Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for dubai
The Museum of the Future
By Linda Tancs
Dubai’s Museum of the Future is about—you guessed it—the future. That’s probably evident from the design itself. The exterior, covering a total surface area of 17,600 square meters, is made out of stainless steel comprising 1,024 pieces manufactured by a specialized robot-assisted process. The 225-foot, otherworldly-looking structure is embossed with quotes (in Arabic) about the future and is intended to project what the next 50 years might look like. Symbolically, the circular building represents humanity, the green mound it sits atop represents the earth and the void represents the unknown future. Using exhibitions, immersive theatre and themed attractions, the museum experience is an imagining of the future, aided by the visions of innovators, scientists, and prominent figures from leading industries. Dubai Metro (Emirates Towers Station, Red Line) is directly linked to the museum.
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The World’s Largest Fountain
By Linda Tancs
Dubai’s Palm Fountain was named the world’s largest fountain by Guinness World Records. Located at The Pointe on Palm Jumeirah, it comprises two giant floating platforms covering 14,000 square feet of sea water with water jets reaching 345 feet into the air. Open year round, it’s also adorned with 3,000 LED lights for daily evening performances accompanied by music from around the globe. The Pointe’s promenade is a great viewing area. Take the scenic monorail there, which connects key landmarks on Palm Jumeirah.
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To limit the spread of COVID-19, attractions may be closed or have partial closures. Please keep those affected by the virus in your thoughts and be sure to follow the safety practices advocated by the Centers for Disease Control. Stay safe, and be well.
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The Fish-Eye View in Dubai
By Linda Tancs
One of the largest suspended aquariums in the world, Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo is for many the centerpiece of the Dubai Mall, the second-largest mall in the world by land area. Home to 140 species of sea life, the tank contains over 2 million gallons of water spread over a tunnel some 157 feet long. Your fish-eye view includes more than 33,000 aquatic animals and the largest collection of sand tiger sharks anywhere. You can also take a glass-bottom boat tour, snorkel in a cage and even don an oxygen tank to go swimming with the sharks.
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World’s Tallest Hotel
By Linda Tancs
Dubai is a record setter in a number of ways: that’s where you’ll find the world’s largest private yacht, the tallest building, the largest shopping mall. And now there’s another one for the record books: the world’s tallest hotel. Located on Sheikh Zayed Road, the five-star JW Marriott Marquis Dubai (standing at 1,164 feet and 72 floors) offers discerning travelers 14 dining options and luxurious rooms complete with LCD TVs, iPod stations, Wi-Fi and a master room control tablet. Head to the Vault Lounge on the top two floors for panoramic views.
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Dubai is Obvious Choice for Boat Show
By Linda Tancs
Named after its home port, the 531-foot mega yacht Dubai is the largest private yacht in the world, owned and presumably enjoyed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of the Emirate of Dubai. You might catch a glimpse of it at the Dubai International Boat Show, taking place now through 17 March. Now in its 20th year, the event at the Marine Club promises more than 100 new exhibitors from over 24 countries. Austria, Egypt, Hong Kong, Madagascar, Tunisia and Poland will be making debuts along with North Africa’s leading shipyard, Koot Yachts. The show is open from 3 to 9:30 p.m.
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Tallest Building in the World
By Linda Tancs
In the UAE’s most populous city, Dubai, a phoenix has risen. That would be Burj, the world’s tallest building. Rising to an astounding 2717 feet, let’s hope that the glass and metal behemoth does not become a white elephant in this tropical climate suffering from a different sort of meltdown–that is to say, financial. Architectural gem or monument to the excesses of a golden era? You decide.
DISCLOSURE OF NO MATERIAL CONNECTION
The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.
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Budget Travel in Dubai
By Linda Tancs
For better or worse, Dubai is one of those places with a reputation that you need a trust fund to play there. Sure, that may be true when it comes to the super-luxe shopping malls and hotels, but you can enjoy la dolce vita at this Middle Eastern hotspot without breaking the bank. How about enjoying a museum depicting the pre-oil days of this gleaming metropolis? Or window shop at the Bastakiya historical district, where you can find a bed and breakfast in the area for as little as 350 dirhams. You can even rent your own abra (a wooden boat) at the quay to take you across the Dubai Creek for a mere 100 dirhams per hour. Are you ready, captain?
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The Hottest Place on Earth
By Linda Tancs
Summer brings its share of perils–ozone warnings, dust storms, fires, draught and stormy weather. In some places, the heat is so extreme you might be wishing for your own polar ice cap to float on. Take Dubai, for instance. At a mere 40 degrees or so (centigrade, that is) in the shade, the air is so humid now you’d feel like a palm tree in a conservatory. So why are more and more Europeans flocking to this place in the stoking hot season of summer? In today’s crushing economic environment, value may be one answer. Outside of high season (September to May), this up-and-comer’s offerings are more affordable for those wanting a taste of the good life. And let’s not discount the probable desire of many travelers to witness history in the making as this Gulf resort for the super rich builds the world’s largest shopping mall and highest building. So there’s more than heat that’s hot about this playground. Whatever the season, though, those landmarks are likely to be little more than a gleam in your camera lens unless you’re part of the Jet set.
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Venetian Charms are Everywhere
By Linda Tancs
Venice, Italy, must be one of the most evocative places on earth. Just think of every country, state or city that lays claim to its own Venetian-style heritage. Dubai is dubbed the Venice of the Middle East. Giethoorn is the Venice of the Netherlands. Bruges, Stockholm and Amsterdam vie for the title Venice of the North. Bangkok boasts the title Venice of Asia. Amidst the charms of every Venetian wannabee, however, there’s one thing missing from the equation: the toil and sweat of dedicated public works employees who clean out the billowy thoroughfares of the real McCoy day in and day out to keep it the aqueous paradise that so many seek to adopt as their own.
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Las Vegas, Dubai Style
By Linda Tancs
Is there room in the world for another Strip (without the gambling)? Dubai’s Bawadi is developing a $100 billion strip of themed resorts (think Epcot), including the world’s largest hotel. The resorts characterizing the Americas will be the Latino Resort representing Latino culture, America Hotel and Resort (celebrating North American and South American cultures) and Wild Wild West (think John Wayne). Other resorts will represent Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. A Universal site will provide general entertainment. Sounds more like a World’s Fair than a Vegas-like showplace. Then again, maybe that’s the point.
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