Welcome to magical Dubai
Since this morning, the skies of Israel have finally opened. Certainly not yet at the same pace as before the pandemic, but this feeling of “new found freedom” is pure happiness for all professionals in the travel industry.
This week, unlike the others, we will not make you discover a single country, but we will walk, from destination to destination, we will continue to make you dream, and especially to inform you about the destinations that you will choose for your trip. next trip.
You know, just before the last lockdown, only between early November and mid-December, more than 80,000 Israelis rushed to the Emirates to discover Dubai, the magical city.
And know it, the majority of them want to go back !!!
And the reasons are multiple:
First of all the proximity, indeed only 3 hours of flight, and many airlines are on the line: Fly Dubai, EL AL, Arkia, Israir … therefore competitive prices, count around $ 320 on average for a ticket round trip !!!
The hotels are of a high standard, and at exceptionally low prices you can stay in a luxury 5 star from $ 40 per night, yes, yes you read that right $ 40 or around 140 NIS for 2 people !! !!
Beyond these assets, which would be more than enough for you to rush to Dubai, there is also a choice of exceptional activities to do on site, shopping in shopping centers as large and as luxurious as in the United States, getaways in the desert, cruises on Dhow, visits to amusement parks and in Dubai believe us, there is something to do with those of the aquarium, Columbia picture park, or Legoland and many others…
Dubai will give you a lot of emotions, a lot of joys and a lot of pleasures in the plural.
Nothing could be easier than traveling in the Emirates: exceptional airlines, magnificent airports, perfect infrastructures, top level hotels, perfect security.
Welcome to magical Dubai !!!
So what is the point of writing this vade-mecum of the trip to this Arabia Happy Romans? Just a few details to make your stay even easier.
For example, the airports are huge: you will have to plan to arrive there two hours before take-off. If only to take advantage of duty free with prices that will make you dream.
The infrastructure is excellent, we drive on highways with 6 lanes on each side; temptation for the locals to push their Italian or German cars.
If you drive in the Emirates (easy outside cities where GPS is mandatory), watch your rearview mirror!
Luckily, there are speed cameras everywhere, fixed and mobile. Eventually fine debited to your credit card by the lessor. Obviously the alcohol tolerance is zero. You will have no trouble finding money: it comes out of ATMs, vending machines installed everywhere including in the villages of the desert. We pay for everything with a credit card. You can even tip via the card. Tipping is recommended but not compulsory.
Although already paid by us, the guides expect a real bonus. Count 50 local dirhams (50 NIS / day / person). The driver will be satisfied with 25 AED. A porter will receive 5 dirhams or approximately € 1.
As for restaurants, service is included, but it is customary to tip 5-10% of the bill. Taxis are efficient and relatively inexpensive considering the distances. Problem: the drivers, Pakistani, Sinhalese or Indian immigrants drive like at home. Hang on your seat belt, in the back it is compulsory and reassuring. You can choose to take the taxi services of larger hotels, which are more expensive but quieter. However, there are no taxi accidents except sometimes crumpled sheets.
Your phone works everywhere, as well as in Tel Aviv. Worry: communications from (and to) UAE are overpriced. Use hotel wifi or buy a local SIM card.
Do not be surprised if some hotels collect tourist taxes on the spot. Could not include them. Sorry. We eat deliciously well in the Emirates. All the great chefs are installed there, the fact of not paying taxes obviously does not affect this choice. They made school. There is a plethora of quality restaurants. At noon the buffets are sumptuous and inexpensive. We drink all wines, especially the best, often by the glass, cheaper than in Israel. Remember not to eat or drink in public during the Ramadan fast.
We dress, if possible chic, to go to malls, towns in the city. We don’t photograph veiled women, even less when they come out of Victoria Secret with their alluring lingerie bag in hand. Sure, it’s a nice shot to bring back, but it just can’t be done. There is a multitude of things to do and see and Sunday is not a boring day: everything is open.
Friday is local Sunday but everything opens from the start of the afternoon. Ideal day for travel: no traffic jams before the end of the day. Travel in the Emirates is to dive into the future, to get out of easy clichés, to apprehend another form of civilization, to open up to another culture.
Culture: the word is not strong. You will check it on the spot …
So, Welcome to magical Dubai and enjoy your trip with us
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