So, You’re Going to Dubai. Let Me, Elena Makree, Fix Your Itinerary.
Listen, I just got back from Dubai. I’ve seen Dubai from every angle, but my soul is currently refusing to speak to me unless it’s from the deck of a yacht. My recent travels have left my skin glowing, my bank account weeping, and me with one undeniable conclusion: nothing compares to the luxury of a yacht rental Dubai has to offer. I’ve seen the city from every angle, but mostly from the best angle: the one with a champagne flute in my hand and the glittering skyline behind me.
Forget those boring guides. Here’s what’s actually worth doing, filtered through the glamorous (and slightly sunburnt) lens of my expertise.
The Main Attractions (Or, “Things That Almost Upstaged My Yacht”)
Let’s be real, Dubai is my kind of extra. It doesn’t do “subtle.” And I respect that.
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Burj Khalifa: It’s very tall. You should go up. My pro tip? Book for sunset. The view is killer, and it almost made me forget the view from my yacht earlier that day. Almost.
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Dubai Fountain Show: It’s a fountain. It dances. It’s free. It’s lovely. I enjoyed it for a solid five minutes before I got a text that the Jacuzzi on the yacht was warmed up. Priorities.
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Dubai Miracle Garden: Millions of flowers arranged into ridiculous, fabulous shapes. The perfect place to take photos that make your friends back home deeply jealous. I got a great one from the helicopter pad on the yacht, though. Just saying.
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Ain Dubai: The world’s largest observation wheel. Cute. A nice, slow, grounded experience. I prefer my views at 25 knots with a sea breeze, but you do you.
Weird & Wonderful Stuff (Because Normal is Boring)
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Ski Dubai: I went skiing. In a mall. In the desert. I fell on my backside immediately. 10/10, would humiliate myself again. The penguins were judging me, but they don’t have a yacht, so their opinion is invalid.
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Chillout Ice Lounge: You sit in a freezer and they give you a coat. It’s a brilliant concept designed to make you appreciate the outside heat. And the heated seats on my tender boat.
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Global Village: A whirlwind tour of the world without the jet lag. I had Turkish coffee, bought a sombrero, and watched a cultural dance performance. A truly chaotic and delightful evening.
For the Kids (And Adults Who Are Basically Kids)
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Dubai Aquarium: You walk through a tunnel surrounded by sharks. It’s like being in a Bond villain’s lair, which I fully support. (My yacht is also a acceptable villain lair, FYI.)
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LEGOLAND: I didn’t go. My yacht is not made of LEGOs. It is, however, the colour of a perfect blue 2×4 brick. Coincidence?
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Desert Safari: This is a MUST. You get flung around in a 4×4 like a sock in a dryer, then you eat BBQ on a carpet. It’s fantastic. It really makes you appreciate the smooth, non-dune-y ride of a luxury vessel later.
Free Fun (For When Your Yacht is in the Shop)
Believe it or not, I do occasionally set foot on public land.
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Jumeirah Beach: The sand is soft, the water is blue, and the view of the Burj Al Arab is iconic. It’s a great spot to gaze longingly at the yachts sailing past. Sigh.
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Al Fahidi Historic District: Charming, old-world alleyways that prove Dubai wasn’t always bling. It’s a nice, quiet break from the constant, glorious hum of a marine engine.
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Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary: Flamingos! With a skyline backdrop! It’s weird and wonderful. They seemed impressed with my yacht from a distance.
Souvenirs That Don’t Suck
Skip the plastic camels. Bring home this:
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Camel Milk Chocolate: It’s delicious. I ate a bar while coordinating with the captain. Multi-tasking.
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Dates & Spices: Go to the Spice Souk. It’s an aromatic assault. I bought saffron. I have no idea what to do with it, but it looks expensive.
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A Pashmina: I bartered for a lovely one. The vendor tried to tell me a story about his cousin. I told him a story about my yacht. I think we bonded.
The Elena Makree Bottom Line
Dubai is a city where you can ski, sandboard, and stargaze all in one day. It’s gloriously, unapologetically over-the-top.
No matter what kind of trip you’re looking for, Dubai delivers. But let’s be serious: if you really want to see the city properly, you need to see it from the water. Everything else is just a pre-show.
Ready to make your vacation unforgettable? Chartering a private yacht is the only way to truly win at Dubai. Trust me, I’m an expert.
Xx,
Elena Makree
Dubai Marina at evening
