When you travel somewhere new, there are often a lot of preconceived notions about what it’s going to be like. We all have them, and sometimes we’re right.
But not today.
Everything I thought Dubai was going to be like, I was generally wrong. I expected lights and I expected “ooh and ahh,” but I didn’t expect my mind to be blown — and we’ve only been here for 12 hours.
Today, I’m heading to Dubai for the tail end of #DXB13 – the Dubai Air Show. Having never been to Dubai, I’m pretty excited to be visiting this ever-growing metropolis – but until I did some research, I didn’t know much about it.
Dubai one of seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates, and is home to approximately 2.1 million, nearly double what it was just in 2005, doubling again from 1995. As such, the city’s landscape has grown tremendously, becoming a city that is well known for its tall skyscrapers, including the tallest man-made structure in the world, the Burj Khalifa.
IHG just kicked off their 48-hour sale with select hotel redemptions up to 75% off, meaning participating hotels have award redemptions at 5,000 IHG Rewards Club points per night compared to (for example) 20,000 points per night, or 37,500 compared to 50,000.
The 48-hour sale doesn’t mean you have to stay in a hotel in the next two days, but the deal is valid for bookings November 20 through December 20, 2013.
Just recently, Southwest Airlines became the latest airline to join TSA PreCheck, the program that – after paying a fee, passing a background check and an interview – allows you to go through a shorter line without having to take off your shoes, take out your liquids, and doesn’t require you to go through advanced imaging scanners (aka “nude-o-scopes”).
Next week, I’m flying to Dubai, a city of wonders in the Middle East. Primarily there for the Dubai Air Show, there’s a metric ton of other things that I know I can’t go without seeing and experiencing. Check out the top ten things I can’t wait to do next week when I’m in Dubai with Matt:
The Flight Deal just published a pretty good deal for anyone wanting to go to Newark (the New York/New Jersey) area at the last minute with a companion, but it’s only available today (Sunday, November 3). Fares are only valid for two travelers.