Page 58 - LIN March 2024_web_file

Lisa is an Ind ep end ent L uxur y T r a v el A dvisor a ffilia t ed with Pr ef er r ed T r a v el and Com p a n y .
Lisa is an Independent Luxury Travel Advisor affiliated with Preferred Travel and Company.
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Contact Lisa: Lisa@PreferredNaples.com 239-261-1177
Continued from our February issue…. Center are close to the airport and the iconic Burj Khalifa, one finds
The Palm and the Marina district over 30 minutes away or longer in
Sheikhs and Shisha, stop and go traffic.
We used a hired car and driver to manipulate the manic traffic
while we viewed the Museum of the Future, the Dubai Frame, the
Skyscrapers and Sand:
Discovering Global Village and circumnavigated the Jumeirah Mosque and the
Royal Palace on foot. All are extraordinary attractions worth deeper
exploration, and the more we saw, the more we yearned for one more
Dubai and Gold Souks and trekked the sandstone alleyways of the charming
day!
We boarded an abra to cross the Dubai Creek, explored the Spice
Al Fahidi district, location of the Center for Cultural Understanding.
by Lisa Spiller Here, one can engage with local Emiratis to discuss religious customs,
beliefs, heritage and traditions: a truly authentic method of gaining
rom the camel races, we checked into the cultural and religious insights. One of our biggest surprises was that
F only 20% of the Dubai population are locals, and the balance of the
magical Bab Al Shams Desert Resort,
population are expats, primarily from India, Russia, China, Pakistan
located an hour from the city. The resort
and Europe, in the country on temporary work visas.
offers contemporary luxury in an exotic desert
environment. A highlight was a sunset desert Interesting fact: Dubai is the safest country in the world. Law and
order is strictly enforced by undercover police, and for law-breakers, the
drive through sandy moguls and crested dunes
result is deportation and fines.
and stepping out of the 4 x 4 as the sky turned
We crossed town to The Palm where we savored lunch al fresco at
pink to drink Arabic coffee, eat dates and feel the ancient sand
the pristine One&Only The Palm, recently awarded “Best Resort in
between our toes. Like a mirage, a man in a breezy white dishdasha
the Middle East” by Condé Nast Traveler. The resort features exquisite
appeared from out of the desert with a hooded falcon on his arm.
villas on the water, an ethereal ambiance and iconic Michelin Star
Spellbound, we asked what he was doing alone in the desert at dusk.
dining. Interesting fact: Dubai has the most Michelin Star restaurants
As it turns out, he was training his falcon to hunt and possibly win
in the Middle East, the tallest building in the world and the most
championships. Falconry is a national heritage sport and falcon
Guinness World Records in the world.
racing is, like the camel races, a high-purse
The monorail and The View at The Palm are
sporting event.
not to be missed for perspective on the wonderous
At nightfall, we were transported to a
achievement that The Palm development
luxury Bedouin camp featuring a lavish
represents. From The Palm, we crossed the city
“Arabian Nights” dinner show including belly
to the Burj Khalifa, where we took the elevator
dancers, whirling dervish, live traditional
th
to the 148 floor at sunset and witnessed the
Arabian music, camels, sheep and horses. We
fantastic fountain show from the air and then at
feasted underneath gas torchlight on lamb
the water's edge.
shawarma, wood-fired rotisserie chicken, beef
As a nightcap to a full day of city exploration
kabobs, curries, fresh shellfish, fruits, nuts,
and before catching the 3:00 am flight home, we
cheeses, olives, scented rice, organic salads,
booked a table at Billionaire at the Taj, a fantastic
endless Arabian breads, dips and pastries like
nightclub dinner show that starts at 10:00 p.m.
kataifi, marzipan and baklava. We were picked up at midnight, and with the
Arabian Adventures provided a more
assistance of VIP Airport service, breezed past
camp-style desert experience the following lines of travelers at check in and immigration and
night, including adrenaline-rushing dune admitted to the Emirates Business Lounge, which
bashing, sand-boarding, camel rides, henna was worth every penny. The flight is 14 hours
tattoos, fire eaters, belly dancers, shisha and over and 16 back, so I recommend first class. We
a Mid-Eastern feast paired with whisky and flew economy, and at check in, paid to upgrade to
wine under a starry sky. exit row seats, which was well worth the added
Back in the city, we checked into the expense.
refined Taj Dubai in Business Bay. The Taj Decadent, evocative, glamourous, culturally
Dubai served as an ideal launch point to rich and internationally diverse, Dubai is an
explore the city with our guide. Dubai is a amazing adventure worth every mile traveled and
sprawling city. While Business Bay and City every dollar spent.
58 Life in Naples | March 2024