10 Things to do in Dubai

Skiing: Chill out at the region’s only indoor ski slope and Snow Park set within Mall of the Emirates. Various runs cater for skiers of all abilities and there’s a freestyle zone and a 90-metre quarter pipe for snowboarders.

Cost: Rs.1000 for Snow Park,and Rs 2,100 for two-hour ski pass

Opening Hours: Sunday to Wednesday,10 am to 11 pm; Thursday to Saturday,10 am to12 am

Address: Mall of the Emirates,Sheikh Zayed Road. Ph: +971 (0) 4409 4000

Jumeirah Beach Park: Jumeirah Beach Park is a well-maintained strip of beachfront surrounded by gardens. There are also play areas for children,volleyball nets,barbeque areas with picnic tables,showers for patrons,and lifeguards on watch. Relax on the beautiful Arabian Gulf shores.

Cost: Rs.70 per person.

Opening Hours: Daily 7 am to 10:30 pm.

Dubai Autodrome: Experience the thrill of circuit driving at the Dubai Autodrome in Jebel Ali. Get behind the wheel on the karting track,or on the FIA-sanctioned circuit in a Subaru or Audi TT with 200bhp at your fingertips.

Cost: Rs 5,600 per person

Address: Emirates Road. Ph: +971 (0) 4 367 8700

Burj Al Arab: Iconic Seven-Star Hotel: Designed to resemble a billowing sail,the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel dominates the Dubai coastline,in the Jumeirah district. Access is limited to hotel and dinner guests,so enjoy a meal or cocktails to admire its opulent interior.

Address: Jumeirah Beach Road. Ph: +971 (0) 4 3017777

Bateaux Dubai – Luxury dinner cruise: Step aboard state-of-the-art Bateaux Dubai,a luxury glass-enclosed boat,for an a la carte dinner cruise on the creek. It’s relaxing,romantic and a great way to see the contrasts of architecture and lifestyles depicting old and new Dubai.

Cost: Rs. 2500. Contact: +971 (0) 4399 4994

Desert Safari: It’s a must for everyone who is visiting Dubai. Desert safari is a true desert experience,which takes you to a desert ride in a 4×4 SUV. In just one day,one can experience dune bashing,camel safari,sand boarding,shisha,barbeque dinner,belly dancing.

Cost: Rs 3000 (inclusive of pick-up)

Contact: +971 4 3572200

The Gold Souk: There are two gold markets in Dubai – the old and the new. Both of them are in the same area. The new one is a two-storey building and the old one is a bagful of traditional jewellers. Always bargain before buying any jewellery or go for only branded jewellery.

Cost: On request

Address: Near Ascot Hotel,Khalid Bin Waleed Road.

Champagne Brunch: Once you are in Dubai,you won’t feel thirsty. It’s a Muslim state,but alcohol flows liberally. There are restaurant like ‘360 Degrees’ and ‘Spectrum On One’ where one can enjoy unlimited champagne with exotic world cuisines. It’s a heaven for foodies,where one can enjoy prawns,lobsters and much more.

Spectrum on one: Sheikh Zayed Road,Dubai,UA.E.; 971-(0)4-332-5555

360 Degrees: Jumeirah Beach Hotel,Dubai,U.A.E.; 971-(0)4-348-0000

Bar 44: Sheikh Zayed Road,Dubai,U.A.E. 118500; 4-399-8888

Sea Plane Ride: There is no substitute for the experience of a trip in a seaplane. When this unusual and exciting experience is combined with the spectacle of one of the world’s most dynamic and exciting cities,it results in the memory of a lifetime,the most fantastic photographic opportunities,and truly spectacular seaplane ride.

Cost: Rs. 13,000

Contact: Tel: +971 4 883 2999

Balloon Flight: When you feel like to move away from city crowd and join the early morning expedition in the open sky,where one can enjoy the complete aerial view of the desert. It’s an experience in its own.

Cost: Rs. 10,000

Contact: Phone: +971 4 285 4949

The writer is a city based gemmologist and owns adventure club,www.clubfootloose.com. Mail him at solisethi@gmail.com