Tour Dubai

The Dubai World Trade center is considered as the most esteemed building and an important business location at Dubai. H. H. Sheikh Rashid Bin Maktoum was the person to build it. The inauguration took place in 1979 but since then its popularity has never been decreased. It is located on Sheikh Zayad Road. The original tower built in 1979 had the Dubai International Convention Center, resident apartments, and 8 exhibition halls but today it is a 39-story building having a height of 184 meters. Its convention center has been enlarged having the capacity of 6,500 delegates. Moreover the building has business club and residential apartments along with a leisure club.

Tenants of Dubai World Trade Center

Tenants of the World Trade Center are 110 in number including:

• Johnson & Johnson
• General Motors
• Sony Broadcast
• Master Card International
• Schlumberger
• Federal Express

Ideal Location for Consulates

Apart from the tenants, this tower proved to be a good location for the consulates of:

• Australia
• Switzerland
• United States of America
• Italy
• Spain
• Japan
• Turkey

Exhibitions in World Trade Center

The Dubai World Trade Center has been organizing exhibitions in the Middle East for more than 20 years. The entire exhibitions held in the tower proved to be very successful because of the professional experts of the trade center. It also organizes international exhibitions about:

• Health
• Oil and Gas
• Construction
• Interior Design
• Fashion
• Education
• Consumer Electronics
• Motor Vehicles

Dubai World Trade Center has maintained a wide-ranging database to promote its exhibitions. To keep the database updated, the staff of the center works daily on information related to the database.

Dubai World Trade Center has enhanced the importance of Dubai as a commercial center by means of its exhibitions that it managed in the past few years. Trade center has also played its role to introduce international organizations to the markets of Middle East. In addition to this, it is playing its role to promote the products and services of the Gulf region companies by providing a good business environment.

Other Businesses

Other than the exhibition business, the trade center also provides other facilities like:

• Leased Space for Offices in its 33 offices
• Furnished Apartments of Dubai World Trade Center
• Arabic Language Center
• Executive Serviced Offices

Services Available in Tower

• Reception
• 24-hours Security
• Taxi Service
• News Agent
• Gift Shop
• Processing of Films and Documents
• Retail Banks
• Courier
• Post office within the tower enabling the tenants to have their post boxes
• Quick Service Restaurant
• Self-service restaurant

Dubai World Trade Center Apartments

These Apartments are adjacent to the Dubai World Trade Center. They are just a 15 minutes drive away from Dubai International Airport. These apartments which are owned and maintained by Dubai World Trade Center are the most striking residential complex in Dubai. These are 492 in number and are available on annual, monthly, weekly and daily basis. The services provided in the apartments include:

• Furnished Rooms
• Air-conditioned Rooms
• Modern Services
• Facility of Contemporary Appliances
• House Keeping
• 24 Hours Security Services.

A club is also located behind the apartments providing recreation activities to the tenants. The recreational activities include:

• Swimming Pool
• Sauna
• Jacuzzi
• Steam Room
• Tennis Court
• Gym
• Dinning Room
• Bar Area

The Palm Garden is a new addition to the apartments which is developed for entertaining guests in open air.

Trade Center Hotel

This hotel is adjacent to the World Trade Exhibition Hall and Convention Center. It is located in the commercial area from where shopping malls, golf course, airport and souks are just nearby. The hotel has 338 luxurious rooms having the facilities like:

• IDD Telephone
• Controlled Air Conditioning
• Satellite TV
• Mini Bar
• Trouser Press
• Hair Dryer
• Check-in/ Check-out Facility
• Bookshop
• Jewelers
• Beauty Salon
• Pastry Shop
• Swimming Pool
• Tennis Court
• Squash Court

Dubai World Trade Club

It is a Businessmen’s Club that is located at the top of the tower from where it provides a stunning view of the city. The members of this club include the most well-known businessmen. The reception area of the club is quite lavish providing relaxed and classy environment. The Bar Lounge and main dining room are fully furnished that provides complete entertainment to the members. Other facilities include:

• Dining Restaurant
• Private Function Rooms
• Executive Boardrooms providing audio/visual facilities and video conferencing

The members also have a facility to choose themed function rooms for their private functions. These special themed rooms are named as Pearl Room, Mogul Room, Majlis and Windsor Room. Majlis is the most beautiful room furnished with silk tented roof and comfortable seats. These features make it an ideal room for holding meetings or entertaining the guests.

Future Plans

The owners and management have some future plans about some construction and development of the tower. These plans include:

• Residential Towers
• Two 5-Star Hotels
• Shopping Malls
• Having a parking space for 8300 vehicles

It is hoped that this construction and development would be completed in 2011.

Dubai has a large number of world-class restaurants that offer cuisines from every country around the world. Many best restaurants are within hotels, particularly as these are chiefly the only restaurants that are permitted to serve alcohol with meals. Following are some of the very best restaurants in Dubai that you may want to visit and enjoy their delicious cuisines.

• Al Mahara

Al Mahara restaurant offers the superb seafood dishes as well as fascinating environment. It has a magnificent aquarium with fish, turtles, sharks, and other sea creatures. If you are fortunate you can even spot a diver feeding the fish. The restaurant’s menus include classic, modern, Arabic adventure and Seafood experience, offering different kinds of specialties. Although Al Mahara is among the most costly restaurants in Dubai however, its distinctive atmosphere is worth at least a visit.

• Shabestan

Shabestan is a Middle Eastern restaurant and is recognized as the top Persian restaurant in Dubai. It offers romantic candle-lit view over the Creek which makes the environment even more beautiful and appealing. When you arrives the restaurant, you will be served the traditional assortments on the table. These assortments build up the appetite for the delicious main course. The large restaurant also has a Persian house band to set the mood. Dinning at Shabestan is nothing but full of fun and excitement. This restaurant is highly recommended for big fans of Iranian/Persian Food.

• Antique Bazaar

Antique Bazaar is the Indian restaurant in Dubai that offers excellent food of Indian Subcontinent with extraordinary decoration. The service of the restaurant is excellent with a warm, friendly, and welcoming environment. Each table in the restaurant is decorated differently. The distinctive Indian music gives it a real feel along with the very flavorsome meat dishes.

• Verre

Verre is Gordon Ramsey’s Creek-side restaurant, which is so popular in Dubai that just mentioning its name would be enough to get information about it. The restaurant offers a wide range of excellent food choices and quality of all ingredients are superb, making food delicious and tastier. Its classic French dishes are the most popular among many other food dishes. The restaurant also has a good variety of wines and its deserts are of great precision.

• Pai Thai

Pai Thai is the restaurant that offers the cuisines of Far East. It has a very romantic location and a first-class Thai cuisine. Although the restaurant is particularly expensive however, it provides the top service and high standard of food, making the good value of for money. The most recommended dish in Pai Thai is deep fried hammour with sweet and sour chili sauce.

Apart from these restaurants, there are also many other restaurants that offer excellent cuisines and lovely environment.

Here is an informative video regarding restaurants in dubai,

Dubai has a perfect nightlife scene with a large number of bars and nightclubs. Usually, the bars that serve alcohol are in hotels, nevertheless there are some exemptions.

The Dubai city has some interesting laws regarding nightclubs, such as all the nightclubs are obliged to close at 3 am, 21 years and above is the legal drinking age however some nightclubs refuse the entry of those who are under 25 years of age. Moreover, many of the prestigious nightclubs in Dubai have little strict doormen, however if you have at least one girl in your group then you will easily be allowed to enter the nightclub.

Here are some of the most popular bars and nightclubs in Dubai.

• Chi Nightclub

Chi Nightclub is located at the Al Nasr Leisure-land, near the American Hospital. It is very popular among the younger generation. The club is particularly known for having funk, house, and hip-hop nights as well as for organizing a number of theme nights in order to keep the youngsters interested. It comprises of four large rooms, a semi outdoor dance area with a garden, and a VIP room to relax in case you have made reservations. To enjoy in this nightclub, it is always a good idea to arrive early to avoid the massive queue.

• Kasbar

Kasbar nightclub is a Moroccan themed venue and is located at the wonderful Royal Mirage Hotel. There are three levels of the club with terraces that overlook the dance floor below. Some of the best DJ’s in the city plays different types of music, including all the latest dance hits. The upper level of the club is a worth seeing place and has comfortable Arabian style sofas, allowing for a warm and cherished evening. Kasbar opens at 9:30 pm and the cover charge is Dh.50 that includes one drink and a lot of time to enjoy.

• Planetarium

The Planetarium is located beside the Pyramid Center and has very stringent membership and entrance rules that allow access only to Members, Ladies, and Couples. The busiest nights at the club are Sunday and Thursday and it offers two drinks for the price of one. Moreover, Tuesday is Ladies night, where two free drinks before 1am are offered to the ladies. At that night, all cabin crew get a special 50% discount all night. The club is closed on Saturdays and entrance is free except on special occasions.

• Ku-Bu

Ku-Bu bar is located at the Radisson SAS Dubai in Deira and has the African-inspired décor. It is a small and darkly lit relax zone. It is the good idea to start the night off in with a DJ playing international hits and funky beats.

• Trilogy
  

Trilogy is located on the Jumeirah Beach Road, and is among the biggest and trendiest nightclubs in Dubai. There are three floors in the club and the best spot to glance at the amazing views of the city is its roof top bar. The club has a number of famous DJs and hosts a large number of VIP bashes. Trilogy is an attractive club that offers a night to remember.

Besides these bars and nightclubs, there are also many other popular bars and nightclubs that offer lovely environment to enjoy and have fun.

Although Dubai has a large number of tourist attractions, however here are the top five attractions that one may consider to visit when planning to spend vacations in Dubai.

1. Burj Khalifa

It is the world’s tallest building, with the height of more than 828 meters. The building has 160 floors with residential housing, office suites, shops, restaurants, hotels lagoons, public space, and the new Armani Hotel. It is the center for the world’s finest shopping, dining, entertainment, and home. There is also an Observatory Deck, located on its 124th floor, offering the fantastic views of the Dubai skyline.

2. Burj Al Arab

It is constructed in the shape of a sail from a “Dhow”, which is a local sailing ship used to transport good throughout the Arabian Gulf. The shape of the Burj Al Arab has become a popular iconic building that represents the ‘Spirit of Dubai’. Moreover, it is also the world’s only “7-star” hotel. It is located on the shores of Jumeirah Beach, and offers not only the world’s finest in accommodations and services, but also Al Mahara hotel, which is rated as one of the “Top 10 Restaurants of the World”.

3. Dubai Marina

The Dubai Marina is the world’s largest artificial marina in the world. It offers its guests a deep sea fishing experience and a wide range of water activities, from wind-surfing to parasailing. The Marina District is especially popular among the young urban professionals as it offers a public beach and many shopping venues and outdoor cafes with a Euro flavor.

4. Dubai Mall and Dubai Fountain

Dubai Mall with its Dubai Fountain is located at the base of the famous Burj Khalifa. The mall is recognized as one of the largest in the region that offers a number of shops with the latest in fashion, and a variety of family activities. It also has an indoor ice-skating rink and an Entertainment Zone where the SEGA Republic amusement center and KidZania are located. The mall also features the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, offering the largest viewing panel in the world. And if you step outside the mall, you will enjoy the Dubai Fountain with its ‘dancing waters’.

5. Madinat Jumeirah

Madinat Jumeirah is an Arabic word, which means ‘City of Jumeirah’. Its name is the best way to describe this resort as it is a city within a city. One can enjoy an afternoon by shopping with its several boutique shops in a contemporary Arabian souk-style setting. It also offers a ride in an ‘abras’ through the various waterways that meander through the grounds of the resort.

Dubai is one of the most favorite places among tourists as it is the city of beautiful skyscrapers, deluxe hotels, extraordinary World Islands and several other entertaining locations. However, one of the reasons to attract the tourists is its title of “City of Gold”. Since the world’s most popular gold market, known as Gold Souk, is in Dubai, the city has been given the title of City of Gold.

When I wrote my post Shopping in Deira, I deliberately avoid the discussion on Gold Souk as it required a separate post on itself.

Gold Souk is located in the heart of Dubai’s commercial business district Deira, near Baniyas Square. It consists of over 600 gold jewelry shops in the narrow streets. The shops in the souk include both entrenched gold shops such as Damas, ARY Jewelry, Prima Gold, and Joy Allukas Jewelry as well as smaller gold shops. The windows of all the shops of Gold Souk sparkle with the variety of gold ornaments. Windows of each shop are packed out with gold necklaces, rings, bangles, pendants, and earrings. It has been estimated that about 25 tons of gold is present at any particular time in the souk. Besides gold, the souk also has several precious stones that are sold in the market. The Dubai Fish and Vegetable Market and the Deira Corniche are situated in the north of Gold Souk.

During 1940s, trade in the gold souk largely grew because of Dubai’s free trade policies. These policies greatly encouraged entrepreneurs from India and Iran to set up shops in the souk. Regardless of a general slouch in the global gold market, Dubai’s share of value of trade in gold and diamonds to its total non-oil direct trade is continuously increasing.

Gold Souk has two gold markets named as old souk and the new souk. Both of them display same variety of gold ornaments in different shades and colors. Some of the shades include yellow, pink, purple, and white. In the souk, most of the gold jewelry is 24 carat and none is less than 18 carat. The prices of the gold are found to be the lowest in the world. Since the gold prices change everyday, the prices are displayed only on the main shops, which are obtained from The National Bank of Dubai. The UAE government sets the daily gold prices. In addition, the prices of gold are based on weights and not per piece.

Gold Souk is a worth seeing place and you should visit the place even if you do not have any intention to buy anything. The best time to visit the place is evening as this the perfect time to go from one shop to another. In each shop, you will see a wide range of long gold chains and other ornaments that you had never seen before. These gold ornaments are so beautiful that it becomes quite irresistible to touch them with your hands.

However, if you want to shop from the Gold Souk then morning is the best time. This will allow you to carefully check the selected item whether there are any flaws and rough edges on it. After checking, bargain with the shopkeepers as they usually tell high prices. Checking the prices of the selected item from other shops can also allow you to get reasonable priced item. Lastly, purchase the selected item by carefully watching the scale.

The Gold Souk opens at 10 am to 1 pm and then reopens at 4 pm to 10 pm. However, on Fridays, the market remains closed in the morning and opens in the afternoon.

In short, Gold Souk of Deira has so many varieties of gold ornaments that the tourists often seem confused as they can not decide about what all to purchase from the Souk.