Dubai

The UAE was my most surprising and fun trip. Over 85% of its residents are expats, meaning there is a real multicultural flair in the city! From the markets to the stores to the restaurants, you can travel the whole world in one trip.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are extraordinary leisure destinations, offering a blend of modern luxury and rich cultural heritage. In Dubai, visitors can explore iconic landmarks like the Burj Khalifa, shop at world-class malls or unwind on pristine beaches. Abu Dhabi enchants with attractions such as the majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, thrilling desert safaris and the cutting-edge art and culture at the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Dubai is a dazzling destination with modern architecture, extravagant shopping, iconic landmarks, human-made islands and rich cultural diversity. It offers both urban landscapes and natural vistas. Every time I visit, I find something new to do, a new place to dine or a new resort that has opened. Dubai is a destination that offers something for all ages and experiences. In this guide, I highlight the ideal way to spend seven days on your first trip to Dubai.

Dubai is a city of contrasts, where futuristic skyscrapers rise beside traditional markets, and luxury meets adventure at every turn. Whether you’re here for world-class shopping, breathtaking views or thrilling desert experiences, Dubai offers something for every traveler. In this guide, we’ll show you how to experience Dubai’s top attractions and hidden gems, and how to enjoy VIP perks and exclusive experiences.

Dubai is a city of superlatives, where the futuristic meets the traditional, and every experience is designed to amaze. Follow along with this seven-day itinerary in Dubai from my family's travels across the UAE. This is crafted specifically for families with teens blending adrenaline-pumping adventures, iconic sights and world-class shopping for a trip that is as exhilarating as it is unforgettable.

The Emirati culture of Dubai is very family oriented and this shows up in everything from plenty of family-friendly room configurations and amenities at hotels, a super clean and extremely safe environment and an easy to navigate public transit. UAE citizens only make up 10% of the population and Dubai is a melting pot of cultures from all over the globe that feeds this hub of innovation living up to its moniker as the City of the Future and makes for an exciting cosmopolitan vibe sure to wow to most otherwise indifferent teen.

Dubai is a bucket-list destination known worldwide for opulent shopping and luxurious experiences. It’s also hot in the summer — think “123 degrees Fahrenheit” hot. Our family of five spent a week in the Middle East on a route to Southeast Asia in the middle of July. With realistic goals and plenty of water breaks, we banked countless memories and even more laughs from the city to the desert in UAE.

Traveling to Dubai holds a special allure for me due to its captivating blend of modernity and tradition. The vibrant culture, rich with influences from around the world, offers a tapestry of experiences waiting to be explored. From savoring sumptuous Middle Eastern delicacies in bustling souks to dining at world-class restaurants overlooking the city's glittering skyline, Dubai tantalizes the taste buds like no other. Moreover, the city's iconic landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa and the Palm Jumeirah create a surreal backdrop for unforgettable moments, making every visit a remarkable journey of discovery and wonder.

A trip to Dubai offers endless opportunities for urban experiences, world-class dining and opulent city and beach hotels; however to appreciate the true heart of Emirati culture, the desert is where it’s at. There’s a handful of gorgeous desert oasis resorts that offer a counterbalance to the busy city life and offer an invitation to unwind and experience the warm hospitality, hammam spa treatments and desert activities. Enveloped in the mesmerizing dunes, two to three nights in one of these desert oasis resorts is the complement to any trip to the UAE.