BHPian TURb recently shared this with other enthusiasts: Dubai Dream Took Flight – A Family Travelog I am taking at least one vacation every year with my family, usually somewhere within India. Goa has always been a favorite, but this time, we decided to explore something new. The Push for a Foreign Trip I used to travel on international business trips, and that sparked a little (read: strong) insistence from the family for a foreign vacation. After some financial number-crunching and budget discussions, we began exploring options. Shortlisting Destinations We looked into Singapore, Bali, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Thailand, but couldn’t conclude. After reading several travelogues on Team-BHP, I proposed Dubai with its iconic skyline, desert adventures, and family-friendly attractions. Everyone finally agreed. Special thanks to bhpian Arun_S for his wonderful travelog. Learning: If you’re confused about anything, just head to the Team-BHP. Passports & Paperwork The first hurdle was a passport. Neither of my kids has one, and my wife’s passport has expired. We applied online, got appointments, and visited the passport office. The process was smooth, done in 3-4 hours. It took about a month for all passports to arrive. Meanwhile, I started researching flights, hotels, and places to visit. We initially considered travel agencies like MakeMyTrip and Veena World, but their packages were quite expensive. After discussing with friends who had visited Dubai, I decided to plan everything myself, and it turned out to be the best decision. Visa Process We applied for a tourist visa through a trusted travel agent. The process was simple-just passport copies, photos, and a few details like stays, tickets, and insurance. Within a few days, we had our e-visas. Cost: 7,800 per person Travel Dates 15th to 19th March 2025 The timing worked perfectly as my wife and I managed our leaves, and the kids had just finished their exams. Due to the tight schedule, we had to skip Abu Dhabi, but that’s now on the list for next time! Hotel Booking After browsing through Booking.com, I found a great deal at Golden Sand3 Hotel Apartment in Bur Dubai. Since we weren’t sure about food options, I booked an apartment with a kitchen. Cost: 9,000 per night (No breakfast) Total: 45,390 for 5 nights (2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, living space, balcony) Flight Booking The main contenders were IndiGo and Emirates. Since it was a special family trip, I chose Emirates for a more comfortable experience. Cost: 27,637 per person (round trip) Total: 110548 INR Itinerary Highlights 1. Dhow Cruise 2. Dubai Mall 3. Burj Khalifa 4. Miracle Garden 5. Dubai Museum (we did not get the ticket for the Museum, so canceled it last moment) 6. Global Village 7. Desert Safari Note: The cost mentioned everywhere is approximate, and for the sake of convenience, I converted it into INR. Pune to Mumbai Some shots of the expressway. Mumbai airport My take on Emirates I am fairly happy with their service. Since we were travelling with kids, they did some photo shoots for us and provided a photo frame with a family portrait and some gifts for my kids. The photo quality was not that good, but it was a good gesture. There it is, waiting for us Here, they are ready to enjoy (read mess up) the thing Some glimpse of Dubai Airport At the arrival, we got the first preference since a kid was with us. We also received a free SIM card with 10GB of data, which really helps us keep in touch at various locations. Day 1 – Dhow Cruise We landed in Dubai at 5:30 PM and reached the hotel by 6:30 PM. After a quick freshen-up, we headed straight to the Dhow Cruise. Fun Fact: A dhow is a traditional wooden boat once used for fishing and pearl diving in the Arabian Gulf. Today, these boats are beautifully restored and serve as floating restaurants. The cruise offers a blend of traditional charm and modern luxury, with dinner, music, and stunning views of the city skyline. Info from the internet. Day 1 in pics Dubai night view from the cruise Traditional dhow dance After the cruise, we walked back to the hotel from Dubai Creek (almost 2 Km) at around midnight. Yes, it is safe in Dubai. Day1 Cost: Dhow cruise = 12168 INR (including Buffet dinner, soft drinks, live music) Taxi = 2574 INR (this includes taxi from airport to hotel and hotel to Dubai Creek for Dhow cruise) Total = 14742 INR Day2 => Dubai Mall & Burj Khalifa Our hotel was within walking distance of the ADBC metro station, so we decided to take the metro to the Dubai Mall rather than a taxi (Taxis are costly, by the way). Metro is quite cheap, which costs us a total of around 40 dirham. The Dubai Mall In one word, it’s huge. We spent half a day there before heading to the Burj Khalifa; the kids were excited about it. Done some shopping and had lunch, otherwise no cost at the mall. Burj Khalifa: No trip to Dubai is complete without visiting the Burj Khalifa, the reason being, it’s the tallest building in the world, standing at a massive 828 meters (2,717 feet). This architecture dominates the Dubai skyline and offers an unforgettable experience. There were a lot of people in the queue to visit the building, and they were being allowed in batches. We got the batch time of around 4.00 and were lined up for our turn. Fun Facts: The Burj Khalifa has 163 floors, and its design is inspired by the desert flower Hymenocallis, giving it a unique Y-shaped footprint. It houses offices, residences, the luxurious Armani Hotel, and even the world’s highest restaurant, Atmosphere on the 122nd floor (info from internet) The high-speed elevator you take to go up is itself a ride. It travels at the speed of 36 Km/h and takes approximately 60 seconds to reach to 124th floor. We visited the observation deck on the 124th floor and enjoyed amazing views. Watching the city beneath us with the desert on one side and the sea on the other was a moment of pure joy. Spent a few hours there. Day 2 in a pic The picture might not do justice, but it is very tall Panoramic view Around the Dubai Mall Sea view from the 124th floor Dubai Skyline Day 2 cost: Metro Ticket = 936 INR Burj Khalifa Ticket for 4 people = 22500 INR Total = 23436 INR Continue… Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.
