Summer Vibes | Dubai, UAE

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

First of all, this city is out of this world. Secondly, the heat literally melts your skin off. 

Dubai has always been a transit route whenever I fly home from the UK. This time instead of a short transit, with the approval of the rents I decided to make a 3 days trip to Dubai and experience first hand what an incredible modern developing city it was.

As an aspiring Civil and Structural Engineer my eyes definitely lit up as we passed by looming skyscrapers spilling out of every corner and street. 

I was accompanied by my friend @nakedhamburger. After completing our final exams and several frantic packing sessions the day finally came where we made our way from Leeds to Manchester  Airport and after a 7 hour flight with Emirates we arrived at the Dubai International Airport. 

We first checked in to our new hotel Rove Downtown located conveniently next to the Dubai Mall and with an incredible view of the Burj Khalifa. With an extra cost we had a room with a view that literally makes my heart skip a beat every time I look out the window. The hotel being new was clean and had a great ambience that leaves you feeling at home the moment you walk into the main lobby and lounge area. 

Some features of the hotel includes a 24hr convenience store, a restaurant, pool, gym, laundry and luggage storage spaces.  

This hotel has some of the best interior designs and decorations I've ever seen.

A spacious laptop work friendly zone and Starbucks conveniently in the lounge area.

The pool area is spacious and offers an incredible view of the Burj. It's also a great way to cool off from the summer heat. 

As mentioned Dubai Mall is just a short walk from the hotel. We spent the evening walking around the Dubai Mall and watch the Musical Fountain show (largest in the World) 

I booked a tour package with Fun Tours Dubai that includes a dinner night cruise at the Deira Creek, City Tour and 4x4 Desert Safari. An amazing deal for the price of less than 60£!

The Desert Safari was definitely an amazing experience and the highlight of the trip. Our guide/ driver has over 20 years of experience and I definitely felt safe and very impressed with his driving skills as he navigated up and down the sand dunes with ease. The safari ended with a beautiful sunset , camel ride, performance and BBQ dinner.

On our final day in Dubai, we travelled to an area known as the Jumeirah where one of the Worlds most expensive hotel Burj Al Arab is located. Its amazing structure was designed to mimic the shape of a sail. 

We spent the rest of the afternoon in Souk Madinat Jumeirah a bazaar type re-creation of the ancient marketplaces with traditional Middle Eastern inspired architecture. Inside this market was little stall and shops selling arts, crafts and local souvenirs. There are some restaurants and bars around as well. 

It was definitely an unforgettable experience and opportunity to visit this incredible human boundary defying city. It's a place rich in culture, diversity and creativity.
I'd definitely recommend Dubai as one of the must see cities at least once in your lifetime.

Links to check out for further information:

Hotel:

Rove Downtown Dubai

Tour Company:

Fun Tours Dubai 

Features countless tour package; almost consistent instant replies by email and quality tour guides who speak good English.

Dubai Mall:

Fountain Show 

Afternoon Shows  

Daily except Friday: 1:00pm & 1:30pm  

Friday: 1:30pm & 2:00pm 

Evening Shows 

Daily: 6:00pm to 11:00pm 

(Every 30 Minutes) 

Market Place:

Souk Madinat Jumeirah

General Information:

Visit Dubai

Check out my Dubai Video Log:

Summer Vibes | Dubai, UAE

Spring Break Vibes

Travelling- one would dream of visiting the most beautiful, historically rich and diverse countries. To be able to say, I've been there! I've seen that!
But with every travel plans comes extensive amount of research, planning, more research and finally emptying the bank for an unforgettable trip.

So here's the tale of two sisters in 4 cities

It all began in Salzburg, Austria

A quaint little town just by the border of Germany. Known as the birthplace of Mozart and 'The Sound of Music' it is a picturesque sight to take in. With the amalgamation of ancient medieval and modern architecture.
We stayed at the Yoho International youth hostel. Located within walking distance from the train station and city centre.

Taking a stroll through the city crossing from the old city to the new; the weather was perfect giving off a very chilled atmosphere.

Next stop Munich, Deutschland

We took a train from Salzburg to Munich central station and spent an afternoon wondering about before heading off to our next destination Venice, Italy

Venice, Italy The Magical City

A mixture of quaint alley ways and beaten down buildings on the verge of collapse. This contrast itself tells a story of the rich culture and the livelihood people used to have as well as the change it is experiencing.
It was a unique experience to stroll down the nooks and crannies of the city and end up in a completely different corner whilst listening to the echoes of children laughing and playing in the school yards nearby.

We stayed outside of the main city of Venice in a town called Mestre just by the train and bus station for a cheaper option and commuted by bus to Venice.

I think visiting such a beautiful and often spoken of country like Venice brings about many high expectations of what to expect out of the city. Looking back at the pictures I've only come to grasp the fact that I've been to Venice, walked it's streets and ate it's food as well as experience a short but memorable adventure there.

The final stop of our travels brought us to Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona was one city which I immediately fell in love with. Not only because the sunshine city had the perfect weather; it was filled with beautiful people, great food and the ease of access to most attraction sites; and as a beach lover it was a welcome sight being able to feel the sand beneath my feet and hear the crashing of waves as it approached the shorelines.
Our accommodation Soul Backpackers Barcelona was located close to the train station and in the centre and walking distance from most tourist attractions.

   

“To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.” – Bill Bryson

Here's a link to my travel video: