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contents left an advertisement luring shoppers to buy dubai s gold right windtowers along the creek contents dubai abu dhabi s top 10 dubai museum dubai creek bastakiya jumeirah mosque burj al arab madinat jumeirah dubai souqs emirates palace 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 design editorial and picture research by quadrum solutions krishnamai 33b sir pochkanwala road worli mumbai india reproduced by colourscan singapore printed and bound in china by leo paper products ltd first american edition 2007 07 08 09 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 published in the united states by dk publishing inc 375 hudson street new york new york 10014 copyright 2007 © dorling kindersley limited london a penguin company all rights reserved under international and pan-american copyright conventions no part of this publication may be reproduced stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic mechanical photocopying recording or otherwise without prior written permission of the copyright owner published in great britain by dorling kindersley limited a cip catalogue record is available from the british library issn 1479-344x isbn 978-0-75663-057-7 within each top 10 list in this book no hierarchy of quality or popularity is implied all 10 are in the editor s opinion of roughly equal merit floors are referred to throughout in accordance with british usage ie the first floor is the floor above ground level abu dhabi cultural foundation al hosn palace 24 desert escapes culture tradition audacious projects art galleries malls souqs things to buy 26 30 32 34 36 38 the information in this dk eyewitness top 10 travel guide is checked regularly every effort has been made to ensure that this book is as up-to-date as possible at the time of going to press some details however such as telephone numbers opening hours prices gallery hanging arrangements and travel information are liable to change the publishers cannot accept responsibility for any consequences arising from the use of this book nor for any material on third party websites and cannot guarantee that any website address in this book will be a suitable source of travel information we value the views and suggestions of our readers very highly please write to publisher dk eyewitness travel guides dorling kindersley 80 strand london wc2r 0rl cover front alamy images david copeman clb eric nathan bl getty images gulfimages pankaj insy shah main spine alamy images yadid levy b back alamy images jon arnold images joe malone cra profimedia international s.r.o ca getty images gulfimages pankaj shah cla.[close]
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contents left the impressive jumeirah beach hotel right a desert dune drive middle eastern restaurants best bars in dubai beach resorts spas activities for kids outdoor activities indoor activities excursions 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 streetsmart planning your trip travel information arriving in dubai abu dhabi getting around banking communications things to be aware of things to avoid useful information 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 118 126 around town deira bur dubai sheikh zayed road jumeirah new dubai abu dhabi 58 66 72 78 88 security health budget tips accommodation general index phrase book left a windtower in bastakiya right dubai creek golf yacht club key to abbreviations adm admission charges[close]
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dubai abu dhabi s top 10 dubai abu dhabi s highlights 67 dubai museum 89 dubai creek 1011 bastakiya 1213 jumeirah mosque 1415 burj al arab 1617 madinat jumeirah 1819 dubai souqs 2021 emirates palace 2223 abu dhabi cultural foundation al hosn palace 2425 desert escapes 2627 top ten of everything 2855 dubai abu dhabi s top 10[close]
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dubai abu dhabi s highlights dubai abu dhabi s top 10 the arabian emirates of dubai and abu dhabi the most rich and powerful of the seven city-states that make up the united arab emirates offer the best of east and west arab culture bedouin heritage and islamic architecture alongside excellent shopping sophisticated dining and luxurious hotels dubai is divided by its bustling creek and skirted with white sand beaches while abu dhabi is situated on a splendid corniche dubaiamuseum fort the set in well-preserved dubai museum with its whimsical dioramas below and fascinating displays provides a comprehensive introduction to the city see pp89 dubai creek criss-crossed by abras water taxis and dhows old sea-worthy boats each day this waterway below is dubai s lifeblood see pp1011 £ bastakiya the gypsum and coral courtyard houses left in this quarter were constructed by persian merchants who settled here in the last century see pp1213 jumeirah mosque not only is this mosque right dubai s most beautiful it s the only mosque open to non-muslims a guided visit to learn about islam and culture is a must see pp1415 al arab burjiconic attentionthis grabbing seven-star hotel above is certainly a sight you cannot miss it s the world s tallest hotel building see pp1617 previous pages the iconic burj al arab[close]
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dubai abu dhabi s top 10 jumeirah dubai madinathandicrafts dine at a waterfront shop for restaurant see theatre or sip a cocktail as you enjoy the sunset at this arabian-themed souq entertainment and hotel complex see pp1819 dubai souqs perfume bargain for gold emirates palace spices and textiles or simply take in the heady atmosphere of dubai s souqs see pp2021 the jaw-dropping display of gold lining the walls right and swarovski crystals dripping from the chandeliers at abu dhabi s palace hotel make for an impressive sight see pp223 foundation al hosn palace abu dhabi cultural deserttoescapes is incomplete without a visit the uae a desert experience stay at enchanting desert resorts al maha or bab al shams or take a fun desert safari see pp267 enjoy the tranquil palm-shaded gardens of abu dhabi s elegant white fort palace above before taking in the handicraft displays and art shows at the cultural foundation see pp245 to enjoy the highlights at a more relaxed pace spend a few days in dubai a day or two in abu dhabi and a day in the desert.[close]
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dubai museum dubai and abu dhabi s top 10 a visit to dubai would be incomplete without a tour of this cleverly-planned museum it offers a vivid picture of how dubai has crammed into a third of a century what most cities achieve in several located near the creekside historic bastakiya district the museum is housed within and beneath one of the city s oldest buildings al fahidi fort it traces the city s meteoric development from small desert settlement to centre of the arabian world for commerce finance and tourism visit here to gain a sensory insight into traditions past and present fort al fahidibuilt in 1787 originally top 10 features 1 al fahidi fort 2 barasti windtower house 3 bedouin traditions display 4 multimedia presentation 5 old dubai souq dioramas 6 islamic school dioramas 7 desert at night exhibitions 8 underwater pearl diving exhibition 9 archaeological finds 0 wooden dhow bedouin wax figures a souvenir area sells traditional bedouin artefacts but it s more fun and cheaper to bargain in the souqs after your visit retain the flavour of historic dubai with lunch or coffee in the shady courtyard of nearby basta art café see p71 · map k2 · al fahidi fort al fahidi st · 04 353 1862 · open 8:30am8:30pm satthu 3pm9pm fri · adm · www.dubaitourism.ae this fort with its magnificent watch tower was constructed to defend the emiratis against invasion renovated in 1971 it now serves as a city museum wind barastihouse tower the fort s courtyard houses a barasti date palm frond home below and windtower cooling system common in the region up to the 1950s £ a gallery displays the costumes jewellery weapons and tools of the bedouin people a holographic video presentation of a tribe performing the ceremonial sword dance the ardah is hypnotic bedouin traditions display multimedia presentation a 10-minute film presentation with archive footage explains the development of modern dubai from 1960 onward the film takes you through a pictorial tour of dubai s transformation over 40 years decade-by-decade.[close]
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2 old dubai souq dioramas 0 holographic technology combined with waxwork figures left smells sounds and archive footage transport you into the creekside souq of half a century ago 3 4 5 6 8 7 9 dubai and abu dhabi s top 10 islamic school dioramas young emiratis recite the lines of the koran right under the eye of their tutor in this reconstruction of a 1950 s school key to plans ground floor basement desert at night exhibitions learn how animals that live in the arabian desert have adapted to cope with lack of water extreme temperatures and shortage of food underwater pearl diving exhibition this gallery explains the techniques used by pearl divers above who wore nose clips to descend to impossible depths bedouin culture bedu the arabic word from which the name bedouin is derived means inhabitant of the desert bedouins would move from oasis to oasis by camel and would engage in smallscale agriculture the hardships of the desert have imbued bedouin culture with a strong honour code and a famous hospitality vessel the dhow above is on show at the museum s exit for celestial navigation sailors used the kamal a device that determines latitude using the angle of the pole star above the horizon wooden dhow a traditional arab archaeological finds interesting artefacts from excavations of graves that date back to 3,000 bc such as fine copper and alabaster objects and pottery left are on display share your travel recommendations on traveldk.com[close]
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dubai creek dubai and abu dhabi s top 10 dubai creek fed by the waters of the arabian gulf is the lifeblood of old and new dubai a vibrant mix of the past and the present the contrast of traditional wooden dhows being unloaded at the wharf side against stunning modern architecture such as the glass dome-fronted bank of dubai see p61 and the giant ball-topped etisalat building is fascinating the two sides of the creek are deira north and bur dubai south and a walk along either is an enjoyable way to discover this multi-faceted city getting across the creek is easy the nearest bridge for cars is maktoum bridge but the cheapest and most authentic crossing has to be by abra top 10 features 1 abra trips 2 dhows 3 waterfront heritage 4 wharf walk 5 bur dubai waterfront 6 bait al wakeel 7 the diwan 8 creekside park 9 creek cruises 0 bateaux dubai a creek cruise the creek by night is a spectacular sight with the lit up dhows gliding along stop for a fresh juice at the stall at the entrance to the textile souq next to the abra station · map k1k6 · abra crossing aed 1 each way · creekside park 336 7633 open 9am8:30pm satthu 3pm8:30pm adm · sheikh saeed al maktoum house open 8am10pm satthu 3pm10pm fri adm · heritage diving village open 10am midnight satthu 4pm midnight fri · bateaux dubai 399 4994 open 8.30pm daily www bateauxdubai.com · al mansour dhow intercontinental hotel baniyas road 222 7171 departs 8.30pm · creek cruises 393 9860 www.creekcruises.com · www.dubaitourism.ae abra trips abras are flat-bottomed water-taxis right and are a great and breezy way to travel cram in with other passengers the abras carry 40,000 passengers per day and enjoy the great views dhows is the the dhow traditional sailing vessel of the emirates these beautiful wooden boats left are used for tourist rides as well as for trade £ waterfront heritagenear the creek mouth you will in the shindagha area find the restored house and museum of the late ruler sheikh saeed al maktoum and the heritage and diving village below which showcases arabian culture 10[close]
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wharf walk it s worth taking an amble alongside the colourful painted dhows moored on the creek on baniyas road they arrive each day from india iran and oman you can sit by and watch their interesting wares being unloaded dubai and abu dhabi s top 10 dubai bur historic waterfrontof the architecture old dubai stares back at you from the deira side of the creek above windtowers minarets and the 54 domes of the spectacular grand mosque al wakeel bait in 1934 this built was dubai s first office building below it has been restored and now houses a museum devoted to dubai s fishing and maritime traditions the diwan with its imposing wrought iron gates the diwan or ruler s court is an impressive sight below it is the seat of the government creek cruises several tour operators offer creek cruises with buffet lunch or dinner and entertainment on traditional wooden sailing dhows a sunset trip is a treat especially if accompanied by live belly-dancing and arabian music of parkland creekside park below stretches along the water s edge walk its length and enjoy the watery vistas or take a fun cable car ride from one side of the creek to the other creekside park a wonderful expanse history of dubai creek once a tiny fishing settlement based around the palm-fringed mouth of the creek dibei as it was known in the 16th century owes its existence to the 14-km 9 miles dubai creek which led into a natural harbour and established itself as a flourishing hub for entrepôt trade bateaux dubai an evening on the creek aboard one of the glass-topped bateaux dubai is a luxurious way to enjoy the views fourcourse dinners white table linen and live piano music make this a romantic indulgence 11[close]
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bastakiya dubai and abu dhabi s top 10 the old and atmospheric bastakiya conservation area has benefited from extensive renovation work in recent years by dubai municipality it gives a picturesque glimpse into the city s past in sharp contrast to the futuristic architecture and construction boom elsewhere traditional sandcoloured windtower houses often built from coral stone with elegant courtyards can be explored as you wander the maze of shady narrow streets and alleys the facades have been restored to their original state with arabesque windows decorative gypsum panels and screens this area is now home to art galleries museums and stylish cafés history bastakiyasouthern bastak in top 10 features 1 bastakiya history 2 traditional architecture 3 al fahidi fort 4 old city wall 5 stamp coin museum 6 sheikh mohamed centre for cultural understanding 7 majlis gallery 8 basta art café 9 xva gallery café hotel 0 bastakiah nights restaurant a bastakiya window set aside a couple of hours to fully see the bastakiya quarter late in the day the dying light and long shadows add to the atmosphere for a light lunch xva gallery offers healthy options such as fresh soups salad and sandwiches · map k2 · sheikh mohammed centre for cultural understanding 353 6666 www.cultures.ae · bastakiya walking tours 10am sun thu adm · xva 353 5383 open 9:30am8pm satthu www.xvagallery.com · bastakiya nights 353 7772 open 12:30pm 11:30pm ddd iran is the origin of the name bastakiya it was traders from bastak who founded this area by the creek in the early 1900s drawn by dubai s liberal tax policies they settled here permanently traditional architecture the need to remain cool prompted the distinctive vernacular style of the windtower courtyard houses right thick walls and narrow windows with intricate arabesque designs are characteristic old city wall restoration work £ al fahidi fort now dubai museum below has reinforced the importance of this part of the original city as a defensive zone following the discovery of part of the original 200-year-old wall see pp89 this fort above dates back to 1787 a sighting recorded in 1822 calls this a square castellated building with a tower at one angle with three or four guns mounted 12[close]
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sheikh mohamed centre for cultural understanding established in 1999 to promote understanding of the customs this centre offers walking tours arabic courses and cultural awareness programmes the building is a stunning architectural example of a courtyard house dubai and abu dhabi s top 10 gallery majlismeans majlis philately house above hosts an exhibition of the history of post and currency in the uae it explores postal activities before the federation was born stamp coin museum meeting place in arabic and this bijou art gallery with a central garden area is constructed around a beautifully converted whitewashed arabic house left local contemporary artists feature alongside original and at times quirky artesian work bastaaart café set in traditional courtyard of a bastakiya house basta art café below is a great spot to sit among flowering bougainvillea and enjoy lunch or a snack xva gallery café hotel windtowers windtowers were the most distinctive architectural element of arabic houses in the early 20th century with four open sides each of which was hollowed into a concave v-shape wind-towers deflected the air down cooling the rooms below water was thrown on the floor beneath the tower to cool the house further enjoy a snack in the shady courtyard of this restored traditional house left it has art galleries as well as a charming boutique hotel bastakiah nights restaurant this restaurant s right arabian atmosphere is best experienced after dusk the restored building has been opulently furnished enjoy a traditional arabic meal inside or on the rooftop sign up for dk s email newsletter on traveldk.com 13[close]
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