Known as an ideal holiday destination thanks to its beaches and a wide range of shopping options, Dubai is quickly becoming a cultural center, with art exhibitions and festivals attracting local and international talent. New contemporary art galleries are opening alongside well established ones such as Ostra, Majlis and XVA Galleries bringing new ideas and concepts to Dubai.
All-time favourites such as sand-skiing, desert driving, paragliding and sailing can be arranged though the hotel concierge.
Located in the heart of the oldest residential area in Dubai, the Centre welcomes Dubai visitors and expatriate residents alike and aims at raising awareness of the local culture, religion and traditions.
The Centre hosts Cultural Breakfasts every Monday at 10 am and Cultural Lunches every Sunday at 1pm offering its guests a chance to try home-made traditional Emirati food and exchange information with the Centre’s staff and volunteers about the UAE, its culture and its religion.
Kindly note that bookings should be made in advance.
The Jumeirah Mosque is one of the largest and the most photographed mosques in the region and it is one of the few mosques in the U.A.E., which is open to non-Muslims. Guided tours are organized by The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding and are conducted Every Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday at 10 a.m.
No booking is required; visitors can simply register outside the Mosque prior to the tour. Private and evening tours as well as tours in other languages can be arranged with prior notice.
Located in DIFC Gate Village, Opera Gallery provides the perfect showcase for the works of the already established artists, while also devoting itself to promoting new artistic talent. Opera Gallery has always supported young artists who have gone on to achieve international recognition. Photography, painting, sketches, sculpture, video creations - all existing art forms are expressed by artists from every continent.
http://www.operagallery.com/about.aspx
Journey between past and present in a traditional dhow. Since the dawn of time, dhows (wooden boats) have been used for trading purposes.
Dhow cruises are an imaginative way to see Dubai by night, when most of the major landmarks glitter beside the waterway. The cruise takes you along Dubai Creek, separating the city into Deira on the east, and Bur Dubai on the west.
The Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, the largest falcon hospital in the world, is providing treatment to falcons and other raptors and has recently opened its doors to visitors to experience the fascinating world of falcons and falconry. The guided tour includes visit to the falconry museum, the insight on falcon registration and issuing unique falcon passports, the visit to the examination room where guests will see the falcons undergoing check-ups and treatment. The highlight of the tour is the visit to the hospital wards and its large free-flight aviary where falcons are kept and fly free inside.
Tours are conducted daily except Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays. Standard tour duration is 2 hours, tour duration including lunch is 3 hours. Kindly note that bookings should be made in advance.
Famous for offering open top double decker bus sightseeing tours of London, Philadelphia, Hong Kong and Dubai, The Big Bus Company now offers a spectacular panoramic night tour of Dubai providing visitors with the opportunity to discover the sights and sounds of Dubai as the sun sets and the city comes to life.
The tour of Dubai starts from two main departure points, Deira City Centre at 19.30 and Souk Madinat Jumeirah at 20.30 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Spice Souk Visitors will be taken to the narrow alleyways and tiny lanes of the Spice Souk. The atmosphere and the scents of the past can be savored in the bustling Arabic market. Colorful bags of spices, incense, rose petals and traditional medicinal products are stacked outside each stall.
Gold SoukThe gold souk is a must for any visit. Over 100 shops lined up in traditionally decorated alleys offering a wide selection of designs. Each shop window is resplendent with gold necklaces, rings, bangles, earrings and brooches, in all shapes and sizes. Gold jewelry comes in 18-carat exquisitely designed in Italy, 21 and 22 carat from Thailand, Singapore, India and now from Dubai as well. There is also a good selection of silver jewelry. Gold prices are among the lowest in the world. Here, bargaining is expected and one can almost always find exceptional deals.
Dubai is known as a shoppers’ paradise. Since 1996, Dubai has held themed shopping festivals, all of which have been highly successful. Tourists flock to Dubai during festival time to buy top quality goods such as gold, audio and video equipment, cameras and photographic equipment, watches, fabrics, perfumes and cosmetics, carpets and well-known American and European designer labels.
Recently open Dubai Mall, located next to the Dubai International Financial Centre district, is the region's premier shopping, lifestyle and entertainment destination. With its more than 1,200 stores and attractions such as an Olympic size skating ring, a world class aquarium, and a wide range of cafés and restaurants, The Dubai Mall is quickly becoming the city’s favorite destination for shopping and family outings.