Last Minute Deal in Dubai

One of our premier partner hotels, the Radisson SAS Deira Creek (outstanding location and service), is offering extra special rates for travel between now and January 17. If you can't make that window but you would still would like to experience Dubai and stay at one of Dubai's best located 5-star hotels, please know we've re-negotiated special rates all the way through April 30, 2009 valid for new bookings). Just let us know how many nights you'd like to enjoy in Dubai and peruse our selection of day tours for a great "hub and spoke" vacation, where you conveniently stay in one hotel in Dubai but experience the wonders of the other Emirates. This is just one of many options we can help you with: www.latitudetours.com/pages/dubai-3-day-dubai-highlights or email me direct at dan@latitudeworldtours.com.

Burj Al Arab

When one imagines Dubai, the mind conjures thoughts of lavishness, innovation and beauty. While there are several examples of these qualities throughout Dubai, nothing has come to symbolize them more than the Burj Al Arab hotel. Burj Al Arab has become world renowned for its innovative architecture and exquisite service. This is a property we can include in any of our tour quotes, though nights here, with taxes and breakfast, can easily reach over US$2,000/night. Most people can easily recognize it by its tall sail-like shape that dominates the Dubai skyline and offers a magnificent view of both the Arabian Gulf and Dubai. Once inside, your eyes are immediately drawn skyward as you marvel in one of the largest atriums in the world.

While the hotel only boasts 202 suites, each one contains two levels luxuriously decorated in vibrant colors and lavish furniture. These accommodations range between 1,800 square feet to over 8,300 square feet. The aesthetic appeal, however, is only half of the experience. They also offer world class service and, in fact, it is currently the worlds only (self-described) seven-star hotel. For those seeking relaxation and self-indulgence they offer the Assawan Spa and Health club, located on the 18th story surrounded by beautiful mosaics and a tranquil view of the ocean. Here you can treat yourself to everything from facials, body massages, Jacuzzis, and even entire ritual sessions lasting up to 150 minutes perfect for both men and women. After revitalizing yourself, you can easily head to one of the several amazing restaurants within the hotel offering fine cuisine from around the world. The signature restaurant, the Al Mahara, which has received numerous accolades, combines a stunning atmosphere with exquisite seafood. The most noticeable feature within Al Mahara is the enormous seawater aquarium in the center of the dinning area, which creates a unique and unforgettable ambiance. After enjoying a perfect meal, you can take a short walk around the hotel’s white sandy beach listening to the waves and admiring the beautiful hotel exterior as its lighting scheme changes throughout the evening. Before going back to your room for the night, head to the Skyview bar and overlook the breath-taking scenery from the 27th floor while enjoying a specially made cocktail and reflecting on the day’s events and planning for tomorrow.

It is no wonder that Burj Al Arab has attracted so much praise and attention from around the world; they don’t just offer a beautiful hotel but an entire experience for those seeking opulence and luxury. Among the tours you can consider including a night or two at the Burj is the Dubai Highlights tour, which is right here: http://www.latitudetours.com/pages/dubai-3-day-dubai-highlights. - Derek H.

DTCM’s Destination Dubai 2009 Tourism Manual Launched

The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) released the 2009 edition of its yearly tourism manual - Destination Dubai. The magazine was officially launched at the World Travel Market (WTM) 2009 in London.

The colorful and attractive manual is a comprehensive book for all potential visitors to Dubai and documents the emirate's progress in trade, travel and tourism, sports in addition to listings of airlines, tour operators, shopping and other leisure options.'Destination Dubai 2009' features Dubai's fast transformation into a haven for sun seekers and shoppers and also a city of adventure, offering exciting discoveries in both mountain and desert terrain. The manual fulfills a genuine attempt to present Dubai's fantastic tourism options to a global audience.

Mohamed Khamis bin Hareb, DTCM’s Executive Director of Operations and Marketing said “This year 20 more pages had to be added to the manual which contains valuable information like tourist attractions, heritage sites, entertainment and tours and dining out options in a budding destination. It also has useful tips and information regarding visa, immigration and customs rules and regulations and a quick version of Dubai at A Glance, Dubai’s tourist map.”

Dubai's emerging reputation as a shopping and real estate oasis with features like the Dubai Duty Free and Dubai Shopping festival and the new projects like the Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Land and Dubai Waterfront are well represented in the manual. She added that Destination Dubai 2009 also explores the interesting spots in other emirates to offer a total UAE tourism experience for the visitors. A complete listing of Dubai's rapidly expanding list of hotels and hotel apartments, foreign embassies and consulates in the manual will help guide tourists through the multiple leisure options that are available in Dubai.

Of course, the Dubai tour experts at Latitude World Tours can help you customize your vacation in Dubai (whether for just your family or your entire goup), and help you navigate the ins and outs of traveling to and in Dubai.

--Daniel Crandall