When I heard I was going to Dubai, I was thrilled at first, but then drew a complete blank when it came to what to expect.

There was that sailboat-shaped building, an uber tall building named after Wiz Khalifa (I kid), and erm..crazy rich people?

But contrary to public perception – aka my 5 closest friends – of Dubai being only for millionaires, we were amazingly able to conquer a whole slew of sights without our wallets protesting by using Klook, a travel activities platform which allows you to discover and book attractions plus that all-important WiFi at discounted rates.

With tickets pre-booked online from Klook, you can whizz by the snaking queues of tourists buying tickets at the attraction itself, too. My crew and I did just that, and we’re proud to say that we visited tons of iconic landmarks + off-the-beaten-track offerings with the time saved.

So, if you’ve yet to explore Dubai beyond the transit lounge, this is your “in”. After all, the city holds records for everything under the sun, and these 12 confirm must-go things to do might break the record for being the Best. Adventure. Ever. in your life.

Read till the end to find out how you can maximise savings on this itinerary by using Klook.

1. Find hidden gems in artsy district Al Serkal Avenue

Seems like after you’ve travelled a bit, you’d realise every country’s got its own “hipster zone”, usually characterised by cafes. In Dubai, that’s Al Serkal Avenue, a hip cluster hidden among industrial warehouses.

Nadi Al Quoz

But hey, I can get behind this worldwide movement if it comes in the form of Nadi Al Quoz, an airy cafe with:

1) A BED. So you can do “breakfast in bed”.

2) A swing. Make that plural.

3) An interior that looks like a Muji x Kinfolk collab. I can imagine doing yoga (they do, actually) or whiling away hours discussing projects in this zen space with a smoothie in hand. With naps on the beds every 15 minutes. Ah, the life.

A4 Space

Turns out that cafe hopping is a thing with the cool kids of Dubai. So, we also popped by A4 Space, a loft-style coworking cafe that charmed us with brew, a mini-library and an in-house movie theatre to watch indie films.

Nostalgic Classic Cars

Another gem that was revealed to us – quite literally, we accidentally opened its back door on the streets – was Nostalgic Classic Cars.

This was a showroom of the most gorgeous retro cars we’ve ever seen, glistening in bold colours and looking straight from movies like Herbie, James Bond and even ol’ 70s B&W films.

Ford Model Ts made since 1908. Fun fact: Ford Motors was among the first to start the 5-day 8-hour workweek, so you can thank them for your current 9-5. Or not.

Besides the Ferraris and Lamborghinis which we spotted frequently on Dubai roads, what caught our attention were cars like the Ford model T – the first ever automobile made on an assembly line – presidential-looking Mercedes Benz sedans, and this cute yellow hatchback.

*Cues Mr Bean music*

Mirzam Chocolate Makers

When we stepped into the doors of Mirzam Chocolate Makers, all I could hear was the theme song of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Willy Wonka! Willy Wonka!). And all I could smell was the rich aroma of chocolate wafting through the corridors.

It’s no wonder – le cocoa was made in a kitchen behind glass doors, where chocolatiers were hard at work roasting, grinding and decorating.

We could also grab a bar or two for ourselves. Rows of beautifully packaged chocolate were laid before us and it took all of my willpower to only get two bars – 36% White Chocolate Mango (43 AED) and 62% Dark Chocolate with Orange & Cinnamon (38 AED). But hey, those on a budget, there are always free samples to feast on try.

Tip: Love it or hate it, try the 100% Dark Chocolate bar. You might be rewarded with your friend giving you a camera-worthy reaction.

These finds were but the tip of the iceberg in Alserkal Avenue. We also stumbled upon The Good Life, a sneaker space that screamed hypebeast with its neon kicks and minimalist interiors. Another fave was The Flip Side, an indie record store with vinyl on display and nonchalantly cool graffiti.

Al Serkal Avenue
Address: Street 8, Al Quoz 1, Dubai, UAE
Find out more about this district and get a map here.

2. Get epic under-the-sea shots at Dubai Aquarium

Remember the giant fish tank at Wisma Atria’s basement? It has nothing on Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, which throws competition out of the water by being one of the biggest aquariums in the world at a gargantuan 10-million litres.

That much water means a larger playground for aquatic creatures. So we had a ball spotting everything from sharks, to Dory lookalikes, to creatures with four limbs and some tube thing…

Oh. Divers.

Yes, you can actually swim with the sharks here! But as a distinctly less adventurous breed of human, we were preoccupied instead with the underwater tunnel, a unique spot for mind-blowing photos.

Tip: Stand in the middle. Yell at everyone to get out of the way and do your hyperlapses here. The result will be magical.

We heard you can sit on a glass-bottom boat, too, to drift over the surface and observe Nemo & Co swimming below. Or head upstairs to Level 2 to the Underwater Zoo and Conservatory to check out lobsters, jellyfish and even the puppies of the sea – otters!

Fun fact: The aquarium is home to the largest collection of sand tiger sharks in the world, endangered species like leopard sharks and shovelnose rays, and even a 60-year-old King Crocodile rescued from Australia.

Tip: As part of the Explorer ticket, step down this yellow staircase to get a closer look at the hungry trevally fish. Have a go at feeding them – just be careful of the frenzy that might follow!

Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
Address: Ground & Level 2, The Dubai Mall, Dubai, UAE
Opening Hours: Sun-Wed: 10AM – 11PM | Thur-Sat: 10AM-12AM
Telephone: +971 4448 5200
Book tickets here.

Website

3. Experience Ghostbusters or zombie attacks in VR at Hub Zero

We’ve a soft spot for Timezone and for racking up high scores on that classic basketball game – but welcome now to the arcade of the future:

Hub Zeroooo-o-o-o (say this with an echo).

This sprawling arcade looks straight out of Ghost in the Shell with its futuristic neon lights.

We cracked our heads over which game to play first – a Resident Evil zombie fight, a laser maze, a high-tech car simulator? Or work out a sweat at an OBS-like climbing zone?

In the end, what got us all revved up laid behind this door:

Known dramatically as The Void, this was a VR experience of epic proportions that revolved around the Ghostbusters series.

Here, we were armoured up with a VR headset, vest and a ‘gun’ to shoot down ghosts.

Of course, we couldn’t get pics as the reality’s in your goggles, but the experience was immediately arresting with alarmingly real visuals. At one point, we were on a platform on the side of a building with real wind in our faces, and angelic looking spirits apparating in the air for us to take down.

I remember shooting this huge Michelin man look-a-like thing with my gun, and screaming in terror when it fell over our squad. It was that believable.

But if Ghostbusters is not your speed, there are other VR things like a Virtual Arena which had zombies attacking us non-stop. It made me realise I’d probably curl up at home and resign myself to fate in a real zombie apocalypse.

Hub Zero
Address: City Walk, Dubai, UAE
Opening Hours: Sat-Wed: 2PM-10PM | Thur & Fri: 2PM-12AM
Telephone: +971 800 637227
Book tickets here.

Website

4. Make animal BFFs at the world’s largest indoor rainforest – The Green Planet

The Green Planet is upfront about what it is – namely, a microcosm of nature’s ecosystem all in one futuristic capsule.

But this largest indoor rainforest in the world gave me the chills and not just because of the slightly cool temperatures. It was layered into sections that mimicked a rainforest canopy, and packed with wildlife that traversed from one to the other beautifully, like a parrot soaring into the air or a tamarin monkey swinging from branch to branch.

It was with wide-eyed awe that I made my way from an aquarium at the base all the way to the canopy with a Lion King-worthy tree at its centre.

Breaks into Lion King’s Circle of Life: “Nants ingonyama bagithi baba….”

Along the way, I was greeted with a parrot that echoed “Hello”, a python with soft buttery skin, and a hissing Madagascar cockroach. Ran far away from the last one.

The Green Planet
Address: City Walk, Dubai, UAE
Opening hours: Sun-Wed:10AM-7PM | Thu – Sat: 10AM-8PM
Note: The Green Planet is just across the road from Hub Zero, so make it a day out!
Book tickets here.

Website

5. Surf at Laguna Water Park and explore L.A-style La Mer

In Dubai’s blazing temperatures, a water park is a much-needed respite. And so, it was with great excitement that we made our way to Laguna Water Park, set in the laidback L.A.-style La Mer neighbourhood.

The La Mer area was an attraction in itself. Just look at these colourful houses that look like the ones at Aussie’s Brighton beach! Image credit: Ladyandhersweetescapes

Image credit: Bayut

While we had great fun sliding down twisty slides and clambering around water playgrounds, what distinguished this for us Wild Wild Wet kids was the park’s very own surf park.

The 180-degree surf machine was this huge – 4 people could surf at any one time.

Before this, I had only surfed on gentle waves in Bali before, but this was a whole new ball game.

The instructor said, “Hold tight to the sides of the board and lie on it with hips on the edge.” Sounds simple enough.

But lo and behold, the surf pool had strong waves churning below and water splashing into my face – I could barely keep my eyes open. The instructor told me to tilt the board to swerve left and right, but hey, I was more preoccupied with surviving then doing any fancy tricks.

But after I emerged, the euphoria made it all worth it. Call me a surfer chick any day.

Laguna Waterpark
Address: La Mer, Dubai, UAE
Opening hours: Sun-Wed: 10AM-7PM | Thu – Sat: 10AM-8PM
Note: No tees allowed in the water here, so make sure you have your swimwear!
Book tickets here.

Website

6. Meet camels and try dune bashing at the Desert Safari

We were looking forward to checking out Dubai’s vast deserts from Day 1 – it was that iconic. But we couldn’t possibly trek out to the desert without getting helplessly lost, so we opted for the hassle-free option of Klook’s Evening Desert Safari tour – and with BBQ dinner to boot.

And we got a Fast and Furious episode in the Arabian Desert, by means of this SUV which skidded, spun and slid across the shifting sands at approx 584073469 km/h. This was dune bashing, and we had to hold on tight to our seats to not get flung out!

Fun fact: The SUV’s tires were slightly deflated before, so that it’d get more traction on the sands.

We also made a pit stop just before sunset to sneak in some photos, ‘cus #desertwanderer #chasingsunsets y’know.

Our modelling portfolios.

We even tried sand boarding!

But as night descended, the desert ramped up its allure. We hopped out of our vehicles into a traditional Bedouin campsite, with wood tables and mats on the sands, and tents aplenty. Here, we became BFFs with a falcon, rocked out henna tattoos and cheered on spirited dancers.

A traditional Tanoura dance

But the best part of it all was CAMELS. I could barely keep it together as I spotted these lovely creatures across the plains. We made a one-sided friendship with one named Rajah, and mounted him to casually stroll around the desert. Bucket list, checked.

Image credit: @jeromememe

Evening Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner
Book tickets here.

Website

7. Try zorbing, skiing and tubing in -4°C at Ski Dubai

When I said we experienced highs and lows, I meant it. From 40 degrees weather outside, we were plunged into -4 degrees at Ski Dubai, a huge winter wonderland that’d beat Snow City hands down.

We were transported on chairlifts like that of Sentosa’s luges to the ski slopes, and had a whole lot of fun tubing – aka these 8-shaped donut things in which we were the stuffing.

But the royal highlight beyond pretending to be Elsa and Anna was a concept familiar to our pet hamsters. Enter zorbing, a sport which involves humans being rolled down in a huge ball for fun.

Ski Dubai
Address: Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
Opening hours: Sun-Wed: 10AM-11PM | Thu: 10AM-12AM | Fri: 9AM-12AM | Sat: 9AM-11PM
Telephone: +971 800 368
Book tickets here.

8. Get on top of the world at Burj Khalifa

Tyra Banks got it right with ANTM’s theme song, “You wanna be on top?” Sure we would, if only for the bragging rights at Burj Khalifa, the tallest structure in the Whole. Wide. World.

Wew.

This needle-like building stands at 163 storeys but the highest possible observation deck is at the 124th story, and already I could feel my legs trembling as I looked upon this view.

We spotted many of Dubai’s landmarks. Like the Al Yaquob Tower – Dubai’s answer to Big Ben – and even a giant picture frame in the distance.

Getting serious Nat Geo vibes. Image credit: @dubaiframe

The observatory deck itself also had an outdoor terrace, which has windows for you to gaze out for that musing-on-the-meaning-of-life ‘gram shot.

Note: Prices vary for access to different observation deck levels – Level 148, 125 and 124.

And even if your camera doesn’t have a zoom lens, let this advanced telescope at Level 124 do the work for you!

The Burj Khalifa

Address: 1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Dubai, UAE
Note: Klook offers different packages for different deck levels and timings, as well as priority queues.
Book tickets to the observation deck here.

Website

9. Conquer rides at the world’s largest indoor theme park, IMG World Of Adventures

Dubai seems to do theme parks better than anyone else. Just look at the 4-in-1 Dubai Parks & Resorts. But aircon-addicted Singaporeans can also appreciate an indoors counterpart – the IMG World Of Adventures theme park, which happens to be the world’s largest indoor one.

This playground has four zones: IMG Boulevard, Cartoon Network, Lost Valley – Dinosaur Adventure and Marvel Zone.

And having watched Thor on the Emirates flight here, we were subconsciously led to this BBQ spit, wait, I mean ride…

Behold Asgardians, the Thor Thunder Spin is even more treacherous than Loki.

About a million spins later, we hopped off the ride feeling triumphant – nothing could faze us after this right?

So wrong. Enter the Velociraptor. Named after the fierce, fast dino, this roller coaster is Dubai’s fastest and reaches 62 mph in just 2.5 seconds. It’s also full of surprises – like at least 8 loops and corkscrews which tossed my stomach like Caesar salad.

Spoiler: This coaster shot out into the outdoors! Adapted from: David Ellis

And if you have limited time at this sprawling park, these are our other recommendations:

Predator – Also in the Lost Valley zone. Nothing to do with the Aliens series. Features a 90-degree drop, so not for the faint-hearted.

The Powerpuff Girls – Mojo Robot Rampage – You’d think it’s sugar, spice and everything nice with this seemingly tame spin ride. *evil Mojo Jojo laugh*

Finn & Jake’s Everything Burrito – Adventure Time themed-cafe. Cute tree exterior.

IMG Worlds of Adventure
Address: E311, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
Opening Hours:   Thur-Sat: 11AM-10PM | Sun-Wed 11AM-9PM
Book tickets here. Note: The tickets are open-dated, you can go on any day!

Website

10. Get to know the old Dubai at Al-Fahidi historical neighbourhood

Even as futuristic skyscrapers dot the landscape, there’s another side to Dubai at the Old Quarters. Welcome to Al- Fahidi historical neighbourhood, a preserved glimpse of how life was like in the city from the mid-19th century to the 70s.

The buildings here are made from traditional materials such as teak, stone and sand, and adopt the earthy colour palette we’ve been seeing throughout the trip.

Fact: Many buildings in Dubai are sand-coloured to minimise the work needed to clean up after sandstorms.

We highly recommend practicing the adage “Not all who wander are lost”, because you’d easily stumble upon one of the cool cafes, museums and galleries within this labyrinth.

For instance, we were rewarded with findings of a shop that sold CAMEL MILK ICE CREAM and even a coffee museum where there are tastings of freshly brewed coffee.

Enter this door to endure the coffee museum. Image credit: @coffeemuseum

You might even come across a pushcart packed full of aromatic spices in the open!

Website

11. Visit Shake Shack or a cereal cafe at the Mall Of The Emirates

Sure, we’ve heard that famous American fast food chain Shake Shack is coming to Singapore in 2019. But if the wait for its burgers and shakes seems all too long, get your fill at the branch at the Mall Of The Emirates, which is the first ever international Shake Shack location.

We ordered the ShackBurger, accompanied by fries and malted milkshakes.
Image credit: @fooducational

And to top it off, we spotted another trendy food haven – the Cereal Killer cafe. A London cult fave, this one in Dubai Mall serves bowls of creatively mixed cereal with quirky names like Unicorn Poop and Hippos & The Lion King.

Image adapted from: @mamasinwonderland

Unicorn Poop (AED28) – party rings, marshmallows and all. Image adapted from: @wheremyfootat

Besides the cool food options, Dubai Mall itself channels serious MBS vibes with luxury stores at every corner. And as we turned around one, we spotted the iconic Apple sign…

And found IG-worthy spots in the minimalist, airy store.

Tip: For a super artistic shot, walk right to the window where the light shines through – you’ll look as if you’re standing over the edge.

Pro Tip: Head out to the outdoor storefront which has stellar views of Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain!

Mall of the Emirates
Address: E11, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
Opening Hours:   Thur-Sat: 10AM-12AM | Sun-Wed 10AM-10PM

Website

12. Live the high life aboard a luxury Xclusive Cruise

It was glorious, glorious when a red carpet was rolled out for us – but it wasn’t for a movie premiere. Rather, it was en route to a luxury cruise – the Xclusive Cruise experience which brought us around the Dubai Marina.

There’s even a live station for pasta!

We feasted not only on a buffet spread, but also our eyes upon the many sights along the river, such as the Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach and the Ain Ferris wheel – the world’s largest.

One of the beautiful mosques spotted along the cruise.

Dubai Marina Luxury Cruise
Book tickets here.

Visit Dubai’s top attractions at discounted rates with Klook

To be honest, by the end of the trip we were convinced that Dubai was the furthest thing from having “nothing to do”. The number of interesting, millennial-worthy sites to conquer were insane, and we were amazed that many on our wishlist could already be found on Klook.

And of course, as budget-conscious Singaporeans, the discounts via Klook really sealed the deal. For instance, our faves:

• Desert Safari Experience – 40% off
• IMG Worlds of Adventure – 30% off
• Burj Khalifa’s Observation Deck – 5% credits rebate + 5 % off

Plus, the bookings we made were instantly confirmed, which can be viewed on the site and app – that means you don’t have to fret about securing your tickets as the travel date draws near.

Personally, as someone who loses things regularly, I was also grateful that some admissions didn’t require physical tickets. Just take out your phone, scan, and give a smug look to the crowds behind.

Crazy Rich Asians bonus tip: You can even try out “high-SES” activities like rides on a helicopter, luxury cruise, limousine and hot air balloon by booking em’ on Klook too. Confession: we tried making our own mini-MV in the limo.

And, last but not least – WiFi.

You can collect your device at the airport, and it can connect up to 10 devices at once!

How else would you post your IG stories/ text the family back home/ Google the nearest food place? And so, we received with gratitude from Klook the gift of a pocket WiFi device, a 4G SIM card with up to 3GB data, and a cable + pouch to keep everything neat and tidy.

Get discounted attraction tickets or WiFi with Klook here

Bonus for TSL readers: If you’re keen on checking out these compulsory things to do in Dubai, be smart about it and use “SGDUBAI20” on Klook to get an extra $20 off with every $200 spend!

Now, with extra cash in hand and IG stories made possible – it’s onward to adventure!

This post was brought to you by Klook. Photography by Neo Kee Wei.  

The post 12 Things To Do In Dubai Compulsory For First Time Visitors Covering Iconic & Non-Touristy Sites appeared first on TheSmartLocal - Singapore's Leading Travel and Lifestyle Portal.

“Please find me an oil prince.” said some of my friends when I asked them if they wanted anything from Dubai.

I couldn’t guarantee playing cupid, but did leave home with some idea of royalty. I’d heard about the city’s rich culture (and people), super-cars of every imaginable colour whizzing down the streets, and even crazy rumours about people bringing their pet lion cubs out for a casual stroll.

After a 7 hour movie marathon via Emirates, we finally arrived in the City of Gold. No pet lion cubs were in sight, but we were greeted with warm Arabian hospitality, and an endless array of activities for any mood. Here are 9 things we did while there:

1. Roll down a ski slope in a human hamster ball

Dubai: the land of sand, sun and…snow – at Ski Dubai at least. This place puts our very own Snow City to shame, boasting the title of the world’s largest indoor snow park. At -4 degrees, you’re bound to forget that you’re in a city that’s smack middle of a desert.

First thing on our agenda: hopping onto the ski-lifts, which took us all the way to the highest slope in the dome.

If you’re done fumbling around like newborn Bambi and would rather skip the skiing, hop into a Zorb ball and roll down the ski slopes! You’ll probably get out of it confused and dishevelled, but it’s all part of the fun.

For noobs like us who can’t scale actual mountains, the one at Ski Dubai was enough of a challenge

Rolling around in a hamster ball was fun and all, but it was tubing that had me queuing for more. There are 3 courses of varying difficulties – we say go for the toughest one. It’s bumpy, steep, and fun enough for seconds…and thirds.

Must-do factor: 7 camels out of 10

Location: Ski Dubai, Mall of the Emirates
Address: Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
Telephone: +971 800 368

2. Have a blast in the world’s biggest indoor theme park

Daaaaaamn Dubai, back again with the world records. Behold IMG Worlds of Adventure, the biggest indoor theme park in the world.

Marvel fans, loki no further – there’s an entire section just for you. Inspired by the comics’ Manhattan universe, you’ll see familiar buildings like the Stark Tower and the Daily Bugle around.

One attraction took home all the glory was the Thor Thunder Spin. From being flung up and spun around while suspended mid air, this ride is reserved for those with an iron stomach as strong as Thor himself.

Other fun rides to go on are Mojo Jojo’s Robot Rampage in Cartoon Network Land, The Haunted Hotel which gave us some serious chills and The Lost Valley’s roller coaster on steroids, The Velociraptor.

Source

Must-do factor: 8 camels out of 10

Book a trip to IMG Worlds of Adventure.

Address: E311, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
Opening Hours: 11AM – 10PM (Thur – Saturday), 11AM – 9PM (Sun – Wed)

3. Explore the rustic streets of Old Dubai

Dubai may be a sprawling city with skyscrapers aplenty, but little known to many are its historic districts, like Al Fahidi. The buildings here are significantly shorter and more humble, with a warm creamy hue.

Nestled within Al Fahidi is Al Bastakiya Trading Village, a genteel neighbourhood built in the 18th century. After the discovery of oil spurred the development of Dubai into the city it is today, the village was abandoned in the 1960s. Today, it serves as a cultural hub where visitors can learn more about the Arabic way of life.

Be sure to stop by in the mornings to enjoy a traditional Emirati breakfast hosted by Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. Visitors can chat with an Emirati host about anything under Dubai’s hot sun, like UAE’s customs and religion.

Find out more about cultural meals at SMCCU here.

Some houses even had walls built out of dried corals!

*Bonus* Sail along Dubai Creek on an abra

While you’re here, take a short walk to the creek where a sturdy fleet of abras, or water-taxis, await. Once a traditional mode of transport for residents to get across the river from Bur Dubai to Deira, they now cater mostly to tourists who wish to get a waterfront view of the city.

Travel tip: Bur Dubai and Deira are great places to get delicious food at cheaper prices than downtown – think Ang Mo Kio versus Orchard.

Must-do factor: 8 camels out of 10

4. Brush up on your bargaining skills along the souks of spice and gold

After a relaxing boat ride along the creek, the abra will bring you to Deira, one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Dubai and also home to vibrant Spice Souk and Gold Souk (market). Time to put on your haggling hat – this is the best place to get a good bargain.

Once you get past the swarm of shop vendors who seem a little too eager to guess where you come from, the Spice Souk is a pretty cool place to explore. Pop into a store and ask to sample some of their exotic spices and sweet treats, like camel milk chocolate!

Just a minute away is the Gold Souk, the Spice Souk’s more famous and glamourous sister. Keep a look-out for biggest gold ring on the planet, which had garnered a line of people waiting to get a photo.

Must-do factor: 8 camels out of 10

Address: 54 Al Khor Street, Dubai, UAE (Nearest Subway: Al Ras Metro Station)
Opening Hours: 4PM – 10PM

5. Dine at vintage American food trucks along the desert

Fashioned after American highway pit-stops, this retro food truck park situated on the border of Dubai is a 1950s fantasy. You’ll find burgers, tacos, and even a Starbucks truck – E11! Last Exit is an easy stopover for those commuting between Dubai and neighbouring Abu Dhabi.

Lobster rolls, chicken and waffles and ice cream – and this was just breakfast.

You don’t even need to get out of your car to enjoy a good burger, because all the trucks have drive-thrus. It’s open 24/7 too, so if you’re looking for an on-the-road pick-me-up at 3am, forget finding the nearest gas station – just head over here for some fast food instead.

Must-do factor: 7.5 camels out of 10

Address: Interchange 11, Sheikh Zayed Road (Dubai direction), Dubai, UAE
Opening Hours: 24/7 Daily

6. Get up to 85% off high end brands at The Outlet Village

Modelled after the rustic architecture of the Italian countryside is The Outlet Village, Tuscany’s Middle Eastern twin.

Shopaholics can visit over 100 high-end brands, like Gucci, Ted Baker and even Sephora. Being an outlet mall, price points here start at 30% off. You’ll be sure to find some good steals too – one of us even clinched a pair of $4,000 Roberto Cavalli heels at 85% off!

The interior was just as photo-worthy, with natural light giving the mall a warm, cosy feel.

If you’re not that big of a shopper, there’s a wide range of international F&B outlets to enjoy, like American pancake house IHOP.

Must-do factor: 6 camels out of 10

Address: Jebel Ali, Dubai, UAE (Nearest subway: UAE Exchange, Red line)
Opening Hours: 10AM – 10PM (Sun – Wed), 10AM – 12AM (Thur – Sat)

7. Visit the hip streets of Dubai’s arts district

Disguised as a congregation of industrial warehouses is Al Serkal Avenue, a low-key art hub full of photo galleries, museums and hip cafes away from the hustle of the city. Though maps are located around the area, I’d say ditch the directions and wander uninhibited – because no matter which corner you turn, you’re bound to discover something interesting.

After randomly waltzing into the galleries and putting on a pretty believable art-aficionado game face, I came across The Chocolate Makers, a.k.a heaven on earth.

Chocolate making is a sport – these workers were fast!

I may as well have won a golden ticket to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory – I got to watch chocolate being made from scratch in their in-house kitchen. Rows and rows of chocolate bars called out to me as I walked further into the store – from white to 100% premium cocoa, and funky mixes like chilli, rose and orange caramel. The best part? Free. Samples.

Must-do factor: 8 camels out of 10

Address: Street 8, Al Quoz 1, Dubai, UAE
Opening Hours: 10AM – 7PM Daily, Closed on Fridays. (Hours may differ on Sundays and Mondays)

8. Cruise over sand dunes and meet camels up close

Making the descent into Dubai, the first thing that came into vision was a whole lotta sand – so naturally, the Desert Safari Tour was on our list of “things-to-do-or-regret“. Leaving a skyline of fancy towers for a day, we were wowed by the vastness of the great Arabian Desert – our host for the next 6 hours. First thing on the list? Tackling the sand dunes.

“It’ll feel like a roller coaster,” was what our driver said when we asked him how driving over the dunes would be like. And then it happened: that beast of a Land Rover was going over the sand full throttle a la Fast and Furious, with us screaming our lungs – thankfully not lunch – out.

We got to take on the dunes by foot too

We even stopped by a camel farm and admired these gorgeous creatures up close. Try your luck at getting a special Nat Geo-esque shot of your own while here.

Next up on our desert adventure package was the Safari Campsite, where visitors can try camel riding, shisha, henna and sandboarding.

Falconry has been practiced for centuries in the UAE – you can try holding a falcon yourself!

After the sun sets over the desert, performers take centre stage with acts like fire-eating and light dancing, which you can enjoy from a cosy private hut and a BBQ dinner.

Find out more about the Desert Safari experience here.

Must-do factor: 10 camels out of 10.

9. Be on top of the world…quite literally

Standing at 2,722 feet is the Burj Khalifa, which soars over the city – and the rest of the world – in its steel silver glory. Expect nothing short of the world’s tallest building – with 163 levels and thousands of glass panels which give it its signature dazzling facade.

We got the chance to have the ultimate view of Dubai from the world’s highest outdoor observation deck on level 124 of the Burj. You could also take the bird’s eye view up a notch – literally – by going up to level 125 and enjoying a 360 degree view of the city from the indoor viewing gallery.

Catching this once-in-a-lifetime view will cost you though – a regular ticket to the top comes at AED 300 (Around S$110)

Get your tickets for At The Top here. 

*Bonus* The Dubai Fountain show

Do stick around for the stunning dancing fountains on Burj Khalifa Lake. It sounds strange to be excited over a fountain show, but I’ll tell ya: I’ve never been more impressed by water “dancing” to hits like MJ’s Thriller and theme of James Bond.

Performances are held daily, and occur every half an hour from 6PM – 11PM.

Must-do factor: 7 camels out of 10

Location: At The Top, The Burj Khalifa
Address: 1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Dubai, UAE

Of gold, spice, and everything nice

So I didn’t manage to find any of my friends a date with an oil prince, but I did come home with actual dates, camel milk chocolates and a whole lot of memories.

Whether you’re on a mission to find true love or not, getting to Dubai isn’t a hassle. With Emirates’ direct route from Singapore to Dubai, you can look forward to reaching your destination in under 7 hours. With an amazing in-flight entertainment system and a cabin crew who’ll treat you like royalty, flying there was a definite treat.

So go forth and embark on your Arabian adventure in the beautiful city of Dubai, with its glittering skyscrapers and never-ending Guinness World Records – a journey of a lifetime awaits.

A portion of this content may contain referral links to products. Our opinions remain our own.

The post 9 Reasons Dubai Should Be Your Next Escape To Vacay Like Royalty appeared first on TheSmartLocal - Singapore's Leading Travel and Lifestyle Portal.

Vibrant and cosmopolitan, Cape Town should definitely one of the top contenders in our bucket-list. From climbing mountains to diving with Great Whites, there are so many things to do! Here are some of my favourite must-dos in the second-most populous city in South Africa.

1. Find the point where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet

This is an obvious one, as the Cape of Good Hope is where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet, and is commonly thought of as the Southern-most point of Africa. Good views are guaranteed.

If you’re feeling a little peckish you might also want to try out Two Oceans Restaurants. A nice cool Sauvignon Blanc with your seafood maybe?

Don’t forget to climb up – or the take the tram, no judgement here – to the lighthouse at the very top.

The views are truly breathtaking.

A little word of advice though, the ostriches can be rather feral, use caution to approach or end up like this:

2. Find wild penguins on Boulders Beach

What? Penguins in Africa?! As you can see, Boulders Beach is literally littered with penguins. These African penguins are also smaller than the usual ones you see on the television, which only makes them extra wobbly and stubby.

June is also the season for hatchlings so keep your eyes peeled for them and their newly-bulimic parents. Watching the little birds feed can be a little gross, seeing how food is regurgitated, but hey, penguins are still adorbs.

3. Find plants you never knew existed at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Nestled at the foot of Table Mountain, the Kirstenbosch gardens boasts of a diverse collection of indigenous plants, covering five of six biomes – a fancy science word for habitat – in South Africa.

Not only does the garden offer stunning sunsets, rumour has it that there is a secret opiates garden hidden around. More elusive than a Dragonair, you might have to comb around the entire garden for a truly out-of-body experience.

4. Make it rain at the V&A Waterfront

The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is situated in South Africa’s oldest harbour and is home to 450 retail outlets selling everything you could possibly need. For the foodies, the V&A waterfront is also home to a gazillion seafood restaurants, each one better than the last. At about SGD15 a pop, the seafood platter across various restaurants rewards you with an incredulous amount of seafood and the best mussels you have ever tasted in your life.

5. Find out why Table Mountain is featured on the flag of Cape Town

I began my journey by performing the grueling task of hailing a cab to the base of Table Mountain cable car station. Of course, for the garang and physically fit, there is an option to hike up this mammoth.

When you reach the top – either SGD24 poorer or post-intense lactic muscle build-up – the view will all be worth it.

You can really be on cloud 9.

After soaking in the panoramic views of Cape Town, you could take a walk along the 3km wide plateau, on the off-chance that you haven’t hiked enough already.

6. Watch the Sunset at Camps Bay

Camps Bay is the South African version of Sentosa Cove. Well, you can see why rich white people would want to live here, because who wouldn’t? For the rest of us peasants, Camps Bay is a good option for some sunset margaritas.

In the day, it is immensely beautiful as well. You can try taking a dip in the icy waters that have travelled all the way from the Antarctic, or make friends with some dogs.

7. Refine your wine palate at the Winelands

Home to over 700 wineries, Winelands definitely has something for your refined palettes.

The main grape variety planted at the Winelands is the Cabernet Sauvignon. It is important to note that while the main focus of wine production in the past was quantity, many vineyards have since shifted their focus to quality. As a result, you can find some internationally recognised brands in South Africa as well.

What’s more, the mountains constantly in the backdrops make for some absolutely incredible views.

I mean just look at that.

8. Take a dip with the fearsome Great Whites 

Source: country.net

I don’t want to be the photographer of this photo. Goodness me. If ice cold water doesn’t put you off, then maybe the fact that Great Whites have three rows of teeth will.

However, if you’re one of those adventerous types, you’ll be happy to know that, Great Whites are often seen along the coast of Western Cape through April to December.

9. Hang out with seals at Hout Bay Harbour

Home to an assortment of seafood restaurants, Hout Bay Harbour also gives you the opportunity to see sea lions (hurhur, geddit).

Here is Mr Flipper, the King of the Seals, First of his Name, Caller of the Waves, Master of Seabirds and the Mother of Seadragons!

Fair warning though, the boats to seal island are known to be quite touristy, which means vying for that photo spot might turn into a blood sport. That being said, I think it was well worth the time to go and have a look.

10. Feel distinctly at home in Bo Kaap

Bo Kaap is home to many Indonesian and Malaysian immigrants who have made South Africa their home during the Apartheid. It was quite surprising to smell the familiar whiff of Malaysian curry along the streets, and interesting. Multiculturalism is not just alive in Singapore guys.

Disclaimer: I know that Bo Kaap is always looking very picturesque in those “50 places to visit before you die” lists but I’m not sure why there were so many cars parked outside when I was there. Maybe the universe just hates me.

So there you have it! 10 things you won’t regret doing in Cape Town. Say hi to the sharks for me.

*All images were taken by thetravelynn.com unless stated otherwise 

About the author: 

Hi, I’m Lynn and I’m an travel addict. I like shiny things (aka luxury travel), photographing animals and ticking places off my bucket-list even though I hope not to die so soon. If you liked this article, do visit my website at thetravelynn.

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