Family fun in Dubai

Emirates and Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing have developed a campaign to help families with children under 12 make the most of their holidays to Dubai until 30 September. Do More in Dubai also coincides with Dubai Summer Surprises when stores have their summer sales. 

What to do?

Emirates partner Dubai Mall will further enhance the exclusive Do More in Dubai packages by including free children's access to the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, Sega Republic and Dubai Ice Rink at the mall, the world's largest. Additionally, the offer includes entrance deals to some major attractions in Dubai such as the Wild Wadi Water Park; Aquaventure & Lost Chambers at Atlantis, iFLYDubai; Soccer Circus & Cite' des Enfants at Playnation - Mirdif City Centre; and the Dubai Dolphinarium at Creek Golf Club.

For visitors to Dubai travelling without children, the Dubai Mall discount voucher book provides one-of-a-kind experiences for those still young at heart such as golfing at the Els Club in Dubailand and Arabian Ranches Golf Club.

The 10-million litre Dubai Aquarium tank, located on the Ground Level of The Dubai Mall, is the largest suspended aquarium in the world, home to 33,000 aquatic animals and over 140 species including sharks and rays and the largest collection of Sand Tiger Sharks in the world.

Take a walk through the 48-metre glass tunnel that provides a 270 degree view, 11 metres from the tank's surface, or take a ride on a glass bottomed boat for spectacular views beneath your feet.

The more adventurous can take a dip inside the tank and go cage snorkeling or shark diving, a unique experience that takes you within inches of live sharks and rays.

The Underwater Zoo offers a world of knowledge about creatures that inhabit the rivers and oceans. Just above the Aquarium tank the Underwater Zoo consists of three ecological zones - Rainforest, Rocky Shore and Living Ocean.

Check out the otters, piranha, penguins, crocodiles, giant crabs, seahorses, garden eels and many more in 40 aquatic displays.

Catch a behind the scenes glimpse of Aquarium life as staff prepare fish food and divers prepare the take the plunge.

Set your spirit free on the Dubai ice-rink. The Olympic-sized ice rink is a great destination of endless fun for people of all ages and abilities, whether you are learning to skate, perfecting your technique, playing ice-hockey or just socializing with friends. It is by far the coolest place to hang out in Dubai.

Have you ever wanted to jump out of plane? At iFLY Dubai you can experience that unforgettable experience for a tenth of the cost of a tandem jump and what's more is you can take the kids with you as it is perfectly safe for children. The skydiving simulator offers a longer freefall feeling than a real sky dive and is challenging for adults, safe for kids, exciting for teens and realistic for sky divers.

Imagine exploring the mysterious ruins of Atlantis, lost for thousands of years deep beneath the sea. The Lost Chambers Aquarium is a series of tunnels and mazes of the lost civilization of Altantis surrounded by 65,000 marine animals including sharks, eels, seahorses and piranha. Check out more than 20 remarkable live exhibits including a touch tank and an interactive Aquatheatre show.

Where to stay?

Up to two children under age 12, travelling with two accompanying adults in economy class, are eligible to receive complimentary accommodation (minimum three night stay), meals in participating hotels, plus airfare discounted 50% off the adult fare.

Families will have a choice of over 70 hotels and apartments in Dubai, ranging from two- to five-star, with city or beach locations, to meet every family's need. Furthermore, to take advantage of even more fun in Dubai, at participating hotels, offers can be extended beyond three days and will include free breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets for children, plus room taxes and service charges.

The Jumeirah Beach hotel, www.jumeirah.com, is conveniently located within walking distance from the Wild Wadi Water Park, with its waterslides and artificial surfing machines as well as restaurants and snack stands.

The park offers entertainment and fun for the whole family with traditional downhill slides and the more extreme rides for the more adventurous.

Breakers Bay is another attraction of the Wild Wadi Water Park. This is said to be the largest wave pool of the Middle East. In this pool, swimmers can enjoy crossing and parallel waves, which are almost 5 feet high and splash in many configurations.

Standing 1050ft above the sea level, Burj al Arab is the world's second tallest building solely operated as a hotel, and is linked from its mock island to the Dubai mainland through a private bridge. Lavishly decorated in bold stones, the hotel offers an indoor and outdoor swimming pool; swim up bar, private beach, health spa and massage treatment rooms, steam room, fitness equipment, library, hair salon and a pool table. Even if you can't afford the steep room rates, the hotel is worth a visit.

The Palm is an exclusive property spread across 46 hectares of land. Located about 35 kilometers away from the Dubai International Airport, the resort offers a variety of entertainment options along with on-site shopping and tempting dining options. Water lovers can enjoy the private beaches, swimming pools, marine and water parks or swim with the dolphins.

Accommodation packages are available at Emirates Holidays on www.emiratesholidays.com.

Where to eat?

For a warm and traditional atmosphere, try Awtar in Dubai's Green Valley. Delicious Lebanese food complemented with lively entertainment, make it popular among many local Emiratis. The restaurant offers an extensive array of kebabs, raw-meat dishes and hot and cold meze.

Gordon Ramsay takes his glowing reputation worldwide to the Creek side restaurant Verre (www.gordonramasy.com/dubai). Outstanding choices on the menu may cause some confusion but classic French dishes will surely not disappoint.

Al Mahara does not only offer the most exquisite seafood dishes but also fascinating surroundings. A spectacular aquarium awaits your arrival, filled with fish, sharks, turtles and other sea creatures. If you are lucky you may even spot a diver feeding the fish. The menus range from classic, modern, Arabic adventure and Seafood experience, offering various types of specialties. This restaurant is one of the most expensive in Dubai but its unique atmosphere is worth at least a visit.

How to get there?

Emirates operates daily flights to Dubai via Larnaka, Cyprus. Flights leaving Malta on 20 July and returning on 2 August were priced at €686.66, including tax, at the time of going to print. Flight EK 108 departs at 15.45pm from MIA and arrives in Dubai at 00.55am the following day.

Adults flying to Dubai with children under 12 in economy will be eligible for a 50% discount off the adult fare until 30 September.

Do More in Dubai covers Meet & Assist service at the Dubai airport, airport transfers, and a free Dubai City Tour & Dhow Cruise with dinner for up to two children with accompanying paying adults.

Further information can be obtained from Emirates Sales Office on 225577255 or from local travel agents.