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10 Amazing Things to do in Dubai

April 20, 2018 By Guest Blogger

Editors Note: When Neha asked us to write a guest post on Dubai, we were excited to learn more about a destination we’ve not been to! Read on for her tips and favorite activties!

Dubai is chock full of amazing things to do and see. From the incredible architecture to the scintillating skyline to the pristine desert – there’s so much excitement around and not a single moment of boredom or dullness in Dubai. To make matters more exciting, Dubai is constantly trying to better itself, by building more and more spectacular architectural marvels. We just caught our breath after the Burj Khalifa, and the Dubai Frame is up now drawing oohs and aahs. Very soon, the Dubai Eye will be up and running. Here are 10 amazing things to do in Dubai right now. Don’t miss them!

Pretend To Be A Dolphin At Dolphin Bay

Visit one of the most sophisticated dolphin habitats in the world – Dolphin Bay in Atlantis. You can swim and play with the dolphins and even scuba dive deep into the bay with them. The dolphins are friendly and enjoy playing ball games and hide and seek with their human friends. Book your dolphin bay experience 14 days in advance and save Dhs 100. Enjoy visiting Aquaventure Waterpark as well as Aquaventure Beach along with Dolphin Bay and you’ll see why visiting the Atlantis corner is one of the most amazing things to do in Dubai.

Ooh and Aah at the Dubai Miracle Garden

Dubai Miracle Garden is a lush, verdant landscape full of flowering plants of every description. The difference is that these plants and flowers are shaped to resemble cartoon characters, animals, global landmarks and much more. Every season, the entire display is changed. It’s an organic, growing garden, raised into the shape that they’re raised to fit. Recently, Dubai Miracle Garden unveiled a humungous 18-meter tall Mickey Mouse statue, made entirely of flowering plants and flowers. The floral statue took almost 100,000 flowers to make and weighs close to 35 tonnes. It’s even won the Guinness World Record for the World’s Tallest Supported Topiary Sculpture.

Get Framed by the Dubai Frame

Dubai’s latest picture-perfect architectural marvel is open at Zabee

l Park and is a great success. The Dubai Frame consists of two 152-metre towers, which are connected at the top by a 93-metre glass bridge. When you go up the elevator to the bridge, you’ll at first feel disoriented as the bridge is made of glass. But the panoramic views over old and new Dubai more than make up for it. The ground floor of the Dubai Frame houses a museum where you can observe the city’s transformation from the fishing village it once was to the thriving metropolis it is today.

Stand Tall At The World’s New Tallest Hotel

The mighty Burj Khalifa is also the tallest hotel in the world, at 356 metres high beats the JW Marriott Marquis by one metre. The Gevora Hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road has a rooftop viewing deck from which you can enjoy spectacular 360 degree views of the city. Tickets for Burj Khalifa Dubai are priced at Dhs100 for adults and Dhs50 for children. Still, there’s no problem with queues – just eat your meal, and get on to the rooftop. What’s more, your ticket gets you a voucher from the Le Veryon Cafe for a pastry tray and drink!

Check Out Dubai’s New Beachfront Destination

If you’re looking for an exciting beachfront destination in Dubai, here it is – La Mer, a whole new beachfront district in Jumeirah 1. This cool new hip destination has more shops, cafes and restaurants that you can count. It’s a colourful seaside spot, picturesque and Instagram-worthy. In fact, the Dubai Canvas street art festival was recently conducted on La Mer. During the evenings, it’s the perfect place, all lit up with fairy lights. Best place for a romantic proposal.

Check Out The New Urban Maze

Check out the world’s first urban maze, a series of rooms that twist and turn and present mind-numbing challenges. Visit Jumble, the latest in Dubai’s spectacular offerings for the curious mind. The urban maze allows teams of three to six people to progress through the maze, with each room containing a problem to solve or a physical challenge to overcome. It is youthful, it’s exciting and since it’s Dubai, spectacularly designed with 4D elements.

Experience A 24 Carat Gold Facial

Gold, as we’re taught, is rich in antioxidants. But did you know that a gold facial can reduce sun damage and tighten your skin and create a radiant glow on your face? Leave it to Dubai to come up with a 24-carat gold facial. Apparently, gold, when ingested, heals the issues within the body, according to methods practiced by ancient Egyptians. Guess what? Good old Cleopatra used to go to bed with a gold mask on her face, to enhance her already dangerous beauty.

Stay At The Atlantis Underwater Suite

Here’s your chance to spend a night at a real to goodness underwater suite, at the Atlantis – the Palm hotel. There are only two uber-luxurious underwater suites at Atlantis, offering an incredible view via glass windows at the spectacular marine world. Check out over 65,000 marine creatures through the full-length, roof-to-floor glass wall. Hold your own as deadly sharks see you through the glass and rush at you. Watch colourful fish put on a special show outside the glass. It’s the most incredible experience Dubai offers for an entire night for Dhs. 9500.

Enjoy A Fabulous Dubai Safari

The Dubai Safari wildlife park is a great place to take your whole family to.

It is home to more than 2,000 animals from 250 species, gathered from all over the world. More wildlife will be joining the ranks in the coming months. There’s also the world’s first drive-thru crocodile habitat, where you can sit safe in your car as deadly crocs roll around you and threaten you uselessly. The Dubai Safari Park also has the UAE’s only drive-through hippopotamus and tiger exhibit and also the UAE’s largest aviary exhibit.

Check Out Dubai’s Instagram Lakefront

Check out the brand new sophisticated destination in Dubai – The Yard at Al Khawaneej. Here you’ll find a full-fledged rural farm laden with urban accents, complete with a rustic courtyard, a bakery, a farmers’ market, and a manmade lake with shady walking trails. There’s also some excellent street art that you can check out, worthy of several Instagram shots. Check out the famous ‘Promise Bridge’ where lovers can hang love locks.

About the Author

I am Neha Singh, a full-time travel blogger by profession. You can follow my blog at dubaiwikia.com.

Visiting the West Coast: Top 3 Cities to Travel to in California

September 29, 2017 By Guest Blogger

Editors Note: We don’t get to the West Coast as much as we’d like, so when guest blogger Sara S. offered to write this little piece we jumped at it! Let us know what she missed and what we should add to the list! This post includes sponsored links.

Thinking of heading to the west coast for a little getaway? Of all the places to see in the US, California is by far one of the best destinations to check out. When most think of California, they think of surfers, beaches, the rich and the famous. However, as one of the most populous and diverse states in the country, you might be in for a surprise.

Something for Everyone

Why is California such a popular destination to visit? Perhaps because it is one of the few places in the US where you can find something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you enjoy the hot sandy beaches, outdoorsy wooded areas, breathtaking vineyards, or tall mountain tops, you’ll find all that in California. Great food, tons of amusement parks, famed tourist attractions, lots of history and culture, and its agricultural environment makes California a great state to visit. Check out the top cities and things to do listed below:

Los Angeles, California

The second largest city in the country, Los Angeles is one city in California everyone wants to visit. Known as the mecca of America’s entertainment industry, a trip to this beautiful town could result in a celebrity siting. Whether you visit West Hollywood and take a stroll down the Walk of Fame, go on a tour of celebrity neighborhoods, or you want to go shopping on the famous Sunset Boulevard, there is a lot of fun to be had in the city of Los Angeles.

The epitome of life in Sunny California, from the sunny beaches and designer boutiques to its wide, palm tree filled streets and timeless history, Los Angeles is a great city to visit. Some must-see tourist sites include Venice Beach, Santa Monica Beach, the LA Philharmonic Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Huntington Botanical Gardens and La Brea Tar Pits. With Disneyland located just 30 miles away, families are sure to have a great time vacationing in Los Angeles.

San Diego, California

Beautiful weather year-round and several attractions and beaches for you to explore make San Diego a great city to visit while you’re in California. While great for couple getaways and girl’s trips, San Diego is also a great destination in California to visit when traveling with family. The city is packed with expansive green pastures and parks, breathtaking gardens, and astonishing museums. From Balboa Park and Sea World to the San Diego Zoo and La Jolla Beach, which is lined with some of the best restaurants and museums in town, your kids are sure to have a blast exploring the city of San Diego. Here are some more cool things to do in San Diego:

La Jolla Cove
Tour the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier
Coronado Island
Take a harbor cruise
Lego Land

Santa Barbara, California

If you’re after a romantic getaway, there is no better destination in California than Santa Barbara. This ever-popular resort destination is packed with some of the state’s most beautiful beaches. With great weather all year long to attractive beaches along the coastline, couples can experience the perfect getaway. The historic town is also filled with old-world charm. Its Spanish style architecture and culture are warm, inviting, and breathtakingly gorgeous to explore. Here’s some more ways to enjoy Santa Barbara, California

Visit state street
Visit Summerland’s Outlook Park
Check out the Gardens of Ganna Walska Lotusland
Go Kayaking in the Channel Islands
Santa Barbara Zoo
Visit the Shoreline Park
Go on a tasting tour

Whether you like to go hiking and explore nature, parks, mountaintops, and gardens or you prefer to get a tan and catch some waves at the beach or sit poolside in your lavish hotel, you can find something enjoyable to do and see in the above-mentioned Californian cities. Be sure to check for great deals online so that you can explore the west coast without breaking the bank.

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Beyond The Suitcase: Preparing For A Road Trip

July 19, 2017 By Guest Blogger

Editors Note: Blogger Sara Stringer sent us this post, and given that we’re always up for a road trip, we thought it was a worthwhile read! Leave your summer travel plans in the comments below!

There’s no more enjoyable adventure for many people than a nice, long road trip. The idea of packing your bags and getting away from the routine is appealing, and it invariably creates memories that will provide laughs and tears for years to come.

Getting prepared for the trip is exciting in and of itself. Choosing your lodging, planning your route, and packing necessities for your travels builds a lot of excitement and anticipation. By the time you actually hit the road, you can be almost giddy.

The only thing that could upset the apple cart at this point would be to run into some kind of expensive or inconvenient problem. While some of those things can’t be avoided, others can be prevented very easily before you leave town.

Financial Preparations

The most common financial consideration most people have for a trip is the money for the trip itself. But there are a lot of other things that can come into play financially, and some of them should be handled before you leave town.

Insurance is a common one. It can be easy to forget your payment in the hustle and bustle of getting ready for a trip, and some companies make it very tough to pay quickly. That’s the advantage of websites like acceptanceinsurance.com, which will not only accept your payment online but can also jumpstart your coverage quickly if you’ve traded vehicles just ahead of the trip.

Credit cards are another. Think about opening a new one that’s a better deal. Then call the company and tell them you’ll be traveling so that they don’t block transactions. Also make sure they have your cell number in case there’s some other problem.

Home Preparations

The neighbor kid is mowing and your pooch is safely ensconced at the boarding kennel. Ready to go, right? Not quite.

There are some other things you should do, too. A good old-fashioned light timer isn’t enough security for your home. Think seriously about an alarm system. Not only will it save your belongings, it will also save you money on your homeowner’s insurance.

Secure the house. Turn off the water at the meter, so that any leaks inside the home can only release a tiny amount of water until you’re back home and prepared to react. Make sure that you also turn off your water heater. Unplug expensive appliances in case of lightning. And have the post office hold your mail so that burglars don’t see your box filling up.

Communication Plans

It’s not enough to have a phone and a whole army of chargers. You need to check out your plan. Talk to your carrier and make sure that your travel will move you seamlessly–and affordably–into roaming mode.

Check coverage, too. While most large cities will have sufficient towers for any carrier, remote areas may not. It could be safer for you to get a prepaid phone to use on the trip if one of those will get you coverage in these rural locations.

Have a landline number available whenever possible, and share it with someone back home who also has a landline. During disasters, cell coverage can be lost while wired lines remain intact. It will be easier to check on everyone’s safety if there’s a landline each way.

Travel is a time when we get to escape from all our worries. We don’t need to replace them with other worries, so before you hit the road, be sure you’ve made proper provisions for the things that could trip you up while you’re away from home.

Tips to ride a bike safety for your kids

January 30, 2017 By Guest Blogger

[Editor’s Note: Now that our kids are well on their way to leaving their balance bikes behind and have started mountain biking themselves, we’ve been trying to teach them about bike safety. When Denise emailed us about doing a guest post we figured it was a great opportunity for us to learn something too!]

When allowing your child to ride their bikes, naturally you watch over them and make sure their safe. When children are riding their bikes, they also need the tools to keep themselves safe. Riding a bike is a wonderful experience, great exercise, and a great way to spend your free time; however, being safe when riding is critical to protect yourself and your children from potential falls, head injuries, and hazardous accidents.

Here are some tips to help your child to be bike safe and to remember to obey all the rules when riding their bike.

Helmets

Helmets are important for children when riding bikes. In most states, children under 18 are required by law to wear a helmet; some states are 15-17, and others are all ages. Helmets are very important in a case of falling. Helmets help to protect your head and neck from injuries that could be fatal or cause serious brain and neck trauma.

When deciding on a helmet, make sure to pick an appropriately sized helmet. You want the helmet to fit your head, but not be too snug or too loose. It needs to be comfortable and fit well. A helmet can be the difference between a life-threatening injury.

Reflectors

Making sure your children’s reflectors work are important to all children no matter the time of day. Glasses help in the dawn, daytime, dusk, and nighttime riding for vehicles to see the riders clearly. Wearing a reflective sash is also recommended for children since they are smaller than an adult.

Reflectors help reduce the risk of accidents involving vehicles and allow vehicles to move over (if possible) for the riders. Always make sure the reflectors are working and aren’t broken.

Protective Gear

Knee pads and elbow pads are good at preventing injuries when a child is prone to still falling off their bike. Padding helps to protect from scratches and cosmetic damage, as well as contributes to cushion the bones when falling on them. This can prevent future damage done to bones that can cause arthritis and joint pain as they age.

Padding is also great in giving kids more confidence in their riding. When they know that they can fall and it won’t hurt as bad, they are willing to continue trying to ride rather than give up. It’s a great confidence booster!

Proper Bike Size

Children are often riding bikes too big for them or too small. It’s important for your child to have a bike that fits them. Otherwise, riding could be dangerous and a hazard to others. Children should be able to sit

on the seat of the bike with their hands on the handlebars, and the balls of their feet should touch the ground. This is the perfect size for your child.

Those growth spurts make it difficult, but remember you can always adjust the bike seat and handlebar height while they continue to grow. Keep an eye on where they place their feet for times when the seat and handlebars should be heightened to allow for comfortable and safe riding.

Obey Traffic Laws

Make sure your children know to ride with traffic and to follow the stop signs and lights when riding with traffic. Make sure to teach your child the proper hand signals if your country uses them.

Teach children how to use crosswalks with their bikes properly. Make sure they get off their bike, press the button and walk their bike across when directed. This will prevent any accidents involving pedestrians who also make use of the crosswalk and teach your child to be a courteous bike rider.

Night Riding

Make sure your child never rides alone at night. Riding a bike alone, no matter the gear they have with them is especially dangerous. Night riding requires special skill, biking experience, and a lot of multitasking to make sure you and cars are a safe distance from one another.

Night riding can be tiresome for children, causing them to become drowsy. If your child must ride at night, make sure an adult is supervising them.

Respect the Road

Make sure your kids aren’t playing on the road on their bikes. This can be hazardous for approaching vehicles, prevent emergency vehicles from reaching their destination in a timely manner, and could put your child at risk of an accident.

Always make sure your child knows the appropriate places to ride a bike and their boundaries. Busy roadways can be very dangerous for children and can put them in danger of a fatal accident.

Pay Attention

Make sure your kids know not to listen to music or play with their phone while riding. Distracted riding can lead to injuries, falls, and accidents. It’s important to pay attention to your surroundings and listen to anything that may be important, such as a parent calling for you, and the emergency vehicle coming closer, or a tornado warning.

You should also pay attention to young children who may run out in front of you, or a loose dog. These can cause you to lose control if suddenly taken off guard by not paying attention or being distracted.

Talk to Your Child

It’s a great time to sit your child down and explain to them the boundaries of riding their bike and the rules. Make sure they know how to put their helmet on and to wear any protective gear they may need. Bike safety is very important for children to learn, as it helps them as they get older and continue to ride their bike.

Make sure your children know why it’s important to follow the rules, wear a helmet, and ride along with traffic, rather than against it. In some instances, it’s good to set up punishments in case the rules are broken, and they push past their boundaries.

There are many cases where children are hurt due to lack of knowledge when riding or being distracted. Some kids wear helmets, while others don’t and it’s important to keep yourself protected from anything that could potentially happen to you. Make sure to keep your children safe by teaching them how to be safe when riding a bike.

About the Author

I’m Denise and I’m a mountain biker who enjoys cross-country biking all around the world. I worked as a trainer for 6 years before becoming a co-founder of a private biking lessons school to teach people how to properly train and ride bikes to prepare them for cross-country and any activities they want to indulge in. I’m also a co-founder of MountainBikeEZ.

The Sweet Side of Sin City

July 14, 2015 By Guest Blogger

Las Vegas is famous for many things, and it often means something different for different people. Some see Vegas as the gambling mecca that it obviously is, while others see it as sprawling party playground where anything goes. Some visitors come for the golf, while still others come for the legendary stage shows and concerts.

And then there are the ones who come for the food.

Las Vegas has claimed its spot as a culinary destination, and rightfully so. The hotels on the strip compete with each other and outdo themselves with decadent buffets and restaurants owned and run by the world’s top celebrity chefs. For foodies, this city has a little bit of everything that you could ever want to see on a plate.

And that includes dessert.

For those with a sweet tooth Las Vegas might just be the city of your dreams. From lavish dessert buffets to decadent ice cream shops and candy stores brimming with your favorite treats, Las Vegas offers a little something for the kid in all of us.

If you’ve had your fill of prime rib and cocktails, learn more about where you can go to get a glimpse into the sweet side of Sin City.

The Cream of the Crop

Since Las Vegas is an over-the-top city, it’s fitting that you can find over-the-top desserts in many of its most famous eateries. At Serendipity 3 at Caesars Palace you can try their Golden Opulence sundae, which consists of many of the things you’d expect in a sundae, as well as 23-karat gold. Yes, you’ll find edible gold leaf atop Tahitian vanilla ice cream, and gold-dusted edible sugar flowers. This treat will set you back a measly $1,000, but you also get to keep the gold spoon and the crystal goblet that it’s served in.

Serendipity 3 has many other desserts on offer that have topped the city’s “Best of” lists, including a frozen hot chocolate and a fried Oreo sundae that kids and adults will both love.

The Candy Shop

If you are a fan of candy stores and want to immerse yourself in the midst of chocolate sweets of all kinds, why not pay a visit to HERSHEY’S CHOCOLATE WORLD Las Vegas? With shelves piled high with all of your favorite HERSHEY’S products, as well as the ability to customize your candy bar labels, this shop is a candy lover’s dream come true. It’s also a great place to pick up gifts for those friends and family who weren’t lucky enough to make the trip.

For retro candy choices, try the B Sweet Candy Boutique, and pick up a Couture Pop at It’s Sugar as the perfect accessory for your outfit when you hit the clubs.

I Scream, You Scream

Let’s face it. The temperatures can be on the warm side in Las Vegas, and what better way to beat the heat than with ice cream. You’ll find plenty of ice cream stores here, from simple places to grab a cone to those boasting truly gourmet flavors.

Lappert’s Ice Cream is famous for its smooth ice cream base and the natural ingredients used to flavor it. Think exotic guava, fresh coconut, and macadamia nut for a taste of Hawaii, and other fabulous flavors from around the world. They offer incredible coffee as well.

For a break from the traditional, try Luv-It Frozen Custard, which Las Vegas residents have consistently voted as the best in town for several years.

The Dessert Buffet

If you’re the type who eats dessert first, Las Vegas is your kind of town. If you’re the person who only eats dessert then you might as well move here. Dessert buffets abound here, and the world may never be the same.

Try the Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace for cakes, pies, and cookies, as well as tasty mochi, creme brulee, and cinnamon rolls. The Buffet at Wynn keeps things elegant with cake pops and homemade gelato. However, the one that takes the literal cake is Studio B at M Resort. If you visit from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays and all day Saturday and Sunday you’ll be overwhelmed by the collection of every single dessert item from each of the buffet options.

And don’t worry, all of these buffets serve real food as well.

Las Vegas. Sin City or Sweet Spot? You be the judge.