21 delightful things to do in Dubai this DSF

Walk the talk 

 

After you’ve spent a small fortune looking after your guests, here’s how you can spend a larger one on yourself — acquire some serious bling for your iPhone 6S. Phone accessory maker Givori’s new Calypso range includes stunning models made of malachite, pearl, onyx and gold.

 

Most are priced at around Dh23,000. The Calypso Diamond, with 1,091 diamonds worth 10 carats, costs slightly more though, coming with a price tag of Dh109,999. 

 

All models are available at Harvey Nichols at Mall of the Emirates, and Bloomingdale’s at Dubai Mall. 

 

Get going, gold finger! 

 

How can anyone possibly think of leaving Dubai after a holiday without buying a bit of gold? The UAE Gold Bullion coin is one of the best bets for all your guests, and since it’s both a souvenir and an investment, you may as well get one for yourself too.

 

The 24-carat coins are available in four denominations, ranging between 1 ounce and 1/10th of an ounce, at most jewellery stores across the city.

 

For novelty value, the Gold to Go ATM dispenses 24-carat gold bars in different sizes, and you can pay for these by cash or credit/debit card. The machines are located at Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa, Mall of the Emirates, Souk Madinat and Atlantis, The Palm Jumeirah. 

 

Drive in super style 

 

In most parts of the world, driving a Ferrari, Bentley, Bugatti or Lamborghini may seem like an unattainable dream, but in Dubai it’s about as easy as spelling out the word car. To book one of these purring beauties — by the hour or for the day — visit the websites of VIP Digits (Vipdigits.com), VIP Luxury (Vip-luxury.com), Lane (Lanerac.com), or Parklane (Parklanecarrental.com), and make your pick of uber-luxury wheels on rent.

 

Indulge in a classic repast

 

After you have treated everyone to a decadent Dubai brunch, take them to another time-tested repast (preferably on another day). For an ultra-luxurious afternoon tea, at.mosphere at Burj Khalifa offers an unparalleled high in more ways than one, and the price for being on top of the world is Dh580 per head. Bookings: 04 883 3444 

 

For a more stylish option, nothing beats Fashion Tea at the Raffles Dubai, where you can tuck into pastries shaped like handbags, hat stands and stilettos. Starts at Dh249 for two. 

 

Bookings: 04 324 8888

 

Look at New Dubai anew

 

“For an unforgettable view of some of Dubai’s most iconic architecture, the best option is to see it from the sea,” says Shibu Nainan, Director at Explorer Tours, describing his company’s customised fishing and sightseeing cruises from Dubai Marina. “Visitors are easily impressed, but residents who have lived in Dubai must also put this on their to-do lists,” he adds.

 

Available for small groups throughout the day, the short cruises present rare photo opportunities of The Palm Jumeirah, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and Al Sufouh while sailing through tranquil blue waters. Dh150 a head (for a group of four) runs from 6-8pm and includes dinner.

 

Bookings: 04 286 1991

 

Do the hammam 

 

A two-storey villa on Al Wasl Road offers the best value-for-money hammam experience for ladies, and in a happy coincidence, it is also one of the city’s best. Traditional Turkish with a couple of modern twists, Turkuaz House offers a true treat when you and your visitors are tired after shopping and exploring. The hammam starts at Dh325 for an hour. 

 

Bookings: 04 380 8703

 

Tip: For an extra Dh95, get your damp hair blow dryed

 

Find Parker’s, quick 

 

Dubai’s newest dining spot can only be accessed by a virtual golden key, which you can only find by following byparkers on Snapchat or Instagram. If you discover one, you can decipher details of the secretive pop-up diner called Parker’s, and if you get lucky a second time around, the menu may be completely different. Get going — find Parker’s, and eat hearty. 

 

Free fall without fear 

 

A tandem jump allows you to experience skydiving for the first time, because you will be harnessed to a professional instructor. The package price of Dh1,999 includes photos and a video of your skydiving experience. Head to Skydive Dubai and experience the thrill of an introduction to free falling, in complete safety. 

 

Bookings: 04 377 8888

 

Bring home some bargains

 

Use your guests and their extensive shopping lists as an excuse to invest in a lot of useful things for your home — for very little money. Japanese bargain brand Daiso has outlets in Oasis Centre and Ibn Batutta, and for Dh7 or a tad more per piece, you can find a bevy of storage, laundry care, tableware, baking tools, home decor and gifting products.

 

Another popular budget-friendly brand is Tchibo, which has branches at Ibn Batutta and Dubai Outlet Mall, and this is where you can find some really clever gadgets and products in the linen, cookware, baking, organising, lighting and gardening sections — and they are all very affordable. 

 

Discover secret dining 

 

Italian restaurant Segreto is already a fashionable secret among those in the know, but we can let you in on two more. The fine dining restaurant is currently celebrating a rare white truffle, il tartufo bianco d’Alba, in a special menu, and Specialty Chef Manuel Polin is something of an artist-magician, delivering different dishes by the day.

 

Discover some truly creative classics, or opt for one of Segreto’s degustation menus starting at Dh350 for three courses. Bookings: 04 432 3232

 

Tip: Take an abra from Al Qasr or meander through Madinat Jumeirah to reach this secret spot 

 

Dance the night away

 

There’s an intriguing underground network of Arabic night clubs, Indian dance bars and African dance clubs spread across the Deira and Bur Dubai districts, and a visit to one of these institutions forms an integral part of experiencing Dubai by night.

 

Our top picks are Al Mushref at St. George for Arabian music and belly dancing, Club Ishqiya at Sun & Sands Downtown to watch a bevy of Bollywood-style dancers, and Ponana African Night Club at Sandra’s Inn for its rambunctious and highly infectious music. 

 

Tip: Go in a group to make the most of the night, and an ideal starting time is 11pm 

 

Dine in the sea, well almost 

 

If you’ve never eaten a meal at the famed Burj Al Arab, make it your mission to start at Al Mahara. In Arabic, mahara means oyster shell, and when you are seated inside the stunning restaurant with its floor-to-ceiling aquarium, and sea life swimming past your table, you’ll understand the name.

 

Fine dining seafood specialities are available for both lunch and dinner. 

 

Reservations: 04 301 7600 

 

Get realigned 

 

Now here is an ingenuous idea: Entrust your battered body to the expert hands of a Chinese chiropractor and get it back rejuvenated. Chaslu is a widely respected wellness clinic located opposite Miraj Islamic Art Centre on Jumeirah Road, and Dr Jun, the newest member of the team, is great at what he does.

 

Allocate two hours and Dh1,200 for a private session with the professional practitioner. 

 

Appointments: 04 395 5799

 

Be discerning 

 

British luxury couturier Ascots & Chapels has a 130-year heritage in creating personalised clothing. Inspired by the Middle East, the brand has now created a special offering for this region. If you know a discerning gentleman — or fancy yourself as one — pick up one of the camel hair scarves, priced at Dh375.

 

Outlets are located at Dubai International Financial Centre and Dubai Marina Mall, and while there, why not consider some bespoke clothing; outrageous requests are welcome. 

 

“A customer once came to us with a bag full of Hermes scarves asking for his suit lining to be made out of it,” says Mahir Ali, Operations and Artistic Director at Ascots & Chapels. “While we see a lot of over-the-top requests, this was unique. Our other unusual requests include an iPad mini-pocket sewn into a jacket, a French flag suit lining, and a monogram entwined in pure gold thread.”

 

Soar through the air

 

The Atlantean Flyer is the longest zip line in the Middle East, and stretches 497 metres in length, 20 metres above the ground. It is also integrated into a water slide tower at Aquaventure, the Middle East’s largest water-themed attraction. For action, adventure and adrenaline — plus a bird’s eye view of the Atlantis’ gorgeous seafront and Dubai’s glittering skyline — try this. 

 

Tip: You can claim special rates as a UAE resident if you book online at Atlantisthepalm.com

 

Get stylishly sartorial 

 

Head to Jumeirah Lakes Towers, home to two of Dubai’s finest tailoring establishments, and treat your guest or yourself to some bespoke apparel.

 

Parmar Tailors at Almas Tower has been a revered UAE institution since 1956, and it caters to gentlemen with made-to-measure fittings in Italian and British fabrics.

 

Close by, Tailor Made in Platinum Tower at Cluster I does exactly the same for ladies, with a wide choice of fabrics and designs for business, leisure and evening wear. 

 

Tip: Take the metro to JLT, or park somewhere between the 

two stores 

 

Savour a stunning sunset 

 

There is nothing like a sundowner to complement the beautiful sunset of a winter day in Dubai, and there is no shortage of venues across town for this indulgent treat. But you can take it up a notch with our favourite picks.

 

At the One&Only Palm Dubai, 101 is a fashionable over water lounge with al fresco seating and breathtaking views. You can walk in through the resort or moor your private boat, to sit and savour a chilled drink and some tapas as the sun goes down.

 

At Vault, on the 71st and 72nd floors of the world’s tallest hotel, JW Marriott Marquis (below), the panoramic vistas are well-matched by the selection of drinks, nibbles and cigars. 

 

Tip: The Vault has sunset specials on most days, with reduced prices on 

select items 

 

Eat your way through the city 

 

Take a culinary journey through Dubai, with a novel guided food tour or two. Fun is the new fine dining is a secret dining experience at three of Dubai’s high-end restaurants, with local blogger FooDiva as a guide. Visit Foodiva.net for details of her next tour.

 

Meanwhile, another reputed Dubai blogger serves up a delectable variety of culinary tours: multi-restaurant walking or bus trail, tasting sessions with food artisans, market visits and cooking experiences. To learn more visit Fryingpanadventures.com 

 

Lunch locally, leisurely 

 

Wouldn’t you like to introduce your visitors to some authentic Emirati fare?

 

Al Fanar (left) serves up a combination of local cuisine, culture, heritage and history. But if its Dubai Festival City outlet is still closed for renovation, there are plenty of other choices: Mama Tanir at Town Centre, Al Barza on Beach Road next to Emirates NBD bank, Klayya Bakery & Emirati Sweets at Al Barsha Mall, Al Khattar in Deira opposite 

Dubai Police headquarters, or Seven Sands at The Beach, at Jumeirah Beach Residence. 

 

Tip: For a quick primer — saloonas are stews or hearty soups; rigag, raqaq, Al Muhala and Al Jabab are flatbreads; mandi is meat cooked in an earthern pit and mashwi is fish that is grilled on an open flame 

 

Unleash the chef in you 

 

Hands-on learning from qualified professionals, authentic recipes and certificates of attendance should equip you with some cooking skills, and also give you some bragging rights.

 

At the Chef’s Palette by Gaggenau cooking studio at Fairmont The Palm, two hours will turn you into a chef, of sorts. A premium cooking class is priced at Dh395 per person, while the master class is Dh555.

 

Bookings: 04 457 3457

 

Meanwhile at SCAFA, Dubai’s School of Culinary and Finishing Arts, there are several baking and cooking classes for individuals, couples and groups. 

 

Enquiries: 04 379 4044

 

Bond with camels 

 

It’s a long drive to the Al Sahra Desert Resort, but it is worth making the journey just so that you can embark on another one — a 1.5-hour camel experience at its Equestrian Centre.

 

The 40-minute camel ride with an expert handler comes in combination with a history lesson, a close look at camels in their natural habitat, and a taste of camel milk. The tours can be booked for sunrise or sunset.

 

Enquiries: 04 427 4055