Accor hotels, one of the leading hotel groups in the world, has opened its first Mercure brand in Dubai with the opening of Mercure Gold Hotel.

Here are the details of the hotel.

Name: Mercure Gold
Start class: 4 star
Location: Al Mina Road
Closer to: Sheikh Zayed road and Jumeirah Beach road
Rooms: 184
Other facilities: 1 meeting room and a business centre
Special services: Daily free shuttle service takes guests from the hotel to the beach and shopping malls such as Burjuman Shopping mall, Mercato mall, Deira City Centre and the Dubai mall

This hotel is ideal for both business and leisure travelers. Dubai International Airport is only a 20-minute drive away. It is also in close proximity to the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre and Port Rashid.

The hotel also consists of food and beverage outlets which include the all-day dining outlet Senses and The Kebab Connection. .

1. Dar Al Masyaf at Madinat Jumeirah
2. Mina A’ Salam at Madinat Jumeirah
3. Al Qasr at Madinat Jumeirah
4. Marriott Executive Apartments Dubai Creek
5. Sofitel Dubai Jumeirah beach
6. Al Maha Desert Resort
7. Al Manzil Hotel
8. Jumeirah beach hotel
9. Raffles Dubai
10. Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa
11. Burj Al Arab
12. Grosvenor House Dubai
13. Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort and Spa
14. The Palace the Old Town
15. Qamardeen Hotel

In Dubai, courtesy is an important trait that should not be lacking in a host when dealing with his guests. He has to observe his manners and be polite when speaking. In general, homes in Dubai have two “majalis” (literally, a place of sitting). These majalis are rooms where the owner of the house receives guests. There is one majalis to receive male guests and another one for female guests.

During the celebration marking the end of Ramadan, called Eid ul-Fitr, the sitting arrangement in the majalis is organized based on age. An important part of Dubai customs is the serving of unsweetened coffee that’s special for its aroma. Eating with the right hand is another important part of its customs. A celebration in the majalis is concluded by burning incense and sprinkling rose water on the head of each guest.

Wedding traditions in Dubai involve a great deal of preparations on the part of the bride. It typically goes this way:

• Only the members of the bride’s family and her other relatives are allowed to see her for 40 days, beginning on the fixing of the wedding date until the day of the wedding;
• She is expected to have as much rest as possible and to take only the best foods;
• As the wedding day nears, extracts of jasmine and amber are used to wash her hair; her whole body is lavished with many different kinds of perfumes and traditional oils;
• On Laylat Al Henna (literally, night of the henna), her hands and feet are decorated with henna. This night is very special for her because it’s a “ladies’ night only.”

Of course, the groom does a lot of preparations, too. But these pale in comparison to what the bride has to go through, which are elaborate and, therefore, take up a great deal of time.

During the week preceding the wedding, family members and relatives express their joy through continuous dancing and singing of traditional songs.

Alcohol is served in hotels and restaurants. Of course, those who drink are not supposed to appear drunk in public. There are traditional water pipes that people in Dubai enjoy smoking while sitting in a restaurant, a cafe, or such other establishments. These are called shisha. The pipes use flavored tobacco (apple and strawberry are two of the favorites).

As for clothing, the men of Dubai wear a white full-length shirt-dress, called khandura or dishdasha. This goes with gutra, a white or red-checkered headdress. Women, on the other hand, wear a long black robe to cover their normal clothing. This robe is called abaya. They likewise wear a headscarf while in public.

Tourists will have no problem communicating in English while in Dubai; this in spite of Arabic being the official language in the Emirate. About 95 percent of Dubai’s population follow Islam. Despite this, Dubai exercises tolerance of communities which observe other religions. Also, tourists and those who observe other religions are not required to wear the traditional clothes worn by the local men and women of Dubai. But they are expected to be dressed appropriately in public.

The local customs and traditions of Dubai are certainly a reflection of the Emirate’s tolerant culture.

Perhaps it is the warm gulf waters on the Arabian Sea, or the impressive sand dunes of the Middle East. No matter which natural wonder inspires the traveller, Dubai is an awesome place to visit. This coastal city has been inhabited for over five thousand years. Like most of the Middle East, its native people were originally nomadic and herded animals.

From the desert to the impressive beaches, this city delivers. No wonder it has attracted so many tourists each year. Many airlines offer exceptional deals on flights to Dubai making travel to this exotic destination even more attractive. As with most international travel, it is advised to do good research and make reservations for possible travel deals. Passports and travel visas also must be secured ahead of time. Reservations for accommodations or certain attractions are also recommended.

Although there are many hotels from which to choose with certain amenities and prices, it might be worth checking into what may be the world’s first seven-star hotel: The Burj Al-Arab Hotel. This uber-luxurious hotel is shaped like a graceful wind sail and stands at 1,053 on its own fabricated island. Its 600 foot tall atrium is a world’s record and houses magnificent suites from one to five grand per night. There is even an underwater restaurant in the Buri Al-Arab.

When visiting Dubai, there are a few things that one must see. The first is the pristine beaches. While winding down Jumeirah Road, tourists will see miles of warm turquoise waters and soft, powder-sugar white sand. Another popular beach area is the Al Mamzar Park. This park includes playgrounds for the children, barbecue sites, and plenty of picnic areas. While there are several things to see in Dubai, this beach park has to be top on the vacation itinerary.

It is no big secret that Dubai is a wealthy country. The proof is the Covered Gold Souk in Deira. This area drips with gold and is the largest retail market for gold in the entire world. Deira is full of jewellery shops and modern malls. Shoppers can see designs in 18 to 22 carat gold with influences from Indian to Italian. For those who are perfume aficionados, a visit to Dubai would not be complete without shopping at the Perfume Souk. This shopping centre on Sikkat Al Khali Street surrounds visitors with innumerable fragrances. People are able to have master perfumers create a personalized fragrance of their own.

If luxurious carpets are on the tourist’s shopping list, then a short distance from Dubai is Iran. Right across the gulf, there are shops that deal exclusively in these expensive rugs. Iran (historically known as Persia) is the biggest exporter of Persian Rugs. These rugs are exclusive and each one tells a story in picture and print.

Dubai’s population is mainly Muslim and makes it possible for non-Muslims to learn more about this ancient and fascinating religion and its culture. On Thursdays and Sundays, non-Muslims are welcome to tour the newly-constructed the majestic Jumeirah Mosque on Al Jumeirah Road. It is built in the classical stone architecture with a tower on each side of a massive dome.

Whatever the pleasure or interest, visiting Dubai is certainly a golden opportunity. Ancient wonders mix with chic luxuries to pamper even the most discriminating traveller. Tourism is growing in this Middle Eastern jewel and special travel deals are usually easy to find. It is just impossible to be stressed in such a unique setting.

The official 2011 Ramadan calendar is available here.

Important information for travelers and expats

Irrespective of you are a Muslim, non Muslim, expat or a traveler it is illegal to eat, drink or smoke in public during fasting hours (not even in your car). You also must maintain a conservative dress code during these hours. Live music is banned and you should avoid noisy entertainment at home or office.

This is the law of Dubai and UAE. There are severe punishments for those who are breaking the law.

Majority of restaurants will be closed during fasting hours. However, major shopping malls in Dubai might have takeaway facilities from the restaurants at their food court. Dine-in facilities will be very rare.

Supermarkets, service stations and similar outlets in the Dubai and UAE are open during the day during Ramadan, and will sell food and drink (but not for consumption on the premises, in your car, or in public).

Fast-food outlets such as KFC, McDonalds operates takeaway counters.

If you are planning a holiday in Dubai then my advice is try to avoid Ramadan period.

Unless you’re independently wealthy, you’ll need a plan for saving up the money you need. While this may seem like a simple proposition, some people find it difficult to lay aside some money each pay period. The key here is discipline.

Open up a separate savings account specifically meant for your vacation money. If your employer offers direct deposit, you can usually specify a certain amount of money be put into this account. Some banks will schedule an automatic direct transfer to your savings account if you don’t have direct deposit or if you are not able to deposit money into two separate accounts.

Examine the amount of money your family spends weekly or monthly on family entertainment and fast food restaurants. Then reduce that amount, storing the remainder away for your trip. So that a pending vacation doesn’t become a joy-buster, shop around for freebie and reduced-cost entertainment options to enjoy during the months before you depart.

Another good way to save up money is to save your change. When you use cash, resolve to only use paper money. Then take the change you receive and put it aside at the end of every day. You’ll be surprised at how quickly it can build up.

One family reported that they kept a “vacation jar” in a convenient place and each family member would deposit change and the occasional dollar bill into it. When they emptied the jar and had it counted, they had managed to save $5,000 – enough for them to enjoy a holiday in Dubai!

While you may not have that much in your change jar, emptying it at vacation time can mean extra spending money or that little boost you need to go on your dream vacation.

Be sure and involve your kids in the saving venture. This is a great time to teach the valuable lessons of saving and budgeting money. Look for other ways to add extra cash to the vacation coffer. One family we know would save aluminum cans and take them into the recycling plant periodically for cash. Throughout the course of a year, they managed to accumulate an extra $1,000 for their vacation in Dubai. This is better than not going for a holiday.

You could have a rummage sale to earn extra vacation cash as well. There are plenty of opportunities out there to add to your vacation savings. You just need to think outside of the box and resolve that any extra cash you get will go toward your Dubai vacation.

You need to budget realistically. Vacations need not be expensive. Budget an amount and stick to it. Set a fixed spending amount ($150 per day, for example). Include all of your expenses, travelling, meals, admissions, special activities, etc.

Involve your children in the process. Share with them that conserving money on one day allows them to go to a water park on another day. Be creative. To save money, you can eat only one meal in a restaurant per day. For the other two, prepare your own food and either eat in the hotel room or have a picnic. Take turns letting the kids choose the type of food—and, if you are really adventurous, the restaurant—each day. This way, the children feel important and it minimizes arguments.

A good point to also keep in mind when determining how much you can afford to spend on a vacation is to be sure that you consider other periodic expenses that may be waiting for you when you return, such as back-to-school costs, holiday expenses and next year’s taxes.

That’s why we highly recommend a separate account for your Dubai vacation savings. That way you have your vacation money separate from your everyday money and won’t have to stress about “robbing Peter to pay Paul” when you get home from your Dubai holiday!

To enjoy as much of the different Dubai foods as you can, it is recommended that you observe the “mezze” when dining. Mezze is that type of dining popular in most cultures in the Middle East, in which the diner tries out several small amounts of different dishes during each course.

Some of the favorite Dubai foods include falafel, hommus, ghuzi, matchbous, the very popular shawarma, and, of course, the equally popular roti.

For those who have not tasted any of these yet, here’s a brief description of each:

Falafel:

This is the Arabic version of French fry. It is prepared by mixing chickpeas and several different spices. It is then deep-fried and made into a cutlet. It is usually served as a side dish.

Hommus:

This is made from chickpeas, which are cooked, mashed, and then mixed with olive oil, tahini (paste made from sesame seeds), lemon juice, garlic, and salt. It is served as a spread or dip.

Ghuzi:

This dish is popularly served in many restaurants in Dubai. It is made of a whole roast lamb served on top of rice mixed with vegetables and nuts. Frequent visitors to Dubai say that a trip there wouldn’t be complete without having tasted this delicious preparation.

Matchbous:

This is another very popular Dubai food. It is composed of spiced lamb, tomato stew, and rice. The dish is especially a favorite when served with loomi, a spice made from ripe limes boiled in salt water and dried.

Shawarma:

This is probably the most popular food in Dubai. It is made of either lamb or chicken, thoroughly cooked and mixed with fries, tomatoes, pickle, and garlic sauce. The mixed ingredients are then wrapped in a small roti (Arabic bread) and served. Preparation of shawarma may vary from one restaurant to another; hence, its taste too.

While you’re at it, you may want to try any of the special fruit juices prepared in most shawarma stores. One of the favorites is the strawberry-banana blend.

Roti:

This is a special type of Arabic bread that is a part of most, if not all, of Dubai foods. Roti, which is much like a tortilla in appearance, is traditionally made with plain flour and baked in clay ovens. It usually goes well with matchbous or ghuzi, but is especially tasty with Indian curries.

Three other popular Dubai foods are wara enab (rice-filled vine leaves), tabbouleh (crushed wheat mixed with minced mint and parsley), and haries (lamb cooked very slowly and made tender, and served with wheat).

Of course, dining in Dubai, as in anywhere else, should conclude with a dessert. Some of the favorites are esh asaraya (cream-topped cheesecake), umm ali (bread pudding), and mehalabiya (a pudding sprinkled with bits of pistachios).

Good Restaurants in Dubai

Visit our blog post about top 7 restaurants in Dubai for details of good Dubai restaurants.

Dubai is a place that is known worldwide for its many “firsts” and “bests”. We hear about Dubai’s famous tourist attractions, festivals and events, and recreation and sports facilities. All these make Dubai a highly preferred tourist destination.

Finding a place to eat in Dubai is not a problem at all. Whatever one’s nationality, he or she will surely find a dining place that serves his/her favorite back home.

Some of the best restaurants in Dubai are located right inside a hotel, and these include the Benjarong Restaurant, Verre Restaurant, Le Venezia Restaurant, Blue Elephant Restaurant, Bacchus Restaurant, Ashiana Restaurant, and Al Qasr Restaurant.

The Benjarong Restaurant:

This restaurant is ideal for those who enjoy authentic Thai food. The restaurant’s specialties include fried lobster with shitake mushrooms, grilled river prawns, and Ka-Thong Tong (rice pastry cups filled with a mixture of ground chicken, peanut and coconut milk) with tamarind or lemon sauce. The Benjarong Restaurant is located on the 24th floor of the Dusit Dubai Hotel in Zayed Road.

The Verre Restaurant:

This is considered one of Dubai’s finest restaurants with its wide range of international cuisine (Western and Asian) and an exotic selection of wines. The Verre Restaurant is located at the Hilton Dubai Creek Hotel in Baniyas Road.

The Le Venezia Restaurant:

Besides being one of the best restaurants in Dubai, the Le Venezia Restaurant is also one of the newest and most frequented. It has an Italian theme with its noticeable design of gondolas and waterways. The food served here are, of course, Italian favorites, such as pizzas and pasta. This restaurant is located at the Metropolitan Hotel in Sheikh Zeyahid Road.

Blue Elephant Restaurant:

Another one of the fine restaurants in Dubai that serves authentic Thai delicacies. It is popular for its somtan (fried fish with papaya salad), lamb in rich Massaman sauce, and chicken satay, among others. The Blue Elephant Restaurant is located at the Al Bustan Rotana Hotel.

The Bacchus Restaurant:

This is also an Italian-style dining place. It has outdoor dining setting and serves a fine selection of pasta, salads, sandwiches, ice cream, and juices. It also has an exotic selection of wines. The Bacchus Restaurant is located at the Fairmont Hotel.

The Ashiana Restaurant:

When it comes to serving Indian cuisine, this restaurant is one that stands out in Dubai. It is frequented by both tourists and locals. The Ashiana Restaurant is located at the 5-star Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel and Towers.

Al Qasr Restaurant:

This restaurant is famous for its fine Middle East cuisine, particularly those from Lebanon. Some of the favorite dishes that are served here include Shanklish (cheese made from sheep’s or cow’s milk), Baklava (sweetened nut-filled pastry), and Labneh (strained yoghurt). The Al Qasr Restaurant is located within the Dubai Marine Beach Resort and Spa complex, one of the most popular 5-star hotels in Dubai.

The best restaurants in Dubai are not necessarily only those that are located inside a hotel. The Biella Caffe Pizzeria (Wafi City Mall, Bur Dubai), Planet Hollywood (Wafi City), and Hatam Restaurant (Bani Yas Street) are just some of the other fine dining places tourists can try while traveling in Dubai.

The Dubai Zoo is located opposite the Jumeirah Beach. It was built by a man named Otto Bulart in 1967. The zoo sits on a 5-acre land on the coastal residential area of Jumeirah. It marks the end or edge of the town, and for this Dubai Zoo is considered an important landmark of Dubai.

The Dubai Zoo is the oldest zoo in the entire Arabian Peninsula. In the early 1970s, the Municipality of Dubai took over the management and operation of the zoo. In the first two years of its operation, the zoo had very few animals on show. Included were the usual big cats (lions, pumas, tigers, and jaguars), several hoofed animals, and some monkeys. A few kinds of fish and some reptiles were likewise on show in an aquarium section.

Today, the zoo’s collection of animals is still rather limited. On last count, it has about 230 different species. The biggest group consists of reptiles, with about 400 specimens. Next are the mammals, with some 250 specimens. The mammals include the four big cats and the monkeys mentioned above, bears, deer, giraffes, hyenas, foxes, and porcupines. There also are baboons and chimpanzees.

The bird group consists of the golden eagle, parrots, and ostriches.

The zoo is also home to some of the animals that are in the list of endangered species. The most prominent five are as follows:

1. Cormorants – These are long-necked seabirds that are dark-colored and are noted for being voracious. A cormorant has a distensible pouch in which to hold the fish it catches. These birds are native to this region. Their odd-shaped body and unusual large posture make them ideal for zoo exhibit.

2. Siberian Tigers – These animals are believed to be natives of northern China and eastern Asia. They normally live in a harshly cold environment. For this reason, the Dubai Zoo created this exact same condition in a special facility to preserve the endangered tigers.

3. Barbary Sheep – These are goat-antelopes which originated from North Africa. However, they’re now rarely found in their native place. The sheep were introduced to southern Europe, North America, and other regions.

4. Arabian Wolves – These are subspecies of the Gray Wolf, which used to roam (often in packs) in many parts of the Arabian Peninsula. Today, however, only a few of these wolves can be found on the inner parts of Israel, Oman, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.

5. Gorillas – These are considered the largest extant primates, and they’re found in the central African forests. They are known to have 2 species, with both being on the list of endangered animals. Destruction of their habitat and the outbreaks of the Ebola virus in their native central Africa contributed to their dwindled population.

The Dubai Zoo is likewise noted for its being the first zoo in the Arabian Peninsula to breed the Gordon’s wildcat, which is also an endangered animal.

The Dubai Zoo constantly undergoes renovation and re-designing, with the primary aim of maintaining the environment of its every section in such a condition that will be natural for their sheltered animals.

Heritage sites understandbly line this old emirate, with Al Fahid Fort being the most famous. The fort, which was built in 1787, houses the equally famous Dubai Museum. Next in the list of the well-known Dubai heritage sites is Sheikh Saeed’s House, the official residence of the sovereign who ruled Dubai for 46 years beginning 1912, which was built in 1896.

The list of Dubai heritage sites is simply long and, because of this, some are not known to even those who frequent the rich state. Three of the least known heritage sites in Dubai, which nonetheless represent or carry some of the most important parts of Dubai’s rich culture and tradition, are the Philately House, the House of the Camels, and the House of the Horses.

Philately House:

This heritage site was originally built in 1905 from the large leaves of the palm tree, and stayed that way for the next 25 years. In 1930, it was reconstructed to a two-story building and, much later, was renovated to its present-day museum structure.

The Philately House, as its name infers, is a gallery for the exhibition of the state’s collections of historical stamps and postmarks. More importantly, the museum showcases the history of the post as well as the development of the postal services and activities, not only in Dubai but likewise in the entire UAE.

Travelers to Dubai can find the Philately House at the Al-Bastakiyah heritage area in the historic district of Bur Dubai.

House of the Camels:

Called “Beit Al-Rekkab” in Arabic, the House of the Camels is a relatively young edifice, having been built only in the 1940s. Nevertheless, it is considered a very important heritage site in the whole of the UAE in that it showcases the history of one of the Arab people’s closely-guarded prides – the camel.

Visitors to the House of the Camels will gain valuable knowledge about these amazing desert mammals – their species and the names by which they’re called in Arabic, their anatomy, and their special relationship with the Arab people.

The House of the Camels stands next to Sheikh Saeed’s House in the Al-Shindagha neighborhood.

House of the Horses:

This heritage site actually was conceived based on the very same principle that guided Dubai in building the House of the Camels; only this time, the less enduring but more agile horses are the subjects or honorees.

The House of the Horses was also built in the 1940s, and was originally used as the residence of the late Sheikha Moza bint Saeed Al-Maktoum. The building was renovated into its current museum status, in which everything about horses – from their history, bloodlines and names to their importance to the Arab people – is exhibited.

The House of the Horses can found in the same Al-Shindagha neighborhood where the House of the Camels is located.

Other Dubai heritage sites worth visiting are The Bastakiya, Hatta Heirtage Village, Burj Nahar, Sheikh Obaid bin Thani House, Bait Al Nakeel, Heritage and Diving Village, Al Ahmadiya School and Heritage House, and Neif Museum.