Dubai is to host UAE Ballooning Championship festival in December 2011. Taking place on occasion of the UAE’s 40th National Day, the festival will depict the UAE’s rich history and heritage. Over the three day event the hot air balloons will light up the Dubai sky like a mass of fireflies as they fly past Palm Jumeirah and the Burj Khalif.

UAE Ballooning Championship

In honour of the UAE’s 40th National Day the hot air balloons will take to the sky every morning and evening which will be an amazing sight to see on your direct holidays to Dubai. This event is the first of its kind to take place in the UAE, promising to be a fun-filled event with lots of entertainment and attractions.

The following shows will take place at the Meydan Turf Lounge;

Night Glow
Late in the evening the hot air balloons will be grouped together in Meydan. The balloons will be inflated as if they are going to take off but they will not take to the sky but will be held down hence lighting up the sky like giant Chinese lanterns. This promises to be a spectacular sight as the balloons light-up the evening sky.

Mass Ascensions
Those taking part will be able to take to the sky in a huge group giving spectators an amazing view of all the balloons.

Sky Diving Display
The audience will be amazed by the sky diving display from one of the balloons.

Skylamps Release
At the Night Glow show the climax of the evening will be the mass release of all the balloons. This amazing spectacular will light up the evening sky and act as a symbol of Unity.

There are lots of package holidays available to Dubai throughout the internet so don’t miss this amazing event, book your holiday now and visit the UAE Ballooning Championship festival in December.

Thinking of visiting Dubai for your holidays or just interested in this fascinating country?

Dubai beach

Have just found this great informative travel article for Dubai.

Why not take a look at this interesting and informative piece which includes information on dining out, beaches, shopping and sightseeing.

This article has been written by Trevor Butler who has written several other destination articles which you may find interesting and helpful.

Jaz Hotels, Resorts and Cruises have just opened their first hotel in Dubai, the Emirates Grand Hotel.

The hotel is located within walking distance of the Dubai Mall on the Sheikh Zayed Road, just 15 minutes from Dubai International Airport.

The Emirates Grand Hotel is ideal for both business and leisure travellers.

Accommodation

93 Deluxe Rooms, 66 One Bedroom Suites with living room and kitchen, 127 Premier One Bedroom Suites with large living and sleeping areas, 123 Two Bedroom Suites with a Master Bedroom, twin bedroom, living, kitchen and dining area.

Sport and Leisure Facilities

Spa, Sauna (seperate for men and women), Steam Rooms,
Tennis Court, Yoga, Aerobics, Fitness Centre, Roof-top Pool, Jacuzzi.

The Spa consists of 13 treatment rooms, including 2 Rainmist Rooms.

Dining

All day dining Restaurant, All day In Room dining, Shisha Lounge, Lobby Lounge.

Business

Meeting Rooms, Business Centre, Boardroom, Pre-function Area.

Bargain holidays to Dubai are always available throughout the internet.

Review supplied by our reader George Burton

“We were only here for 3 days, just wish it could have been longer.
The hotel itself was very luxurious with extremely helpful staff. Our room was large and spotless, with everything we needed, including internet access and a printer!
The pools, complete with climbing frames and slides looked great, as did the spa and gym but sadly we didn’t have time to use any of them as we had a lot to cram in on our 3 days!!!
Next time we will spend longer here and enjoy all that the Grand Hyatt has to offer, and there will definitely be a next time.”

Grand Hyatt

Grand Hyatt Dubai

The Grand Hyatt is located in the heart of the city, about 15 minutes drive from the airport. The hotel is set in 37 acres of landscaped gardens, close to the financial, entertainment and shopping districts, making it the perfect location for direct holidays.

Accommodation
All 674 rooms, including the Standard City side rooms, have a bath and separate shower, dressing area, air conditioning, tv, telephone, minibar, tea/coffee making facilities, dressing area.
The Creekview rooms have views of the serpentine waterway and Club Creekview rooms include access to a private lounge serving continental breakfast, evening cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. 

Grand Hyatt Creekview Room

Features
Restaurants offering Italian, Vietnamese, Singaporean and Lebanese cuisines, wine and cocktail bars.
Winding pathways that lead past waterfall cascades to a lagoon swimming pool, toddler and children’s pools with water slides, a children’s club, floodlit tennis courts, squash courts, a jogging track, fitness centre and spa with indoor lap pool, spa pools, jacuzzis and a small shopping arcade.
Massage and beauty treatments are available (payable locally). There is also a shuttle bus to the main shopping centres.

Local Attractions
The Dubai World Trade Centre
Dubai Creek
Dubai Museum
Bastakiya

Dubai is known as a ‘shoppers paradise’. Most of the worlds designer labels are available in the city’s swanky malls.

Modesh,mascot of Dubai Summer Suprises

During February the Dubai Shopping Festival takes place and the Dubai Summer Suprises runs throughout the summer. Top international brands are usually offered at rock bottom prices during these festivals.
Dubai’s souks, traditional shopping centres, are excellent for bargain hunting, especially in Deira. The curio shops of Karama and Satwa are also great places for bargains.

Al Karama

Karama’s two central streets are lined with lots of small shops. Here you buy anything, including clothes, designer fashion accessories and watches. There are also lots of souvenir shops here selling a range of goods from Indian inlaid rosewood boxes to Omani silver jewellery.
Karama also has fish and vegetable markets and it has one street that sells just furniture.

Al Satwa

Al Satwa

Full of shops and pavement cafes, the broad palm-lined main street, Al Diyafah, is perfect for a spot of shopping and then relaxing in one of the many restaurants and cafes.
At the west end of Al Diyafah street (near the sea) is the historic Dar Al Ittehad (Union House) building where the treaty creating the UAE was signed in 1971.
At the other end of the street, near the Rydges Plaza Hotel, is the busy Al Satwa Road where there are lots of small shops which sell textiles, clothes and household goods.
Satwa has many tailoring shops where any item of clothing can be designed and made in a week.
Between Al Satwa Road and Al Wasl Road there is a street Known as ‘Plant Street’ where you can buy plants and flowers of all colours, size and shape. The street is also home to lots of pet shops, selling exotic animals, birds and fish and art shops selling original paintings and prints.

Al Faheidi

Bur Dubai

Bur Dubai is full of colourful shopping districts.
In the narrow streets of the Al Faheidi area you will find electrical goods, including all the latest gadgets and IT equipment.
Cosmos Lane (Meena Bazaar) is lined with fabric shops selling silks, cottons and woollens.

Jurmeirah

Jurmeirah was once a fishing village but is now a popular summer holidays tourist destination. Jurmeirah Beach Road has many restaurants, cafes, beauty salons and flower shops.

The Old Town

Situated along the Burj Dubai Boulevard at Downtown Burj Dubai, the Old Town is a network of passageways and landscaped courtyards.
The Old Town has an air of informality, with the pathways lined with souks, stalls, restaurants and cafes.

Up Town Mirdiff

Up Town Mirdiff is a quaint pedestrian shopping centre with an assortment of high-street names, small shops, beauty salons, restaurants and cafes.

Global Village

Global Village

Global Village is situated within the theme park developement of Dubailand and is open annually between December and March. The village site offers a broad spectrum of activities, including shopping, music, dance, arts and crafts, theatre and dining.The international pavilions here attract craftsmen and tradesmen from around the world, enabling shoppers to buy products from all over the world.