Exploring the Emirates: The Ultimate 5-Day Family Adventure in Dubai

I just watched a movie, “Lonely Planet” and a phrase caught my attention.

“The point of travel is to make us modest…to show us the tiny place we occupy in the world,” a quote by Gustave Flaubert paraphrased by Katherine Loewe.

And I couldn’t agree more, especially after a trip to one of the world’s most visited cities – DUBAI

Dayummm this place!

Dubai is a city that seamlessly blends tradition with modernity and offers an array of experiences that cater to every type of traveler – adventure seeker, culture enthusiast, luxury seeker or nature lover.

This iconic city has something for everyone.

My mum, brother and I were not going to miss out on whatever it is that makes this city a touristy paradise, and so we got our trip arranged.

My mum, brother and I inside the plane

In this blog, I will be sharing my experience from the 5 days I spent there.

First things first: The Logistics

The theme for this trip was Royalty.

Unlike any of the past trips that had me arranging my itinerary myself, because you know #solotraveler, this one was a #Royalty trip.

We decided to have a travel agent do the ground work for us and all we had to do was arrive as a king and two queens ready to explore the magnificent City of Gold.

And guess what, Uganda has a number of travel agents, one of which made our travel a seamless endevour.

Our travel agent had a 3-day package regarding where to travel and when, leaving two days for us to explore Dubai on our own.

Once we got settled in, all we had to do was wait for tour guides to show up and drive us to that day’s adventure.

And on days we chose as self-guide days, we used the metro to get around.

And trully, a #royalty like experience if you asked me, compared to how we would travel had we been in Kampala.

The Culture

Starting all the way from the airport, you will not miss Indians – they are the largest national group in the country.

You know how when you notice something super obvious but hesitate to mention anything to anyone, out of courtesy?

This was my mum, brother and I as we got received by our Indian driver at the airport, our Indian hotel receptionist, an Indian waiter at the nearest restaurant to our hotel to the next day’s Indian chauffeur.

Encounters with Indian Food

My mum being my mum broke the silence and boldly asked THE QUESTION, “Excuse me sir, there is a great deal of Indian influence, why is that the case?”

“Oh hell yeah, We are everywhere…..in fact, once you go to Mars, you’ll still find us there!” the Indian chauffeur joked.

Not to mention, it’s insanely hot (couldn’t miss the weather chat) – 30°C /86°F on average.

So much so, shops close during day and only operate in the evening to escape the heat.

And while we went in October – a fairly good time to visit – it’s way worse during summer’s peak season – June to August.

Did I mention that it’s VISIBLY moslem to the point that it was of our own benefit to dress decently in most public places…..

Plus noticeably partriarchal, to the point that it was rare to find a woman working in a shop – unless the shop was of Indian origin – of course😃

Iconic Landmarks

Turns out most of Dubai’s touristy icons are within the same vicinity.

The Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, the Dubai Mall that houses all kinds of luxury shops and restaurants, Dubai Aquarium, and the Dubai Fountain with a really mesmerizing water show with jets and lights set to music.

All these in one spot.

The best time to visit is well, day and night.

During the day, we indulged in exploring the Dubai Mall and gazing at what the Dubai Aquarium had to offer.

And in the night, we were able to witness the great views of the city from the Burj khalifa.

View of the city from the Burj Khalifa

Plus witnessing the Dubai Fountain that was definitely not worth missing, once we learnt that there’s a showing every half an hour after 6pm and for FREE

Imagine the excitement of a King and two queens that realised you gotta have lots of monies to fully enjoy Dubai’s magnificence.

The fun part was going through the Mall and for every 10 minutes before the Dubai Fountain water show, rushed to experience what I can ONLY describe as a SUPER creative human invention, out of this world.

Water show

The disappointment we experienced during this part of the trip was learning that our agent got us tickets that could only leave us on the observation decks on the 124^th and 125^th floors.

Not exactly as exciting as the 148^th floor that provides even better breathtaking views of the city.

So yes, careful on accepting deals from travel agents

That said, the 124th and 125th decks were great to experience the glory of the Burj Khalifa including an aerial view of the Dubai water fountain.

Aerial View of the water show

Dubai Downtown

Before all the fame and glory…..

……Dubai was a sleepy Gulf port in the Arab world.

We had the pleasure of seeing this part of the world – starting from the palace of the current ruler of Dubai.

Our next spot was the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood.

There was so much history to experience in this area.

…From wandering through the narrow lanes of this neighbourhood with art galleries, cafes, and wind-tower architecture that speak Old Dubaian culture……to exploring the Palm Jumeira and Atlantis the Palm.

Al Fahidi neighbourhood

Being in Jumeira was also a perfect time to deheat at Jumeirah Beach which also offered stunning views of the Burj Al Arab.

With our hotel in Deira, we secured a full day (one of our self-guided trip days) just to explore the oldest commercial district – Deira – that also houses one of the world’s biggest Gold market; Gold Souk.

I learnt that it’s way cheaper to buy stuff in Dubai than Kampala – making that adventure a shopping spree.

Desert Adventure

No trip to Dubai is complete without a desert safari.

This trully was quite the experience

While there was so much to do, we only engaged in dune bashing and quad biking.

Something worth noting is Dubai has one of the best sunset views I have experienced so far – couldn’t help but recall Chani’s voice in the Dune movie as she talked about the sun in Arrakis.

In the evening, we had yet another experience where we enjoyed a traditional Bedouin-style dinner under the stars, complete with different cultural performances.

Dubai Marina

Okay, y’alllllllllll Dubai is exaggerated, especially in Dubai Marina.

Along Dubai Marina walk

Known for its exquisite and meticulously planned architecture, this place spoke volumes about Dubai’s urban life.

Amidst the skyscrappers peppered allover the district, stands an unbelievably large man-made lake – the largest in the world – which is also a focal point for touristy leisure activities.

During the day, a walk around the lake was perfect for experiencing Marina’s exuberance and in the night, we took a boat cruise that offered views of Dubai’s modern marvels such as the Ain Dubai – the world’s largest observation wheel.

Clockwise: City’s skyscrappers, Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis the palm and Ain Dubai

Dubai Miracle Garden

Dubai Miracle Garden is a vibrant, sprawling oasis that stands as one of the world’s most extensive natural flower gardens – and the largest in the world.

Different spots within the garden

Like its name, this place is indeed a miracle.

Nestled in the heart of Dubai, this enchanting garden covers over 72,000 square meters and features a stunning array of over 150 million blooming flowers arranged in imaginative designs and patterns.

We were served – literally – a visual feast of colorful floral displays, including intricate sculptures, themed gardens, the charming butterfly garden and the Guinness World Record-holding Emirates A380 floral installation.

This was also the best environment for goofing around and being all tik-toky dancing to a Ugandan hit – Dawa by Elijah Kitaka.

Final thoughts

Dubai is a city that never ceases to amaze.

With its blend of futuristic architecture, rich cultural heritage, and endless entertainment options, it’s no wonder that it continues to be a top destination for travelers from around the world.

And….

While our travel agent did a stupendous job at planning our trip, somethings you gotta be certain for an unforgettable experience.

Otherwise, happy to hear your thoughts about this trip.