound. Catch a show in the evening and be amazed as water shoots up to 150 metres into the desert night. It is located right outside the Dubai Mall and makes for a fitting end to a day of indulgent retail therapy.
• Dubai Marina The world’s largest man-made marina is the latest hub of Dubai’s scintillating nightlife with a profusion of clubs, lounges and restaurants. Brilliantly lit up at night, it is a treat even during the day. A quiet stroll along the water’s edge will introduce you to an array of waterside restaurants that are perfect for a peaceful meal. Even here you’re not far away from shopping as you can head to the Dubai Marina Mall for some spur-of-the-moment retail indulgence. If you’re missing the excitement, head to XLine which is the world’s longest Zipline. It adds thrill to your day out at the Dubai Marina.
• Madinat Jumeirah If any place in Dubai is the seamless blend of the past and the present, it must be the Madinat Jumeirah. Its name translates as ‘City of Jumeirah’. This beautiful resort complex by the sea takes its design inspirations from the traditional strongholds of Dubai. It encloses a multitude of private enclaves and luxury hotels built in the traditional style but equipped with all the modern amenities. The best way to explore this luxurious complex is on a traditional wooden arba that takes you around at a leisurely pace.
• Food in Dubai From hearty and flavourful street food to decadent Michelin-starred creations, you can get it all in Dubai. The flavours of the city will infuse your heart with their sheer variety. Here are our picks of food that you should taste in Dubai. Al Machboos – A Familiar Delicacy When you first lay your eyes on Al Machboos, you will be forgiven to think it is the good old biryani. Prepared with a handful of ingredients such as onions, meat, rice, dried lemons and seasoned with local spices, this favourite local delicacy has a completely different flavour profile from the biryani. Manousheh – Pizza on the Go Closer to a shawarma than a pizza, the Manousheh is a great snack to have on the go. It can be eaten as breakfast or as a healthy in-between snack. Made of stretched flatbread, this popular street food is stuffed with an amazing array of toppings, from sweet jam to savoury lamb.The local favourite version is stuffed with sweet jam, eggs and minced lamb, and topped with creamy sour labneh (yoghurt). Chelo Kabab – Fragrant Indulgence The simple Chelo Kabab is one of the most favourite food dishes in Dubai. Served in street-side stalls as well as restaurants, it crosses the divide with an effortless ease. Strongly reminiscent of the more familiar seekh kebabs, the Chelo Kabab is served with a generous helping of steaming aromatic saffron-scented Basmati Rice, a charred pepper and a salad spiked with fragrant dill. Lahem Bl Ajin – Simple Decadence This is one of the most favourite street foods of Dubai. Known locally as the Arab Pizza, it is a Lebanese flatbread pie that is topped with a variety or toppings, mostly spicy ground meat. With the flavour changing around every corner, this is one dish which you will not tire of any time soon. Locals prefer their Lahem Bl Ajin on the spicier side and often flavour it with tabasco sauce and cayenne pepper to add extra heat. Let your food vendor go easy on the chillies if you cannot handle heat.