Travel Planning Guide

For Dubai

Dubai is a city filled with glitz, glamor, excess and extravagance. The city is traditional yet has the most modern approach towards development. This is the city that offers the experience of the Desert Safari with ice skating and skiing at the same time of the year. Dubai is a city that has something for everyone and will make you feel at home, no matter who you are and where are you from. The city is vibrant and has some really important things to do that no one can miss on the trip thus travel planning for Dubai is not that difficult.

The city is counted as one of the most visited tourist destinations of the world and the city has also emerged as a global city as well as business hub of the Middle East and South Asia. Every place has their own rules, customs or traditions that one need to know before entering in to a different nation. Here is the travel guide for Dubai that can help a lot to plan a trip to this amazing city. It has got all the facts and all the necessary information needed to be known before heading to UAE.

How many days and what not to miss?Undoubtedly, the city of Dubai has so much to do and has something for everyone. Starting from the Desert Safari, Atlantis the Palm, Dhow cruises, souks and much more, this city will continue to amaze its guests. If a person wants to experience the best of this city and not to miss a single worthy attraction then a trip for 7 days is a must for this city. A trip to Dubai is incomplete without a day trip to its neighbouring city that is Abu Dhabi, capital of UAE. Abu Dhabi serves as a home to the world famous Ferrari World which shouldn’t missed on the trip.

There are some activities or attractions which are regarded as the best amongst all in the city. These are as follows: Desert Safari, Dhow Cruise, Souks, Burj, Khalifa, Abu Dhabi City Tour, Shopping Malls, Dubai Fountains, Atlantis- The Palm, Burj Al Arab and the Bastakia Quarter.

So choose wisely and plan accordingly to what to cover and what to leave out as every place has their own aura that aims at leaving its visitors spell bound. You can also plan a trip on your own at http://www.justorbit.com/asia/united-arab-emirates/dubai-102116/ and add attractions to visit as well as things to do that you want to cover in your trip.

Apply for your travel documentsAfter planning for places, dates and days the next step comes applying for travel documents. Before you travel to the UAE, please check your visa requirements and make sure you have a valid visa if needed. Holders of non-standard passports and travel documents may also have different entry requirements and for that please check your visa and passport requirements.

Citizens of the GCC nations of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia do not require a visa to travel to the UAE.

No advance visa arrangements are required to visit the UAE for the following countries: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada , Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland , France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America and Vatican City

Travellers from countries not listed above will need to arrange a visa in advance of travel. Simply disembark your flight at Dubai International Airport and proceed to Immigration, where your passport will be stamped with a 30-day visit visa free of charge. This can be extended for an additional 30 days at an additional charge.

If someone have a family member or near relative who is a UAE resident, they can apply for a visa on your behalf. Please note that this service is only available to residents of the UAE.

Bookings

After applying for visa the next step is bookings. Most of the tours and attractions’ ticket are need to be booked in advance as the city remains crowded with a large number of tourists most of them. Thus to avoid hurdles or waiting in queues the things need to be booked in advance. The city is loaded with great hotels of all the categories which can be booked easily from the various sites. You can go to http://www.justorbit.com/asia/united-arab-emirates/dubai-102116/hotels/1/ to choose from a wide variety of hotels. One can also try various travel packages available at http://www.justorbit.com/asia/united-arab-emirates/dubai-102116/tour_packages.html that offers accommodation as well sightseeing tours.

Packing

The first thing to say when thinking about Dubai is that, when going in the summer, is that it’s hot. As a result you are going to need a few things. Sunscreen is essential as the sun beats down virtually all year round in Dubai and you will need some protection. The next essential is a hat or a baseball cap. We recommend a bucket hat which are also usually made of cotton, so they breathe easily. If you can pull off the look of a Panama hat they’re very breathable too.

Whatever hat you choose to take, a good tip is to take a white or light coloured hat. Lighter colours reflect the heat from the sun’s rays, whereas darker ones absorb them, so you will stay extra cool. Same applies to clothes too, carry some nice light shorts and shirts as they are a good option when you’re going to the beach. Also, don’t take too many clothes. A quick word on footwear – sandals or flip-flops and trainers are the best options. Do carry some fancy shoes so as to visit any good restaurant or a hotel.

The dress code at mosques open to visitors is strictly enforced. The dress code for women is long pants or skirts, long-sleeve shirts or tops, and hair must be covered with a scarf at all times while on the grounds of the mosque so do carry a scarf with you. If your clothing is deemed inappropriate, the mosque will gladly lend you an abaya (long black gown) to wear during your visit.

Tips Before heading to Dubai try and learn some basic facts about the city. Dubai is home and host to visitors from around the world and is a melting pot of cultures, but the Arabic greeting ‘al-salaam alaykum’ (peace be with you) (the reply will be ‘wa alaykum e-salaam’/peace upon you) is always welcome and is a great icebreaker.

Never offer your hand to an Arab woman unless she offers hers first. Upon entering an Arab home it’s customary to remove your shoes—make sure your socks are clean.”

Emiratis are open-minded, tolerant, and hospitable. Integral to that hospitality is the coffee ceremony. Always accept the tiny cup in your right hand which is considered to be polite to drink at least three—and after finishing gently shake the cup side to side; this is a signal that you’ve finished."

At meal times your Arab hosts will be generous with portions, so forget calorie counting! Be prepared to sit in the traditional manner (on the floor); women should wear a long skirt. Try not to sit so that the soles of your feet are presented to another person; it’s impolite. Food is eaten with the right hand but you may use your left to drink.

Continued…….If here during Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, remember not to smoke, eat, or drink in public from sunrise to sunset. Kids are an exception and can discreetly drink and eat as usual. Hotels keep eateries open for non-Muslims, as do some malls; your concierge can advise you.

Tips

Cautions Being an Islamic country some of the rules may be strict thus they need to be followed. Here are some dos and don’ts to be kept in mind. Avoid attire such as miniskirts and any other overtly revealing clothing. It is not allowed as per

laws. It is also not appropriate for men to go around without a top on away from the beach. Avoid taking photographs of building that look to be of political and military importance. Do not take any photographs of any local residents without permission. Don’t eat, drink, chew gum, or even smoke in public between sunset and sunrise, as it is illegal

and not allowed as per law. Dancing and playing loud music in public is banned. Couples kissing, holding hands or hugging could face fines or detention or jail. Stay away from cheap desert tours. Take care of your belongings while exploring the souks.

Continued……. Don’t Eat in Public During Ramadan Don’t greet anyone with a left handed shake. Don’t open doors with your left hand. Don’t hand somebody something, especially food,

with your left hand. Definitely don’t eat with your left hand.

Cautions

The result of this whole task of travel planning is the trip. Don’t forget to carry your passport. Do your last minute checks, head to the airport, board the plane and enjoy your trip. Don’t forget to riding on rickshaws or bullock carts that offer the true essence of Indian experience. Indulge in cultural activities as much as possible.

With these steps the travel planning procedure for India will surely become less cumbersome as well as it leads to a great experience of the India subcontinent.

Enjoy the trip

Thank You