Planning A Family Trip To Dubai

Imagine taking your family on the vacation of all vacations. A place where the sun perpetually shines, the beaches are soft and white and the sky is nearly as blue as the ocean. A place where you can tee off on a world-famous golf course behind an Oscar-winning actor, or sit down to dinner a table away from an important dignitary. It's all possible at one of the most prized locations in the entire world - Dubai.

Dubai - Not Just A Trip For The Elite

While you may not consider Dubai to be a family friendly vacation because of the elite nature of most of its guests, Dubai is actually an entertaining alternative to your domestic vacation and a whole lot more exciting! There are plenty of fun things to keep your family busy. From the stunning beaches to the Wild Wati Water Park, children can beat the heat as long as they want. There are endless shopping opportunities and the Mall of the Emirates even has an indoor ski and snowboarding slope! Hot air balloon rides, numerous music and sporting events all converge to make Dubai the hottest family vacation ever. Here are some tips if you need help planning a family trip to Dubai.

Taking Your Family To Dubai? Here's Some Planning Tips

Remember that you're visiting the United Arab Emirates. If you're a female, then it's ok to wear swimwear at the beach or the hotel pool, but when in public places, you should dress conservatively.

In Dubai, the residential electricity is 220 V AC, 50 Hz. You will need a voltage converter if you are planning to plug any Western appliances in, like cell phones or MP3 players.

When it comes to Dubai food and dining ediquette, there are some different customs that you should be attuned to. In Dubai's restaurants, a service charge is added on to your bill, so tipping is not necessary. However, hotel bellhops expect to be tipped, and quite generously at that.

If you want to avoid the chaos of dragging the family around in taxis and buses, you should probably look into deals on Dubai car rentals. You will first need to get an international drivers license. You will also need your passport and two forms of photo I.D. in order to rent a car. Be careful during rush hour, as Dubai drivers tend to try some crazy antics when traffic backs up!

Remember that you're entering a region where the weather is commonly hot. It's not uncommon during the months from May to September for the temperature to reach 122 degrees with 80 to 90 percent humidity. The best chances of precipitation are in January and February. Pack lightweight, loose fitting clothing.

The weekend in Dubai is Friday and Saturday and most local businesses are only open half a day on Thursday. However, shopping malls and most stores are open seven days a week and some up until 11 p.m.

You can expect to be amazed by what this oasis in the desert has to offer. A unique combination of ancient values and traditions and modern, contemporary luxury to the extreme, Dubai has everything you need to make your Dubai vacation one that your family will look back on with fondness.