Got 48 hours? Travel to Dubai!

Museums, deep diving, and dining in the sky. There’s a lot you can pack in two days on your next trip to the Emirate

As travel restrictions ease across the globe, visitors are flocking to Dubai in large numbers. And the glitzy metropolis is unveiling new attractions at a rapid pace. My travel itineraries are usually filled with loads of activities and adventure — and Dubai was no exception. Here is how I chose to spend an action-packed 48 hours in this trendy Emirate.

DAY 1

10AM

Ease in to the day with a visit to the stunning Museum Of The Future, a torus-shaped architectural marvel that has been dubbed as the ‘most beautiful building in the world’. Its striking façade is adorned with numerous inspiring quotes from the ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Inside, discover a living museum that adapts its exhibits and attractions to the iterative changes of the environment and technological innovations. I was impressed with Tomorrow Today, which showcased wearable technologies; bodysuits that can protect against extreme climates in the future, to a Teslaglove that tracks you pulse and lets one feel virtual objects. Equally awe-inspiring was a Level 4 electric self-driving mode fully electric car that integrates natural and recyclable materials. Other fascinating features include a DNA library of thousands of different species and a mixed reality recreation of the Amazon Rainforest.

Price: AED 145/adult; free for children under 3 years

2PM

Discover a sunken city at Deep Dive Dubai, the world’s deepest pool at 60m that holds 14 million litres of freshwater, the equivalent of six Olympic-sized swimming pools. As an advanced certified scuba diver, it was a unique and immensely entertaining experience paddling through a fully-furnished apartment with artwork adorning the walls and a fully-stocked library. Other highlights in this 45-minute sojourn included casually leaning against a Mercedes convertible, riding a cycle, making moves on a chess board, or simply reading a magazine. After all, mundane activities take on a whole new meaning when performed at 60 feet below surface level! While the deep dive experience is for certified professionals only, rookies can partake in a surface-level snorkelling session or explore a Discover Scuba session up to 12m.