- Destination -

Dubai

Welcome to Dubai — where futuristic skyscrapers, luxury hotels, desert adventures, and world-class shopping all coexist in the same glittering sandbox. This Dubai travel guide covers everything you need to know before visiting, whether it’s your first time or you’re back to experience more of the city’s over-the-top highlights. Dubai is modern, clean, safe, and surprisingly easy to navigate. You’ll find ultra-luxury experiences alongside cultural neighborhoods, incredible food from every corner of the world, and attractions that range from record-breaking towers to quiet desert sunsets. This Dubai travel guide is designed to help you plan smarter, avoid rookie mistakes, and enjoy the city without feeling overwhelmed.

Language

The official language is Arabic, but English is widely spoken throughout Dubai, especially in hotels, restaurants, shops, and tourist areas — getting around is very easy for English speakers.

Currency

The currency used in Dubai is the United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED); credit cards are accepted almost everywhere, and ATMs are easy to find.

Entry Requirements

U.S. passport holders can enter Dubai visa-free for up to 30 days with a passport valid for at least six months.

Best Time to Visit

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Dubai is November through March, when temperatures are comfortable and outdoor sightseeing is actually enjoyable. This is peak season, so expect higher hotel prices — but also perfect weather.

  • November–March: Ideal weather, busiest season

  • April–May: Warmer, fewer crowds, better hotel deals

  • June–September: Extremely hot (think 100°F+), but great prices and indoor attractions

  • October: Shoulder season sweet spot

This Dubai travel guide strongly recommends avoiding peak summer unless you’re planning mostly indoor activities.

Top Things to Do

Top Things to Do

Dubai is packed with iconic experiences. These are the must-dos worth prioritizing:

  • Visit the Burj Khalifa and take in views from the observation deck

  • Explore Old Dubai (Al Fahidi, Dubai Creek, Gold & Spice Souks)

  • Take a desert safari with dune bashing, camel rides, and sunset views

  • Walk or dine around Dubai Marina and JBR Beach

  • See the fountains and shop at Dubai Mall

  • Visit Palm Jumeirah, including Atlantis and beachfront clubs

  • Enjoy rooftop lounges and world-class dining

A good Dubai travel guide balances modern attractions with cultural experiences — don’t skip Old Dubai.

Blogs & Itineraries

Travel information

Getting There

Dubai is served by Dubai International Airport (DXB), one of the busiest and most connected airports in the world. Direct flights are available from many major U.S., European, and international cities.

  • DXB is about 15–20 minutes from Downtown Dubai

  • Taxis from the airport are affordable and easy

  • Ride-share apps are widely used

Most travelers will land at DXB, making arrival smooth and straightforward — a big plus in this Dubai travel guide.

Travel Tips

A few things that will make your trip smoother:

  • Dress respectfully in public areas (especially Old Dubai)

  • Alcohol is available in licensed hotels and venues only

  • Friday mornings are quieter; weekends are Friday–Saturday

  • Air-conditioning is intense — bring layers

  • Tipping is appreciated but not required

Dubai is incredibly welcoming and tourist-friendly, and following these tips will help you enjoy everything this Dubai travel guide recommends without hiccups.

Getting Around

Dubai is spread out, but transportation is efficient.

  • Taxis: Clean, safe, and affordable

  • Uber/Careem: Widely available

  • Metro: Excellent for airport, Downtown, and Marina routes

  • Rental car: Useful if exploring outside the city

Most visitors rely on taxis and ride-shares — it’s stress-free and often faster than driving yourself, something this Dubai travel guide fully supports.

The tulip fields in the Netherlands look exactly like the photos, except the photos don’t capture how massive the color blocks actually are stretching across the countryside. Or the windmills. Or the sheep randomly standing in the middle of everything like they don’t know they’re in the most photogenic country on earth.

The honest caveat: tulip season moves fast, the fields rotate every year, and peak bloom is not a guarantee, it depends on the weather, the harvest schedule, and a little bit of luck. But that’s also part of what makes it feel less like a tourist attraction and more like something you actually found.

Full driving route with towns, parking tips, and what to expect | linked in bio. 🌷

#netherlands #travelling #tulipfields #exploreeurope
Amsterdam has a way of making you feel like you need to see everything, and then rewarding you most when you slow down anyway. The museums and canal cruises are worth it, but so is just wandering neighborhoods, eating whatever looks good, and sitting along the canals with a grilled cheese and nowhere to be.

First-time visitor guide is on the blog. Link in bio. 🌷

#travelling #travel #amsterdam #visitamsterdam #traveleurope
There’s a version of Gatlinburg that’s all fudge shops and tourist crowds, and then there’s the version that actually makes you want to come back.

Here’s everything worth doing downtown, in the order I’d do it: 🏔️

✨ Start at @gatlinburgskypark before the crowds hit
✨ Walk the strip mid-morning when it’s still manageable
✨ @googooclusters stop (see my post from Tuesday: don’t skip it)
✨ Dinner at one of the local spots off the main drag
✨ Wander back out at night when the lights are on and it gets actually pretty

This isn’t your overscheduled Smoky Mountain itinerary. It’s more of a “here’s what I’d actually do if I had one solid day” kind of list. 

Full downtown Gatlinburg guide linked in bio. 🔗
If someone told me I’d spend five hours at SkyPark, I would not have believed them. And yet. 😅

Gatlinburg SkyPark sits above the strip and it’s one of those places that looks like a quick stop on paper and turns into most of your afternoon. The SkyBridge alone is worth it — longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America, and yes, you will look down.

✨ SkyBridge (longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America)
✨ SkyLift ride up with views of the Smokies
✨ Walking trails with mountain views in every direction
✨ Way less crowded than downtown

Fair warning: if heights genuinely freak you out, the bridge might not be your thing. The rest of the park is still 100% worth it. Full guide with tickets, tips, and what to skip linked in bio. 🔗

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My Exact Packing List

I use this packing list for every trip — grab it and make packing way easier.

Embark. Explore. Eat.

Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.

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