Dubai's week vacation plan

Day 1 What better way to see a city than from the top of the world? If you have only one day in Dubai, then the heart of the city — Downtown Dubai — is where you should spend it. Take in the skyscrapers on Shaikh Zayed Road all the way to those at Dubai Marina on one side or the Meydan race course and the mouth of the creek beyond on the other side, or the glittering golden lights of the evening from the Burj Khalifa observatory deck (the tour is operational from 10am-10pm). But the world's tallest building is not the only attraction in the area. It also houses one of the biggest malls in the world, filled with luxury and contemporary brands to suit all budgets. In the evening, watch the dancing fountains at the foot of the Burj while having a meal at one of the many multicuisine restaurants at Souq Al Bahar. If you still want to shop, the Souq Al Bahar, designed as a traditional Arabian market, offers some offbeat items. Catch the Venetian mask carnival, thematic stilt walkers, the ice parade and other floats at Emaar Boulevard from 8.45pm. Day 2 Spend the day browsing offers in the many malls the city is peppered with — make sure your hotel offers a shuttle ride to at least a few of them — before hopping on to a four-wheel drive for a rollercoaster ride in the desert. The desert safari is an essential on any tourist itinerary, and this is the perfect weather to go on one. Watch the Sun go down from atop a sand dune before driving on to a Bedouin camp for a night under the stars, dinner and bellydancing. For the nature lover, too, there are tours on offer that allow you to view desert wildlife in all its glory, be it at the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve or at the lagoons. Free daily shows of the Power Puff Girls concert will be held at 5pm, 6.30pm and 8pm, followed by a 15-minute meet and greet every day from January 12 to January 21 (except on January 17) at the Observatory, BurJuman. From January 26 to February 1, at 5.45pm, 7pm and 8.30pm, Columbian artist Jose Luis Quiceno will create paintings in an unusual show — painting in sync with music while live dancers and gymnastics add a flourish to his work. Day 3 Put on a pair of comfy walking shoes, as today is the day to discover Old Dubai. Start the day with an Arabian breakfast at Shaikh Mohammad Centre for Cultural Understanding at the Bastakiya before exploring the warren of alleys with quaint shops and art galleries in traditional mud houses behind the centre. Walk your way towards the creek, taking a good peek into the Dubai Museum and Shaikh Saeed House, the homes of Dubai's former rulers. Cross over to the old souq, on the Deira side of the city, on the abra, the old water taxi, for Dh1. The smells wafting from spice market will tell you where to go. A good place to shop for some age-old spices and dry fruits from the region, the area also houses some of the oldest electronics and electrical shops, along with the Gold Souq. Now, there would be no point visiting the City of Gold without taking some back home, would it? Most outlets will be celebrating the shopping festival by giving added benefits to customers, so a small item will also fetch you something extra. Return to the Dubai side and end the day with a dinner dhow cruise or view the setting Sun and the lights of Dubai from your personal dhow (which can be hired for about Dh50-Dh100 for a half-hour ride), from the Al Seef Street, just outside the Bastakiya. Don't miss the stiltwalkers, unicyclists, clowns and jugglers at Spice Souq at 9.30pm, and the fireworks at Al Seef Street at 10.30pm. Day 4 Explore a little outside the city today. The mountains and pools of Hatta are an ideal spot for a family picnic. Spend the day in the lap of nature or take a scenic ride to the coastal emirate of Fujairah, famous for its beaches. Drive back to Dubai via Khorfakkan and Dibba, another scenic route. Stop over in Sharjah, the cultural capital of the UAE. Dine at Qanat Al Qasba beside the canal leading to the Sharjah Corniche, before heading back to the hotel. Call Qanat Al Qasba on 06-5560777. Day 5 Lying back in bed is not the best way to spend the day after all the driving around the day before. Go for a lazy brunch by the pool or the beach, or better yet, spend the day in the umpteen spas in the city, if not one of the waterparks. All five- and most four-star hotels have an in-house spa, but they offer services to non-resident guests as well. Apart from these, the Wafi City has one of the oldest spas in town. Rejuvenated, party the evening away at the nightclubs. The city has a range of choices, from Arabian to Western, and from Indian to Pinoy clubs. Speak to the concierge for what you want. You can also visit the traditional instrumental concerts at Festival Promenade from 5pm, and dance performances from all corners of the world, including Bollywood, Asian and European at Centre Stage, Deira City Centre. Aquaventure, Atlantis The Palm: 04-4260000. Sensasia Express, Mall of the Emirates, is offering a 20 per cent off on all facials until January 31. Advanced bookings required. Call 04-3528859. Day 6 Keep one day for exploring Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. The Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Ferrari World, Yas Island and the Abu Dhabi Corniche are only a few of the capital's attractions. Picnic in Al Ain, the garden city of the UAE and an oasis with World Heritage digs. Take in the sweeping views of the area from Jebel Hafeet, one of the highest spots in the country. Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque: 02-4416444; and Ferrari World: 02-4968001. Day 7 Haven't had enough of shopping? Global Village is a mega fairground. Not far away from the Global Village is another iconic shopping centre — Dragon Mart. A mall dominated by China-made products, it sells everything from a needle to various kinds of homeware to heavy commercial machinery. No trip to Dubai can be complete without visiting an authentic Emirati restaurant. Head to Dubai Festival City's Al Fanar. Savour home-style Emirati food at the Canal Walk under the shower of the nightly DSF fireworks. Festival Square will also host performances, such as those by African acrobats and acro-balancing and jar acts, while clowns and stiltwalkers roam around the mall. There will also be performances by Moein Al Bastaki, an Emirati illusionist, with three evening shows every Friday and Saturday. Al Fanar Restaurant: 04-2329966. Keep in mind Get a hotel connected to a shopping area. Dubai abounds in three-, four- and five-star options. Make sure your hotel offers shuttle service to most leading malls in the city to help you carry back all those bags. Speak to the concierge. He's probably the best person to guide you around town and what tours are suited to you.