Flickr, JohnMid

It is impossible to describe in words the fairy-tale beauty of the park “Dubai Miracle Garden”, whose name is most often translated into Russian as “Chudo-sad”. The absolute unreality of the surrounding splendor is embodied in whimsical shapes, giant figures, fountains, palaces, and patterns made from 50 million flowers. It feels as though you have found yourself not even in a fantasy film, but in a cartoon — everything is so bright, unusual, and imaginative.

Floral arches stretch over four kilometers of walking paths, and all around, as far as the eye can see, everything is filled with flowers in every shade found in nature, which skillful gardeners have shaped into the most unusual forms. Castles, three-story houses, pyramids, and hearts several meters high, figures of peacocks and butterflies, and even huge working clocks — all of these are vertical flowerbeds made of perfect flowers.

The park has many beautiful fountains that relieve the scorching heat and improve the microclimate. All the lawns are filled with emerald grass and flowerbeds arranged like drawings, creating elegant patterns and entire artistic compositions.

Miracle Garden opened relatively recently — in 2013, but it has already become further proof that Dubai is in many ways the most extraordinary city on the planet. Two Miracle Garden features have been entered into the Guinness Book of Records: the longest wall of flowers in the world — 800 meters long and 3 meters high — and the tallest pyramid of flowers — 10 meters.

In addition to the magnificent ornamental flowerbeds, this luxurious park also features an Aromatic Garden, home to the most fragrant flowers and herbs from more than 200 countries around the world. In this part of the park, visitors can touch, smell, and even pick a couple of leaves to brew themselves tea from fresh lemon balm or thyme afterward.

Flickr, Osama Al Ali

Do you want to visit more than 30 countries in one day? “Impossible!” you will say. “In Dubai, everything is possible!” local residents and those who have visited “Global Village” will reply.

Global Village is an exhibition and entertainment complex whose motto is the phrase “Where the World comes together” — “Where the world comes together.” And that is indeed true: once you arrive at Global Village, you can explore the culture, traditions, and crafts of almost 40 countries. Each has its own pavilion symbolizing national landmarks or culture: the pyramids of Egypt, the mosque of Pakistan, the pagoda of China, while the Indian pavilion is the largest and is built in the form of a magnificent palace resembling the Taj Mahal.

In each “national house” you will learn many interesting things about the culture and be able to purchase the goods for which that country is famous. Indian gemstones and cashmere, African totem figurines and python leather goods, Turkish sweets and sheepskin coats. National clothing and handmade souvenirs can be bought here at very low prices.

What lies beyond the walls of the colorful national pavilions is no less interesting. Global Village has its own artificial lake and canal with a fountain system. Several times each evening, you can enjoy the spectacular show “Aqua Fantasia”, a combination of dancing fountains, a laser performance, fireworks, and music.

In addition, you can sample the cuisines of practically all the peoples of the world at more than 50 food outlets offering national dishes from the Arabian Peninsula and all the countries participating in the fair.

Flickr, Amir.Nassiroghli

In 2005, the UAE government decided to create a free zone to support the development and promotion of modern technologies. This territory covers more than 7 sq.km, offers the highest level of professional and residential conditions, and bears the official name “Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority” (DSOA).

In designing this ultra-modern district, equal attention was paid to five main aspects that make it possible to create maximum comfort for the people in whom the UAE government has placed its hopes connected with the country’s technological development. Every possible wish and need of specialists working in industry, science and education, commerce, housing, infrastructure, and public life has been taken into account.

In Dubai Silicon Oasis, everything is perfect, ultra-technological, and even futuristic. There is such a concept as “state of the art”, which denotes the highest possible level of development, advanced technologies, and flawless execution. This term can be applied to absolutely everything in Silicon Oasis.

Not only educational institutions but even kindergartens are equipped with the most modern technical facilities! Residential buildings look like sets from films about the future, and the district has many modern recreational areas for walks and leisure. And, of course, the main emphasis is placed on the development of high technology and the business connected with technological progress. It is here that all innovations are developed and multi-billion-dollar deals are concluded.

Flickr, 5DII

Opened relatively recently, in 1998, Zayed University in Dubai quickly became one of the most prestigious higher education institutions in the UAE. The university owes its name to a cult figure in the country’s history — Zayed ibn Sultan Al Nahyan, who was the founder of the state and its first president. In the 20th and 21st centuries, a great deal of attention has been paid to education in the Emirates, which is why Dubai alone now has about 70 universities.

Zayed University was initially positioned as an institution for women, but later men also began to be admitted within its walls. Despite progressive teaching methods, constant innovations, and a very strong faculty, in 2012-2013 the Academic Council had many questions regarding the quality of education, and the university’s founding president was even dismissed in 2013. Nevertheless, these difficulties are considered temporary and solvable, and the university remains one of the best in the country.

Zayed University is located in a beautiful, stylish building that from afar can even be mistaken for some kind of futuristic work of architecture.

Flickr, Been Around

Dubai has a worldwide reputation as a paradise for shopaholics, attracting even Europeans and Americans spoiled by grand sales back in their home countries.

Among Dubai’s many luxurious shopping centers, which look more like small cities than stores, you can find boutiques for any budget — from the average one to the treasury of some sheikh. But the most выгодный shopping will be at “Dubai Outlet Mall” — the only discount center in the entire emirate.

Most Arabs who buy items from world luxury brands do not accept economizing and often do not look at price tags at all, but you and I know how pleasant shopping with 70-90% discounts can be!

Dubai Outlet Mall is a discount store of famous brands located outside the city. Here you will find many items from Chanel, Dior, Lacoste, Moschino, Prada, Yves Saint Laurent and other renowned designers at amazingly low prices. And if you are not striving to be at the very crest of the fashion wave and do not ignore last year’s collections, you will be able to snap up designer items for 10-15% of their original price!

On Mondays, “Dubai Outlet Mall” hosts the large sale “Half Price Mondays”, during which all goods discounted by more than 50% are displayed in the outlet in a fair format, where you can find the best offers from across the entire shopping center.

Flickr, VinceHallam

Red-orange waves of a sandy sea against the backdrop of an endless blue sky, rare green oases, and amazingly beautiful animals — this is why the Dubai Desert Reserve is worth visiting.

This protected natural area is a national park, is managed by the state, and was created to preserve the priceless natural heritage of Arabia amid the global modernization and urbanization of the UAE.

This reserve was created recently, in 2003, but it enjoys great popularity among tourists and local residents. The park covers an area of 225 sq.km, which equals 5% of the total area of the emirate of Dubai. Excursions to the desert reserve are most often conducted in SUVs, and once you arrive directly at the site, you can ride across the dunes and on the ships of the desert — camels.

Many animals live in the Dubai reserve, including completely unique and endangered species, such as the houbara bustard or the scimitar-horned antelope — oryx.

In the national park, you can choose absolutely any kind of activity: an eco-tour, an excursion, or a safari. Specialists from all over the world work at the reserve — ecologists and biologists who sometimes even involve tourists in their research.

starwoodhotels.com

Amid endless sandy dunes, across which noble Arabian gazelles roam freely, “Al Maha Desert”, one of the world’s top thirty spa resorts, sparkles with the little lakes of its numerous pools.

This complex is located within the Dubai Desert Reserve, in a fabulous artificial oasis, and is known for its fantastic luxury and color.

Each hotel room is styled as a separate Bedouin tent, but adjusted to the level of an elite 5-star hotel. Spacious rooms, expensive furniture, a private pool by each bungalow, impeccable service, and cuisine fit for kings — all of this is included in the room rate at “Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa”.

The resort’s spa treatments deserve special mention, as people come here for them from all over the world. They use the unique cosmetics “Timeless”, which were developed especially for Al Maha by the institute “Barbor” — a world leader in anti-aging cosmetology. Their products are based on natural healing ingredients, but they are created according to the latest word in modern technology.

All treatments are carried out by top-class professionals — massage therapists and cosmetologists who will bring true bliss to your body and restore your youth and vigor.

Entertainment at Al Maha is also exclusive — eco-tours through the desert reserve, horse or camel riding, and even falconry.