Visiting Dubai? Pick the most ideal months

Dubai is literally the land of sun and sea! There is so much to see, do and eat in Dubai that even a month of travelling to all the hotspots and eateries may not be enough. Plus, this international city is blessed with the best in transport and the most hospitable people this side of the Middle East. With all of these factors combining together, your stay in Dubai is guaranteed to be the most memorable one in your life.

But wait – despite the best of everything that Dubai offers, you might not be able to make your peace with one unavoidable aspect. We’re talking, of course, of the famous Dubai heat. The desert-city becomes a veritable oven in the summer months, with hot winds likely to scorch your skin and the blinding sunlight making you quite light-headed. Though air-conditioned malls, cinema theatres, hotels and restaurants can keep you cool and collected during the hot months, it is better to time your visit in the more weather-friendly months. After all, the actual charm of Dubai is on its streets, not inside air-conditioned edifices.

Dubai visa

We recommend that you book your Dubai visa to time your visit from the months of November to April. Every year, the temperature begins to dip in November and remains fairly steady from February to April. April onward, you will notice that the air becomes warmer and drier. Thus, it is better to book your trip after November.

In these four to five months, the temperature normally hovers between 25 to 35 Degrees Celsius in the mornings, which is pleasant for day-time intra-city travel. You can book yourself on a camel safari, or go window shopping with friends or take an off day for a picnic with family. However, night-time temperatures can drop as low as 12 Degrees Celsius, so if the cold weather makes you uncomfortable, it is best to stay indoors. You can relax at a spa, or have a leisurely dinner with a special someone or even watch a movie.

You can also catch up with the famous Camel Races, while shopaholics can delight in excellent bargains and steals during four weeks of the Dubai Shopping Festival during this time.

If you’re the outdoorsy kind, we recommend that you postpone your Dubai trip to another month, in case your visit coincides with the holy month of Ramadan. Though you will get excellent shopping deals during this time, you must respect the local culture and religious sentiments – you cannot eat or drink in public, you must be dressed modestly at all times and you must not disturb anyone’s prayer time. Working hours of most shops and restaurants are also changed to coincide with the Iftar hours.

Dubai starts getting really hot in the summer months beginning from May. The heat begins to taper after September, but it is still quite warm and the sunlight is very severe. Day time temperatures may rise up to an uncomfortable 40 Degrees Celsius, so staying indoors is the only alternative.

How does a river cruise in Singapore sound?

For all intents and purposes, Singapore is truly a visitors’ ultimate paradise. The world weary traveler, the ambitious go-getter, the Young Turk or the jaded senior citizen…every category of tourist finds solace in Singapore.

That’s hardly surprising, considering that Singapore has attractions and experiences for everyone. There are sights galore and so much sumptuous food to eat, you will never be able to sustain your diet on your trip. There are moments of sudden activity followed by spells of tranquil peace. You can find your soul or lose your mind in Singapore in equal measure, no questions asked.

Once you’ve seen all the sights and done the rounds of the shopping markets and recommended restaurants, it’s time to kick your feet back and relax. But don’t do this in your hotel room or a street-side café, though those are excellent ideas, too. How about if you sit back and take a peaceful ride down a river? More specifically, how about if you make your way to the famed Singapore River for a cruise?

Why?

Because it is one of life’s unforgettable experiences.

Because your trip to Singapore is incomplete without it.

Because there is so much to see along the way. And you’re doing so much on the water.

Include this unforgettable cruise in your Singapore package and you’ll thank yourself later.

The boat you take for the cruise is called a ‘bumboat’. It was traditionally used to transport goods and merchandise for sale in the port side markets in Singapore, right from the 1600s onward. Today, they add a charming touch to the beautiful Singapore River, though they may appear to be less elegant than cargo ships with sails. These boats are slightly blocky in appearance, but it is thrilling to ride along the river in them given their historical past.

Your ride along the Singapore River will be an excellent lesson in the making of a civilization: you can see first-hand how a large part of Singapore grew along the periphery of the river. Take in the sights such as the Raffles Landing Site, old traditional shops adjacent to Boat Quay, Singapore Esplanade, Merlion Park, Asian Civilizations Museum, Singapore Flyer and the truly beautiful Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort.

Plus, you can choose the cruise for the day or the night, depending on how much of the sunlight you can take. We suggest taking the night variant if you would rather relax under the stars – it’s a hypnotic, romantic cruise on the water best enjoyed with your better half. You can buy tickets at the booths located on Boat Quay. As suggested earlier, ask your tour operator to fit the river cruise in your Singapore package if it’s not already listed. It’s an experience you don’t want to miss.