MAXIMIZING YOUR LAYOVER IN DUBAI

Certainly, traveling with small kids can be quite terrifying. It’s like navigating a minefield of unpredictable chaos. Like stepping into the great unknown, armed only with snacks and a prayer. So, with our thrill-seeker who thinks sleep is overrated, we decided to make some strategic layovers. Not just to dodge possible meltdowns mid-air, but to squeeze in unexpected adventures in random cities.

MORNING

So we landed around 7 am, and our departure wasn’t until midnight, giving us a whopping 17 hours to fill. I meticulously planned every detail, from renting a car to mapping out our route and knowing the opening hours of each place we wanted to visit, as well as which tours we could fit in. But here’s the thing: renting a car takes much longer than expected, and your husband might be too tired to drive, forcing you to rethink your itinerary. Learn from my mistakes and ease up on the itinerary! Despite the hiccups, our day turned out to be a blast, and I believe we savored every minute of it… even Jayden, who was only 2.5 at the time.

Our first stop was JUMEIRAH BEACH PARK. Parking cost 20 AED, which we forgot to pay, but the beach was practically empty. We stayed close to our car, spending just an hour to grab a coffee and relax in the sand. You can see BURJ AL ARAB from here.

Next, we drove around the Palm Jumeirah and made a quick stop at the HOTEL ATLANTIS, located at the end. However, without the day pass, there wasn’t much to see.

MIDDAY

One thing we didnt want to miss on our itinerary was MIRACLE GARDEN. It’s the biggest natural flower garden on the planet, and let me tell you, it’s a paradise for both kids and adults alike. Admission is $26 (95 AED), but the little ones under 3 get in for free! We spent around 2 hours here – we walked, posed, took a million photos…and then promptly collapsed in the shade for a well-deserved lunch.

AFTERNOON

For the grand finale, we booked DESERT SAFARI tour with dinner and activities. We were picked up at 2 pm by the crew from www.thedubaicitytour.com. Within the next 30 minutes, they managed to squeeze in not one, but two other couples and suddenly, I’m wishing we’d splurged on the VIP treatment and a private car. After an hour of cruising, we finally found ourselves in the middle of the desert – for quad bikes! Even if we didn’t sign up for it, we are stuck there, watching others zip around. It wasn’t so bad but next time, I’m booking that private tour and customizing the heck out of it.

It was finally our turn to dive into the fun! First up, we had dune bashing where skilled driver takes you on a roller-coaster-like ride over those colossal sand dunes in 4×4 vehicles (ours happened to be an old Toyota). I was a bit worried about Jayden and not having a car seat but he had an absolute blast, loving every sharp turn and bump. Then, we made a pit stop for a photoshoot and some good old-fashioned sand play.

Pro tip: If you’re into fashion, bring along a bright, flowing dress – those impromptu shots snapped by our driver are still displayed on our kitchen wall!

By the time it’s dark, you roll into camp, and it’s a full-on sensory overload! There’s food, drinks, performances, and more food (seriously, it’s delicious and there’s plenty for vegans too). Get a henna tattoo, try some shisha, and soak up the vibrant Arabian desert culture. It’s like a desert rave you never knew you needed!

Now it’s time to wrap things up, return your car, and check in for your flight.

Tip: If your layover is shorter and you’re squeezing in a Desert Safari, skip the car rental. They’ll pick you up and drop you off, hassle-free.

CHECK OUT MY DUBAI TO-SEE LIST

A MONTH LATER…

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