Sun, Sand, and Surprises: Prakash's Review for a Family Trip to Dubai
Finalizing the destination for a family trip is a tedious task - especially when 3 families are traveling together. But fortunately, the task was made easy by one of my colleagues at the office.
During lunch, I told him about how we were planning for a family trip but were having a hard time deciding where to go. Luckily, he has recently been on a trip to Dubai with his family and had a great experience.
"If you're looking for a place that ticks all the boxes for every family member, Dubai is the place to go," he suggested.
Impressed, I started browsing and comparing packages from different tour operators online. That's when one of the agencies named Thrillophilia caught my attention. Praduman and Mrigendra connected with me from their team and helped me finalize an itinerary that was perfect for my family.
They took into consideration the requests of kids and added special activities for them. Moreover, Mrigendra even suggested adding a private yacht tour to surprise the kids, which was a stroke of genius.
From Grand Mosques to Splash Parks
'Abu Dhabi is a city of contrasts—where tradition meets modernity in a stunning embrace.'
Our family adventure in Abu Dhabi started with a city tour, where we explored impressive attractions including Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Emirates Palace, and Heritage Village. As we moved from one attraction to another, my perspective of luxury kept changing.
It was like nothing we had seen before, from the historical mosques to the modern skyscrapers along the way - Abu Dhabi felt like a synonym for luxury.
In the evening, the excitement among kids skyrocketed when I told them about our next stop: Yas Waterworld! Honestly, it wasn't just the young ones jumping with joy, the adults felt just as excited to visit the theme park.
The kids loved trying the 'Bandit Bomber', which is the longest-suspended water roller coaster in the world. On the other hand, we adults had a great time relaxing by the lazy river.
The kids insisted all of us enjoy a ride together, but since we're not big fans of water slides, we went to Cinesplash instead. 5D movie theater, water up to our knees, moving seats, and water explosions - What an experience!
And just when we thought it couldn't get any better, we realized that we also had tickets to Ferrari World! We initially thought that it would just be a museum about the history of the automobile brand - until the kids asked us to try the Formula Rossa, the world’s fastest roller coaster.
With speeds reaching up to 149 mph in a few seconds gave us an adrenaline rush, proving that its existence went beyond being a tribute to Ferrari.
Bewitching Views and Cultural Wonders
After spending 3 nights in Abu Dhabi, it was now time for us to explore Dubai via a city tour. We began by visiting Jumeirah Beach, where we spent some time at leisure, soaking up the sun, while admiring the breathtaking views of the Arabian Gulf.
Now it was time for the first surprise that I had planned for the kids, a private yacht cruise along Dubai Marina. There's something special about planning surprises for your kids, as for us it's just another activity, but for them, it becomes an everlasting memory to cherish.
As the yacht glided across the clear waters, we were amazed by the views of Palm Jumeirah and the iconic Burj Al Arab.
Later, we also visited the Dubai Frame, from where we took a look at both the old and new Dubai. And of course, no trip to Dubai is complete without a trip to the iconic Burj Khalifa. Ascending to the 124th and 125th floors of the tower, while enjoying panoramic views, was a truly incredible experience.
The driver assigned to us was very knowledgeable and used to stop the car and would often stop the car whenever he spotted a great photo opportunity. We enjoyed capturing beautiful moments in front of the Atlantis Hotel, which offered scenic views of the Dubai skyline. The ladies in the family particularly loved visiting the Dubai Mall, where they bought several items from a variety of luxury brands.
Our time in Dubai was magical, particularly during the relaxing Dhow Cruise, the second surprise for the kids. They were simply in awe, as nobody told them about a cruise until we got there. We glided along the clear waters, as the glowing skyline of the town, created an unparalleled ambiance. The traditional Tanoura dance performance on the cruise was particularly enjoyable, and not to forget - the delicious buffet.
From Dune Bashing to Ocean Depths
As we kept indulging ourselves in new experiences, I kept thinking about my colleague who suggested a trip to Dubai. He couldn't have been more right about it - Dubai has such a diverse range of experiences for all ages. I could've never thought about the kind of fun we all had during the Desert Safari in Dubai.
I had heard that Dubai amazes you at every step, but I understood its true meaning when we reached the Lost Chambers Aquarium. It blew my mind how we enjoyed a 'Desert Safari' the other day, and were now exploring a huge 'Aquarium', in the same town. Kids loved visiting the touch tank, where they could hold and touch sea creatures like sea urchins and starfish, under staff guidance.
Everyone was impressed with how carefully our itinerary was crafted. For example, our visit to The View at The Palm was scheduled for 11 AM, when it's the least crowded. Kudos to Praduman and Mrigendra, for making the trip super convenient and comfortable for our family.
I'm especially thankful to the team for organizing a 2-hour Nissan Limo ride for us, it was a truly luxurious experience.
As for the views from The Palm - they were simply fantastic, just like the rest of the trip.
Read More: Thrillophilia Dubai Reviews