Kat taking in Dubai's stunning desert scenery © Kat Nelson
Katharine Nelson, Regional Head of Marketing at Lonely Planet, has just come back from a journey to Dubai.
What's the story? I wanted to experience a different kind of Christmas in 2017, and a childhood friend who grew up in Dubai offered me a week-long stay with her and her parents. The promise of December sunshine sealed the deal. Dubai wasn't ever at the top of my travel wish list, but I'd never visited the Middle East before, and I knew having a local as my guide would make it special.
Most memorable moment? I was told we'd have a chill, low-key evening—smoking shisha, grabbing a drink. But when I stepped out of the elevator at the hotel, I found this so-called 'casual' rooftop bar featured a stunning infinity pool that extended to the building's edge, overlooking Dubai Marina. We sat there with our shisha, gazing at the city's skyscrapers. Surprisingly, the bill wasn't outrageous—but the whole scene felt quintessentially 'Dubai'.
The domes and minarets of Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque © Kat Nelson
Don't be a fool and miss… a desert safari. Dune bashing, endless desert vistas, a camel ride, shisha beneath the stars, and a belly dancing performance—it might have seemed cliché, but it was absolutely unforgettable.
We also took a day trip to Abu Dhabi, about an hour and a half drive from Dubai, to explore the new Louvre on Saadiyat Island. The structure is gorgeous, set beside turquoise water, with a latticed dome that lets in shimmering specks of sunlight. Later, we visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the largest mosque in the UAE—well worth a stop if you can manage it. By sunset, it was crowded with worshippers and photographers jostling for the perfect shot of the magnificent domes and the reflective pools around them.
The dancing fountains entertain the crowd outside Dubai Mall © Kat Nelson
Top activity? You absolutely must watch the fountains outside Dubai Mall perform. The choreography is incredible: when we arrived, Michael Jackson's Thriller came on, and I was completely mesmerized. And the malls themselves are a huge part of the Dubai experience. Their sheer scale is awe-inspiring—Ski Dubai, an indoor ski park inside Mall of the Emirates, is something you have to see to believe!
Essential experience? We took an abra (a wooden boat) across the creek to Deira, the old district, to browse the gold and spice souks. The ride costs one dirham per person (about 20 pence in GBP) and was a lovely way to be on the water, traveling like many locals do. It was also a refreshing change from getting around by car!
The view from the Burj Khalifa's summit © Kat Nelson
If you do just one thing, go… up the Burj Khalifa—the world's tallest building. The elevators ascend at 10 meters per second, and from the top, you can see the structure's enormous shadow stretching across the landscape, making even other skyscrapers look tiny—it offers an incredible, unique perspective on the city. You'll need to book ahead because the best time slots sell out fast, and be sure to allow extra time for queuing when you pick up your tickets.
Craving more behind-the-scenes stories? Check out what Destination Editor Megan Eaves experienced on her recent journey to Peru's Northern Highlands.
