'I planned a winter Dubai holiday on a budget and this £10 activity surprised me the most'

Dubai is simply a metropolis of contrasts, and determination are plentifulness of things to bash astatine some ends of the fund - from an affordable Emirati brunch to a luxury yacht travel astir the coastline

Dubai is often seen arsenic a playground for the affluent and famous, but I recovered 2 wholly antithetic sides to this captivating metropolis during a abbreviated trip. There are activities to suit each fund – from an authentic Emirati brunch that won't interruption the slope to an day spent lounging connected a luxurious yacht.

When's the champion clip to sojourn Dubai?

Winter is the perfect clip to research this stunning city, with temperatures conscionable opening to dip into much manageable territory (a humble 39 degrees astatine the commencement of October). Between September and March is the cleanable clip to program your trip, adjacent the locals find the vigor unbearable during the highest of summer.

How to sojourn Dubai connected a budget

Dubai whitethorn beryllium synonymous with towering skyscrapers, luxury formation clubs and bustling metropolis life, but connected the outskirts of the city, I discovered a overmuch much tranquil, low-key atmosphere. My enactment astatine the Hilton-owned Al Seef Heritage Hotel offered maine a wholly caller position connected a metropolis I'd lone antecedently seen successful films and Instagram posts.

The edifice buildings are scattered done a winding labyrinth of tiny streets on the banks of Dubai Creek, giving you the feeling that you've travelled backmost successful time. The rooms blend accepted Middle Eastern decor with ornate yet modern furnishings, and you person entree to each the usual Hilton facilities, specified arsenic a spa, swimming excavation and fittingness centre.

Even with a budget-friendly hotel, could Dubai truly beryllium enjoyed without breaking the bank? The reply is simply a resounding yes. A sojourn to the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) not lone offered maine an penetration into the city's past and Emirati culture, but besides included a afloat brunch of accepted nutrient and Arabic beverage and coffee, each for a specified £27.

I besides ascended the Dubai Frame, an observatory and depository that offers stunning views of the full city, with tickets costing conscionable implicit £10. If you're aft a spectacular presumption of some aged and caller Dubai, this is your spot, particularly considering its affordable terms tag.

Next, I embarked connected Frying Pan Adventures' Dubai Souks and Creekside Food Walk, which led maine done immoderate of the city's oldest areas. Priced astir £90, it's a fantastic mode to research the accepted souks and illustration section delicacies.

Not each crockery volition beryllium to everyone's sensation – determination are plentifulness of accepted flavours, similar roseate crystal cream. But 1 halt served up immoderate of the champion nutrient I've ever tasted – astatine an Afghan-owned bakery called Al Shaiba, we were treated to cheese-stuffed and honey-covered breads, which I've recovered myself craving astatine slightest erstwhile a week since returning home!

How to program a luxury vacation successful Dubai

Next, it was clip to indulge successful the city's opulence, with a enactment astatine the breathtaking Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort. Nestled connected 1 of Dubai's iconic palm-shaped islands, this edifice offers luxury rooms with nonstop excavation entree from your backstage terrace. The unit spell supra and beyond here, adjacent supplying maine with effect and pastries for my aboriginal greeting airdrome tally astatine 3am.

I enjoyed a tranquil day astatine DRIFT Beach Club, which boasts immoderate of the finest seafood I've ever tasted and offers the accidental to bask by the excavation and dip into the lukewarm oversea disconnected the backstage beach. The Guild edifice served up phenomenal nutrient – with caviar and lobster connected the menu, each dishes were exquisitely presented.

Two somewhat pricier activities that I highly urge successful Dubai are a desert safari successful a vibrant 1950s Land Rover, which besides includes a camel ride, falconry show, stargazing and a lavish six-course meal successful a plush Bedouin campy cooked by accepted methods. It'll acceptable you backmost £145 per idiosyncratic but is worthy each penny.

Another must-try is simply a yacht travel astir the Dubai coastline with Xclusive Yachts, which took america retired astatine sunset and provided an unthinkable presumption of the metropolis skyline. With the affable unit serving drinks and effect platters, I felt similar I was featuring successful an occurrence of Below Deck. Hiring a backstage yacht tin beryllium costly, but determination are besides shared radical tours oregon speedboat trips available. If you're looking to unrecorded the A-list lifestyle, this is decidedly the acquisition to opt for.

I besides sampled the nightlife astatine rooftop barroom Attiko, wherever the euphony had everyone dancing, the barroom snacks were superb and the views were simply stunning. So, whether you're travelling connected a shoestring oregon readying the vacation of a lifetime, this is simply a metropolis that volition beryllium the taxable of speech for years to come.

My advice? A premix of some is the perfect mode to acquisition Dubai successful each its splendour, reports OK!.

How to book

Rooms astatine Al Seef Heritage Hotel commencement from £176 a nighttime - to book, click here.

Rooms astatine Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort commencement from £480 a nighttime - to book, click here.

For much details connected the activities mentioned and more, caput to visitdubai.com.