Dubai – Why Dubai?
I’m a dreamer. Every now and then, something pops into my head from nowhere—maybe it’s my subconscious whispering ideas. Dubai always felt mysterious to me. I was curious about what it had to offer, so I thought, why not take a leap and find out? And who better to do this with than the “girls”?
Can I make this happen? Of course I can. Let the party begin!
I’m fortunate to be surrounded by like-minded friends and family, and I gathered the perfect party of twelve. Each of us has our own fabulous personality that added something unique to the experience. We shared a love for food, fun, entertainment—and discovering a new culture was the cherry on top.
So, we booked our trip to Dubai, departing on January 2nd, 2024. What a way to start the new year! We were a little uncertain as to where to stay to give us the best value for our budget and at the same time be in fairly close proximity to the attractions. We stayed in the Business Bay Dubai district at the Hyde hotel. It was perfectly perfect with a sense of being upscale offering great accommodation, restaurants, and great breakfast and service.
Some might be overwhelmed by the idea of starting a trip with a 16-hour flight, especially for just five full days. But who cared? Adrenaline would kick in, and maybe jet lag would find a way not to interfere with the festivities.
Lauren, my daughter-in-law, became our leader and planner extraordinaire. She curated lists, organized our activities, and got us everywhere fabulously! Booking restaurants for twelve, coordinating taxis, juggling everyone’s preferences—it was quite a feat. But she handled it all with flair. Honestly, she felt like our personal concierge… LOVE that!
I’m a fan of hop-on, hop-off tour buses to hit the “tourist” spots. Why not? There’s a reason people flock to see these attractions. Once we checked off the main sights, we could dive deeper into the places that spoke to us and spend more time there.
One of our favorite stops was Bla Bla, a created beach club with serious vibes. No natural bodies of water in Dubai, but they’ve mastered the art of building luxury experiences. Bla Bla had a pool like an ocean, music, dancers, a DJ—and we lunched at the poolside Italian restaurant. The food was fresh and simple, perfect for a relaxed early afternoon.
As always, the service in Dubai stood out—attentive, warm, friendly, and incredibly professional. Whether it was taxis, restaurants, hotels, housekeeping, spas, or bars, we received exceptional hospitality. It was so refreshing.
We explored Old Town Dubai along the banks of the Dubai Creek, a beautifully preserved area that transports you into Dubai’s past. We strolled through narrow alleys, discovered cultural gems, shopped for spices, and soaked up the aromas. The girls had a blast bargaining for jewelry and souvenirs—I didn’t know I was surrounded by such skilled negotiators! Let’s just say we left with arms full of treasures.
Then, the iconic Burj Khalifa—a must-see. The tallest building in the world at just over half a mile high. We dined at URLA, an elegant indoor-outdoor restaurant with plenty of glamour and a stunning view of the Burj. Much to our surprise, we got to experience the building’s light show throughout the evening—absolutely breathtaking.
The food at URLA was exceptional—seafood with a contemporary twist using the freshest ingredients. Service? Impeccable. The artisanal cocktails were as imaginative as they were delicious. My grandson Miles, who’s five, is fascinated by the Burj. Being there made me wish he could see it too. So of course, we bought a deconstructed model of it to take home.
Next up: The Miracle Garden—a floral wonderland with massive, intricate sculptures made entirely of flowers. It’s the largest garden of its kind in the world. WOW is the only word that does it justice. Despite the crowds, it was easy to move around, enjoy the displays, and take photos leisurely. And the January weather? Perfect.
Global Village was another highlight. A massive cultural, culinary, and entertainment destination—probably the largest of its kind. The energy there was electric. We spent three hours, which in hindsight was not enough time. Plan for a full day! Luckily, the market is only open from October to April, and we happened to be there at the right time. Being an outdoor venue, I imagine it would be too hot to enjoy during other months.
One evening, we had an unforgettable dinner at Tagine, a Moroccan restaurant at the One&Only Royal Mirage. The ambiance was intimate and authentic, from the moment we saw the camel sculpture at the entrance. The scents of cinnamon, saffron, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg filled the air. We savored signature tagines, spiced kebabs, and more—all served with exquisite attention to detail.
Another standout was Chic Nonna, described perfectly on their website: “Where the charm of Italy meets the vibrant spirit of Dubai.” It was elegant yet comfortably relaxed—not at all pretentious. The food was exquisite and artfully presented. My sister, who’s lived in France for 45 years and knows her oysters, was blown away by the flavor and size of the oysters from Brittany—truly unforgettable. We indulged that night—yes, even more than usual!
After dinner, we headed up to the rooftop for an open-air nightclub experience. We danced and partied into the night. A perfect way to end an amazing trip. Sure, we had to be up at 5:30 am, but who cared? We’d sleep on the plane!
Let me wrap this up with something personal. Many people ask me, “How have you stayed happily married for over forty years?” Part of my answer is: He allows me to be who I am.
Taking time for ourselves—independently with friends and family—has been a key part of our relationship. Our interests don’t always align, and that’s okay. He loves golf trips, and I love exploring new places. Taking separate adventures has brought us closer, not further apart.
I’m sure we’ll go to Dubai together one day. Now that I know the lay of the land, I can show him around. It was, without a doubt, a GREAT trip to share.
One Response
Looked like a blast!!!!