A return trip is an opportunity to take a closer look at the city and choose activities that match your interests. Elena has been to Dubai before, and this time she discovered new places and found time for her favorite habits. Part of the trip was dedicated to the world of beauty: as part of the project, she visited the Golden Apple in City Centre Mirdif.

The remaining stops form the program of a short vacation: the first day can be dedicated to relaxing at the hotel and beach club, and the second to jogging by the sea, city walks, and a trip to the desert.

Day One. Hotel and leisure on Bluewaters

Dubai has a wide selection of hotels, from beach resorts to city addresses near the main attractions. During this trip, Elena stayed at the One&Only One Za’abeel, known for its unusual architecture and panoramic views. Here you can combine exploring the city with relaxing at the hotel itself: spend the morning by The Garden Pool, surrounded by greenery, or make time for treatments at the Longevity Hub by Clinique La Prairie.

After a relaxing morning, a trip to the sea, to La Cantine Beach. This is a beach club and restaurant at Delano Dubai on Bluewaters Island. It’s worth a trip here for a few hours: sunbathing, swimming, and lunch at a restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine.

For those who, like Elena, enjoy an active holiday, La Cantine Sports Club with padel courts is located nearby. It’s convenient to combine the game with a beach program: first hit the court, then have lunch, and spend the rest of the day by the water. So the first half of the trip passes without a tight schedule – with the opportunity to stay longer at the hotel or stay longer on the beach.

Day two. From Kite Beach to Dubai Creek

The second day begins on Kite Beach. For Elena, running is a familiar ritual, which also finds a place on the trip. A jog along the sea helps you maintain this rhythm, and after your workout, you can pause for coffee and breakfast at one of the coastal cafes. For those who prefer a more leisurely start to the day, a stroll along the embankment is perfect.

Kite Beach is the perfect place for running enthusiasts. I’ve never seen so many runners anywhere before! While running, you feel like part of a large community, and it’s incredibly motivating and energizing. I definitely recommend trying running here. And if you’ve been looking for a way to fall in love with running, this might be the place to start! – says Elena.

If you prefer cycling to running, you can spend the morning at Nad Al Sheba Cycle Park. There are 4, 6 and 8 km circular routes with views of Downtown Dubai and the Burj Khalifa. There is a separate learning track for children with road signs, speed bumps and roundabouts – an option for those traveling with the whole family.

For different views, head to the Al Qudra Cycling Track. The asphalt bike track runs among the desert dunes, away from traffic. You can choose an 18 km section, a 50 km loop route or a longer one – up to 86 km. Early morning is a good time to go, while it is cool. Bikes can be rented from the Trek Bicycle Store or Wolfi’s Bike Rental at Last Exit Al Qudra. If you choose this option, it’s worth setting aside the morning for the bike ride, cutting short the rest of your city schedule.

After breakfast, head to Al Seef, a district on the banks of Dubai Creek. Here, skyscrapers give way to low-rise buildings, narrow alleys, and shops. It’s a pleasant stroll along the water, admiring the facades and watching the boats. It’s enough to leave a few hours for this part of the program so you can stroll around without rushing.

In the old city, I saw a completely different Dubai! It’s so nice to just stroll along the streets, take in everything, and not rush anywhere. This place is very memorable, and I definitely recommend visiting it! — Elena shares.

The next stop is lunch at Kulture House in Jumeirah. The villa combines a cafe, a concept store and an art space: people come here for coffee and brunch, check out exhibitions and look at designer items.

After the meal, you can choose a gift or something for the home — ceramics, a decorative item, a small thing that will remind you of your trip. Then it’s time to return to the hotel: rest, change clothes and get ready for the trip to the desert.

Evening of the second day. Safari and dinner in the desert

A trip with Platinum Heritage to the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve is planned for the afternoon. It is better to free up all the remaining time for her: acquaintance with the reserve begins before sunset and continues in the evening.

Guests travel around the reserve in a vintage Land Rover, observing gazelles and Arabian oryx. The program focuses on the desert nature and getting to know local traditions, without extreme dune bashing.

Closer to sunset, the sand changes colors, and the heat gradually recedes. After the safari, guests will have dinner in a Bedouin-style camp – the end of the second day and the entire short trip.

I have long dreamed of meeting the sunset in the desert, and on this trip my little dream came true! “Thank you Platinum Heritage for this experience—I think I’ll remember this evening for the rest of my life,” Elena recalls.

This route combines skyscrapers and beaches with walks by the bay and a trip to the desert. It’s easy to customize, especially if you’re traveling with a child: linger by the pool, spend a day on the beach, or watch animals together in a nature reserve. You don’t have to do everything – it’s much more enjoyable to find your own rhythm and leave time for things the whole family will enjoy.