dubai

TWOA TALE OF
CITIES

From desert adventuring to
ultimate indulgences,

Jessica O’Sullivan discovers

Dubai is a city with two sides.



Looking down from the Burj Khalifa on the 900 foot fountains

at the Duabi Mall which shoots water 50 storeys high

You’ve probably Our vintage Land Rover awaits A sneak tour of the Royal Suite
heard the saying; at Burj Al Arab
Dubai is a city of
superlatives. Best,
largest and highest
are words, which

frequently precede the names of big-

ticket attractions the city has to offer,

a city often described, without a hint

of hyperbole, as the ultimate adult

playground. But beyond the breath-

taking indulgences and modern

architecture, there is a concerted

effort to celebrate the uniqueness

of Arabian culture and the spirit of

adventure it encapsulates.

ULTIMATE INDULGENCES

Crossing the bridge towards the distinctive is to create an unforgettable experience for is an awe-inspiring feature that is home to
colourful sea life, including sharks and ray,
sail-shaped silhouette of Burj Al Arab every guest. Impressively, accommodation is while staff serve up some of the best seafood
Dubai has to offer.
Jumeirah, a hotel that has become duplex-suite only, with a private reception
While the Burj Al Arab is one of a kind,
synonymous with the Dubai skyline, on every floor and a host of personal it belongs to the Jumeirah family of hotels,
which also includes the Madinat Jumeirah
is something one never forgets. A butlers who take you under their resort close by – a haven for beach lovers.
Madinat means city in Arabic and this is
night here is a must, even if just wing for your stay, however exactly what Sheikh Mohammed wanted
to evoke when working with architects on
to enjoy the thrill of driving brief. Unwind on arrival the design. The resort is made up of three
separate hotels, 40 restaurants, a world-class
through the gates, past tourists with a visit to the Talise Spa, spa, its own souk and even Pacha nightclub,
complete with rooftop bar – all
taking pictures with 'the Burj' which sits 72 floors up and is

as a backdrop. The opulent decorated to resemble a modern

décor, is such an outward display Jessica Arabian bathhouse, with

of wealth one might expect an O’Sullivan treatment rooms that overlook the

air of pretention. However, there is ocean. Later that night tantalise your

warmth in abundance on arrival, from the senses even further at Al Mahara restaurant.

staff whose sole purpose when on the clock The enormous floor-to-ceiling aquarium

Sunrise take off in the desert

A lone oryx eyes us as we
sail by in our balloon

Sunset yoga with a
view of Burj Al Arab

irishtatlertravel

“For the Romance on the menu
full desert at Pierchic restaurant
experience start
the day with
a magical hot
air balloon ride
over an ocean
of sand dunes”

ULTIMATE INDULGENCES TOP THREE RESTAURANTS…

Crossing the bridge towards the distinctive TO TRY AT MADINAT JUMEIRAH (JUMEIRAH.COM)
sail-shaped silhouette of Burj Al Arab
Jumeirah, a hotel that has become PIERCHIC TORTUGA PAI THAI
synonymous with the Dubai skyline, is
something one never forgets. A night Sitting on stilts at the end Enjoy the essence of Mexican Take an abra across the
here is a must, even if just to enjoy the of the pier at Al Qasr, you'll dining, including a fun build- resort to this award-
thrill of driving through the gates, past find an over-the-water dining your-own margarita menu winning South-East Asian
tourists taking pictures with 'the Burj' as experience, which takes in at Mina A’Salam, headed by restaurant – ideal for
a backdrop. The opulent décor, is such views of the Dubai coastline Mexican chef Oscar Rito, al fresco dining. Every
an outward display of wealth one might in one of the most romantic who uses recipes, like Cacun dish is bursting with the
expect an air of pretention. However, there settings you could imagine. tacos, handed down by his traditional flavours of
is warmth in abundance on arrival, from the High-end Mediterranean grandmother. The restaurant Thailand – river prawns
staff whose sole purpose when on the clock seafood is the signature style is named after the Green with creamy red curry
is to create an unforgettable experience for of three Michelin-starred turtle, which can be found in sauce, kaffir lime leaves
every guest. Impressively, accommodation is French chef Laurent Gras, the Dubai waters, and in the and red chilli or Chor
duplex-suite only, with a private reception but stop first for drinks at the water next to the restaurant, Moung
chicken dumplings,
on every floor and a host of personal butlers two new full-bar-service pods where the hotel keeps a served with fried onion and
who take you under their wing for your stay, which have been added in the turtle rehabilitation paddock peanut chilli-soya sauce are
however brief. Unwind on arrival with a walk out to the restuarant. for injured turtles. top dishes to try.
visit to the Talise Spa, which sits 72 floors jumeirah.com/pierchic jumeirah.com/tortuga jumeirah.com/paithai
up and is decorated to resemble a modern
Arabian bathhouse, with treatment rooms ULTIMATE ADVENTURES (including camel for the adventurous), and
that overlook the ocean. Later that night guests can enjoy belly dancing and lounge
tantalise your senses even further at Al Eschew luxury for a time and catch an abra on carpets with shisha pipes before retiring
Mahara restaurant. The enormous floor-to- across the Dubai Creek, for a walking tour to a tent for the night – bed under the stars
ceiling aquarium is an awe-inspiring feature of the old city of Dubai, home to buzzing optional.
that is home to colourful sea life, including souks. Continue your exploration of ‘real’
sharks and ray, while staff serve up some of Dubai by discovering what the desert has For the full desert experience, see it from
the best seafood Dubai has to offer. to offer. Many companies offer safaris, a different angle. Start the next day with a
but somewhere the romance that should remarkable hot air balloon ride (AED 995)
While the Burj Al Arab is one of a kind, accompany miles of deserted golden sand over an ocean of sand dunes, setting off
it belongs to the Jumeirah family of hotels, has gotten lost. However, Platinum Heritage just before sunrise with Ballooning UAE
which also includes the Madinat Jumeirah (Platinum-heritage.com) has brought the (Ballooning.ae). The cool air and serene
resort close by – a haven for beach lovers. enchantment back to this truly special ambience enhances the breathtaking views
Madinat means city in Arabic and this is experience. It is the only company in the UAE when the light comes up over the Reserve.
to operate inside the grounds of a private That more than any record-breaking tall
Swooping low over startled camels desert, so clients are privvy to a wildlife building will make you feel like you’re
drive inside the Dubai Desert Conservation sitting on top of the world.
Reserve, an area dedicated to conserving
the natural beauty and biodiversity of the Fly with Emirates ex Dublin.
Arabian Desert, supported by the Royal
Family. Getting picked up in one of the emirates.com
fleet’s 1950’s Land Rovers, you know you’re
in for something special. What follows is an Book with Arabian Adventures.
exciting ride over desert dunes, stopping
for a falconry demonstration, before finally arabian-adventures.com
arriving to a Bedouin camp, carefully
recreated as authentically as possible. On- Stay at Madinat Jumeirah or
site chefs cook authentic Emirati cuisine
Burj Al Arab. jumeirah.com

For more info on Dubai see VisitDubai.com