ENTERTAINMENT FOR ALL THE FAMILY IN DUBAI THIS EASTER

This Easter leave the April showers behind you and treat your family to an action-packed break in Dubai. Boasting the Middle East’s oldest zoo, water parks and theme parks offering some of the world’s most exciting rides and even a children’s city, Dubai is the ideal destination. Combined with stunning and safe beaches, desert safaris and warm sunshine there is no shortage of adventure for all ages.

The desert makes the perfect playground with safaris being one of Dubai’s most popular activities which can even include an overnight stay in one of the Bedouin-style tents. Whilst you’re in the desert there’s plenty of fun to be had particularly whilst wadi-bashing – exploring the wadis (or dry beds of streams) that flow after winter rains from the Hajar Mountains. Not to mention sandskiing or sandboarding down the dunes.

From the desert to the slopes you needn’t miss out on your skiing holiday as Dubai hosts the first indoor ski slope in the desert – Ski Dubai. It is the world’s third largest indoor ski slope, measuring 400 metres and using 6,000 tons of snow. (www.skibxb.com)

Dubai has not neglected the importance of culture and education and it has built an interactive science and cultural centre – Childrens City – aimed at educating children in a fun and informative way. Themed zones look at physical science, the human body, space, nature and the environment, as well as international culture and communication. It boasts over 50 educational exhibits, the world’s fifth largest “infotainment facility” – including hi-tech computer interactive displays, audiovisual exhibits, 3D animation and slide projections. (www.childrencity.ae)

An exciting day out can be enjoyed by all the family at Dubai Zoo, home to more than 230 difference species of animals. They have an awe-inspiring array of species including gazelle, caracal, foxes, wolves, hyaena, wild cat, flamingo, cormorant, eagles, buzzards, snakes and lizards. Endangered species include barbary sheep, water buck, Siberian and Bengal tigers, Arabian wolves, hyena, wild cats, scimitar-horned oryx, gorilla and chimpanzee.

Dubai’s brilliant sunshine is complemented by a host of outdoor activities of which water parks are just one of the specialities. The most famous of which is Wild Wadi – a “hidden lagoon” featuring everything from waterfalls and soaring cliffs to swimming holes, a tidal pool, and scores of waterslides. With 23 rides from the most timid to the adrenalin junkie there is something for everybody. Thrill-seekers will be queuing up for the Jumeirah Sceirah – a 33-metre high slide with steep angles to propel riders up to 80km per hour and there is also Breakers Bay, which has a wave machine creating 1.5-metre waves all day. (www.wildwadi.com)

Theme parks are the pride of Dubai with the thrills of Wonderland – a 44-acre amusement park with every attraction from roller coasters to go-carts. It also features a world-renowned water mist show and a water cinema (where films are projected onto a thin film of water).

Easter is a perfect time to escape with your family and where better than Dubai which offers culture, action, sunshine and fun – an all-round package for all the family.

For further information about Dubai, contact Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing on +44 (0) 20 7839 0580, email: [email protected] or visit www.dubaitourism.ae