If Venice is a trip to the past, Dubai is a trip to the future. For me, travel is ultimately about learning, about feeding your curiosity on the road to keep you sharp back at home. Encountering new places and unexpected cultures makes me feel alive and fuels my inner light. Every trip I have made to Dubai satisfies that urge, as the city never fails to impress in its commitment to ambitious innovation. From a tropical biodome to a fiery desert oasis, here are my best travel tips for Dubai. WHERE TO STAY For the View: The St Regis Dubai, The Palm See the whole Palm spread before you in a panoramic view that rivals a Spielberg vista. For the Spa: The Mandarin Oriental Jumeira The beachside view is unrivaled, but the real gem is in the treatment rooms at the spa. You’ll leave a new person after a day or two in their capable hands. WHERE TO EAT Lunch al Fresco: Shimmers on the Beach Don’t miss the swordfish carpaccio and the pistachio profiteroles for dessert, topped off with watermelon mint shisha Dinner for Two: Sushi Samba Fusion at its best - Japan, Peru and Brazil. Everything is good. WHAT TO DO: Rehydrate: The Green Planet Dubai A tropical biodome in the middle of the desert, full of parrots and flowers. Glimpse a Masterpiece: Louvre Abu Dhabi Designed by Pritzker-prize winning architect Jean Nouvel as a “museum city” in the sea, the impressive and awe inspiring setting is the perfect backdrop for an impressive collection of modern and ancient art. Desert Power: Sonara Camp Head out to the sand dunes for a day of camel rides, dune buggies, and fireworks. You might even catch a hawk or two.
