A two-million metropolis built on sand. A place where Arab traditions are intertwined with a modern mix of cultures. A land of luxury, wealth and unlimited imagination. Dubai is the most famous city in the United Arab Emirates and an increasingly popular destination among tourists. What should you know before traveling to this place? Advise.
photo by Fotolia
Dubai is the capital of the emirate of the same name and the largest city in the United Arab Emirates . Located on the southern coast of the Persian Gulf, it belongs to the fastest developing and one of the richest countries in West Asia. It's hard to believe that there was a desert here in the 1960s. It was only the discovery of natural wealth in this area, such as gold and oil, that made this place a rich metropolis. We provide practical information that will help you prepare for your trip to Dubai.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
* How much are flights to Dubai and tours with a travel agent?
* What is safe in Dubai?
* Alcohol: bans and restrictions
* How to dress properly in Dubai?
* Showing affection in public
* Dubai: sample prices and currency
* Gestures and photos: what to watch for in Dubai?
* When is it worth going to Dubai?
- Flights to Dubai and travel agency tours
You can fly to Dubai directly from Warsaw with Emirates airlines (less than 6 hours of flight). The cost of such a return trip costs approx. PLN 2,400 / person. If you are looking for a cheaper ticket, you can look for a connection with one change - e.g. British Airways flights from Warsaw to Dubai (change at London-Heathrow airport) costs about 1370 PLN / person (about 12 hours of flight in total). It is cheaper to connect from Krakow. A direct flight from the capital of Lesser Poland to Dubai (with Flydubai airlines) costs around 900 PLN. From Gdansk (with one change) you can fly KLM for around PLN 1,530 return.
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And how much do a vacation in Dubai with travel agency cost? A weekly holiday in a 3-star hotel costs from 2000 PLN / person (with a trip and two meals). You need to pay twice as much for an all inclusive hotel. Last minute offers are affordable .
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Security in Dubai
The United Arab Emirates is not only one of the safest countries in the Middle East, but also one of the safest countries in the world. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "United Arab Emirates are among the countries with the lowest crime rates in the world." Worse on the roads - drivers drive very fast and carelessly, hence many accidents. It's best to move on the subway, but - as you need to remember - you can't eat, drink or throw gum on trains because you are in for a ticket. - Alcohol: bans and restrictions in Dubai
There are many bans and restrictions related to alcohol in Dubai. First of all, its consumption has been allowed for 21 years. Secondly, it is forbidden to drink it in public places - the ban does not apply only to hotel areas and designated premises with a special license. Thirdly, you shouldn't go out for alcohol on the street, and if we have to, it is better not to pay attention so as not to get a fine or be arrested. What's more, you can't carry alcohol with you - even when closed. Driving under the influence of alcohol is also prohibited. The United Arab Emirates have zero tolerance in this respect - the penalty is imprisonment.
When it comes to bringing alcohol into the country, a maximum of 2 liters is allowed. In one of the emirates, Sharjah, there is a total ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol.
Also read:
* Oman: 7 things to know before your trip
* Morocco: 7 things to know before traveling
- How to dress in Dubai?
In Dubai, it is worth dressing conservatively (this applies especially to women), although on the streets you can meet many tourists in short skirts. What matters here is the fact that the United Arab Emirates is a Muslim country, so appropriate clothing is an expression of respect for their culture and religion. It goes without saying that one should not go to the mosque, like any church around the world, in shorts and a modest top. When it comes to other public places, for example in shopping malls, you can see warning signs that indicate that improperly dressed people can be asked to leave.
photo by Fotolia
The situation is similar on Dubai's public beaches. Last year, there appeared signs defining special family zones, where women can no longer relax in a bikini (however, the ban does not apply to private hotel areas). Sunbathing or sunbathing is not allowed on any of the beaches. You also can't go back to the hotel in a swimsuit.
- Showing affection in public
There are also significant restrictions in this sphere in Dubai. Of course, we won't be punished for holding hands. It is worth remembering, however, that hugging or kissing in public places is not tolerated - in the best case it can be considered tactless, in the worst case it is a crime for which even a prison sentence exists. In 2010, it was loud about a British couple sentenced to a month in prison for public kissing in Dubai. - Currency and prices in Dubai
The currency of the United Arab Emirates is dirhay (AED). It's best to take dollars here and exchange them, for example, in shopping centers - 1 USD = 3.678 AED. It is definitely not worth exchanging currency at the airport because of the least favorable exchange rate.
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- Gestures and photos: what to watch for in Dubai?
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the use of offensive gestures and statements in the UAE threatens with a fine, imprisonment or even deportation . That is why, for example, if we drive a car and some other driver gets in our way, we must under no circumstances make any inappropriate gestures. We can face a really severe punishment.
photo by Fotolia
You should also be careful when taking photos. For example, men cannot photograph Muslim women. An attempt to take a photo requires the consent of the man caring for her.
- Weather and temperatures in Dubai
A trip to Dubai should be planned in late autumn, winter or early spring. The summer months - from May to September - can be really bothersome for visitors, because the average daytime temperature is around 40-50˚C, which means extreme heat.
The best time to travel is from December to February - when it is winter in winter, in Dubai we can expect temperatures oscillating around 20-23˚C during the day and around 15˚C at night. The water temperature also reaches above 20 degrees.
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Dubai: practical information
Area: 83.6 thousand km²
Time zone: Polish time + 4 hours
Languages: Arabic (official), Persian, English.
Religion: Islam.
Visa and entry regulations: A visa is not required for trips up to 90 days for tourist, cultural, scientific or visiting friends. However, it is necessary to have a passport - the document must be valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date of departure.
Health and vaccinations required: Medical care is at a very high level. No special vaccinations are required. Be careful in the summer, because of the high temperatures there is a risk of sunstroke.
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