I’m not sure how a country can be so relaxing yet be so vibrant and exciting at the same time. But somehow Dubai did it.

This was a great holiday from start to finish, and let me tell you it was a great start to be flying business class for the first time! We were on the friends and family list due to our gracious host in Dubai being a pilot for Emirates. When we got to Gatwick we were directed to premium check- in and security (which I never knew existed), and words cannot describe the flight. I hardly noticed the 6 and a half hour journey out as I spent most of it ‘knocked out!’ – I blame the mattress and horizontal bed experience. Having a personal minibar helped too 🙂

So… The holiday

Much like most of my holidays, I think I spent the month running up to it in full pack-attack mode. I created a holiday inspiration Pinterest board which you can find here: (https://uk.pinterest.com/Saharasplash/holiday-inspo-dubai/) I had a lot of fun putting together outfits that were both concealing enough for Arabic culture, yet free flowing and airy enough that I wouldn’t combust or melt in the 40 degree heat.

2 malls I recommend are the Emirates Mall (where you can go skiing in their indoor slopes!) and the Dubai Mall. Both have every shop imaginable and the food courts are fulfilling in every way- take a visit to P F Changs at the Emirates Mall and elevation burger in the Dubai Mall.

Last time I visited Dubai I did the Atlantis water park, this time I ventured to Wild Wadi. Although this is smaller it is a lot less crowded. I think there were about 80 people in the whole park when it opened at 10, and only started to get busy when we left at 2. This was quite a memorable day as while watching a well built man doing the wave machine I suddenly realised that it was in fact Jensen Ackles from Supernatural… in swimming trunks and nothing else…so a hot day! Side note- check out my awesome monogrammed bikini from H&M! They were doing it for free in Oxford Circus so I had to get it!

lucky enough to visit the Cayan Tower on our travels round the city- picture below. This building twists one degree for every floor, so by the time you are on the 90th floor and look down you are facing a different side! We went to take a peak off one of our friends balconies and the view of the marina was just stunning.

Dragonmart was the last activity of the trip. It’s a market that is shaped like a dragon, the rooftop tiles are scale-like and it goes on for miles. Go visit the Dragonmart (http://www.dragonmart.ae) for anything and everything- literally! Clothes, gadgets, electric goods and the kitchen sink!

Like all good holidays, they come to a close just as soon as they begin, but I have some great memories of Dubai this year and hopefully some great photos too that will keep me going till my next venture 🙂