The ROCS Travel team were taken on the trip of a lifetime to Dubai last week and returned gushing with praise about their experience in the desert city of dreams.
Dubai is a land where timeless deserts and ancient traditions combine with futuristic city skylines and a wealth of luxury attractions.
It is spotlessly clean and flowers and greenery are everywhere
Modern, fascinating and safe, Dubai has become one of the most compelling cities in the world.
Last week, the ROCS Travel team embarked on a trip of a lifetime to this fascinating city organised by Emirates Airline and the ROCS Group directors.
The team was simply stunned with what the destination had to offer. Business class seats and accommodation at the five-star Jumeirah Emirates Towers on Sheik Zayed Road meant the trip got off to the perfect start.
The trip was led by ROCS Group director Rachel Vella, who has visited Dubai more than 50 times in the past 15 years. She said: “In the past 15 years I have seen Dubai change so much. It was already an outstanding destination when I first visited, but now I am truly convinced that Dubai is a city like no other.”
Ms Vella continued: “101 things to do’ is the perfect expression when you are in Dubai. You could be shopping in the world’s largest malls, discovering wrecks in the ocean, seeing the world’s tallest tower, or attending a diva’s concert.
“You can try belly dancing, feast on mouth-watering Arabic buffet in the desert, swim with dolphins, go dune bashing, explore heritage, buy a five-carat diamond, sleep in the only seven-star hotel in the world and even go snow skiing – yes, in the desert!”
As night falls, the city’s Creek waterway is perfect for a romantic evening cruise.
Dubai is also an ideal destination for families as the city is full of child-friendly attractions, including the Middle East’s largest water park, the world’s largest aquarium, snow skiing and ice skating, to name a few.
ROCS trainee manager Christian Buttigieg said: “The city of Dubai is definitely the destination of the present and surely that of the future. Everywhere just has a lot of style.”
Dubai is synonymous with a skyline of distinctive structures. ROCS team member Arianna Debattista said: “I was impressed by the new downtown area which is the heart of the city. Seeing the city’s modern architecture themed with the largest dancing fountains in the world was an amazing experience.
“I was impressed by all the activities that one can do in such a concentrated area. I would definitely recommend downtown Dubai as the place to stay if you are after the ultimate city experience.”
Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, is a must see. It is designed in the form of a sparkling needle piercing the sky. Views from The Top are impressive. On certain days the Burj Khalifa is open for 24 hours, meaning you can be at The Top at sunrise.
In view of the fact that the ROCS Travel team met its target this year and achieved phenomenal growth, the ROCS Group directors decided to treat the team to dinner at the five-star Armani hotel housed at Burj Khalifa.
Team member Elaine Aquilina said: “Wow, what an experience. We were all simply stunned as soon as we walked into the lobby before dinner. I loved the design of Armani immediately – it will always be imprinted in my mind.
“The corridors are designed to make you feel like a model on a catwalk, the walls are covered in silk, and the breath-taking view from the 123rd floor where we went to celebrate our last night at Atmosphere – Armani’s cocktail bar – was something that we will never forget.”
For those who love adventure, the desert sand dunes offer the chance of thrills. ROCS’s Mandy Cefai said: “Going up and down the sand dunes was amazing and seeing the endless desert in front of you is something beyond comparison. We had great laughs on the camel rides too.”
ROCS travel executive Bjorn Vassallo agreed. “In my opinion the desert safari was the highlight of our holiday. I will never forget experiencing the thrill of the dunes. Of course, as Mandy said, there are camel rides, as well as quad bikes, sand boarding, henna painting, shisha smoking, belly dancing and a large succulent buffet.”
For shopaholics, Dubai is a dream come true. Nowhere else in the world will you find a city with over 300 shopping malls, including the largest in the world, housing more than 1,200 shops under one roof.
Being a confessed shopaholic herself and knowing what shopping in Dubai means, Ms Vella made sure there was enough time to show the ladies and gentlemen the shops at The Dubai Mall.
Team member Alexandra Piccinino said: “The Dubai Mall is a place like no other – a place where shopping, fun and leisure are integrated to meet everyone’s needs. I have never seen anything like it before and I suggest that everyone should go to Dubai. You will definitely not regret your decision.”
Attractions for kids include the Wild Wadi Water Park at Jumeirah Beach and Aquaventure at Atlantis, which is the largest water park in the Middle East.
ROCS’s Marvin Tonna said: “This was my second visit to Dubai and I have to confess, it seemed like I had not seen anything on my prior visit.
“Rachel has unparalleled experience of the destination so we got to see the best and thanks to her we really did manage to fit in a lot and have outstanding fun together as one team.
“Some might be sceptical of the destination, especially in view of the unrest in some other Arab countries, yet Dubai is something else. It is spotlessly clean and flowers and greenery are everywhere. It is also super safe. Women have no issues at all travelling on their own in Dubai as no one dares to bother others.”
ROCS head of business development Colin Aquilina added: “I also need to say that Dubai is truly magnificent. Everything they have there is bigger and better than what man has managed to accomplish in any other part of the world.
“A case in point is the Wild Wadi Water Park. Apart from the fact that it is a thrilling park for anyone, we were truly impressed by the organisation and safety in the park.
ROCS team member Helga Mifsud concluded: “I honestly believe Dubai has become heaven on earth for all those visiting.”