The Dubai travel guide in Lonely Planet's Encounter series is hard to beat. This excellent pocket-sized guidebook series is written by people who live or have lived in the destinations being covered, which isn't always the case with guidebooks. With a place like Dubai in particular, where the new clubbing and bar scene rubs shoulders with the centuries-old traditions of the Arab world and Dubai's Muslim culture, visitors need an expert guide.
At the back of the 160-page book is a Background section of essays which deal with subjects such as religion, the economy, history, multiculturalism, the ruling family and some of the myths about Dubai and the Arab world. These cover the consumption of alcohol, dress codes, homosexuality and general public behaviour.
From camel racing to cool clubs, from the Jumeirah Mosque to the modern luxury resort hotels and the Bahri Bar at sunset, this pocket-sized guide packs a lot into its pages.
Dubai Travel Guide: Meet the Locals
One of the special features of Lonely Planet's Encounter series is that you get to meet some of the people who live in the destination. They can give you personal tips on shopping, dining and the best sights to see. For Dubai these include Sunny Rahbar, who is a co-owner of the Third Line art gallery. Sunny also recommends other places to buy and see art, like Art Space, Total Arts at the Courtyard and the Sharjah Museum.
Shaikha Maisa al-Qassimi is an artist and photographer, and also owns the Amzaan fashion boutique in the Wafi City Mall. She describes the Dubai fashion scene, talks about local designers and of course recommends the best places to shop.
Luca Gagliardi is typical of the interesting people the authors talk to, to get the low-down on a destination. Luca is the Chef Sommelier at one of Dubai's finest restaurants, Verre by Gordon Ramsay. He says where he eats on his days off (Italian pizza!), and his favourite drinking spots.
Dubai Travel Guide: The Maps
There are clear maps throughout the guide, covering the five neighborhoods that Dubai is divided into: Deira, Bur Dubai, Jumeirah, Sheikh Zayed Rd and New Dubai. In addition there's a very good fold-out map attached to the inside back cover, which has a full map of Dubai City on one side with a street index on the back and further maps of Greater Dubai and the area around Dubai. The maps in this pocket-sized Encounter series are first class: compact yet comprehensive and clear.
Dubai Travel Guide: Meet the Authors
The Dubai guide in Lonely Planet's Encounter series is written by the husband and wife team of Lara Dunston and Terry Carter. They're the perfect choice because they moved to the United Arab Emirates in 1998 and have written four other Lonely Planet guidebooks to Dubai and the UAE, as well as numerous newspaper and magazine articles, and travel blogs, about Dubai.
Dubai Travel Guide: The Verdict
The Encounter Dubai travel guide maintains the excellent high standards of this pocket-sized guidebook series from Lonely Planet. It's a lively read from people who know the place, fits in the pocket or purse, is reasonably priced and full of good colour photos too. It's the perfect pocket Dubai guide.
The Encounter Dubai Travel Guide from Lonely Planet costs $11.99 in the USA and £6.99 in the UK. See the Lonely Planet website.
Mike Gerrard - Mike is an award-winning travel writer who has worked for National Geographic, the London Times, and many other clients. ...
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