Tag: Beach

Where to Stay in Dubai as a Tourist

Where to stay in Dubai is often a question people ask. Why this is, is because there’s not really a center of town in Dubai but lots of areas that people can choose. Dubai used to be all deserts with a few villages and the only way to travel across it was by camel. Just before 1950 Land Rover were introduced to the region which made exploration and travels possible. After this, it grew into the Metropolis it is today and expands all the way up and down the coast.

The north of Dubai near the airport is old Dubai; this is where you find the more traditional markets called Souks like the Gold Souk and Spice Souk. There’s also the Dubai Creek that separates the North and the South and then passes the “New Dubai with exciting areas, which start from JBR and the Dubai Marina and was a favorite stop for some friends of mine who own CDM Waste Management back in Canada. I will take you through all these areas today.

JBR Beach

JBR beach is actually a public beach and anyone can use this place. It’s right next to amazing restaurants and Retail Precinct. You could actually spend your whole holiday here and never have to leave. There is an array of shops, there are restaurants, there is the beach access and there are so many great hotels here that you can choose from.

Dubai Marina

Just on the other side of JBR beach is the Dubai Marina. This is actually a man-made waterway that has a lot of buildings around. Down here is one of the major centers of Dubai and you’ll always find a lot going on. You have got a huge choice of where to stay from an apartment, hotels, to Five Star luxury but wherever you stay it’s only a walk to the beach. You will find a huge choice of restaurants, bars, and nightlife. It’s one of the best places you can stay in Dubai.

Palm Island

Probably the most famous area in Dubai stay is the Palm Islands. The Palm Islands are an archipelago of islands that are being man-made and considered the eighth wonder of the world. This is where you come if you want to relax and this is where all the luxury hotels are. You have many five-star hotels from Kempinski, Sofitel, and obviously Atlantis. From your hotel on the palm, you might also get a glimpse of the fronds; this is where you have luxury villas that all the rich and famous stay in.

As you come up the coast you come across a lot of five star hotels along the beach, you have the Mina Seyahi and then you come to the Souk Madinat Jumeirah. This is a cluster of five star hotels, which also has a very traditional Souk attached to it and you get beautiful views of the seven star hotels – the world’s only seven star hotel the Burj Al Arab the place that Dubai is famous for. If you keep going further along the coast, there is also the Four Seasons hotel, which is in a lovely Beach area.

Downtown Dubai & Business Bay

The area that probably has the most going on is downtown Dubai and Business Bay. In this area, you will find the Dubai Mall – the world’s largest shopping mall. You’ll also find the Dubai opera house, which has recently opened. And of course, the world’s tallest tower – the Burj Khalifa. You will find lots of chic restaurants and nice hotels. It’s not too far away from the airport and also not too far from the beach. It’s also the entrance of the canal which goes through this area. So there really is somewhere to stay in Dubai for everyone.

Venice, Los Angeles

Venice is a lively beachside neighborhood in Los Angeles. Here are some of the best experiences you can have in this bohemian gem.

Venice Beach

First, make your way down to the famous Venice Beach where you will find a whole load of things to see and do. Check out the Venice art walls; these ever-changing walls are a historic landmark for street art in LA. From here, if you walk towards the ocean there’s plenty of space to play some Frisbee, chill out, or catch a few waves. For the young at heart, there’s also a skate park where you can check out the talented skateboarders.

Muscle Beach

Wander down to the famous outdoor gym known as Muscle Beach. This was the birthplace of the fitness boom in the States during the 20th century and it’s still really popular today.

Venice Boardwalk

Venice Boardwalk runs parallel to the beach. It can be pretty hectic to walk down here on a busy day but it’s worth the crowds. You will find free-spirited individuals, funky shops street performers, and public art murals. It’s mesmerizing to walk through here and admire all the weird and wonderful things going on around you. The boardwalk turns into a promenade for runners, cyclists, and skateboarders, so why not join in. You can hire a bike from J’s rentals for just $6 an hour.

They are one of the oldest and most recognizable rental shops in Venice having been featured in almost any film made on Venice Beach. If cycling isn’t for you, then one of the newest ways to cruise down Venice Boardwalk is on a ‘bird’. These electric scooters are extremely popular. You will notice people zooming around on them straight away. All you have to do is download their app, and it works just like Uber.

Santa Monica Pier

Make your way down the boardwalk and you will end up at Santa Monica Pier. Just before the pier, you will find the original Muscle Beach which is full of people trying out gymnast rings, monkey bars, and ropes. If you are the athletic type, try out the rings for yourself once you get to the pier walk all the way down and check out some attractions. It’s a must-see but we wouldn’t recommend spending too much time here as the sideshows can be quite expensive.

Venice Canals

Back in Venice, wander over to the picturesque Venice canals. The man-made canals were built in 1905 by developer Abbot Kinney. Kinney wanted to recreate the appearance and feel of Venice in Southern California. The canals are now a quaint upscale neighborhood; fully restored and remodeled homes make it a postcard-perfect location. From the canals, it’s only a 10-minute walk to Abbot Kinney Boulevard one of LA’s best shopping districts which feature fabulous foodie, hotspots stylish boutiques, and coffee shops. It’s also regarded as one of the coolest streets in the States.

After a full day of discovering Venice, end your day at the rooftop bar at Hotel Erwin. Enjoy a couple of drinks and watch a perfect sunset.