I spent five months in Dubai, half of it was working, and the other half was recreation. I lived on the outskirts of Dubai (close to open desert) in a Compound in Mirdif. There wasn’t a whole lot to do out there (as it was a relatively new area) but make use of the compound's two pools and gym.

Firstly I’d suggest hiring an air conditioned car in Dubai, as it’s really the only way to get around, especially in Summer when it reaches 50 degrees celsius! Drivers in Dubai are the fastest I’ve seen anywhere. Most of the roads are in top condition (thanks to the Pakistani and Indian workers) and wide, and many wealthy locals are driving huge BMWs travelling at over 200km/h. Driving in the inner city area (Bur Dubai and Deira) can be tricky as they are often busy and filled with lots of narrow alleyways and bikes, but in suburban Dubai driving is relatively easy.

I suggest avoid travelling to Dubai during there summer, as it's a pain to get around because of the heat, and avoid Ramadam, because most restaurants and cafes are closed during the day making it hard to find somewhere for lunch etc.

I visited many places in Dubai, some of the highlights and suggestions for travellers are:

Jumeirah
Jumeirah is very English, lots of English (and western) expats live here and it shows. All the big English supermarkets, chemist etc chains are here. It has a great beach park and some nice 'free' beaches. The beach park on Beach Rd is ladies and children only on Saturday and Sunday (don’t forget the local weekend is Thursday and Friday).

The Jumeirah Mosque on Al Jumeira Rd is also quite interesting, and you can arrange tours through it – although I never went on one. There’s also a zoo nearby, but I wouldn’t recommend going there, especially if you like animals.

A large shopping mall opened in late 2002 on Beach Rd called Jumeirah Plaza. It was designed to look like an Italian village. It is kind of tacky, but interesting to look at if you’re in the area and has new cinemas showing latest release films.

Further south, past Jumierah 3 is the Jumeira Beach Hotel and Burj Al Arab Hotel. These two hotels are worth visiting, you can go to the top of the Beach Hotel for a great view over Dubai’s desert. Burj Al Arab costs money to visit, but you get that refunded if you dine in one of the restaurants there. Next to the Beach Hotel is the water park Wild Wadi – which is great fun if you have a day to spare. Further south is the Royal Mirage Hotel, designed like a Moroccan Fortress. I'd suggest driving down there if you're already at the Beach Hotel as it's not far and worth walking though. Be aware of prices though, I bought a lemonade for $8 there.

Bur Dubai
This is mainly an Indian district and is one of the better places to do some shopping. There is an interesting old style souk along the bank of Dubai creek that’s worth walking through, even if you just soak up the atmosphere and don't buy anything. Computers and cameras can be bought cheaply in this area too, and you can usually knock dirhams (local currency) off with a bit of negotiating. The computer markets are located around BurJuman Centre – another upmarket style shopping mall.

The Dubai museum is in Al Fahidi Fort, Bur Dubai, and is worth a visit. It takes you through the history of the area and features some original art work and tools found in the area.

A short walk along the banks of the creek you’ll find Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House, Heritage and the Diving Village. It’s really in Shindagah, but an easy walk from Bur Dubai. It won’t take long to visit these areas, but worth spending half a day walking through to get a feel for how Dubai has changed. You could spend the first half of your day at the Museum and in the Bur Dubai souk, then walk up to Shindagah – or combine it with a trip to the spice and gold souk across the river, and get a ferry over.

Creek crusies leave from Bur Dubai water front. I’d recommend looking at Danat Dubai cruises (I worked on their website while in Dubai and went on most of their cruises).

Deira
This is the heart of Dubai and has many things worth visiting. The spice souk has turned in to a bit of a tourist trap – with lots of cheap junky shops selling overpriced junk. But there are still a few traditional spice stores which are great to walk through. Outside the spice souk is a Ferry service, small boats going back and forward across the creek to Bur Dubai. If you look like a tourist they’ll try and over charge you for a personal trip over, you can get on a boat with the locals for about 1 dirham.

Further around (towards the ocean) from the Spice Souk you’ll find the Gold souk. It’s made up of several streets and open areas selling some of the best priced gold and jewellery in the world. Prices vary from store to store and you should negotiate on price – you’ll often find they’ll come right down if you begin to walk out of their shop.

Further north you’ll find the Fish market, and then the Fruit and Vegetable market. Both are good places to do some shopping – just beware when buying a box of tomatoes from the Fruit and Vegetable market. The tomatoes on top are all big and ripe looking, a few layers down you’ll find they are small and often rotten (once you take the box home of course). The Fish market also has a small meat market inside – which I’d advise not visiting. Lots of Somalian cow carcasses hanging up while men chop bits off. There were also several skinned sheep heads greeting us as we walked in.

Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club
I never played here (it’s quite expensive), but drove past several times. It looked like a great course, by the creek. If you enjoy golf and have the time definitely worth visiting. Located right next to the creek and Al Garhoud bridge.

Wafi City
Wafi City is a shopping centre specialising in designer (clothing) stores. It’s built in an Egyptian theme - the health club outside (The Pharaohs' Club) looks like an ancient Egyptian building, with tall statues out the front. The roof of the shopping mall is pyramid shaped stained glass. Planet Hollywood and The Planetarium nightclub are adjacent. There’s also Wafi Residences, one of Dubai's most prestigious apartment blocks, adjoining the shopping mall. If you’re hungry check out the Arabic style café in the Pyramids building, with its large outdoor eating area and gourmet adjoining store. It was the best Arabic food I ate in Dubai and very well priced too.

Gold and Diamond Park
This is the place to go shopping for gold if it’s simply too hot outside to walk around the Gold souk. Prices are about the same (maybe a little higher), and there aren't as many stores, although still enough to ensure you find something you like. The best thing is it’s all undercover and air conditioned, and much easier to find parking.

Tours out of Dubai
There are many tour companies that run expeditions in to the desert outside Dubai, you can book them through most major hotels in Dubai. If you’re not staying at one you can still book them through their reception. Tours range from visits to old Bedouin villages, fast four wheel driving over sand dunes, sand boarding, Arabic coffee and sheesha and belly dancing. I went on an evening safari that included four wheel driving, sand boarding, camel riding, Arabic coffee and sheesha and a belly dancing display during dinner in the desert - well worth doing.

Al Mamzar Park
In the northern part of the city, near the sharjah border, is this large beach park. It has a large landscaped garden and about five beaches – some facing the surf, some on the lake. It’s the place to go when you want a bit of space/privacy – much larger than Jumeirah Beach Park. Wednesday is ladies and children only. I spent a number of lazy afternoons on the beach here.

Sheikh Zayed Road
There’s nothing much to do here, but it’s certainly interesting to drive down and see the interesting architecture of the skyscrapers. Many of Dubai’s land marks can be seen here, like Emirates Towers.

Anthony.