1. international destination
21Family Holiday & Leisure Summer 2013/14www.familyholidayandleisure.com
dubai
Destination: Few places on Earth offer skydiving just
metres off the ground, snowboarding in
the desert and dolphin encounters for
non-swimmers. Welcome to Dubai, where
the impossible is nothing in the name of
family fun

2. 2322 Family Holiday & Leisure Summer 2013/14 Family Holiday & Leisure Summer 2013/14www.familyholidayandleisure.com www.familyholidayandleisure.com
international destination international destination
Web: www.atlantisthepalm.com
This water park has fun rides for the whole
family, from extreme daredevil rides to a
kids’area for small children, who can be
accompanied by their parents on some
rides. Summer outdoors is hot in Dubai,
so remember loads of sunblock, slipslops,
sunhats and sun vests. Towels are provided
and lockers can be hired.
Aquaventure is accessed through the
Atlantis Hotel, one of Sol Kerzner’s fantasy
creations, replete with glass sculptures,
sea-horse fountains and a central tank
stocked with sharks and rays. Inside the
hotel is also the Lost Chambers Aquarium,
which consists of a range of tanks with
exotic sea life and activities. I got to swim
with dolphins at Dolphin Bay – an amazing
experience that can be tailored to allow
non-swimmers and small children to
interact with the dolphins from the
sandy shores of the pool. Wetsuits and
life jackets were provided, with lockers
for storing valuables.
Dinner at the Sheik Mohammed
Centre of Cultural
Understanding
Where: Al Fahidi Historical District
Suitable for: Families with older children
who can sit and listen to an interesting
conversation, and take part in a discussion
Web: www.cultures.ae
This was the highlight of the trip for me.
The centre is housed in a restored building
in the middle of town. When we got there,
we took of our shoes and arranged
ourselves on cushions around a low table.
Headscarves were made available for those
that wanted to wear them, although they
were completely voluntary. With the
SMCCU having a slogan of Open doors,
Open minds, we were welcomed with
coffee, brewed in the traditional way with
saffron and cardamom, and a sweet date
to counter the bitterness. Our hostess was
a young, educated Emirati woman who
explained the coffee procedure and treated
us to a traditional meal, all the while
explaining the cooking methods and
serving customs. After dinner it was time for
an open discussion in which guests were
invited to ask questions about the culture,
religion and country. A fascinating evening!
iFly Dubai
Where: Mirdif City Centre mall
Suitable for: Families with older children
Web: www.theplaymania.com/ifly
Who would have thought I could skydive
without having to throw myself out of an
aeroplane? (Which, for the record, is never
going to happen.) iFly Dubai uses a wind
tunnel with wind speeds upwards of
300km/h to create the freefalling effect.
You control the height at which you fly
by changing the position of your head,
arms and legs. Understandably, it’s not
recommended for people with neck or
shoulder injuries.
It’s quite tricky to breathe in that wind,
so the first session only lasts a minute. After
that, when the adrenalin subsides a bit and
Dubai has always struck me
as more of a business-and-
shopping destination rather
than a family-holiday destination, but after
spending an exciting few days there it
became clear to me that it truly does have
something to offer all members of the family.
Dubai is one of the seven emirates that
make up the United Arab Emirates. As
expected, I was met by vast desert sands,
glass-and-metal skyscrapers and exciting
architectural adventures. What I didn’t
expect was an incredible level of service
and a family-friendly holiday destination.
Dubai is a relatively pricey destination
for many South Africans. However, as
Emirates flies to so many international
destinations with Dubai as a stopover, it is
more accessible than you might imagine.
Even if you only have a few spare hours on
a stopover, the airport is about 10 minutes
from the city and metered taxis are
surprisingly reasonable. There is also a
travel network of metro trains and buses,
for which you would need to by a Nol travel
card. Just be aware that the minibus taxis
with pink roofs are for women and children
only, and have women drivers. The metro
also has coaches for women and children,
and this is diligently monitored by security.
We stayed at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel,
an iconic hotel built in the shape of a
breaking wave. Jumeirah is super-luxurious,
with spacious suites and floor-to-ceiling
glass windows offering endless views over
the ocean, which I am convinced has been
programmed to create perfect waves at set
intervals. (If you saw Dubai’s mind-blowing
architecture and feats of engineering, you
wouldn’t think this was such a far-fetched
idea.) Guests can use the gym overlooking
the ocean, tennis courts, any of the
swimming pools, lounge areas and the
‘teen zone’for‘chillaxing’. There is also a
card for day visitors that affords them
access to all facilities.
While most adults would probably be
content to visit the markets, called souks,
for the experience and touristy curios
(not to mention jewellery and pashminas
and camel-milk chocolates), or the
spectacular shopping malls, children tend
to prefer more focused activities. Here are
a couple of options to keep the whole
family entertained.
Aquaventure Waterpark and
the Lost Chambers Aquarium
Where: Atlantis Hotel, The Palm
Suitable for: The whole family
Previous spread:The Jumeirah Beach Hotel is a
luxurious, iconic hotel, built in the shape of a breaking
wave and has loads of family entertainment
Above: The Dubai Aquarium situated in the Dubai
Mall offers visitors a surreal experience of walking
through a tunnel under the main aquarium tank
Opposite: Dolphin encounters at the Aquaventure
Waterpark are wonderful, enabling children of all
ages to enjoy meeting these special creatures

3. 24 Family Holiday & Leisure Summer 2013/14 www.familyholidayandleisure.com
ABOVE: The endless desert sands form a giant playground for those seeking fast and furious fun
>>
the excitement kicks in, the instructor takes
those who are willing up to the heights of
the wind tunnel, then simulates a sky-dive
fall, then up again and down. It was
absolutely exhilarating, without the danger
(for chickens like me).
Like many other attractions in Dubai,
this activity is inside a shopping mall. It is
part of The Play Mania activity centre, which
also offers activities for younger children.
Ski Dubai
Where: Mall of the Emirates
Suitable for: Everyone
Web: www.skidxb.com
Yes, Dubai offers a snow experience in the
middle of the desert. How Dubai is that?
Clothing is hired on-site and there are little
sleds and plenty of snow for the kids to build
snowmen or have snowball fights. Older
children and adults can toboggan downhill,
roll down slopes in big plastic balls or take
a chair lift to the top of one of the largest
indoor ski slopes in the world and either
ski or snowboard their way down.
We caught the chair lift to the restaurant
halfway up the slope for a warming hot
chocolate then laughed our way down
on a shared toboggan. Again! Again!
Desert safaris
Where: About an hour out of town
Suitable for: The whole family, except
if you include dune bashing
Web: A number of operators offer these.
We used Quality Tours
(www.qualitytoursdubai.com).
Book online or through your hotel.
Desert safaris are tailored to meet each
tourist’s interests. Ours included dune-
bashing in a 4x4 – an adrenalin-pumping
activity that I wouldn’t recommend for
families with small children. Even as I write
this, my heart starts to beat quickly and my
palms get sweaty. It’s a real kick for those
into fast, rather manic, incredibly exciting
4x4ing on the desert sand dunes. I don’t
think I breathed for about an hour!
Other desert safari experiences include
the far more sedate options of riding a
camel, braai-ing in the desert, belly dancing,
whirling dervish dancers and getting a
henna tattoo. Tours generally start from
one’s hotel at about 16:00 and end by 21:30.
international destination
Special deals
The Holiday Factory is offering Family
Holiday & Leisure readers two special
holiday packages in Dubai:
Package 1: Three nights in Dubai from
R24 790 per person sharing, including
return flights on Emirates from
Johannesburg, current airport taxes,
accommodation at the Jumeirah Beach
Hotel with daily breakfast, and a
complimentary shuttle service to the
Mall of Emirates and Jumeirah
properties. Children under 12 pay from
R7 810 per child.
Package 2: Three nights in Dubai from
R12 980 per person sharing, including
return flights on Emirates from
Johannesburg, current airport taxes,
accommodation at the Four Points by
Sheraton Downtown Hotel with daily
breakfast. Children under 12 pay from
R8 260 per child.
Offers are valid from 9 November
2013 to 20 March 2014. Terms and
conditions apply.
Contact The Holiday Factory on
0860 475 263, res@theholidayfactory.co.za
or visit www.holidayfactory.co.za. Quote
Family Holiday and Leisure magazine
when enquiring.
ShoppING
FeStIval IN DUBaI
2014
mydsf.co.za
SHOP
AT YOUR BEST
02JanTO
02feb
2Jan - 2 Feb
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Fly-in packages include: Return flights ex JNB • Return transfers • Accommodation and meals as
specified • Welcome Pack: 2 postcards + Tours & Safaris brochure + Shopping Voucher booklet • UAE
Tourist visa • Prices are per person sharing (Add airline levy R786) • Valid 06 Jan - 31 Mar’14
* 2 Kids under 12 sharing with 2 adults stay free - Pay for flights, taxes and transfers
Contact your nearestASATATravelAgent or call
Thompsons on 011 770 7745
E-mail: media@thompsons.co.za
www.thompsons.co.za
Thompsons is ASATA and IATA accredited.
36YEARS OF
TRUSTED
TRAVEL
EXPERIENCE
ThOmPSONS hOLIDAYS
A high season accommodation supplement may apply. Peak season surcharges and block out dates apply. All prices are indicative and
correct at time of going to print and are subject to change due to currency fluctuations, rate increases, airfare increases and availability.
For standard terms and conditions refer to www.thompsons.co.za E&OE
4* Traders HoTel (3 NTs) BoNUS: Breakfast daily + 20% Discount on dining +
Complimentary shuttle to Deira City Centre and Dubai Mall
From R10 245
3* GoldeN saNds HoTel
aparTmeNTs (4 NTs)
BoNUS: Breakfast daily + 20% Discount on dining
+ Bus to Jumeirah public beach free of charge on a
pre-booking basis (Book & pay 30 days prior to travel)
From R11 875
5* HyaTT reGeNcy dubai (4 NTs) BoNUS: Breakfast daily + 20% Discount on dining and
spa treatments (selected outlets) + Free access to
the Ice Skating Rink at The Galleria + Free access
to the Golf Park + Daily shuttle bus to major malls
From R14 365
5* sHeraToN dubai mall of
THe emiraTes HoTel (4 NTs)
BoNUS: Breakfast daily + 15% Discount on dining
+ Complimentary free shuttle service daily to
Jumeirah Beach Park
From R17 445
*Kids
sTay
free
*Kids
sTay
free
*Kids
sTay
free
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AT YOUR BEST
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4. international destination
26 Family Holiday & Leisure Summer 2013/14 www.familyholidayandleisure.com
More information
Dubai Department of Tourism &
Commerce Marketing
Tel: +27 11 702 9600
Email: info@dubaitourism.co.za
Website: www.definitelydubai.com
The Holiday Factory
Tel: +2711 233 2300
Email: res@theholidayfactory.co.za
Website: www.holidayfactory.co.za
Arabian Adventures
Tel: +971 4 214 4888
Email: arabian.adventures@emirates.com
Website: www.arabian-adventures.com
Jumeirah Beach Hotel
Tel: +971 4 3665000
Email: jbhinfo@jumeirah.com
Website: www.jumeirah.com
Quality Tours
Tel: + 971 4 2974000
Email: rami@quality-tour.com or
rami@quality-tour.ae
Website: www.qualitytoursdubai.com
Tour of Burj Khalifa
Where: Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai
Suitable for: The whole family
Web: www.burjkhalifa.ae
Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the
world. There is an observation deck at
124m up offering views of the desert,
skyline and sea for 360 degrees. It’s dizzying
to stand in this engineering marvel, looking
down onto skyscrapers. The tour typically
takes an hour, and try to book your spot
online at least three days prior to going –
it’s both cheaper and the best way to
guarantee a place on the tour.
Dubai Mall
Where: Downtown Dubai
Suitable for: The whole family
Web: www.thedubaimall.com
It’s rather strange to walk through a passage
underneath an aquarium just to get to the
other side of a shopping mall. The Dubai
Top: Detailed henna tattoos are popular with
ladies enjoying the desert safari
Left: The range of spices in local supermarkets
is astounding
Below: Playnation offers a range of fun
activities, including iFly Dubai
Mall sports an aquarium and underwater
zoo that includes creepy crawlies from
around the world and other smallish
animals and fish. If you’re there around
dinner time, the mall also offers fountain
shows choreographed to music from 18:30
every evening. The shows take place to
different music every half-hour and there
are a number of inexpensive eating places
with outdoor seating near the fountains.
Family Holiday & Leisure’s trip was
arranged by the Dubai Department
of Tourism and The Holiday Factory, a
Johannesburg-based tour operator.
We flew Emirates and were shuttled around
in Dubai by Arabian Adventures.