Oasis of fun in the A
DRENALINE pumped through my body as the rickety boat unexpectedly dropped down a steep waterfall. Its sides thrashed against jagged rocks and shards of wood were flung in all directions. And all the while I feebly kept trying to dodge being hit by pieces of rogue plank.
Yet, despite all of the above I was thrilled with my experience – albeit I hadn’t actually moved from the ground. And in fact was enjoying it all behind 4D glasses, an interactive screen and a safety harness.
Already a favourite for travellers seeking top hotels, world-class shopping and guaranteed sunshine, Dubai is now home to Parks and Resorts – a family-friendly destination with four complexes: Motiongate, Legoland, Bollywood and Legoland Waterpark.
Legoland is for families with children aged 2-12. An absolute must see is Miniland, an indoor area housing 20 million Lego bricks constructed to replicate Dubai’s iconic skyline and key landmarks. Every building is created in loving detail from the Burj Khalifa, to Princess Tower and the Burj Al Arab. For little ones with big imaginations, the DreamWorks complex in MotionGate brings their favourite movies to life. It’s home to attractions featuring characters from Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and Shrek. It even has its own Smurf Village with a playhouse and a meet and greet section. As a self-proclaimed kid I headed over in search of childlike wonder. At the entrance I was greeted by a golden water fountain made up of famous Dreamworks characters like Donkey and Toothless the friendly dragon. It was here I hopped aboard the 4D Kung Fu Panda simulator boat ride. It sits among Po the Panda’s version of China, with colourful oriental lanterns and houses with artichoke-leaf rooftops. During my trip I stayed at the Amwaj Rotana Hotel. It welcomes couples, friends and families looking for a sophisticated, laid back vibe with attentive staff and a bucketloads of Dubai culture.
The Bodylines Fitness & Wellness Club offers holidaymakers gym workouts while the pool has swimming lessons for children. If you want to relax there’s a spa with a selection of massages and facials available as well as a sauna.
The five-star hotel has four restaurants: Rosso, a plush Italian eatery; Benihana, a Japanese teppanyaki place; JB’s Gastropub, which serves British and American dishes; and Horizon, offering all day dining buffets.
If you don’t want to stray too far but still want a fun evening dinner, the chefs at Benihana will keep you entertained as they serve up fresh seafood, meat and veggies on a table-sized grill. Watch on as they cook your meal with impressive flame tricks and handy knife work.
The Amwaj property overlooks Jumeirah Beach, which is fitting as the word means waves in Arabic. Each room has a balcony with views overlooking the Arabian Gulf and the Palm Jumeirah.
Keen to take in as many sights as possible, I boarded a helicopter tour. The brilliant blue waters glistened in the sunlight as the pilot flew above the Palm and World Islands just off the coast of Dubai.
It’s an exhilarating way to go sightseeing and soak up the grandeur with a bird’s eye view.
To explore the city in the evening a luxury cruise is the perfect choice.
The boat travels along the Dubai Creek where you can see a mix of historic landmarks and modern sights whilst tucking into a gourmet three-course meal made with a mix of Eastern and Western flavours.
My trip wouldn’t have been complete without seeing the real life Burj Khalifa. Standing at an incredible 2,722 feet tall, it dominates the skyline. On the 124th floor I had an incredible 360-degree view that will stay with me forever.
The world’s tallest building is a popular tourist attraction, so to avoid queues it’s best to arrive early. Plus taking in the breathtaking scenery in the morning sunlight is nothing short of magical.
If you want a further taste of the Middle East it’s worth taking a trip out to the desert where you can take a ride on the sand dunes in 4x4 cars, go on camel rides and fire up a BBQ while watching the sunset.
But remember to take a pair of sunglasses, a hat and some sunscreen as there’s no place to hide from the heat once you’re out in the open.
The desert was one of my favourite experiences because I gained a sense of what it was once like before the ultramodern architecture that Dubai has since become known for.
It’s not hard to see why the United Arab Emirates state is a popular holiday destination and as I found out for myself, it doesn’t just offer luxury shopping and nightlife. There are plenty of thrills and rides for people of all ages, with or without the security of a safety harness.