After a tense few weeks, a solution was found last week to the crisis looming over the flights to Dubai, and Israeli and Emirati planes have been allowed to continue flying to Dubai in high numbers. Demand is rising, as this is peak season in Dubai, and Israel Hayom had a chance to visit one of the most exciting places in the world.
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Since the signing of the Abraham Accords in September 2020 Israelis have had a new window of possibilities open just a short, three-hour flight away. Israeli airlines secured approval to fly over Saudi Arabia – albeit only en route to the Emirates – thus significantly reducing the time it takes to travel eastward.
The big winner is the UAE, chiefly Dubai and the capital of Abu Dhabi, which are the economic, political and cultural engines of the princely Gulf state. Its major airlines, Emirates and Etihad Airways, which are based in the UAE, allow Israelis to enjoy a wide variety of travel options to the country, as does low-cost airline Fly Dubai, which currently operates three daily flights.
Dubai hotels are known for their pampering opulence, and some of them are included on the list of the best hotels in the world. Alongside luxury hotels and large chains, there are also concept and boutique hotels, and a long list of independent hotels catering to all different budgets. The transportation that links the airport and the hotel areas throughout the city, close to selected business and tourist attractions, makes the city extremely easy to navigate.
Although it seems like every other Israeli has already visited Dubai, the city allows everyone to find their place. Young couples, families with children, businesspeople, and the elderly – the city offers something for everyone.
An abundance of top restaurants and local food, with prices like those in Israel, open a new world of flavors for the Israeli tourist. Dubai's location between east and west provides the city with a major advantage in terms of importing the finest fresh ingredients, alongside Western cooking techniques and the most splendidly equipped and luxurious kitchens where the international chefs prepare their food.
It's important to note that Dubai is an extremely safe destination. Strict rules and increased enforcement allow holidaymakers, visitors, and businesspeople to move freely and to feel extremely safe on city streets at all hours of the day and night. Personal safety in Dubai is among the highest in the world, and this applies to men and women alike.
The Ain Dubai Ferris wheel on the outskirts of Palm Islands offers an impressive panoramic view of the beautiful, crisp beach; underneath is a spacious promenade and small mall (by Dubai's standards), including a range of international stores. This is a magical location, a great place to finish the day watching the romantic sunset and to see the night fall on Dubai from the sloping towers.
Burj Khalifa, which has become a symbol of the city, has a range of activities and attractions in its vicinity, like the Sky Views Edge Walk on an open ledge on the hotel's roof; while the Glass Slide at a height of 200 meters above ground level throws its visitors into an experience that you usually see on TV shows like The Amazing Race.
Dubai is a wonder in the desert, a complete city that was planned down to the last detail on the shores of the Gulf, with sparkling skyscrapers that assemble an impressive skyline, and meticulously planned, stunning artificial islands; but no visit to Dubai can be complete without experiencing its hypnotizing desert. A range of local companies offer half-day and day trips in the heart of the desert. Most companies organize a hotel pick-up in the late afternoon, and after a journey of around 30 minutes, you will find yourselves gazing upon the reddish sands. The air-conditioning vehicle gives way to a jeep that travels directly to the heart of the dunes created from clean and pleasant sand that invites you to lay down and seek repose from your daily troubles. At the end of the journey, after a few stops on the way, including a sip of sweet tea flavored with cinnamon, you will arrive at a meticulously tidy Bedouin tent for dinner and local desert folklore.
The UAE invests considerable resources in space technology and takes an active part in the financing, planning, and research of space exploration – something that is a source of national pride. The Infinity des Lumières exhibition, located in the heart of the massive Dubai Mall, provides a spectacular experience and a 3D presentation on the walls of a beautiful and darkened hall, covering the entire history of man's exploration of the universe. Taking your time to explore the exhibition is well worth it, as you can learn about the planets in the solar system, the International Space Station, and the satellites and spaceships that fly through the atmosphere, as well as those that have traveled as far as Mars.
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And, if you thought you had seen it all, Dubai will surprise you again. It is dynamic and reviving, and continues to develop in every direction. Soon, a twin Palm Islands will be established alongside the one that already exists; at the end of February there was the celebratory opening of the impressive Museum of the Future – a brilliant heart-stopping and beautiful monument that hurls its visitors into the near future, and there are many other surprises for the tourists who visit Dubai soon.
Avishai Shpizberg was a guest of Dubai Tourism.
