DUBAI — Whether it is kissing your ex in a fabulous ball gown like Carrie Bradshaw did in “Sex & The City 2,” or feasting over a pile of gold along with belly dancers like in “Arabian Nights,” the mystical charm of the Middle East never ceases to tickle the fantasy.
Although there are exactly no flying carpets and PDA (public display of affection) is outlawed here, Dubai is the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) most popular tourism emirate that like in “Alladin,” offers “a whole new world” to anyone looking for new adventures.
1. Walk on Burj Khalifa’s glass ceiling simulator
You might not be as brave as Tom Cruise when he scaled the 2,722-foot Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building and structure, for 2011 film “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol.” But you can experience a very safe, indoor simulation of one of Cruise’s deadly stunts – and even prank your friends as if you’re in danger of falling off from the world’s highest skyscraper.
That is thanks to a very high-tech walk-through video simulator at the Burj’s 125th floor observation deck. You can video yourself trudging the glass-ceiling simulator with realistic footage of the clouds, traffic and other buildings below — until the simulator seems to crack.
Likewise, you can observe what the Burj’s surroundings look like from day to night through telescopes that also flash realistic images.
At the 124th floor is At the Top, the world’s highest outdoor observation deck, where you can feel the arid desert breeze sweeping across the Burj, while perhaps, trying your luck in taking a selfie with its topmost spire.
If you want to experience the real glass walk, then head to Dubai Frame. It is advisable to book one’s entrance tickets to both Burj Khalifa and Dubai Frame via travel apps like Klook since these tourist spots only accept a limited number of visitors per day, and so tickets cannot be guaranteed for walk-ins. Alternatively, there is also an observation deck that one can visit to take pictures of Dubai’s artificial archipelago, The Palm Jumeirah.
2. Hug a penguin in Ski Dubai
While many attractions around the world offer personal interactions and petting with penguins, Ski Dubai is among the rare ones that allow you to not only take pictures but even hug these “Happy Feet” from Antarctica!
Ski Dubai is one of the world’s biggest indoor ski resorts located inside one of Earth’s largest malls, Mall of the Emirates. Under its care are the world’s second and third biggest penguins — King and Gentoo penguins. There are time slots, usually only in the morning, that allow one to reserve an audience with the penguins, who are well under the care of their proud Filipino trainers!
To save time and to avoid queues, it is advisable to book tickets to Ski Dubai alone or as discounted bundle with other attractions through travel app Klook.
Besides penguin interaction and shows, there are many things to do in Ski Dubai — including riding quad lifts, learning how to ski, going on a snow tubing and watching a movie in the recently opened Snow Cinema — hot chocolate included!
3. Let a robot barista make your coffee in Museum of the Future
Like in Burj Khalifa and Dubai Frame, entrance to the Museum of the Future should be booked in advance for weeks ahead via travel booking apps like Klook. But if you can’t get in because you cannot secure a slot to the museum on your travel date, don’t fret.
You can still have a taste of the futuristic museum — literally — by ordering a coffee brew from the museum’s robot barista in the lobby café.
4. Go on a traditional Arabic photo session
Want to know how it feels like to be an Emirati? There are photo booths inside Dubai Mall offering the complete Arabian Nights experience — backdrop, props and costumes and all — at least just in photos.
But unlike usual studio snaps, the session includes some pointers on Arabic customs and traditions — including the meaning of things and poses in local Arabic culture.
If having your pictures taken is not your thing, there are a lot of other things to try in Dubai Mall — including watching the dinner lights and fountain show outside Burj Khalifa; designing your own Lego bricks in the Lego Store; getting a personalized rainbow cotton candy or candy swirl in Candylicious, or going on a tea break at the posh Armani Hotel.