The Burj Al Arab has been proclaimed the world’s most luxurious hotel. It is situated on an artificial island close to the Jumeira beach in Dubai, the United Arab Emirate. It is a 5 star hotel although some have given it 7 stars for its exceptional luxury and services. It has turned into a global landmark with it sail like form.

The artificial island where the hotel stands is connected to the mainland with an artificial bridge. The hotel structure is the forth tallest hotel in the world measuring up to 321 meters. It is interesting to know that among the ten tallest hotels in the world the first six are situated in Dubai. All except the Burj Al Arab were constructed after the year 2000.

The Burj Al Arab was constructed on the place where the Chicago Beach Hotel used to stand. The older hotel was demolished in 1997 after the beginning of the new structure. The name means the Arab Tower and was revealed by sheikh Mohammed who is the Prime Minister, Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, and Ruler of Dubai.

The actual construction of the hotel began in 1994. The design was aimed to look like the sail of a dhow- a typical Arabic sea vessel. The goal was to create a landmark that will turn into a calling card of Dubai. In order to secure the artificial island that is 280 meters away into sea, 230 concrete piles were wedged into the sand. For the construction of the rest of the building more than 70,000 cubic meters of concrete and 9,000 tones of steel were used.

The Burj Al Arab features only 28 double storey floors with 202 bedroom suites. Those vary from 169 to 780 square meters. There are two world renowned restaurants in the hotel- the Oyster and the Ultimate.

Car rentals in Dubai are Asia Rent a Car, Auto Lease Rent a Car, Budget, Diamond Lease, National, SIXT, Hertz, Avis, Dollar, and Thrifty to name a few.

Lamcy Plaza is actually one of the world’s largest department stores, with “shops” carrying the latest lines from the likes of Giordano, Nine West, Guess, Paris Gallery and Jewelry Arcade. Lamcy also boasts a top-floor supermarket (Lal’s), home furnishings, and a terrific sporting goods department.

Deira City Centre located in the heart of Dubai has more than 200 first-rate shops, restaurants and other distractions including oasis-like sitting areas, and CityWalk, a boulevard-like experience with an 11-screen cinema and a variety of dining and nightlife options.

Mall of the Emirates is a huge two-level shopping structure with an indoor ski resort complete with skis, toboggans, snowboards and snow, year round. Other entertainment options here include an indoor amusement park complete with roller coaster, video game arcades, simulator rides, a community theatre and arts centre, and a 14-screen cinema.

Festival Centre has a two-floor Marks & Spencer as well as a range of classy outlets selling everything from luxury Blancpain watches to colorful Monsoon dresses amidst  an ongoing program of live music, as well as exhibitions on art and photography.

Ibn Battuta Mall based on the travels of 14th-century explorer Ibn Battuta and is comprised of six courts, each reflecting the culture and architecture of a different region. The most grandiose mall houses a 21-screen cinema, IMAX Theater, numerous restaurants from small independent cafes to large international chains, a massive supermarket, and a slew of clothing and accessory stores that include elite designer boutiques, trendy casual outfitters and everything in between.

Wafi Shopping Mall with the new pyramid-shaped Raffles Hotel at its heart on the Creek’s west bank spanning four floors has elite shops and fine restaurants that attract some of Dubai’s trendiest clientele.

Bur Juman Centre one of Dubai’s largest and most popular shopping malls has more than 170 prestigious boutique and specialty shops from Western designer apparel, leather goods and gold jewelry to perfumes, consumer electronics and sporting goods.

Mercato Mall is attractively designed in a Renaissance theme with a great selection of upscale shops and boutiques where you’ll find the latest trends as well as classic designs.

Souk Madinat Jumeirah with about 75 individual shops, there are more than 20 restaurants and cafes from which the most enticing aromas emanate.

The Gold Souk is home to some 300 jewelers, offering mostly gold items but some gemstones and silver as well.

Car hire services in Dubai include companies like Asia Rent a Car, Autolease, Budget, Europcar, Thrifty, Sixt and Avis.

As a part of the celebrations for the launch of the Terminal 3 at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, in Delhi, the Emirates is flying its Airbus A-380, which is the world’s largest passenger aircraft, on the Dubai to Delhi route for one day, that is on July15.

A-380 is a 517 seater superjumbo aircraft is scheduled to arrive at 2:50 pm in Delhi, stay on the airport ground for 3 hours and depart from Delhi to Dubai as EK-517 at 5:50 pm, as per IST. It is a special flight which represents the interest of the Emirates in the massive competence of the Indian market.

This huge aircraft is well possessed with 14 flat bed First Class suites, 76 fully flat seats in the Business Class and 427 comfortable Economy Class seats. The curious people have already started their booking for this special and awesome air journey and to reap on an experience to fly in A-380. Special one way fare is released for the Emirate’s flight on its return which costs Rs. 9,990 plus tax.

This is not the first time the Airbus is flying here, also earlier, it has flown here as a presentation and exposition for the Kingfisher Airlines. But this time is a gesture of goodwill shown by the airlines, in order to celebrate the commencement of the Terminal-3, which is fully equipped with aerobridges so as to manage the passengers capacity of the double Decker aircrafts.

The car hire services that one can find at the Dubai International Airport are Asia Rent a Car, Auto Lease Rent a Car, Budget, Diamond Lease, National, SIXT, Hertz, Avis, Dollar, and Thrifty to name a few.

From its roots as a small fishing village 2000 years back to the 8^th most visited city in the world today, Dubai is a blend of traditional Islamic values and modern living.

With more than 70 shopping malls including Dubai Mall, the 7^th largest shopping mall in the world, Dubai has rightfully earned the nickname of being the Shopping Capital of the Middle East.

Dubai is the second largest of the seven emirates of the UAE and is situated on the southern shore of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula.

Dubai’s once oil based economy has given way to progress and modernization, making it a global venue for tourism, corporate and real estate projects, sports events, conferences and Guinness records.

Dubai’s skyline is filled with many skyscrapers including foremost the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower 828m high and holds 160 floors including the world’s highest mosque and swimming pool.

The World is an archipelago of 300 manmade islands off the coast of Dubai, one of several tourist and commerce related projects which can be seen from space.

Also known as the City of Gold, Dubai houses souk districts on either side of the creek, with the Gold souk in Deira housing over 25o retail gold shops, there is also a spice souk in Deira.

With annual sales of over $ 1 billion, Dubai Duty Free shop at the Dubai airport is perhaps one of the best in the world.

Located at the center of the man made Palm Jumeirah is the Atlantis a 1,539 room, ocean-themed destination resort with the best water park amusement, marine and entertainment attractions.

Based on the legendary adventures of Juha and Sinbad the Wild Wadi Waterpark has many exciting rides for all ages and children to enjoy.

Dubai is home to ICC and hosts many international cricket tournaments. Also hosting the Dubai Tennis Championship, Dubai Desert Classic golf tournament and The Dubai World Cup, a thoroughbred horse race annually, Dubai attracts sport persons and fans from all over the world.

The Dubai International Airport is situated 4kms southeast of Dubai and is the 15^th busiest airport in the world.

The airport has all the modern facilities including over 25 food and drink outlets, 5400sqmts of duty free shopping, and transit facilities like Dubai International Hotel, Connect, Business Centre, G-Force, Health Club, Banking, Business Facilities and Internet Services.

Major car rental agencies like Asia Rent a Car, Autolease, Budget, Europcar, Thrifty, Sixt and Avis offer their services at the airport.

Water Parks are known for splash adventures. It is here where safety, spectacular splash fun are at. For most of us, a slide or two are enough for us to get the splash of a lifetime. Not too shabby. There is one place though where anything-goes wild water fun are brought to the next level. The Wild Wadi Water Park. The name speaks for itself.

• The Many Things Many Water Parks Have Missed Out

The Wild Wadi Water Park has 24 attractions for  its guests and 16 of those networked for easier access and to keep the adrenaline rush flowing. Here are some of the attractions to to be at. The Jumeirah Sceirah slide which is 108 feet high, the Breaker Bay where you can ride its five feet high waves, the 550 feet high Rushdown Ravine that will surely turn your knuckles white and a whole lot more. The rides are famed for their exciting appeal. As a matter of fact, The Amazing Race 1 and 5 featured the park for one of the exciting legs of the race. These fun and exciting facilities will surely take you on a natural high.

• After Giving It All You Got, Chillax

On a lighter note, Wild Wadi Water Park is not only for those who are looking for a rush. Park guests can chill and rest on the park spas, dine in style and full-bottle service at its three restaurants and go shopping for gifts at its 2 fine boutiques. It has all you can look for in a water park. It has various facilities for every active age. A Wild Wadi Water Park adventure is a family thing.

• A Car to Where the Rush Is

Located right beside the Jumeirah Beach Hotel and right in front of the Burj Al Arab, you will not be wasting time looking for it. With car hire, you can get there fast and on time. Car hire is an indispensable way for you to ride from downtown to Wild Wadi Water park and back. With affordable hire charges, car hire is one of the most convenient ways for Dubai tours. With car hire, you can fun riding even when out of the park. GP

A Snowy Ski Ride on a hot place used to be an impossible dream. Not everyone thought it would be possible and those few who did could’t care less. One country insisted that it could be done and could attract people. The world bounced off the walls about the prospect. Finally, a snowy experience on a hot country. Everybody just wanted in as this is hard to come by.

• Where Hot Is Cool

Today, Dubai has finally proven that dreams do come true and when they do, the fantastic happens. On November 2005, Ski Dubai opened its doors for the hot world to wonder and enjoy. Ski Dubai is a premiere tourist spot. As with the Mall of the Emirates, Ski Dubai was developed by Majid Futtaim Properties. It was awarded by the Themed Entertainment Association with the prestigious Thea Oustanding Achievement Award, in 2007.

• It’s always Winter Inside

It’s has a 22,500 square meters indoor ski area, with enough space for a realistic ski experience. It has an indoor mountain 85 meters high with 5 different slopes for different folks. It also has the world’s first indoor 400 meter long black run and a snowboarding quarter pipe, 90 meters long. Connected to the slopes is a 3,000 square-meter Snow Park.

People have fun with toboggan and sled runs, body slides, climbing towers, snowball shooting and a lot more in this play area. They can even hire ski and snow board  instructors. Winter clothing comes with the price of admission. This place is simply cool.

• Too Fast, Too Furious

A guided tour is best for tourists especially for those who have never been there before. With car hire services, you can reach Ski Dubai at your own pace safely and conveniently. With professional drivers that give you fun information about Dubai while on the move, you are in for close up experience in the heart of the city. Before or after an interesting ride in the desert on car hire, ski on Arabian ice. GP