Dubai: Dream Destination

If your staring out the window dreaming of a sun holiday, let me tell you, Dubai is the place to be dreaming of! I went there on a girls holidays about two years ago and haven't shut up about it since!  So if you're planning on going over, or are in need of some holiday inspiration, here's what you need to know.

First things first.....Dubai is fab!

It's just so fabulous, and so new (Dubai only started making big money in the 1970's)! Everyone and everything is money, and it shows! Sure the police cars are Lamborghini's, chances are you'll see someone with a pet leopard and everyone goes around with designer hand bags hanging off their arms. The city itself is a work in progress, one half of it is just barren desert while the other half is an amazing metropolitan city with some serious architecture, beautiful restaurants, seven star hotels and shops galore. 

Getting there and getting around

Dubai may be a world apart from Ireland but is actually isn't too far away. You can get a direct, seven hour, return flight from Dublin for in and around €450. And if you're flying with Emirates, it's a very comfortable and enjoyable journey! Once you're there getting around Dubai is also very handy! The Metro system is great and there's no shortage of taxi's either, but their driving skills can be a bit insane so buckle up! And in Dubai they don't do things by halves, so if you don't want to hail a taxi there'll always be a driver waiting for you outside your hotel. I actually felt like a celeb strutting out of my hotel to my awaiting car. As for hotels you can expect to pay about €150 per night for a very sizeable two bedroom, three bathroom self catering apartment.

Getting your drink on

I'm sure you've read loads of stories (on Mail Online) about people getting arrested for being drunk, but there's nothing to worry about as long as you don't get too wasted! Dubai has plenty of bars and they're all ridiculously fancy, but not cheap! There's bars out at sea, hotel rooftop bars, beach bars and of course Irish bars, all filled with cushy white sofas. But just so you know the restaurants don't serve drink, not all hotels have bars and the shops don't sell alcohol either, so make sure to stock up in the airport on your way over! 

Barasti Beach Bar

Things to do

There's something for anyone and everyone! While I was there I went swimming with dolphins, driving on the desert dunes, visited the worlds tallest building as well as the famous palm tree island and of course I did some shopping. If that doesn't tickle your fancy there's also an indoor ski slope, Dubai zoo and plenty of water parks.

The desert trip was absolutely amazing, we got driven around the dunes in a 4x4, which was pretty scary, rode around on camels and just hung out in the desert while the sun set.

The shopping over there is fantastic but there's not a big price difference compared to Ireland, so don't go looking for any tax free bargains! The shopping centre are massive and there's every brand imaginable! And because everyone is loaded you'd have a Forever 21 right beside a Prada shop! You wouldn't get that in Blanch! And what's a shopping centre without an aquarium?

Shopping Centre Aquarium

 If you're like me, always on the lookout for a bargain, Dubai has a great selection of markets selling knock off hand bags. The markets aren't as fancy as the shopping centres and items on display aren't great because of counterfeit laws, but ask nicely and you'll be lead to a very secret shop with the best knock offs you'll ever find! Sounds dodgy, I know but I survived to tell the tale! And don't be afraid to haggle!

Dubai Purchases

There's also gold and spice markets which are well worth the visit, if you're after a bit of culture, but be prepared for the very rocky boat trip to get there! And don't expect to be given a life jacket!

 And if you want to take things easy and enjoy the view, there's plenty of beaches to relax on while you smoke a shisha! And one of the best things to do is just sit back and people watch.