If you know me well, you'll know that I live in Dubai, and Dubai is not always what they say in travel brochures. For the most part, anyways.
Weather
The best time to vacation in Dubai is November to May, although Dubai is beautiful all year long. Other months of the year, the heat is unbearable, with temptreture rising up to 60 degrees (Celsius). However, during the Summer, prices are lower which means you can spend a lot of inside malls.
Malls
Speaking about malls, everyone has at least heard of the world's biggest mall - The Dubai Mall. It's so big, you most likely won't be able to explore the whole thing in one day. Inside, there are tons of shops and restaurants, and outside, the Water Dances and the well-known, Burj Khalifa (more on that later). Other than Dubai Mall, there are malls at almost every corner of the city.
World Record
At the moment, The Burj Khalifa holds the World Record for the tallest skyscraper - 828 meters! You can book a ticket up to the 148th floor for a fair price and experience the best view of the city. Booking tickets online will give you a better deal.
Airport
Dubai International Airport (DXB) is one of the busiest airports in the world, with over 78 million passengers per year. You can expect queues up to two hours depending on your flight. It is busiest during June and August. Duty Free is no where near free, but there are amazing deals for perfume and makeup.
Safari
One popular tourist activity is a Safari - but it's not for everyone. Dubai has plenty of sandy desert fit for a safari. When booking a safari, make sure it is a good travel agency with good ratings. Safaris usually take up a whole day, so plan your trip accordingly.
Must see places
Although everywhere in Dubai is a must see place, I've picked my favorites. Other than malls, on a sunny day, I would recommend The Beach JBR (more on beaches later) , Madinat Jumeirah and Atlantis Waterpark. Feel more like shopping? City Walk is the perfect place. Want to travel the world? Take a walk through Global Village.
Restaurants
With cuisine from all four corners of the world, Dubai is packed with great restaurants. Cheesecake Factory, for amazing desserts. P.F. Chang's for a taste of Asia. Butcher Shop and Grill for the finest steaks. If I was to list all my favorites, we'd be here all day.
Beaches
With it’s warm weather, Dubai is full of beaches. My favorite would be The Beach JBR, as it is a great place to shop, and swim. Want to see some sea creatures? Secret Beach is full of Starfish and small fish. And lastly, Kite Beach is perfect for a nice walk.
No matter when you go, or what you do, Dubai is a spectacular place and I would recommend it to everyone.