So you've finally made it on your dream vacation to Dubai...but now what?  What do you do? Where do go?  What should you see?  What should you avoid?  Well, fret not my fellow children of the earth, we’ve put together a nice little assortment of tips and information that will give you a well-rounded Dubai experience.

The Big Bus: Quick & Easy Tours

You’re a busy person right?  So you may not have all the time in the world for extensive city tours but you still want get your feet wet with some of the sites without the debacle of riding around in a cab all day. The Big Bus!  The Big Bus Tour is safe and extremely convenient alternative to check out the city.

The tickets are valid for 24 hrs which allows you jump on and off the Tour Bus at your leisure.  And at around AED 175 (45 bucks) per ticket its not a bad price for an all day pass to go gallivanting around the city.

One ticket covers two routes.  The best route to really see the sights is the Red Route which includes the Dubai Creek, Al Fahidi Fort and Dubai Museum, the bazaars and a few shopping malls.

Desert Safari

Looking to have a Desert experience and meditate on the mass expanse of nothingness, life and fly across some serious sand dunes?  Then get your Safari on!  Arabian Adventures runs a “Sundowner” tour that is a part of a caravan experience that takes you on a one of a kind adventure through the desert.   Hopefully you don’t get car-sick because these six person 4wd vehicles will take you on some serious dunage among desert stops for photo ops and wildlife observation.  The tour ends with a sunset dinner in Bedouin tents with belly dancers and other forms desert entertainment.

Off the Beaten Path:  True Arabian Nights

So maybe the touristy desert safari isn’t really your “deal” and you want some real adventure to satisfy the vagabond in you.  Hop in a Taxi and ask for “Dubai Creel, Al Seef Stree, near the British Consulate.”

Seef street comes alive at night and throws you into the true romance Dubai has to offer.  Take a nice walk along the water and watch the Abras (water taxis) and Dhows (traditional wooden boats) and modern yachts cruise along the banks and the spectacular skyline across the shore.

Along this path lie several traditional eateries for your enjoyment, but note that these restaurants do not serve alcohol.  Be sure to check out the Kan Zaman Restaurant past the HSBC Bank near the Sheikh Saeed house.  This is a great size spot with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating.

Get Yo’ Shop on:

One of the most popular tourist attractions in Dubai is the massive expanse of shopping opportunities.  Dubai is home to some of the most infamous shopping malls that can run even the most experienced retail maverick ragged and weighed down.  With this in mind be sure to check out The Mall of the Emirates which has its own indoor snowfield.  If you’re looking for that Egyptian vibe then check out the lavish Wafi City

There are plenty of designer shops with similar prices to that of stores in London, though you certainly wont find much of the local fare in these western catering monoliths.

Most the large malls are open 7 days a week so don’t be shy, crack your wallet and check it out.

Booking a hotel overseas can occasionally be somewhat of a jarring task. But fear not, we have established some of the top hotels in Dubai and the United Emirates to ensure the hotel you book is exactly what you expected.

Layia Oak Hotel & Suties from $177 USD
A beautiful new hotel situated in the Al Barsh area just opposite the Greens the Layia Oak Hotel & Suites boasts modern design and spacious suites at a reasonable price.  Hop a taxi and head five minutes to the Mall of Emirates, Media City or get wet at the famous Wild Wadi Water Park just four miles out.

A great choice for either business or leisure the hotel has a multilingual staff, on-site currency exchange, conference and meeting rooms and a business center so you don't miss a beat.

If you are looking to be a little more self indulgent and cast business slightly to the wayside; then you may spend more time at the outdoor pool and spa, raiding the snack bar or relaxing on your 14th floor balcony.

Arjaan - Dubai Media City
The Arjaan is located smack in the middle of Media City Dubai just a few kilometers from the Mall of Emirates and the Wild Wadi Water Park.  The most appealing aspect of the Arjan is that it was designed to resemble an Arabic Palace.  The Arjaan stands a colossal 30 stories high with distinctive cupolas, arcs and domes and is a true architectural site.

Offering contemporary Arabian styling and beautiful furnishings the rooms offer up a lovely aesthetic and a wide range of modern amenities.  Each apartment includes luxury bedrooms, fully equipped kitchen and a private balcony with stunning views over the Marina, Palm Island or the City.

With a salon and spa on the premises the Arjaan prides itself on quality service whether it it's assisting you with your taxi or arranging tours for the day.

Tip: The hotel is relatively new and some taxi driver's may not have heard of it, a good landmark to get you back to the Arjaan is "Media City behind the Radisson Hotel."

Crowne Plaza Festival City
Located on the banks of the Dubai creek this 5 star hotel features 316 rooms and suites including a massive outdoor lap pool, 3 spa pools, a children's splash pool, and 24-hr gym.  If that isn't enough for you leisure types; two 18-hole championship golf courses are located just minutes away.

All of the Crowne Plaza rooms offer scenic views of the Dubai creek or the city skyline and is directly joined to the 38,000sq ft event center which makes it ideal for business travelers. 

The Crowne also has three superb restaurants- Zaytoun ('Olive' in Arabic), which is all day dining, Mazar Lobby Lounge and the authentic Belgian Beer Café; all with stunning creek and city views.

The hotel is also directly connected to the Festival Waterfront Centre, a luxury shopping center with over 550 retail outlets, 90 restaurants and cafes and a 100 berth Marina making the Crowne Plaza the perfect home base during the famous Dubai Shopping Festivals.  You also have easy access to the Burj Al Arab, record breaking Burj Dubai, Ski Dubai, Mall of the Emirates and the beautiful Dubai beaches in Jumeirah and Mamzar.