Innovation and creation are the buzzwords in Dubai: if you can dream it, someone can make it happen. Need more land? Build a huge island shaped as a palm tree that can be seen from space. Love the water? Rocket up and down waterslides at the oasis-themed Wild Wadi Waterpark. Miss the snow? Don’t worry, there’s an indoor ski resort, or snap up one of the apartments at the ice-themed residential community known as the ‘Snowdome’ (complete with indoor mountain range).

 

Seated on the Persian Gulf, Dubai is one of seven countries that comprise the United Arab Emirates. The Al-Maktoum family, producing the sheikhs who rule Dubai, have demonstrated incredible foresight in developing Dubai as a multi-faceted city with much more than oil to boast (oil now represents only a small percentage of the country’s overall revenue). Thanks to its international population, Dubai is an inspiring example of Middle-East cultural tolerance and harmony. While strolling down the marbled-lined halls of the opulent and prolific shopping malls, you can find white-robed Emirati men with red-checkered headdresses, as well as Western fashionistas in Prada and Manolos, all shopping and strolling in harmony. Solo women can feel equally comfortable in anything from chic capri-and-stiletto ensemble to head-to-toe traditional black coverings, or an elegant sari. Anything goes in Dubai!

Getting There:

Since you’re going solo – go BIG.  Emirates Airline has these epic A380 airplanes that have 2 stories. All the action is happening on the upper-class, First and Business Class sections. In First class you get your own “suite” that transforms into a full flat bed. Also, you get access to the on-board showers. The airlines has a very robust travel partnership program, so if you have miles on other airlines or credit cards, chances are you can use them for upgrades.

Business class also has full beds, but I say, “Why sleep when you can meet other travelers?” The upper deck has a full size bar in the back and since you’re traveling alone–it’s a great chance to meet some really cool people before you land in Dubai. The best part is, the bar stays open for the whole 16-hour flight. After the flight, you get chauffeured to your destination when arriving in Dubai. Which is a big help traveling solo.

Culture:

While Dubai is currently developing its cultural appeal, it is certainly not the city’s raison d’être. The Dubai Museum,

Sheikh Saeed al-Maktoum House (housing a historical photograph exhibit), and Heritage Village will quickly tell you everything you need to know about Dubai’s recent history as an oasis for the dwindling Bedouin nomads. For music and cinema, coordinate your visit to coincide with the Dubai International Film Festival (mid-December) or the International Jazz Festival, which includes ever so much more than jazz (January).

Activity:

In Dubai, you will find everything from world-class golfing, prestigious equestrian centers, exhilarating sand boarding expeditions, to exciting formula one racing. But, for an activity that exercises both your legs and your pocketbook, get out there and do as the locals do: shop!

Weather:

Someone once told me that Dubai has two seasons: summer and hell. Unless you like hanging out in a blast furnace, avoid traveling here in July and August. For the rest of the year, the temperatures range from pleasantly warm to a little hot.

Social:

You will be pleasantly surprised to discover that nearly everyone you encounter in Dubai speaks English. And as a solo gal in a Muslim-but-Western-friendly country, you can expect to be treated cordially and with respect nearly everywhere you go. As for clubbing, Dubai’s nightlife is a mind-blurring world unto its own–with each new club trying to top the charts in terms of decadence, style, and funky gimmicks. You will not lack for opportunities to party like a rock star ‘til the sun comes up. Many clubs offer ladies nights with super drink discounts, but choose your destination carefully so as to not to end up being confused for the Eastern European prostitutes that frequent some of the seedier joints.

Before You Go:

You can pretty much buy whatever you desire, so do not worry if you forget to pack that oh so important “it” thing. You’re likely to find it in Dubai anyway.

Cultural clothing: Dress to impress with your chic-est warm weather threads, but leave plenty of room to come home with new fashion finds! But remember, this is a Muslim country, so less skin is best for a solo diva. If you plan on visiting the more Arabic areas, such as the souks and the Jumeirah mosque (which allows non-Muslim visitors on designated days), be sure to bring something that covers your arms and legs.

Check the Calendar: July and August? Don’t even think about it (remember, this is a desert). December? Book early as the film festival fills up hotel rooms, as does the Shopping Festival in January and February.

Getting Around:

Taxis are reasonable, but the rush hour traffic jams are awful, so plan carefully. Also, their week is Sunday to Thursday.

The new Dubai Metro is considered one of the most advanced public transportation systems in the world and it glides above all the traffic. What’s cool is that they have Women and Children’s only cabin on every train, so you  can safely travel in style in a cabin with only women.

Top Ten Solo Activities

1) Stroll Jumeirah Beach

If Gulf views, stylish hotels, and all that is luxury rings your bell, then you and your Louis Vuitton bag should feel right at home on Jumeirah Beach. A long strip of sand down the Persian Gulf, Jumeirah Beach is home to the 7-star Burj-Al-Arab (the landmark of Dubai), the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, the Mina A’Salam, and many more.

2) Discover Deira

Deira’s got souks, and souks mean shopping! As Arabia’s historic predecessor to the ‘shopping mall’, a souk is where local bargains abound. A good place to stay if you want to spent the day haggling for gold, silver, spices, perfume, water pipes, henna, carpets, and even tacky Arabic souvenirs. A bad place to stay if you want to lay by the hotel pool, as many of the hotels in Deira sit right under the flight path to the Dubai international airport.

 3) Experience The Zeta Lounge

The skyscrapers of Sheikh Zayed Road are noticeable from anywhere in Dubai. The Zeta Lounge at The Address is the best seat in the house to watch the epic water show that puts Las Vegas to shame.

4) Ride the Dunes

Whatever you do, do not miss a half-day desert safari! For a reasonable sum, you can be picked up at your hotel in a large 4×4 and whisked outside the city to the rolling sand dunes. After a good hour of dune riding, mixed with stops to visit a falconry  show and a sunset view from the top of your own personal dune, you arrive at a beautiful Bedouin camp filled with colorful carpets and low pillows. An Arabic dinner under the stars will fill your belly, while girls draped in black will paint henna designs on your arm and a dazzling belly dancer will entertain your eyes. Not impressed yet? Try a camel ride under the stars, ala T.E. Lawrence, and wrap up the day like a native by smoking apple shisha in the water pipes which are readily available at the camp. Arabian Adventures proves an excellent all-inclusive experience (dinner includes beer and wine) for about $100, and will pick you up and return you to your hotel.

 4) Shop Like An Arabian Princess

With its vast variety of ways to spend your money combined with the celebratory no-sales–tax law, Dubai is quickly

overtaking the likes of Paris, Milan, and Rome as the shopping capital of the world. Call in sick for a week, pretend your great aunt died, but do whatever you have to do to get here for the 4-week city-wide Shopping Festival from January to February. Best of all, if you fly Emirates Airlines, they will graciously bump up the luggage allowance on your way out of the country. Looking for a pharaoh? Even King Tut himself would feel right at home at the Egyptian-style Wafi City shopping mall in Bur Dubai. Feeling italiano? Head to the Venetian-themed Mercato mall on Jumeirah Beach Road.

 5) See those camels go!

For a taste of authentic bohemian life of the nomadic Bedouins, go to the races. The early bird gets much more than the

worm at the 7a.m. camel races outside of town at the Dubai Camel Racecourse (Thursday / Friday only).

 6) Place your bet on the most expensive horse race in the world

If you like ponies, Princes, and cold hard cash, then plan on spending a day in March at the Dubai World Cup. This horserace is the most expensive purse in the world at a lovely six million dollars going to the fair steed who laps the lanes the fastest. This world-famous race and all its celebrations are at at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse.

 7) Drink in the View

Enjoy a drink and a variety of tapas on the Bahri Bar terrace at the super-luxe, Arabic-themed Mina A’Salam hotel. It’s free to gape at the seven-star Burj-Al-Arab, Dubai’s world-famous catamaran-shaped landmark, which lights up with multicolors at night. Afterwards, if so inclined, you can walk to the “Burj” (as the locals call it) and drop 50 euros simply for the pleasure of walking in the door.

 8) Hit the slopes

At Mall of the Emirates, you can buy everything from 10-karat diamond brooches to sexy lingerie. When that gets boring, spend a few hours on the slopes at the indoor “Ski Dubai” facility. You don’t have to worry about ski clothing or equipment either. Ski Dubai has thought of it all and offers guests the use of winter clothing, ski and snowboard equipment.

9) Find your inner Diva

The Talise Ottoman Spa at Zabeel Sarai is one of the best spas in the world. So you must go. They have a hammam that looks like the inside of a palace. Spend an afternoon in one of their private cabanas and dream of your Arabian prince and swim under the starry ceiling in the women-only pool.

10) Fly in the sky

To truly see the scope of Dubai, you need to parasail. Flying 492 feet above the sea, you get an awesome view of Burj Al Arab, the epic skyline of Dubai, and the island Palms—which is shaped like a palm tree.

 

Emirates Airlines is always offering great packages to Dubai from many major airport. So check them out HERE.