Go on a Summer vacation to Glamorous Dubai

From a desert outpost on the world map, Dubai has successfully turned it into becoming one of the most sought-after travel destinations in the United Arab Emirates. The ambitious city-state of high-rise buildings, sunshine and of course, the shopping malls offered by Dubai attracts a large number of tourists each year.

 For height obsessed travelers who think that the higher they go, the better the adrenaline 1 rush, Dubai would be paradise. The city-state is home to not just the tallest building in world, but also the tallest hotel in the world. At 829.8m, the Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world, and from its observation deck on the 124th floor, visitors can get an amazing bird's-eye view across the Dubai skyline. The sight you will be greeted with at day time would only be surpassed by the views you could see at night thanks to the panoramic city lights.

 Burj Khalifa is not only the world's tallest building, but it's grounds are beautifully designed and one of its many water features, the Dubai Fountain happens to be the tallest performing fountain in the world.

Meanwhile, standing at a staggering height of 321m, the Burj Al-Arab is the world's tallest hotel. It gets bonus points for being located on its own artificial island on the Dubai coastline. The exterior, which was designed to put in mind a billowing dhow sail, offers a truly wonderful spectacle at night, when a colored lighting show dazzles the exterior at night. The tallest hotel in the world does not come cheap unfortunately and is also one of the most expensive hotels in the world. If your budget is more limited, you can still experience the wonder of the hotel by going for dinner at the Al-Mahara restaurant, an underwater restaurant whose floor-to-ceiling glass panels allow you to observe the marine life as you dine in style. You can also go for afternoon teas at the Sky view Bar, which, since it's located on the 27th floor, lives up to its name and offers incredible views of the city.

On the other hand, if you get tired of heights, you can spend the day with the fish at the Dubai Aquarium, which happens to be one of the main attractions that the city has to offer With 140 species of marine life, who are suspended in the huge tank on the ground floor of the . Dubai Mall, you can easily get a free viewing from the mall. You can also walk through the aquarium tunnels, by entering the Underwater Zoo. For the truly adventurous, you can go on a glass bottom boat tour on the surface of the tank, go shark diving or cage snorkeling.

 You can indulge your inner shopaholic in Dubai at any one of its amazing shopping malls, but its premier mall is the Dubai Mall, which acts as a gateway to both the Dubai Aquarium and the Bud Khalifa. The mall is also teeming with entertainment options that range from a skating rink to a gaming zone to a cinema complex. The mall offers endless opportunities to shop and eat and also hosts events such as live music and fashion shows. The annual Dubai Shopping Festival in January and February and the Dubai Summer Surprises Festival in July and August are two of the most famous events that take place within the mall.

Another such mall is the Mall of the Emirates which offers, believe it or not, a Ski Dubai facility inside the premises. The ski slopes (which is indoors, did I mention that?) comes with chairlifts and a penguin enclosure. 

Dubai does not just offer a mind-boggling number of shopping malls and sightseeing attractions, but also has a rich culture. Built in 1787, the Al-Fahidi Fort houses the Museum of Dubai. The fort was originally built to defend the Dubai Creek, which we will come to Iater. Built using traditional coral – blocks, the walls are held together with lime. During its  existence, the fort has been a residence of the ruling family, seat of government, garrison and prison. Restored twice in the 1970s and 1999s, it is now the premier museum of the city.

 If walking around a museum is not on your list of favourite activities, you can still get a taste of the city's history by visiting the Bastakia or the Old Dubai. Built in the late 19th century, the Bastakia Quarter was the home of wealthy Persian merchants in its Iinfant years. With access to the Dubai Creek, it occupies the eastern portion of Bur Dubai. The area is lined with Arabian architecture and buildings made with coral and limestone. Bastakia, hearkens back to a time gone by, and you will find the Majlis Gallery- which offers a collection of traditional Arabic ceramics and the XVA Gallery which offers a collection of contemporary art.

The district offers easy access to the Dubai Creek, which separates Dubai into two towns: Deira to the north and Bur Dubai to the south. The creek first attracted settlers with its ample fishing and pearl diving opportunities and small villages are said to have been erected as far back as 4000 years ago.

 The creek has a fascinating history, and you can travel across it either via one of the dhows that have been restored as tourist boats or by a small wooden ferry, also known as an abra.

You can also visit the Mosques in Dubai. Considered by popular opinion to be the most beautiful of Dubai's mosques, the Jumeirah Mosque is an exact copy of the Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo, that is eight times its size. The Bastakia Mosque, while not one of the largest or the most glamorous of mosques, still has a certain charm to it and is one of the most photogenic mosques.

 If you want to bask on the beach, most tourists prefer the Jumeirah Beach, whose sandy white beach is lined with hotels, making the beach a popular location for accommodations.