Dubai

It is naturally blessed with year-round sun and white-sand beaches and has added to these attractions with the man-made opulence and glamour that it has become synonymous with. It is a destination of contrasts as it is overtly materialistic but also holds traditional Arabic ideals.  Alcohol is only served within accepted places such as hotels or restaurants) and there are certain guidelines that tourists should follow:

• Men shouldn’t try to shake hands with an Arab woman
• Any overt displays of affection are frowned upon
• Don’t dress provocatively
• Don’t show the soles of your feet
• Don’t offer an Arab alcohol
• Don’t be aggressive or loud

Dubai is an emirate within the UAE (the United Arab Emirates) and is located southeast of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the second-largest population with the second-largest land territory of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi. Dubai City is located on the emirate’s northern coastline.  It has much to recommend to the discerning holiday maker – cosmopolitan duty-free malls compete with souks of gold, silks and spices, and this represents the alluring mix of the old and new that Dubai has to offer.

The summers are extremely hot, windy and humid, with an average high of around 42 degrees and overnight lows of around 29 degrees. Most days are sunny throughout the year. Winters are still warm, with an average high of 23 degrees and overnight lows of 14 degrees.

While packing clothing, remember Dubai is a conservative Muslim culture and there are certain dress codes that are recommended to avoid offence:

• Men should not wear shorts unless they are at the beach.
• Women can wear what they choose when dining/partying in Western clubs and restaurants.  In shopping malls and “western” areas, knee-length skirts and tops that cover the shoulders and stomachs are a good idea.  If visiting a more conservative area such as a souk, a mosque or a museum, then it is advised to wear long a long skirt or trousers and a loose top down to the elbows.
• It is a good idea to carry a lightweight cardigan or pashmina to hand in case you move from one area to a more conservative one.

Dubai boasts an array of exotic flavours derived from Arabic cuisines, Asian and Iranian food. A welcome accompaniment to a curry is Arabic bread that is freshly baked in clay ovens. You may not have a large enough appetite to eat a whole stuffed camel, but other delicacies are tasty enough to appeal such as falafels (mashed peas and sesame seeds rolled into chicken balls and deep fried), hareis (a rich delicacy of slow-cooked wheat and tender lamb) and mehalabiya (a pudding sprinkled with rosewater and pistcachios). Alcohol is only served in hotel restaurants and bars, there is a wide choice but prices are higher than in the UK.

Health professionals working in Dubai are carefully vetted to check that they are appropriately qualified to practice. Generally, the first diagnostic visit to a private doctor is £40 (which doesn’t include any medical examinations that may be required). Post-clinic consultations are charged higher than regular clinic consultations.

It is wise to obtain comprehensive travel insurance prior to travelling to Dubai as medical costs would soon mount up, and a travel insurance policy with medical cover would be advisable. As the heat reaches extremes as high as 50 degrees, heat-stroke and sunburn are a very real possibility, so make sure you take all of the necessary sun-safety precautions.

Tap water is decreed safe to drink, but many people prefer to drink bottled water, as tap water has a metallic taste. Remember to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, and to make sure that you take lots with you if you are travelling into the desert.