Where is destination for travel?

So you want to go to Dubai but have heard how expensive it can be for both vacationers and business travelers alike? If that’s what you’ve heard, then whoever told you hasn’t experienced Dubai. Here are some money saving tips that can cut your Dubai budget in half.

Shopping in Dubai
If shopping is your pleasure, then Dubai is your dreams come true. Not only do you have some of the biggest malls in the world with all the major brands, but Dubai, being originally a trading hub between the east and west offers you one of the most fascinating shopping experiences on the globe. From traditional souks (where you can find jewelry and cloth, among many others things), to the Indian markets in Deira, finding everything from spices to electronics. Ask around in the back-alley stores and you can even find that satellite decoder that opens all the paid channels. Don’t forget to haggle, they never turn away a customer, and you’ll know when you’ve hit the lowest price.

Communication
Avoid high phone charges in the hotel room and get a pre-paid calling card which you can use from any phone booth and private lines to call international. If you are expecting to stay for a while, get a pre-paid GSM card (WASEL) for Dhs.165 ($45). Limit your outgoing calls and get free incoming calls for a year (more info). The

WASEL GSM line must be purchased from an Etisalat office (don’t forget to bring a passport copy), but pre-paid cards can be purchased from any convenient store, gas stations or tobacco store.

Food
For cheap eats, it’s hard to beat the Indian restaurants serving the city’s largest working population. Try the buttered chicken with buttered ‘nan’ bread, and you’ll have cravings for it for years to come. For a $3 meal, expect to eat with your hands, but you can always politely ask for a fork or spoon. The
occasional foreigner is expected and well-cared for.

If you’re on a tight budget, only eat at hotels when they have meal deals, otherwise, you’ll be paying too much. Find Open Buffet specials starting at $10 per person, some Friday Brunch offers include use of the swimming pool for the day. You can find excellent Meal Deals here.

Drink
It might come as a surprise to you, but Dubai is a Party Town. With all the long hours at work, many people like to go out and chill during the week. For the budget traveler, look for Ladies Nights and Happy Hours happening in Dubai. Guaranteed you’ll find one for every night of the week. Check out Time Out Dubai or Dubai Look before going out. If you don’t have access to the internet, you can buy the “Time Out Dubai” Magazine from any store which includes the full listings for the month.

Sun and Sand
Want to spend a day by the pool at one of the exclusive hotels in Jumeirah, but not pay the high prices of the rooms? Almost all the hotels sell vouchers for a day’s access to the hotel’s beaches, pools, health club and spa. Sleep in a cheap hotel, spend the day in pure luxury… no one will know. Prices start at $10 and can go up to $60 depending on the hotel.

There are many public beaches, but for only Dhs. 5 ($1.40) you can spend the day at Jumeirah Beach Park on the beach road in Jumeirah. Not only do you have access to the beach with life guards, but you also have gardens, play areas for children, showers and barbecue areas. Note that Saturdays are for women
and children only. (Call 04-3492555 for more information)

Transportation
Want to save on transportation? Dubai cabs can be costly for tourists. So, until the Dubai metro gets up and running by year 2009 for the first line and 2015 for the second line, try the buses. Waiting for the bus can take a while, especially since they are hardly on schedule. In the summer months, the heat
can become unbearable during the wait and most bus stops don’t have a covered waiting area. But taking the bus can turn out to be quite an experience, don’t be afraid and make sure you budget the time for the trip as it can take 3 times the amount to get there over taking a taxi.

Renting a car? Don’t use the international rental companies. Local companies, especially ones in Sharjah give you rates much less than the big brand names. They will provide drop off and pick up in Sharjah and Dubai. But if you do have problems with renting a car from a no-name car rental, then Budget Car Rental
is the best choice for Dubai. Book early from an online booking service to guarantee the best prices and availability. And the best part of renting a car in Dubai? Gas is Cheap!

Entertainment
Dubai Shopping Festival (mid January to mid February) and Dubai Summer Surprises (end of June to beginning of September) hosts free entertainment all month long. Hundreds of shows and events all crammed into one month. You and your kids, if they are tagging along, will not get bored. Fireworks, raffle, street markets, clowns, monster trucks, are just some of the highlights. Go here for more information.

Horse Racing at Nad Al Sheba is held from 28th of October until the 26th of March. Each Race Night stages 6 or 7 individual races, the first starting at 7pm (or 9pm during the Holy Month of Ramadan). Public access to the races is free. Don’t forget the world’s richest horse race, the Dubai World Cup held in March. (www.dubaiworldcup.com). Unless you want to sit in the VIP section, entrance to the public enclosures is also free for this spectacular event.

Christine Petrosa is a Dubai resident, business professional and a contributing writer for BusinessinDubai.com which contains information on setting up a business in dubai, real estate news, business travel, new projects, jobs in dubai, web links, telephone and addresses directory and a business forum.

This article may be freely reprinted provided the Author information remain part of the article. Links should be active when published on the internet.

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Here are just a few tips we suggest you follow when planning your trip and saving money!!

1. Figure out where you are going & what you must do while there. There are many great destinations in Florida from the Panhandle, to the Gulf coast, Atlantic Coast, Orlando, or the Keys. They also offer so many things to do, that it’s a good idea to plan ahead of time some activities.

2. Sign up for online e-zines: These are online magazines or newsletters that you sign up for and receive on a regular basis. Make sure they have an opt-in and opt-out policy and don’t share your information.

3. Are you going as a family, with friends, or for romance? How you get there, where you stay, what activities you want to plan will revolve around whom you travel with. There are locations in Florida set up for different types of vacations.

4. Get coupons & Ask for deals. I don’t care how much money you have. Traveling with coupons and discount sources only saves you money on your travels. Even if you go more luxurious, you can save money with these two tips. Ask to get bumped, ask for first class, ask for off-season specials, ask for senior citizens discounts, etc. Just ask.

5. Do your homework and shop around. We have found literally hundreds of online travel sites. Use the well known ones that are recommended. Read consumer reviews, be patient, and make sure you read all the terms and conditions, whether you book online of offline.

6. Join groups such as AAA or AARP. You can also save money by obtaining a frequent flyer credit card and earning points through spending. Just be smart with your credit and don’t go overboard.

7. Rent from an owner. Yes, there are options other than staying in a huge chain. Sometimes, the best deals and nicest places are from someone who is renting out their vacation home.

8. Travel in the off-season. Book early, book late, and name your own price at travel auction sites.

9. Referrals are the oldest, and in my opinion, the best way to do anything. There are people who will recommend hotels, things to do, places to go, that you would have never found otherwise.

10. Using credit cards can save you money and free up cash for other adventures. There is a right way and a wrong way to use them. A vacation is a necessity, not a luxury.

Also, prepare a budget, get all your necessities ahead of time and shop for them, and have fun while planning your trip. Yes, there are a few things you need to take into account, but if you follow a system of steps, planning will be easy. In addition, be realistic about prices, but don’t think you can’t get great deals on your vacations to Florida.

Discount Florida Vacations is a total Florida vacation guide. It offers fun, sun, tips, ideas, resources, recommendations, and experiences for anyone looking to travel to Florida.
For more info. or help with planning your trip, visit us at
http://www.discount-florida-vacations.com

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Planning your vacation can be quite easy and enjoyable when you follow these simple steps. Plus, you don’t want to forget anything while planning your vacation.

So, let’s not waste any time, and get down to the business of planning your vacation!

#1. Where are you going to go? There are many great destinations all over the globe. It will depend on your goals and plans for your trip. For example, are you going as a family? Are you going for romance? Are you a student traveling on your break?
Are you traveling with a group? Do you have a pet to consider? Are you getting married or going for your honeymoon?
These are all important questions as they lead to customizing your trip accordingly.

#2. When are you going to go? Consider off-season to on. Also, think about things like
the weather. For example, our site is about Florida. Right now there is a hurricane and it’s very hot. Time of year will be important for availabilities, crowds, weather, prices, and so forth.

#3. Get all your travel needs, tools, and necessities ahead of time. That old saying, “Failing to plan, is planning to fail.” In this case you will not get the good deals, have as much fun, and enjoy your vacation if you don’t plan.
Some items you’ll want to round up include, maps, guides, coupons, luggage, checklists, travel activities, insurance, etc. Take care of all this and you will feel comfortable and confident while traveling.

#4. Figure out your Budget. There are many ways to save money and get deals while planning your trip. Whether you are planning way ahead of time or going last minute, finding deals on everything travel is possible. You just need to know where to look.

#5. How are you going to get there? Fly, drive your own car, or rent a car? Different travels require different types of transportation. It depends on the distance of your trip, schedule, budget, and so on. Remember what Clark W. Griswold and his family went through while traveling across country to Wally World in the family truckster- “Vacation.”

#6. Where are you going to stay? If you think a hotel is the only option, you’re wrong. There are condos, homes to rent, camping, RV parks, houseboats, villas, and more. As a traveler you have many viable options to choose from.

#7. What items will you need to take? If you go to the beach, for example, what will you need? What activities will keep everyone busy while traveling? Just consider what items you will need while you enjoy your vacation.

#8. What do you plan to do while on vacation? Are you going to golf, hike, fish, rent a boat? What kind of day trips do you have planned? How much are you going to eat out and eat in? These are important to consider so you get things like discount tickets, make reservations, take the proper equipment, and figure it into your budget.

#9. Don’t forget about your pet. Are you taking them or leaving them behind? You want to ensure your beloved family pet is well taken care of during the trip. There are a few things to do and consider before you leave.

#10. Finally, have fun! Planning a vacation is exciting. I mean we all work 50+ weeks a year for the one to two weeks off. You can have a great trip no matter how much money you have. Vacations are a necessity, not a luxury.

Discount Florida Vacations is a total Florida vacation guide offering fun, sun, tips, ideas, checklists, help, recommendations, resources, and experiences for anyone traveling to Florida.
You can find excellent information or plan your trip with us at
http://www.discount-florida-vacations.com

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