Page 112 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Dubai & Abu Dhabi

110 ❯❯ Streetsmart

Sources of sightseeing bus tours are Shopping in traditional
Information offered by Big Bus Tours souks of the old city is
in both Dubai and Abu a different affair. Prices
Tourism in Dubai is Dhabi, while the unusual are generally lower and
overseen by the Wonderbus (see p54) haggling is expected
Department of Tourism in Dubai is another (credit cards may not be
and Commerce enjoyable tour. accepted except for big-
Marketing (DTCM) and in Abras can be chartered ticket items). A lot of the
Abu Dhabi by the Abu (see pp16–17) for your own items on sale consist of
Dhabi Tourism and private cruise up and everyday essentials, but
Culture Authority down the creek in Dubai, you’ll also find interesting
(ADTCA). There are no and there are also sight- collectibles – gold, spices,
proper tourist offices in seeing trips aboard the perfumes, designer fakes
either Dubai or Abu Dhabi, Dubai Ferry. and antiques.
but both DTCM and Walking tours of Al
ADTCA maintain tourist Fahidi are offered by the Where to Eat
offices overseas and SMCCU (see p19), and
operate helpful websites. interesting foodie tours of There’s a huge range of
For information on offbeat Dubai eateries by places to eat in both
the latest events and Frying Pan Adventures. Dubai and Abu Dhabi,
happenings, the best Shaheen Xtreme offer from inexpensive local
resources are Time Out falconry experiences at cafés to extravagant fine-
Dubai and Time Out Abu the Dubai Desert dining venues overseen
Dhabi magazines. Conservation Reserve by Michelin-starred chefs.
800Tickets sell tickets for (see p33), while for a walk There’s also a huge
many major music (and on the wild side in the array of cuisines on offer.
other) events. What’s On mountains of the UAE This is one of the best
magazine is also handy. and Oman, contact UAE places to sample classic
For more detailed Trekkers or Absolute dishes from across the
practical information, the Adventure. Middle East including
government-led website For the ultimate view of traditional Arabian cuisine
UAE Interact is sometimes either Dubai or Abu Dhabi, (or “Lebanese”, as it’s
useful, as is the brilliant try a helicopter ride with often described), along
(though now somewhat Emirates Helicopter with Iranian, Moroccan
out-of-date) expat-run Tours and Abu Dhabi and Emirati specialities.
Dubai FAQs website. Helicopter respectively. Indian food is also
The best source of popular, as is Italian
breaking local news is the Shopping and Chinese.
website of The National Cheaper places are
newspaper (see p109). There are basically two aimed largely at Asian
There are also a few blogs types of shopping in Dubai expats living in the city,
worth browsing including and Abu Dhabi: modern which explains the huge
Dubai at Random and (for malls and traditional souks. number of Indian and
food) the excellent I Live Shopping malls are every- Pakistani restaurants
in a Frying Pan. where, from huge mega- across the old city. There
developments to low-key are plenty of inexpensive
Trips and Tours local places. Many leading cafés serving up Arabian
local and international food including shawarma
There are dozens of tour shops have outlets in kebabs in pitta bread plus
operators in both Dubai malls, and chains such as other local dishes.
and Abu Dhabi offering a Damas (jewellery), Paris More expensive places
fairly stereotypical range Gallery (perfume) and are largely found attached
of desert outings, trips to Grand Stores (electronics to hotels and come in
neighbouring cities and and cameras) can be every conceivable shape
dinner dhow cruises. found in almost all the and form from opulent
Arabian Adventures major shopping centres. Arabian-themed venues
(see p33) is the biggest Prices are fixed and credit to ultra-chic boltholes.
and best. Hop-on hop-off cards normally accepted. Dining next to the sea is

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