UAE (Dubai)
- Clara Holleman
- Mar 23
- 4 min read
Overall, Dubai is a city of extremes -- sky-high luxury, futuristic architecture, and
adventure at every turn.
It’s a place where you can jump out of a plane in the morning, shop in one of the world’s largest malls by afternoon, and end the day sipping cocktails
overlooking the glittering skyline.
Where I stayed:
I split my trip into two different parts, starting with Abu Dhabi before making my way to
Dubai.
Dubai Marina Hotel Apartments: After an hour-long Uber ride from Abu Dhabi Airport, I arrived at this spot in Dubai Marina. The location was perfect -- just a short walk to
Marina Mall, making it easy to explore the waterfront and surrounding skyscrapers.
Suha JBR Hotel Apartment: For the second half of my stay, I moved to JBR, where I
was just steps away from the beach and some of the best shopping in the city.
What I did:
X line Dubai: Because why not throw myself off a skyscraper? This is the longest urban
zipline in the world, and it launches you over the Dubai Marina at ridiculous speeds. It
was insane seeing the whole city from that angle - felt like I was in a sci-fi movie.
It was attached to the Dubai Marina Mall, which had 3 floors of different shops, restaurants, and even had a movie theater. It was a relaxing way to prepare for the excitement of the X-Line!
Dubai Mall: Not just a mall - more like a city inside a city. I spent hours wandering
through luxury stores, stumbling across an actual ice rink and a giant aquarium inside.
One second, I was window shopping next to displays of diamonds and designer bags,
and the next, I was standing in front of a tank filled with sharks, stingrays, and schools
of fish that looked straight out of Finding Nemo.
The sheer scale of it all was unreal -
there was even a full-blown indoor waterfall and a VR Park where people were strapped
into futuristic-looking rides that made it feel like a theme park disguised as a shopping
center.
Also, figuring out the metro system here was surprisingly easy, which made getting
around a breeze. The stations were spotless, the trains were always on time, and
compared to the constant stop-and-go of Dubai’s traffic, it felt like the smartest way to
navigate the city. The best part? The metro gives you some of the coolest views of
Dubai’s skyline -- one minute, you're underground, and the next, you're gliding past the
Burj Khalifa with the whole city spread out below. It’s easy to get around the city, and
with public transport being so efficient, I didn’t have to rely on Ubers for every little trip.
Skydive Dubai: Absolutely unreal.
Jumping out of a plane anywhere is wild, but doing it over Palm Jumeirah, with the whole city stretched out below me, was next level.
The freefall was intense, but once the parachute opened, I just floated there, taking in the
craziest view of my life freefalling over Palm Jumeirah.
10/10, would recommend.
Day trip to Oman: I took a little break from Dubai’s chaos with a quick trip to Oman,
where everything was just beautiful. Think blue water, dramatic views, and this peaceful,
untouched vibe. It was such a nice contrast to the ultra-modern energy of Dubai.
Aura Skypool: Floating 50 stories above the city, it's is the world’s highest
360-degree infinity pool, and it’s just as unreal as it sounds. The pool itself seemed to
merge with the sky, creating this illusion that I was swimming at the very edge of the
world. I spent the morning lounging on sunbeds, sipping coffee, and just taking in the
view -- Burj Al Arab in the distance, the twisting skyscrapers of the Marina, and below
me, Palm Jumeirah, the exact spot I had fallen toward during my skydive. If
there’s one place in Dubai that makes you feel like you’re on top of the world,literally,it’s this.
What I ate/drank
Dubai has everything when it comes to food, but I mostly kept it simple. I picked up
small snacks throughout the day -- fresh fruit, nuts, pastries, and random things I
grabbed from cafés between activities.
Since there was always something happening,
full sit-down meals weren’t really on the agenda, but the quick bites I did have were
solid.
One day, I ended up at a the Yula Beach Club, where I finally tried shisha for the first time.
It felt like one of those Dubai things -- something you don’t plan, but somehow it just fits into
the trip perfectly.
What I wore:
Packing for Dubai was all about balance -- dressing for the heat, the luxury, and the
adventure all at once.
During the day, flowy maxi dresses and linen sets were a
lifesaver, keeping things breezy while still looking put together.
Swimsuits for the beach,
and for nights out, it was all about sleek, effortless outfits -- think silk slip dresses and
heels that (mostly) survived the cobblestone streets. (Although this time I didn’t have
time to enjoy the nightlife – an activity for next time!) And, of course, comfy sneakers
were a must, because Dubai is huge, and I walked everywhere.
Dubai was everything I expected - extra, chaotic, and unreal - but also had these little
moments of calm that I didn’t expect.
Between the adrenaline rushes, the futuristic
cityscapes, and the pockets of beachside chill, it was a trip I won’t forget.
My Travel Playlist
Arabian Nights - Aladdin Soundtrack (because obviously)
Empire State of Mind - Jay-Z & Alicia Keys (yes, it’s about NYC, but it just fits)
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