StudentUniverse » Middle East

Abu Dhabi

Paul — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 20:06:57 +0000

Abu Dhabi, the capital, center, and largest city of the United Arab Emirates, has been described by CNN new network as “the richest city in the world” and with a population of just under 1.5 million, this diamond in the rough is sure to be a winner. Although it seems like this city would be in the middle of a desert, it’s actually located on a huge island and surrounded by blue tropical water. The city center is also a huge bustling metropolis where everyone is hard at work. With each citizen averaging a $17 million net worth it’s not hard to see how everyone affords such an upscale city. Pack your bags and set sail for the tropical paradise for your wild spring break. Visit www.studentuniverse.com for cheap student airfare to Abu Dhabi.

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Abu Dhabi Pictures

Things to do in Abu Dhabi

Although Abu Dhabi offers little in the way of historical or cultural sights, it does have some different, quirky things to see. The city’s flagpole, standing 123 meters tall, is among the world’s tallest flagpoles, with the massive UAE flag dangling from it. It’s on Marina Island across from the Marina Mall. Abu Dhabi also has great parks which include open green spaces, lovely fountains, lights, and even some sculptures. The Khalifa Park, an upscale park, was built as a cost of $50 million and has its own aquarium, museum, train, play spaces, and formal gardens. Also Abu Dhabi has a treat for your eyes with the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the 6th largest Mosque in the world. Construction is mostly done, and entry in the Mosque for non-Muslims is restricted to Saturday-Thursday mornings. Most people in Abu Dhabi enjoy swimming during the week, and this city has tons of it. Hotels and private clubs in Abu Dhabi have swimming facilities, as well as private beaches which can usually be rented out for a day, week, or even year. For more of a touristy experience you could try the Desert Safari, where an experienced staff takes you around tall sand dunes on a Jeep and eventually includes a short camel ride and Arabic buffet with a belly dancer. Book trips early to get your spot confirmed.

Nightlife in Abu Dhabi

Only restaurants in hotels are allowed to serve alcohol, so all of the nightlife is associated with hotels, and the drinking age being 21. It is also fairly well known that most places don’t card, but be cautious and use your common sense. The best spots to hit up are Hemingway’s, at the Hilton Abu Dhabi, and the Captain’s Arms, at Le Meridien. At Hemingway’s you can find three different places inside, with the main restaurants having a good Tex-Mex menu, a wide selection of beer on tap and great live music, the Jazz Bar featuring a great act, and the Cinnabar, a lively nightclub that usually gets going after midnight. At the Captain’s Arms you can find a mostly traditional British pub in the hotel courtyard, but get there early as it fills up quickly with the after-work crowd.

Dining in Abu Dhabi

Meals are warm and inviting in Abu Dhabi, with Vegetarians having more options than usual with all the vegetable and bean-heavy native dishes. Be careful to check if you’re going to visit during the month of Ramadan, as Muslim’s are required to fast and restaurants are, by law, closed during the day. For some cheap, authentic food definitely try Arabian Palace and Anand Vegetarian Restaurant, both a great option. If you’re looking to spend a bit more on food, hit up Prego’s, Rodeo Grill, and Benihana, all located at the Beach Rotana Hotel.

Shopping in Abu Dhabi

Shopping in Abu Dhabi is a shopper’s heaven, with tons of malls featuring local and English, American, and Canadian chain stores. Many visitors will be surprised at the female fashion dichotomy – while local custom calls for women to be covered in public, most stores sell short skirts and halter tops alongside the more sedate floor-length skirts and high-necked shirts. The best malls are the Abu Dhabi Mall, Marina Mall, and Al Wahda Mall, all a great choice! There’s also tons of small, independent stores around the city. Be sure to bargain as it’s a big part of the shopping experience in Abu Dhabi. Grocery stores such as Spinney’s, Carrefours, and the Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society are inexpensive and usually stocked with Western goods. Prices in Abu Dhabi tend to be very competitive and there is no tax on goods.

Abu Dhabi Travel Tips

There are usually lots of traffic jams in the downtown area.
Convert money before to avoid fees.
Buy tickets early at www.studentuniverse.com

Tel Aviv

Paul — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 19:57:46 +0000

With a rich history and vibrant culture, Tel Aviv is becoming more and more of a great place for college students to travel to. Once not considered much of a tourist destination, this growing city is becoming more of a main destination for people looking to visit the Middle East. The friendly people will make you feel right at home as you discover just what makes Israel so special. The religious roots of this ancient city makes day trips a lot of fun. The food is delicious and the nightlife is outrageous, so what more could you ask for?

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Tel Aviv Pictures

Things to do in Tel Aviv

The second largest city in Israel, Tel Aviv has a lot to offer any tourist looking for a bit of fun. While you can easily get lost in the history and culture of the city, there are definitely a few must sees that you have to get to while staying here. Old Jaffa is one of the oldest ports in the world. It is also supposedly where Jonah was swallowed by a whale in stories. Here grab a quick bite and enjoy the sea breeze while looking out at the beautiful view. The Azrieli Lookout is the top of the Azrieli Towers where you can look out at the rest of the city from a high up, central point. In the area there are two notable amusement parks. Luna Park, the premier park within the city limits has an excellent selection of rides and rollercoasters. You can also hop over to the Meimadyon water park, which is right near the amusement park. This makes the perfect summer day trip. Another amusement park is Superland. You would need a car to get here. Lots of college students prefer this one because there are many more thrill rides than Luna Park. Back in the center of the city, Rabin Square, the largest square in Israel, is a nice place to shop and eat. The Museum of the Jewish Diaspora and Eretz-Israel Museum are both worth visiting. You will see exhibits with lovely artifacts and religious symbolism. Try to get in a soccer game while visiting. It is the city’s most famous sport and there are several great teams. If there is a little left over time, a day or afternoon at the beach is always fun. Get a nice tan and hang out amongst the locals at one of the smaller beaches in Tel Aviv.

Nightlife in Tel Aviv

There are many clubs, bars, and lounges in Tel Aviv. Although most locals enjoy strolling around the city streets and people watching. For tourists, many of these places cater to you and your needs and you will be able to find pretty good deals. Dizengoff Street and the Herbert Samuel Esplanade-Ha-Tayelet are where most young adults like to hang out. For a fun night, stroll over to in a live show. Music really is the best way to enjoy the nightlife in this city. Bands and singers perform almost every night at the high end hotels like the Sheraton and Hilton in downtown. The bars here are often packed, so come early. Zamir Theater is a fun club and on weekends where younger crowds like to come. Shesek and Lemon are also worth stopping by. There are also many gay and lesbian bars like Dix and Evita. Other bars to start your night off at include Shalvata, Jaffa, Joey’s Bar, and Terminal.

Dining in Tel Aviv

For tourists who are not so daring, there are the traditional Western comfort foods such as fast food restaurants and chains. McDonalds, Burger King, and Pizza Hut can all be found here. However, that isn’t half the fun of being in a new and exotic place. The fast food chains do offer a more Mediterranean kick to the typical burgers and fries. However, street carts also serve up tasty and authentic food for college students on a budget. Try some hummus and pita bread or tabule. You can also find lots of beans, chickpeas, and lentils as side dishes and in soups. Seafood is also a big meal item due to the proximity to the ocean. If you are looking to splurge a little on a meal try places like Yoezer Bar Wine, Abu Hasan, and White Hall. Stuffed grape leaves are excellent at these restaurants. Also kosher food is very prevalent, and tasty. If you haven’t yet had the opportunity to taste some of these dishes, this is a great opportunity to dig in.

Shopping in Tel Aviv

Allenby Street is the best place to find touristy shopping. You can buy inexpensive clothing, gift items, book, souvenirs, and delicious baked goods as well. The Opera Tower is a posh mall right next to Allenby Street. This place is as close to a fashion center as Tel Aviv gets. There are nice shops and designer stores as well as carts and food. Katika and D&A are trendy shops you will want to check out if you go to one of these malls. Take note that you can’t barter prices here. However, at the local street shops, you may be able to. Israeli jewelry and pottery products are very fine and you will be able to get pretty good deals on them if you look in the right places. Other than that there are mainly international goods such as clothing to be purchased here.

Tel Aviv travel tips

The new central bus station called Tahana Merkazit is the official largest bus station in the world, which makes getting around easy and convenient.
The currency in Tel Aviv is the Israeli shekel (ILS).
The international calling code is 972 if dialing from a long-distance phone.

Dubai

Kate — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:21:01 +0000

A quaint Middle Eastern fishing village turned metropolis, rising from the desert like an urban oasis, Dubai hugs the coast of the Arabian gulf offering the best of very hot desert weather with the beach lifestyle. Known for extravagance in every way, from indoor skiing in the desert to the world’s tallest building, Dubai is sure to impress any first time visitor. A short flight from India, Europe, Eastern Africa, and the Far East – Dubai is becoming a popular stopover destination for college students using cheap airfares from the United States to Asia. The combination of Arabian and western culture makes for an interesting and unique society and a very diverse city.

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Dubai Pictures

Things to do in Dubai

Relaxing on the beach in Dubai is an absolute must. While most of the new buildings in Dubai are banks and large corporations, the Burj Dubai building is the world’s tallest building and the Burj Al Arab is easily one of the most extravagant hotels you could ever imagine, shaped like a 1,000ft tall sail with a helicopter pad turned into a tennis court jutting out of the top. Dubai also has a large mall culture, the largest of which, the Mall of the Emirates, even has an indoor ski slope where you can rent equipment and a jacket before taking the chairlift to the top. If you want to take advantage of the always nice weather, Wild Wadi is a large waterpark designed for everyone to enjoy. Dubai has a lot to offer for people looking to enjoy the warm weather and enough distractions for when you’re ready to get out of the heat.

Nightlife in Dubai

While the United Arab Emirates is a Muslim country, Dubai allows hotels and clubs to serve alcohol to non-nationals. 360 Degrees at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel is at the end of a marina with the cool breeze coming in at night and amazing views of the city from the water. The Rooftop Swimming Pool at the Dubai Creek Hilton is a small bar that offers spectacular sunsets over the city. Wherever you end up in the evening just remember to bring some sort of ID as a young person, the drinking age is 21 in Dubai and you may not get into bars and clubs without an ID if you look like you’re too young.

Dining in Dubai

The food in Dubai is as diverse as it’s people. With different options for every price range, finding where to eat can be a difficult decision. Most high-end restaurants are attached to expensive hotels, but when you travel beyond the hotel you will find some incredible and authentic Pakistani and Indian cuisine at reasonable prices. If you are looking for a little taste of home, Dubai offers many American and Western options. Just like any other large city, you can pretty easily find a Starbucks to get your morning coffee.

Shopping in Dubai

Dubai is a shopping mecca. The Dubai Shopping Festival is a massive city-wide sale with almost every retailer offering a discount. For anyone willing to brave going to a mall bigger than most small towns, the Mall of the Emirates is the largest shopping center outside of North America and even includes it’s own indoor ski slope. The Deira City Centre is the Middle East’s most popular mall and is definitely worth a visit. If you are looking for a more stereotypical middle eastern shopping experience, the Gold Souk historic market is known for its collection of gold vendors and the Spice Souk is likewise known for it’s spices. Both markets were established early in Dubai’s history, and while they are often visited by tourists, they are not considered to necessarily be ‘tourist’ destinations.

Dubai travel tips

The weekends in Dubai are Friday and Saturday, so Thursdays and Fridays are the best evenings to experience the local nightlife.
The weather in Dubai ranges from extremely hot in the summer to just plain warm throughout the winter. January has an average temperature above 70 and August has been known to see temperatures approaching 120.
Taxis are fairly inexpensive and can provide a good way to get out of the heat and to get you where you need to go around the city.