Since we all have friends and family who visit us all year round, attracted by the same glitz as any other visitor, I have put together a short list of ways you and them could see Dubai from the air, assuming you don’t have the stomach (read: guts) to skydive
Nothing rejuvenates your appreciation of the city you live in more than seeing it from a different perspective, I have been fortunate enough to experience 3 of the 4 different ways below. Luckily, all four options take off from different areas in Dubai so you can choose the area that you and your visitors would like to see the most.
You can follow me on Instagram (@gmr83) for more pictures of these trips.
I took two of these trips — the hot air balloon and the seaplane — with Desert Gate Dubai who are incredibly knowledgeable about the city and professional. They can also arrange for the helicopter rides.
Without further ado, here is the list:
1. Hot air balloon: I never thought I would say this but there is something magical about waking up before the crack of dawn and heading on to the desert to ride a hot air balloon that glides over Dubai’s mesmerizing sand dunes!
Takeoff: Dubai desert
Price: 1,100 AED which includes a falconry show and breakfast
2. Seaplane: Another great way to see the entire city starting from Jebel Ali to Dubai Creek or vice versa is with a seaplane. The takeoff and landing over water are particularly enjoyable
Takeoff: Jebel Ali or Dubai Creek
Price: 1095 AED for 25 minute ride
3. Helicopter: With the helipad conveniently located by the Atlantis, it is not hard to see why the fun starts as soon as you take off with this great perspective of this major landmark!
Takeoff: Atlantis Hotel
Price: 795 AED for 15 minutes
4. Gyrocopter: I don’t know if I will ever have the stomach to ride in this one but it sure is the most unique one on this list!
Takeoff: SkyDive Dubai
Price: Unknown
You can follow me on Instagram (@gmr83) for more pictures of my trips in Dubai and around the world.
Here are the Instagrammers I think are worth checking out:
1. @gmr83: One of the coolest people I know! Did I also mention it’s me? I know, I know, roll your eyes Although I do not live in Lebanon but I do post pictures from there every now and then.
2. @karliseverywhere: Karl is one of the first people I followed on Instagram and for good reason. His pictures are not only well composed, but his editing style is consistently unique to the extent that you won’t believe some of the pictures were taken in Beirut.
3. @justzhm: Zari is one of Lebanon’s most talented artists and one of the very few people from Lebanon to be featured by Instagram itself! How cool is that?! The characters she adds to mundane pictures transform these shots into brilliant masterpieces.
4. @riseabovelebanon: One of the most unique accounts in Lebanon, capturing bird view pictures of places that we have all been to.
5. @melissahashem and @pamhachem: Two sisters capturing stunning street shots from their daily life in Beirut. Also check out their great feature account @imjustpassing.
6. @lebanonbyalocal: An account that would immediately make you nostalgic to the good old times in Lebanon especially if you are not living in Lebanon. The shots are well chosen and curated and cover everything from food and architecture to landscape and street photography.
7. @georges__chamoun: George has a sharp eye for street photography and architecture, and his shots are well timed and so well edited.
8. @dany_111: Dany posts sea or seaside pictures that will make you want to leave everything and head over to Batroun immediately!
9. @elias.ac: A mountaineering expert so you guess where most of his pictures are taken
Who are your favorite Lebanese Instagrammers? Mention them in the comment section below!
I don’t think I ever felt so close to nature as much as I did there. The energizing feeling you get from the fresh smell of pine trees, the beautiful vistas, the roaring waterfalls, and the sense of solitude are difficult to describe. Nature has a special way of showing you how small you are in the scheme of things.
All this would not have been possible without my Serbian guide, Grada, who is not only a passionate nature conservationist, but is also very knowledgeable about history and preservation. You can reach him at [email protected] to book a custom made tour.
Now that I visited the country, I think there are many reasons to visit but here are some that I think stand out.
Have you been to Serbia? What are your favorite things?