Dubai It is a city in constant construction and in which things are always happening. It never stops, it never rests.
As it grows far and wide, increase its tourist attractions on the quest to continue holding countless world records: the world's largest flower garden, the world's tallest Ferris wheel, the largest shopping malls, the hotel with the most stars…
Extravagant, but with a necessary exotic aroma. It is easy to be seduced by this old fishing village born, between the desert and the Persian Gulf, after the arrival of Bedouin shepherds.
Here only 12% of the population is made up of Emiratis. The remaining 88% is made up of foreigners of more than 200 nationalities attracted by its great job opportunities and its location, close to Asia, Europe and Africa.
Expo 2020 Dubai.
In recent months, the city has positioned itself as one of the most visited destinations in the world to prove that it is more alive than ever, renewing its eccentric proposals with luxury always present. And is not for less!
Its brand new gastronomic offer, the inauguration of the innovative cruise ship MSC Virtuosa, the opening of impressive attractions and museums or the Universal exposition, that on February 2 celebrates the day of Spain, are added to its infinite possibilities of leisure just at the moment in which United Arab Emirates It has just celebrated its 50 years as a country.
A MEGACITY THAT REFUSES TO BE LEFT BEHIND
The Dubai of today is the result of its multiculturalism , with noteworthy skyscrapers, thanks to its design signed by renowned architects, and labyrinthine streets in which to find the purest essence of the city, such as those of Bur Dubai or, after crossing the Dubai Creek canal in abra (traditional wooden boat), those of the old souk of Deira.
The impressive Burj Khalifa presiding over the city.
From Deira it is possible to get on the metro without a driver that runs through the city from north to south showing some of its most amazing pictures presided over, of course, by skyscrapers. It is on that kilometer track where the entire mix of cultures merges to record all that Dubai has become and the journey that still lies ahead.
The city's cultural offer is made up of more than 25 museums and cultural centers. Among its innovations is the Museum of the Future, a fascinating building in the shape of an oval lying down and decorated with panels in arabic calligraphy, that explores trends in the fields of science, technology and innovation through immersive experiences.
With constructions like this, Dubai seems to be the perfect setting for Instagram. Although what is perhaps the most Instagrammable image of the city, both during the day and at night, is Burj Khalifa, that with 828 meters of height is The tallest building in the world.
You've never really felt the height of a skyscraper until you stand in front of it, looking up at it from among the fountains of Dubai Mall, one of the largest shopping malls in the world. But maybe that feeling will be stolen by Dubai Creek Tower. Designed by Calatrava, this tower is expected to surpass Burj Khalifa with almost 1,000 meters of height.
Dubai Creek Tower: up to 828 meters and beyond.
Regarding the gastronomic panorama, Dubai is a culinary destination in itself offering a wide range of cuisines of the world and gastronomic experiences of all kinds, also a result of its multiculturalism, without neglecting Dubai cuisine.
From street food to renowned international chefs to unknown local chefs which will be a real discovery. Many of the restaurants are located inside hotels. It is the case of Mekong, which brings Vietnamese, Thai and Chinese cuisine to Dubai or Bushman's, that does the same with the Australian through succulent cuts of meat and seafood of first quality; both located within Anantara The Palm.
The atmosphere on Thursday nights on the terrace of Brasserie 2.0 before the views of the Persian Gulf accompanied by cuisine and live music, the Asian flavors of Zengo and Friday brunch at Siddhartha Lounge by Buddha Bar in which there is no shortage of cocktails prepared by expert mixologists.
To do some shopping clothing, jewelry, bags and handicrafts we can go to comptoir 102, which shares space with a cozy café. The Ripe Market also offers, during the weekends, craft products between food stalls and live music. The surprise for lovers of fashion and design will be maximum in the Design District , which also houses hotels, designer studios and small shops.
Dubai opens its world's tallest "360-degree view" infinity pool.
ARTIFICIAL ISLANDS, WHEN LEISURE MULTIPLIES
Within Dubai there are other worlds that raise the city to another level through artificial islands such as Palm Deira, The World –a world map made up of nearly 260 islands– or Palm Jumeirah, that in the shape of a palm tree has just celebrated 20 years of its construction.
In the trunk of Palm Jumeirah has recently opened Aura Skypool, the tallest infinity pool in the world. Located 200 meters high, it offers dizzying 360-degree views of the city and the palm tree itself. If our thing is the depths instead of the heights, we can dive in the newly opened deepest pool in the world, Deep Dive Dubai, 60 meters and located outside the artificial islands.
Following the course of the water, that which surrounds the islands of Palm Jumeirah, we arrive at Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort to experience Thai hospitality and relax in its three lagoons or on its 400 meters of beach. Yes because Dubai is also about beaches, and this resort is perfect for combining them with urban tourism.
Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort opened in 2014 boasting of housing the first villas of the Emirates on the sea. Observing the vibrant city from the calm of its villas makes one wonder i really found ourselves in the unstoppable Dubai or on the contrary we just moved to a floating cabin on some paradise island in the Indian Ocean.
Only the views of the futuristic skyscrapers, illuminated by countless lights when the day falls, take us back to Dubai. Among the huge buildings stands out ain dubai, the world's largest Ferris wheel, 250 meters high, which was inaugurated on October 21 adding yet another attraction to the list of countless records.
The tallest Ferris wheel in the world, Ain Dubai.
A CRUISE THROUGH THE PERSIAN GULF
Visiting Dubai from the water is becoming an alternative more used by travelers. Rashid port, Very close to the city center, it is the gateway to discover the main destinations of the Persian Gulf.
It was precisely in this port where On November 27, MSC Virtuosa was inaugurated with a ceremony which included personalities from all over the world and in which sophia loren took care of the traditional champagne bottle break before a fireworks show.
MSC Virtuosa is one of the most innovative ships in the MSC Cruises fleet and the largest operating in the area with stops in Abu Dhabi, Doha and Sir Bani Yas Island until the end of March this year. A journey that combines future and tradition and in which it is possible to enjoy 10 restaurants, 21 bars and lounges, a water park, spa, fitness center, and five pools that this boat has.
In addition to facilities for children, a large theater or sports courts. But If there's one thing that stands out on MSC Virtuosa, it's Rob, the world's first humanoid robotic bartender at sea. In addition to making a variety of cocktails, he speaks eight languages and entertains passengers with jokes and riddles.
Spanish Pavilion at the Dubai Expo.
CREATING THE FUTURE WITH EXPO 2020
The action of the Emirati city is unstoppable, and even more so since last October 1 the first Universal exposition held in the Middle East. Shows, art installations, interactive gardens or technological experiences are concentrated in 4.38 square kilometers, the equivalent of 600 football fields, under the slogan "Connecting minds, creating the future".
Innovation, collaboration and inspiration are the pillars of this exhibition that has the purpose of building a clean, safer and healthier future for all. And to prove it, 50% of the energy used at the Expo is generated by sustainable sources, such as the Sustainability Pavilion, 100% sustainable.
Other essential pavilions in a visit to Expo Dubai 2020 are that of Saudi Arabia, that accompanies the visitor on a surprising journey through the country, or United Arab Emirates, inspired by the wings of a falcon and designed by Calatrava.
Spain's is based on links with the Arab world. With bioclimatic architecture composed of cones that allow to maintain a pleasant temperature inside, it follows the premise of sustainability. The most anticipated moment of the pavilion, On February 2, Spain celebrates its national holiday within the enclosure.
Expo 2020 , which has kept the name of the year in which it was originally going to be organized, is located in the Dubai South district. It is expected that once it ends, on March 31, the venue will become the District 2020, with residential areas, work spaces and parks redesigning the City of the Future.
With this world meeting it is demonstrated that now is a perfect time to get away from the cold, travel to Dubai and discover everything what this revolutionary emirate has to offer.