Things to Do & Places to Visit in Dubai
This desert metropolis is a haven for thrill seekers and shoppers alike. Only in Dubai can you float in a sky-high rooftop terraced pool, sandboard in the desert dunes and shop in the world’s largest mall.
Sights and Attractions in Dubai
For the grand modern architecture we’ve come to associate with Dubai, don’t miss the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, which offers breathtaking views across the city. Next, visit the Burj Al Arab an iconic sail-shaped hotel with a spectacular coastal view and then head over to the Dubai Frame to walk across a 150-metre-high sky glass bridge offering a twilight-to-night transition view of old and new Dubai. Looking down on Dubai from skyscrapers is only half the fun. For something more extravagant, opt for a helicopter ride, or even a hot air balloon or seaplane, to grab those gorgeous aerial shots. For adventurous travellers: a high-speed catamaran offers panoramic views of the coastal skyline. Away from the towering city, a quiet stroll around Dubai Creek is the perfect way to take in the bygone era of Dubai’s early settlement. Visit the old Al Fahidi Fort, Al Shindagha area and Dubai Heritage Village each filled with historic wonders.
Art and Culture in Dubai
Formerly known as Bastakiya, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood was once the historical Persian quarter of Dubai. A visit to its winding lanes, courtyard residences and vertical wind towers is worthwhile for its popular art scene, including Dubai’s first art galleries – The Majlis Gallery and XVA. Contemporary art fans could find themselves in the more industrial area of Al Quoz for galleries like The Third Line and Alserkal Avenue. For an insight into how future technology could solve environmental, social and cultural issues of our planet, an immersive trip into the future at the aptly named Museum Of The Future.
Shopping in Dubai
For a quintessential shopping trip, visit the many souks of Dubai. Wander down the Bur Dubai Textile Souk for intricately sewn-on beaded fabrics and traditional slippers before heading over to an old abra pier to ferry across Dubai Creek. Once you hit the Spice Souk, the pleasant incense aromas from burning bakhoors will surround every stall as you walk by. Immerse yourself in the colourful lanes of the Grand Souk Deira which offers traditional Arab products including perfumes and embroidered shawls. If you’re looking for gold jewellery, a visit to the Gold Souk is a must. To beat the intense desert heat, venture into the expansive Dubai Mall for glamourous luxury brands aplenty. Too much to carry? No problem, the Mall’s delivery service will drop your shopping back at your hotel, leaving your hands free to take on the Mall’s more unique experiences. From ice skating and VR arcade games, to walking under a 48-metre-long aquarium tunnel, there’s plenty to keep you entertained. Adventurous travellers could try Sky Views Edge Walk which overlooks downtown Dubai from 219.5 metres above. And those in need of a true cool down should head to the Mall of the Emirates for indoor skiing complete with a penguin encounter.
Food and Drink in Dubai
Dubai hosts a diversity of multicultural eateries, find Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen and Bar, Nobu Matsuhisa’s Nobu, and Michelin starred Chef Andy Toh’s Hakkasan in the fantastically charming Atlantis, The Palm. Chic Japanese restaurant Zuma is a great spot for izakaya-style private dining or a weekend Baikingu brunch. Those who want to experience more excitable flavours should visit Peruvian restaurant, COYA which offers a vast selection of traditional Peruvian cocktails and menus that comes complete with unparalleled sounds from COYA’s resident DJ. Take advantage of sweeping views as you drink at Jumeirah Mina A’Salam’s Bahri Bar, the Burj Al Arab’s Skyview Bar on the 27th floor, and Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Finance Centre’s rooftop terrace bar, Luna Dubai.
Unique to Dubai
Known for its luxurious accommodation, extravagant lifestyle and divine architecture, Dubai has built a strong reputation since its days of being a small fishing and pearl diving settlement. Nowadays, the laidback lifestyle means convenience is part of daily life – you want it, Dubai has got it. Desert Safari Dubai offers desert tours with either racing quad bikes, traditional camel rides, or family-friendly cars to see the picturesque sunset horizon. Bold travellers could try sandboarding along the many sand-swept thrilling dunes. If you’re looking for a quieter activity, join local families barbecuing and playing cricket at Creek Park’s waterfront. For those travelling with children, head over to The Butterfly Garden at Dubai Miracle Garden which houses 15,000 butterflies in custom-built domes. Keep a look out for the Guinness World Record-breaking floral rendition of an Airbus A380 aircraft also in the garden grounds. Alternatively, head to the beachside oasis of Jumeirah where stays at Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah and Four Seasons Dubai at Jumeirah Beach include the best ocean views from its beachfront.
Membership Rewards® Programme
Cardmembers enrolled in the American Express Membership Rewards® programme will earn one additional bonus Membership Rewards point in addition to their standard earn rate (for a total of 2 points) for every full £1 spent on flights, prepaid hotels, car hire and experiences booked through the American Express Travel website americanexpress.com/en-gb//travel. Specific Card products or limited time promotions may offer additional Membership Rewards points, please see individual Card or promotion Terms and Conditions for more information. Additional Membership Rewards points cannot be earned on products which are not prepaid but are paid directly to the supplier, including cruise bookings and select hotel bookings. These bookings will not earn two Membership Rewards points for every £1 spent but will be earned at the normal rate of one point for every £1 spent. Full Terms and Conditions apply, please visit americanexpress.co.uk/termsandconditions.
To use Pay with Points, you must book your eligible purchase through American Express Travel and charge to a Membership Rewards programme-enrolled American Express® Card. Eligible purchases through American Express Travel exclude non-prepaid car rentals and non-prepaid hotels. Points will be debited from your Membership Rewards account, and credit for corresponding amount will be issued to the American Express® Card Account used. If points redeemed do not cover entire amount, the balance of purchase price will remain on the American Express Card account. When paying with a combination of your American Express Card and Membership Rewards points, only the value applied to the Card is eligible to earn Membership Rewards points.
Membership Rewards Terms and Conditions apply when booking on americanexpress.com/en-gb/travel/. Please visit visit americanexpress.com/en-gb/rewards/membership-rewards/terms/ for the Membership Rewards programme information and terms and conditions or call +44 0800 917 8053 to request a copy. For more information on Pay With Points visit americanexpress.com/uk/travel/how-to-pay-with-points. To earn or exchange Membership Rewards points, Cards must be registered to the American Express Membership Rewards programme and be active and current in their payments. Please allow up to ten weeks for Membership Rewards points to be credited to your Account. Bookings are subject to the full American Express Travel Terms and Conditions. To view these, please visit americanexpress.co.uk/termsandconditions.
Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) program benefits are available for new bookings made through Platinum Travel & Dining Concierge, Business Platinum Travel & Dining Concierge, the Dedicated Centurion® Team or American Express Travel (americanexpress.com/en-gb/travel/) with participating properties and are valid only for eligible Platinum Cardmembers or Centurion® Members and excludes Platinum Credit Companion Cards. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked. The average total value of the program benefits is based on prior-year bookings for stays of two nights; the actual value varies. Noon check-in and room upgrade are subject to availability and are provided at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 Credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the credit will be applied to eligible charges up to the amount of the credit. To receive the credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. The type and value of the daily breakfast (for two) varies by property; breakfast will be valued at a minimum of US$60 per room per day. To receive the breakfast credit, the breakfast bill must be charged to your hotel room. The breakfast credit will be applied at check-out. If the cost of Wi-Fi is included in a mandatory property fee, a daily credit of that amont will be applied at check-out.
Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay).Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional FHR benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the property reserve the right to modify or revoke FHR benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you may have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your FHR benefits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and
amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for FHR program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.
The Hotel Collection (THC) benefits are available for new bookings of two consecutive nights or more made through American Express Travel (americanexpress.com/en-gb/travel/), Platinum Travel & Dining Concierge, Business Platinum Travel & Dining Concierge or the Dedicated Centurion® Team, with participating properties and are valid only for eligible Preferred Rewards Gold Cardmembers, Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Cardmembers, Platinum Cardmembers or Centurion® Members and excludes Platinum Credit Companion Cardmembers. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked. Noon check-in, late check-out and the room upgrade are subject to availability; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the US$100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to US$100. To receive the US$100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The US$100 credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional THC benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke the THC benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your THC benefits. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in US Dollars or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for THC program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.
International Airline Program (IAP)
1. Current International Airline Program Partners: Air Europa, American Airlines, British Airways, Delta, Etihad Airways, Emirates Airlines, Iberia, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic.
2. American Express reserves the rights to change these conditions from time to time with 21 days prior notice and/or to discontinue the whole program.
3. Airlines reserve the right to change, cancel or restrict flight operations without notice. IAP upgrades or specially negotiated fares may be limited by airlines to certain flights and/or dates (“blackouts”). IAP is subject to the terms and conditions of each participating carrier. American Express does not guarantee that seats or tickets will be available. Cabins of service and discounts vary by airline and route. Discounts are applicable to adult fares however some airlines extend savings to child fares.
4. To qualify for the IAP upgrades or specially negotiated fares:
a) Your journey must start and end at the same port as designated by the participating airline and be completed within the period during which your selected carrier participates in the program. You will be advised of any applicable dates at the time of booking;
b) IAP tickets must be purchased through the Platinum Travel Service and must be charged to a valid American Express Platinum Card which is in good standing;
c) The Platinum Cardmember who purchases the ticket(s) must be one of the travellers;
d) IAP tickets are non-transferable and non endorsable.
5. Any travel on non-participating airlines must be ticketed and paid for separately and is not part of the IAP. Certain code share or flights on the worldwide partners of the participating airlines may not apply.
6. Certain IAP airlines or non-participating airlines impose restrictions such as ticketing time limit on advance booking to indicate a timeline for ticketing upon making your reservations. For each individual airline Terms & Conditions, please check with the Platinum Travel Service for details.
7. IAP upgrade offers or specially negotiated fares may not be combined with any other promotion, discount, negotiated or corporate rate.
8. American Express acts only as an agent for travel service providers and does not own or operate any airline or means of transportation. American Express is not liable for service deficiencies on the part of airlines or other service providers, including but not limited to: accidents and injuries; delays; changes in routes or itineraries; loss, theft or damages to possessions. American Express strongly advises travellers to insure themselves against travel risks. Travellers are responsible for ensuring that they have valid documentation and for complying with the health, customs, currency and other laws of any country they enter or attempt to enter.
9. IAP is available to Platinum Cardmembers from a variety of participating airlines each with specifically designated ports of departure and arrival. Please refer to the Platinum Travel Service for details of participating airlines, applicable routing and timetables and fares in force at any particular time.
10. Other International Airline Program Terms & Conditions may apply.
For full Terms and Conditions for Global Lounge Collection®, please visit our Global Lounge page.
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