How She Travels: My Dubai
Destination: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Twitter Hashtag: #MyDubai #EmiratesAirline
Twitter Account to Follow: @Emirates
Show Aired: March 13, 2015
HOW TO GET THERE
Emirates flies from Toronto to Dubai three times a week, and is the only airline to fly an A380 into/out of Canada. The A380 is an impressive two level jetliner. Business and first class travel on the second floor, with exclusive access to an onboard lounge where food and drinks are always served. First class passengers can also enjoy one of two inflight showers that come fully equipped with all the amenities. The award winning menus put new meaning to the words “airplane food”. All business and First class passengers have a luxury car transfer to and from the airport included in their fares. The A380’s land at a specially designed terminal in Dubai, but it’s the departure lounges in concourse A at the Dubai airport that are spectacular. The 777’s also depart from A, and B concourses. The airport is approximately 40 minutes to downtown or any of the larger hotels. Cabs are very affordable in Dubai; it is rare to rent a car. The Metro service is clean and affordable.
ACCOMMODATIONS
I stayed at the Marriott Marquis. The Marriott is located about half an hour from downtown Dubai but offers many onsite features including ten restaurants and lounges, including the gourmet Indian restaurant. The 24/7 fitness facility is well equipped, and the pool deck and outside patios are often full. The rooms are spacious and comfortable. This is the world’s highest hotel.
ACTIVITIES
Besides shopping at the world’s largest mall, The Dubai Mall (1200+ stores), where you can try your piloting skills in the Emirates A380 flight simulator. Visitors also enjoy going to the top of the Birj Khalifa (world’s largest freestanding structure), heading indoors to the upscale Mall of the Emirates to SkiDubai or ride the Snow Bullet zipline. Touring the textile, spice and gold souks (markets) is a unique experience, or visiting The Palms (only man made island visible from space), relaxing on Kite Beach or taking a water taxi tour.
TRAVEL TIPS
Western women can wear their regular clothes, but in cultural centres and other places, it’s a 
good idea to travel with a scarf you can use to cover exposed shoulders or to make a short skirt a bit longer. There are many laws against public displays of affection, and alcohol can only be purchased at restaurants or bars, or at the airport duty free. Purchase some dirhams (the local currency) for tipping and market shopping. American money is accepted at larger stores. Check the temperatures before traveling; heat can be extreme in the summer months (reaching over 50 Celsius) but fairly cool in the spring (down to 15).
Visit www.emirates.com for more information on flight and vacation package ideas.
ABOUT “HOW SHE TRAVELS”:
Kathy Buckworth, What She Said’s official travel guru, shares with our listeners her recommendations on where to go, where to stay, where to eat, and where to play on our “How She Travels” segments. Listen to KATHY’s travel advice on WhatSheSaid, SiriusXM Canada Talks Channel 167 (Monday to Fridays 10 to 12 AM ET), and READ all about it right here on ourWhatSheSaid’s website!
ABOUT KATHY BUCKWORTH:
Kathy Buckworth is an award winning writer, public speaker, spokesperson and television personality..who is considered one of the top parenting experts around.
Author, I Am So The Boss Of You (Random House)
Contributor to Post City Magazines, Metro News, HuffPo, Zoomer
Host, FamilyFocus video series for Autofocus.ca
Family & Travel Expert, CBC’s Steven & Chris Show
Chief Family Advisor, President’s Choice Financial & PC Plus
Member, PWAC, TMAC, ASJA, CWU