Christmas is cancelled this year...

[dolphingirl47]

... we are heading for Dubai Christmas Eve Some of you probably remember that I was put on enforced vacation time over Christmas. So I shifted some other vacation time and now I am off until 4th January. Yesterday I found a fantastic deal for a 5 star hotel in Dubai over Christmas and booked it. I have a couple of free tickets for which I only have to pay the airport taxes. We will fly from Manchester, but will be flying back to Heathrow as we both really want to fly on the A380. I can't wait.

Corinna

 

[mandymouse]

How exciting Corinna, I hope you have a fab time

 

[CustardTart]

Sounds fantastic, Corinna!!! You will have a great time!!! I had a wonderful trip to Dubai in June - loved it!!!

BTW, any news on your EB TA???

 

[Muscateer]

You won't be too far from me Corinna.

One of the biggest Christmas trees I have seen was in a mall in Dubai. A great time of year to be in Dubai, won't be too hot, pleasant for exploring and sitting out in evening having a cocktail or two.

Have a fab time

 

[tennisfan]

Sounds fun, I would love to go to Dubai. My dad's friend has invited my parents over but my mum won't fly. I might just invite myself

 

[natalielongstaff]

Thats fab news Corinna

 

[dolphingirl47]

Sounds fantastic, Corinna!!! You will have a great time!!! I had a wonderful trip to Dubai in June - loved it!!!

BTW, any news on your EB TA???

Unfortunately the beach hotels were a little out of my price range. We are going to stay at a hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road, but Jumeirah Beach Park is reasonably close and I am also looking at spending a day at the Atlantis. So there will definitely some beach time. I am hoping that we can do the Dune Dinner Safari on Christmas Day.

The EB TA has been cancelled for now as I cannot sort out the leave situation until much nearer the time and did not want to pay without being sure that I can really go. I have transferred the booking to a Mexican Riviera Cruise in October 2011. If I can get the leave situation sorted out, there should be the option to rebook this on short notice. Having said that, the first Med cruise has really good prices at the moment, I have enough leave to do this and DH would probably come along for that. So at the moment, I simply don't know.

You won't be too far from me Corinna.

One of the biggest Christmas trees I have seen was in a mall in Dubai. A great time of year to be in Dubai, won't be too hot, pleasant for exploring and sitting out in evening having a cocktail or two.

Have a fab time

I have to say I would not have expected to see any signs of Christmas in Dubai. That was part of the reason for choosing it. DH hates Christmas. I am hoping that it will be warm enough to swim in the sea and chill out on the beach.

Sounds fun, I would love to go to Dubai. My dad's friend has invited my parents over but my mum won't fly. I might just invite myself

You should do. I have only been to Dubai once in April 2008 and I loved it. i can't wait to go back.

Corinna

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

Sounds fantastic Corrina, hope you have a lovely time

 

[CustardTart]

Unfortunately the beach hotels were a little out of my price range. We are going to stay at a hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road, but Jumeirah Beach Park is reasonably close and I am also looking at spending a day at the Atlantis. So there will definitely some beach time. I am hoping that we can do the Dune Dinner Safari on Christmas Day...

Oooh I'll be interested to know what you think of Atlantis.. I gazed longingly at it from across the Gulf when we were there...

Jumeirah Beach Park is a great location to be near - we went there on the city tour. I think there a very nice fixed price market in that area. Also, if you haven't done it, I really recommend a trip to the museum - I intend to revisit when I return as I just didn't have enough time to look at everything. I even missed the gift shop!!!

The Dune Dinner Safari was fab!!! My face ached with smiling at the end of it - you'll have a great time...

The EB TA has been cancelled for now as I cannot sort out the leave situation until much nearer the time and did not want to pay without being sure that I can really go..

I cancelled my ressie too. My DH wants to go to Barbados over Easter and I decided that was more important - plus I really wasn't sure if I'd spend my days just wishing he was there... So I pulled out - didn't bother transferring as $600 was a lot of deposit to get back...

 

[Muscateer]

You won't get away from Christmas in Dubai but its not as big a thing as in the UK. Here in Muscat we have supermarkets full of Christmas things and even have Christmas carols playing. Most of the hotels will be doing Christmas meals but all more low key. The New Year celebrations can be really good too.

Like Custard Tart recommended the Dune Dinner Safari is fab

For us people here that have had to get through 50 degrees in summer time, we find December and January a bit cold. You will see the locals going about with jackets over their dishdashas and scarfs on. Still just t-shirt weather for us Brits though.

Enjoy.

 

[irisheyes123]

Have a fab time

 

[TotallyAngelic]

Wow! Great news Corinna - a great way to spend Christmas! Somewhere hot !!!

 

[jjk]

Have a great time

 

[Netty]

... we are heading for Dubai Christmas Eve Some of you probably remember that I was put on enforced vacation time over Christmas. So I shifted some other vacation time and now I am off until 4th January. Yesterday I found a fantastic deal for a 5 star hotel in Dubai over Christmas and booked it. I have a couple of free tickets for which I only have to pay the airport taxes. We will fly from Manchester, but will be flying back to Heathrow as we both really want to fly on the A380. I can't wait.

Corinna

sounds brilliant Corinna!!!

 

[dolphingirl47]

Oooh I'll be interested to know what you think of Atlantis.. I gazed longingly at it from across the Gulf when we were there...

Jumeirah Beach Park is a great location to be near - we went there on the city tour. I think there a very nice fixed price market in that area. Also, if you haven't done it, I really recommend a trip to the museum - I intend to revisit when I return as I just didn't have enough time to look at everything. I even missed the gift shop!!!

The Dune Dinner Safari was fab!!! My face ached with smiling at the end of it - you'll have a great time...


I cancelled my ressie too. My DH wants to go to Barbados over Easter and I decided that was more important - plus I really wasn't sure if I'd spend my days just wishing he was there... So I pulled out - didn't bother transferring as $600 was a lot of deposit to get back...

I spent half a day at Jumeirah Beach Park last time round and loved it. The beach was very clean and well kept and the water was warm and glass clear. With the admission only being AED5 as well, this is a real bargain.

We were herded through the Dubai Museum as part of the city tour we did, but did not have really time to stop and have a look around. We might go there this time round, but DH is not really into museums. We are looking at spending some time at the Ras Al Khor nature reserve. I can't wait to see wild Flamingos. Other than that we will be mainly swimming or lazing on the beach.

Who did you do the Dune Dinner Safari with? I did it with Arabian Adventures in 2008 and loved it. With them being part of the Emirates Group as well, we most likely will book it through them this time round. We will get a little discount and of course it keeps the money in the company.

For me it made more financial sense to transfer the cruise. As I booked this on the Magic, I only paid half deposit, got $200 on board credit and 10% discount. It would have been a shame to lose this.

You won't get away from Christmas in Dubai but its not as big a thing as in the UK. Here in Muscat we have supermarkets full of Christmas things and even have Christmas carols playing. Most of the hotels will be doing Christmas meals but all more low key. The New Year celebrations can be really good too.

Like Custard Tart recommended the Dune Dinner Safari is fab

For us people here that have had to get through 50 degrees in summer time, we find December and January a bit cold. You will see the locals going about with jackets over their dishdashas and scarfs on. Still just t-shirt weather for us Brits though.

Enjoy.

It really surprises me that Christmas is having some kind of presence. When you say t shirt weather, roughly how warm are we talking? I really could do with some sunshine and warms right around now.

Corinna

 

[Muscateer]

It really surprises me that Christmas is having some kind of presence. When you say t shirt weather, roughly how warm are we talking? I really could do with some sunshine and warms right around now.

Corinna

Yes plenty Christmas goings ons here in Middle East, even get bacon in the supermarkets now.

Its cooler in the mornings and evenings now but still getting to about 26 degrees through the day so you will get heat and you will get plenty sunshine still.

Take a cardy or wrap for the evenings though as it can be cool for sitting out and the air cons are always a bit baltic in the restaurants.

 

[MrsJobba1]

Have fun,
It sounds very nice - we r going away to- we are having a week in our caravan in yorkshire - not quite so exotic