THE DUBAI GUIDE

I never thought that I'd be lucky enough to travel, but I was given the opportunity to go to Dubai in October, and I just had to make the most of it.

As I headed off with my youngest sister, I had no idea what to expect, but I was really excited and very much in need of a break. As I arrived in the sea of people making their way to their destinations, I couldn't help but feel like I didn't fit in - from the wealth to the ultra-modern sky high buildings, it was a lot to take in.

However, as the days moved on and I settled into my beautiful hotel room with a breath-taking sea view, I felt my apprehension slip away as I finally took in what Dubai is all about. From the outrageously luxury shops and cars, to the monstrous sky-scraper buildings, Dubai definitely has a lot to offer. 

I was blown away by the kindness and generosity of the locals that lived there. I felt safe and serene walking along the beach at night, and the food on offer was healthy and super delicious. My sister and I got up to a lot in one week and I thought I'd share my key highlights from the trip which I think are must-do's.

The Karama: Not for the faint hearted. One must be prepared to risk limbs, siblings, and life in general. Not really, but it's pretty damn dodgy. The Karama is the heart of the replica world - think of a designer bag. You name it - they've got it. Be prepared to go in cars to apartments, to crawl through bookshelves and to haggle so much that you become almost embarrassed, but this is definitely worth the experience, even if you aren't interested in buying anything.

The Madinat: The Madinat is a beautiful Souk in Dubai, full of hotel rooms, restaurants and market shops. Let me tell you, it is absolutely beautiful. I have never been to such a calm, serene and romantic place. You can travel around the Madinat by boat, a delightful and calming experience. There are endless restaurants on offer offering all types of cuisines along with some beautiful cultural market stalls.

The Dubai Mall: The mall of all malls. I can't even explain how big this place is - but it's pretty damn huge. The most wonderful thing about the mall is their water show which happens every 30 minutes. I've never seen anything so spectacular and it was truly beautiful. The mall also has a first class view of the Burg Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.

The Burg Al Arab: You know the one - the building that looks like a ship. I didn't get a chance to go inside this but the Jumeriah Beach Hotel has a great view and they take you right past it in golf-buggies. Pretty yolo if you ask me.

The Sea: I am not a fan of the sea. I repeat: not a fan. But, for some strange reason, slipping into the soft clear blue waves of bliss which are warmer than a bath at home, was absolutely delightful. To feel the wet sand beneath my feet and to be able to lie in the salty see-through water was an incredible feeling and is definitely a must in Dubai - especially when it's 38 degrees.

I would highly recommend visiting Dubai. It's truly beautiful - I promise. I am already desperate to go back and explore some more, but if it's your first time, some of the above are a good place to start.

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