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From Tourist to Resident: Let Me Help You Plan Your Perfect Dubai Trip

I went to Dubai ten years ago as an inquisitive traveler. Its skyscrapers, desert safaris and endless shopping left me in awe. Today, I live in this vibrant city. I want to help you organise your dream trip to Dubai rather than just sharing another travel journal. I will include as many details as a resident is willing to provide.

🏨 Where to Stay: Something for Every Budget

Dubai provides a wide range of lodging options, including luxurious beach resorts, chic Airbnbs, and affordable rooms. Your travel preferences, the size of your group, and your budget will all play a role.

Budget friendly hotels
  • Deira: Among the city’s oldest neighbourhoods. This area has a large number of reasonably priced hotels and guesthouses. It is near Souks and the Creek and has good metro access.
  • Bur Dubai: Another central location with less expensive lodging, close to Meena Bazaar and the Al Fahidi Historical Fort which are two cultural landmarks.
  • Al Barsha:  Convenient metro access, decent mid-range hotel apartments and close to The Mall of the Emirates.
Mid to High-End Options
Resort Vibes
  • Palm Jumeirah: This man made island is your spot if you are dreaming of luxury resorts, beachfront brunches and infinity pools.
  • Jumeirah: Home to high-end hotels and private beaches with views of the iconic Burj Al Arab.

If you are traveling as a family or group, plenty of Airbnb apartments are available in all these places.

🍛 Where to Eat:

If you like Indian food, Karama is the place! I like to call it “Mini India”. It’s packed with authentic Indian restaurants. From street-style chaats and dosas to full thali meals and biryanis.

Craving for Filter Coffee? Punjabi Parathas? Mumbai-Style Vada Pav? Karama has it all! They are all reasonably priced.

For more upscale options, explore:

  • City Walk or DIFC: Trendy restaurants and cafes
  • Souk Al Bahar: Dining with Burj Khalifa views
  • Dubai Marina: Waterfront lounges and family restaurants

Day 2: Underwater Peek: Semi-Submarine Tour

This was one of the coolest experiences! We went on a semi-submarine tour at St. Anne Marine Park leaving from Eden Island. It was about an hour long and we got to sit in the lower deck to see the reefs, colourful fish and even a turtle swimming right past us. It felt like an aquarium on the move. Our daughter was glued to the window the whole time!

Day 3: South Beach & Giant Tortoises

In the morning, we headed to South Beach (also known as Anse l’Islette). It was a bit farther from our room so we took a fun little golf cart ride to get there. The beach was wide, quiet and perfect for a peaceful stroll.  We simply enjoyed relaxing by the water with hardly anyone around.

Later, we visited the Botanical Gardens in Victoria. The drive there had a lot of twists and turns, not the most fun for our toddler but the garden itself was really nice. We saw giant tortoises, the famous coco de mer palms and lots of other interesting trees and plants. A lovely change from all the beach time.

🏖️ Stay 2: Coco de Mer Hotel & Black Parrot Suites, Praslin

Day 4: Ferry to Praslin & Checking In

We checked out and boarded the Cat Cocos ferry to Praslin. The journey took about an hour. The sea was rough that day and the ride was quite bumpy. It was still manageable though.
After arriving in Praslin, we took a taxi to Coco de Mer Hotel and Black Parrot Suites. The hotel had a calm and peaceful vibe. There were stunning ocean views, friendly staff and a relaxed atmosphere. It was just what we needed after the ferry ride.

Day 5: Coco de Mer & Valle De Mai

We rented a cab for the day and visited the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It felt like we were stepping into a prehistoric forest. We saw the famous Coco de Mer trees up close. They are truly fascinating and found only in Seychelles.
Later, we kept things easy and spent time at the resort’s infinity pool. We soaked in the views while our daughter had a blast splashing around. It was a quiet and perfect way to end the day.

🌦️ Stay 3: Kempinski Seychelles Resort, Mahé

Day 6: From Praslin to Mahé

We checked out from Praslin and made our way back to Mahé, this time to Kempinski Seychelles Resort. The weather had changed — it was cooler, drizzling at times, and everything looked lush and green. The drive from the ferry to the resort was scenic, and the resort itself was beautiful, surrounded by nature and right on the beach. We spent the rest of the day just enjoying the property.

Day 7: Rainy Day at Kempinski

We had planned to visit the Takamaka Rum Distillery, but it was pouring and with the roads wet and the distillery quite far so we skipped it. Instead, we stayed in and enjoyed the resort. Our daughter spent time at the kids’ club. While she enjoyed it, we relaxed and watched the rain fall outside our balcony. Sometimes doing nothing is just perfect.

Day 8: Heading Back

And just like that our Seychelles trip came to an end. We packed up, said goodbye to the gorgeous views and flew back to Dubai. Recharged, relaxed and already dreaming of our next beach escape.

🧒 Kid-Friendly Highlights from Our Seychelles Trip 🌴

  • North Beach at Constance Ephelia – The calm, wave-free water at Port Launay Beach is perfect for toddlers to splash and play safely. Spotting tiny fish near the shore adds a bit of wonder to beach time.
  • Semi-Submarine Tour at St. Anne Marine Park – Sitting in the underwater deck feels like riding through a real-life aquarium. Colourful fish, coral reefs and even a passing turtle keep kids amazed the entire time.
  • Golf Cart Rides Around the Resort – Getting around by golf cart is fun and exciting for little ones. It makes every ride feel like a mini adventure through lush greenery.
  • Giant Tortoises at the Botanical Garden –  Seeing giant tortoises up close is a highlight for kids. The garden’s wide paths and shady trees offer a nice change from beach play while sparking curiosity about nature.
  • Infinity Pool Time at Coco de Mer –  Splashing in the infinity pool with stunning ocean views is a relaxing yet playful experience. It’s also a great wind-down spot after a morning of exploring.
  • Vallée de Mai Nature Walks –  Walking under giant palm trees and spotting wildlife in a real jungle-like setting makes kids feel like explorers in a storybook forest.
  • Kids’ Club at Kempinski –  The kids’ club offers crafts, games and space to play giving little ones their own slice of fun while parents unwind. A great option for rainy days too!
  • Watching Rain from the Balcony –  Sometimes just sitting and watching the rain fall from the balcony becomes a peaceful moment. For kids it is a cozy, calming way to enjoy nature in a different mood.

Best Time to Visit Dubai

Best Season to
Visit

November to March offers the most pleasant weather—ideal for enjoying Dubai’s parks, beaches, and walking
tours.

Perfect for Outdoor Fun

This period is perfect for desert safaris, outdoor cafes, festivals, and exploring vibrant seasonal attractions like Global Village.

Dubai Shopping Festival

Enjoy unbeatable sales, concerts, raffles, and entertainment during Dubai’s iconic Shopping Festival between December and January.

Avoid Summer
Heat

July to September hits over 45°C—great hotel deals, but not ideal if you're unprepared for
extreme
heat.

🚗 Getting Around Dubai

🚇

Metro

Clean, efficient and connects major attractions

🚖

Taxis & Ride Apps (Careem, Uber)

Readily available

🚙

Car Rental

Great for families or those planning to explore outer areas like Hatta, Al Qudra, etc.

🌇

Final Thoughts

Dubai has changed a lot in the last 10 years and so have I. But the one thing that remains the same is the city's charm to impress and inspire every individual. Whether you are in search of heritage, culture, food, desert, beach, malls, Dubai has it all!

And now that you have me, your local friend to guide you, I hope your trip turns out to be a memorable vacation.

🏜️ Desert Safari: A Classic Dubai Experience

A trip to Dubai cannot be complete without visiting the desert. One of the most well-liked activities in the city is the desert safari, which provides a modern take on Bedouin adventure.

⏰

Pickup & Timing

Depending on your location, the majority of desert safaris start with a hotel pickup between 2:30 and 3:30 PM. The event lasts from the afternoon until the evening ending at approximately 9 PM.

🚙

Types of Safaris

Evening Safari (most popular): Includes dune bashing, camel rides, cultural shows and dinner.

Morning Safari: Sandboarding, camel rides, and dune bashing are all part of the morning safari, which is a great way to avoid crowds. There is no dinner or entertainment.

Private or Luxury Safari: Smaller groups, superior service, better food and better setups are all features of a private or luxury safari.

Overnight Safari: Sleep in the desert beneath the stars.

🏜️

What to Expect

Dune Bashing: A 4x4 rollercoaster ride across golden sand dunes, dune bashing is exhilarating but not for the weak of heart.

Camel Rides: Quick, picturesque moments on a camel.

Sandboarding: Sandboarding is a fun activity for both adults and children that involves sliding down dunes on a board.

Entertainment: Entertainment options include henna painting, belly dancing, fire shows, and tanoura (whirling dance).

Quad Biking: Quad biking is an optional activity that can be purchased separately.

🥗

The Food Reality

A buffet dinner at a desert camp typically marks the conclusion of a safari. The truth is don't expect much if you are a vegetarian like me. The only options I had were salad, plain rice and bland dal, and none of them were very good. The mass-produced food is not the trip's high point. If you value food, think about upgraded or private tours that provide better meals or allow you to pack your own snacks.

🚐

Tour Operators

Here are a few operators to look into:

Platinum Heritage (opulent, sustainable)

OceanAir Travels (reviewed and reasonably priced)

Arabian Adventures (excellent guides and well-run)

Rayna Tours (provides a variety of affordable options)

To choose what best fits your comfort level and style, always read recent reviews before making a reservation, whether online or through your hotel.

Top attractions in Seychelles

  • Beau Vallon Beach: Calm waters, sunsets, food trucks, great for swimming and snorkelling. Kid-friendly and lively.
  • Victoria:One of the world’s smallest capitals. Clock Tower, Sir Selwyn Market and the Botanical Gardens where you can see giant tortoises & coco de mer.
  • Takamaka Rum Distillery: Learn about local rum-making with tastings for adults.
  • Morne Seychellois National Park: Hiking trails, panoramic views and rich biodiversity. Great for older kids and adventurous families.
  • Port Launay Marine National Park: Crystal-clear water and excellent snorkelling. Often accessible from resorts like Constance Ephelia.
  • Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve: UNESCO World Heritage Site. Home of the famous coco de mer palm and rare black parrots. Feels like walking through Jurassic Park.
  • Anse Lazio: One of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Soft white sand, granite boulders and turquoise water.
  • Anse Georgette: Quieter and more secluded. Requires access through Constance Lemuria or a hiking trail.
  • Anse Source d’Argent: The most photographed beach in the world. Iconic granite boulders, shallow clear water perfect for little kids. Rent a bicycle to reach the beach.
  • L’Union Estate Park: Traditional copra mill, giant tortoises and vanilla plantation. The entrance to Anse Source d’Argent is through here.
  • Grand Anse: Wild and scenic but with strong waves. Better for photos than swimming. Great spot for a beach walk or picnic.

Captured Moments

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