This past winter break, my family and I jetted off to Dubai, an amazing city in the United Arab Emirates! As most of y’all probably know, Dubai is a major hub for luxury; from the dining, residencies, and of course the shopping, Dubai has it all. I would say that Dubai is a place where one must visit, at least once in their lifetime.

Even if you’re not going for the luxury, there is still so much to do there. After spending some time there, I have compiled a list of the seven things that you must do in Dubai!

1. Desert Safari and Dune Driving

Driving through the desert in a 4×4, and having dinner and a show at a camp is truly an amazing experience.

2. Visit the Burj Khalifa

View the city from atop the Burj Khalifa, the worlds tallest building! The view is truly breathtaking.

3. Boat Rides

A boat ride through the Marina, and visiting the Marina Walk. See Dubai in a completely different way, this time from the ocean!

4. Shopping

My two favorite malls for luxury and high street fashion include The Dubai Mall and The Mall of the Emirates. Both malls have so many other things to do besides shopping. Eat, relax, visit aquariums, etc.

5. Ski Dubai

Located inside The Mall of the Emirates. A snowy, winter wonderland, in the middle of a desert? Ski Dubai is an indoor ski resort with 22,500 square meters of indoor ski area! Don’t worry, it’s not just skiing, there are all types of activities.

6. The Palms

The Palms, including the Burj Al Arab, the worlds only 7-star hotel! Atlantis is also located on the Palms, but be sure to make reservations to enter both hotels! These could also be seen from the outside on a Dubai City Tour! If you have the budget, I would definitely try SkyDive Dubai, or an open-door Helicopter ride, both over the Palms.

7. Eat at some amazing restaurants

Dubai has so many amazing restaurants, it is truly impossible to visit them all, but I never back down from a challenge. One, in particular, would be Atmosphere, a restaurant on the top of a hotel, that gives you a 360 view of the city.

This trip was a memorable one, and I cannot wait to go back soon. Dubai is a city that never sleeps in all ways. The nightlife in Dubai is amazing, there are so many options, and everything has extended hours! If possible, try and stay in Dubai for four or five days minimum, that way you can see everything, but still, be relaxed.

Some really interesting facts I learned about Dubai while visiting this time include:

• They are in the process of making even more man-made islands, one of them featuring a Dubai Eye that is much larger than the London Eye!
• Dubai plans on beating its own record for the worlds tallest building! The Dubai Creek Tower will surpass the Burj Khalifa, making it the worlds tallest building.
• The city of Dubai has more shopping malls than any other city, they’re approaching a hundred!
• I knew that becoming a citizen of the UAE was difficult, but it turns out it's nearly impossible. In Dubai, only after seven generations of a family living there, can one become a citizen. Not through marriage, a test, or anything!
• The diversity in Dubai is much larger than I expected it to be! Dubai is truly home to visitors and residents of all countries.