Dubai dreams

From stepping into the future at a torus-shaped museum to dining under the stars in a desert, there's much to do when visiting the second largest emirate. Here's our guide to five experiences

The Van Gogh exhibit at Infinity des Lumières

Go on an arty trip
We found ourselves inside Van Gogh’s Starry Night, the pastel swirls in the sky colouring our dress, at Infinity des Lumieres, the newly opened digital art venue housed inside the Dubai Mall. Here, 58 speakers and 130 projectors transmitting 3,000 moving images on a 3,300-sq m surface allow us to immerse ourselves in the genius of the Dutch Post-Impressionist painter, whose dark tones, sombre themes and vibrant colours come alive in a 35-minute exhibition. Stay back for the next show, Dreamed Japan, where you’ll be showered with cherry blossoms and washed away with sea blue waves.    
AT Level 2, The Dubai Mall.
COST AED 125 

Step into the future

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While Dubai’s architecture constantly challenges the boundaries of our imagination, the torus-shaped Museum of The Future is where you truly step into tomorrow. The permanent exhibition blends art, architecture and science to open our mind to a future, where the earth isn’t dying, mental wellbeing is as important as oxygen, and The Jetsons life isn’t far. The Arabic calligraphy that covers the 77-m high building is a masterpiece with a message:
“The future belongs to those who can imagine it, design it, and execute it. It isn't something you await, but rather create.”
AT Sheikh Zayed Road. 
COST AED145 

Get sand therapy

Our dessert dreams are realised at Sonara, under twinkly light-studded tents, free-flowing food and drinks, and sand beneath our feet. For the adventurous, there are falcons to be petted, friendly camels to be ridden, sand-boarding, and an array of belly dancing, fire archery and acrobatic performances. But we recommend stealing yourself away to their long swing sets, kicking off your shoes, and letting the sand do some TLC.
AT Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, Al Ain Road.
COST AED 850 including dinner

Souk it up

We traipse around the sandstone quarters of old Dubai, where the ruling Maktoum family first arrived, and then hop on to an abra that ferries us across the blue waters of the creek to Deira. Sumac, za’atar, silky scarves, Turkish lamps, Iranian hand-painted ceramics, and of course, gold vie for attention at the Grand Souq, here. Brush up on your bargaining skills.
AT Grand Souq, Deira.

Leave in high spirits

Nothing spells self-love for this writer than a pool and a punchy cocktail. At the rooftop bar Parros, on the 46th floor of our hotel, we find both, along with a panoramic view that almost convinces our mountain-loving soul to embrace the city life.
AT Taj Jumeirah Lake Towers. 

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