ChennaiDubai

There are a number of tourist places to visit in Dubai. Standing at 2,716.5 feet high, making it the tallest structure in the world, the skyscraper Burj Khalifa, is literally one the biggest attractions of Dubai. The Dubai museum takes you back to the history of Dubai through its exhibits and allows the viewer to get to know more about the city.

The world’s largest picture frame, the Dubai frame, encapsulates the contrast in the city separating old Dubai from one point of view and new Dubai from the other. The Dubai Miracle Garden contains around 50 million flowers and 250 million plants, making it the world's largest natural flower garden and is truly a floral wonderland.

Skydiving at Palm Jumeirah lets you appreciate the divine man-made palm tree-shaped island from a height of about 13,000 feet. Beautiful sunsets, camelback rides and sand boarding can be enjoyed in a very exclusive experience of the Desert Safari in Dubai. Dinner cruise at the Dubai Marina is a luxurious way of exploring the city and indulging in lavish cuisines.

For kitesurfing, kayaking or adoring the Burj Al Arab from afar, Kite Beach is one of the best spots in the city for adventure lovers. Dolphin Bay in Atlantis allows you to pet, play around and even swim alongside dolphins, making for one of the most unique experiences.

For simplicity but absolutely no compromise on flavour, Soul Street Dubai at Five Jumeirah Village has an array of international cuisines to choose from, with its focus on street-style food. Indulge in some Middle Eastern cuisine through the authenticity of the food and the ambience of the Al Sarab Rooftop Lounge. Bado Chinese adds an exotic Chinese touch to other Asian cuisines to form a scintillating fusion of flavours that satisfy all taste buds.

Exploring the beaches can leave a craving for seafood and the Sardina Seafood Restaurant is the place to satiate any seafood cravings, among other cuisines. While in Dubai, Purani Dilli Dubai will take you straight to India through its burst of Indian flavors and delicacies.

Dubai Mall is considered a shopper’s paradise. It is the second largest mall in the world with over 1200 stores and 150 restaurants. A trip to Dubai is incomplete without indulging in some fine gold jewelry. Dubai Gold Souk, with over 300 shops, is one of the best places to buy gold from and in any design imaginable.

The Textile Souk in Dubai is the place to visit for all kinds of cotton, silk and satin materials in thousands of colors and patterns. The intoxicating aroma of the Perfume Souk invites buyers to choose from a variety of perfumes and scents.

Dubai ensures convenience by offering different modes of transportation. Rental cars, taxis, air-conditioned buses are preferred modes, while bicycling has been increasing in popularity also. Railways include the Dubai Metro, the Dubai Tram and also the Palm Monorail.

While more indulgent than practical as they don’t cover all parts of the city, the waterways are an enjoyable way to move around and consist of Dhow Boats and Abras - Abras being the more traditional mode of transportation. Ferries are another water-based option to explore and they run through the water bodies of the city. Lastly, yachts are also available on rent to explore Dubai in style.

There are a host of tourist places to visit in Chennai. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mahabalipuram is known for its great monuments, cave sanctuaries, sculptures, and stone-carvings. Thousand Lights Mosque is known for the beautiful outline it creates after nearly a thousand oil lamps are lit up and is also one of the biggest mosques in India.

The Vivekananda House where Swami Vivekananda stayed for a short period of time, has all the information about him, and also includes 3D shows and meditation halls. The Madras War Cemetery was built in honour of the 855 martyrs who lost their lives fighting during the Second World War and adds to the historical importance of Chennai.

The longest beach in India, Marina Beach is a 13 km stretch of serenity and has an aquarium, icehouse, and some iconic stone statues. The Government Museum has an extensive collection of bronze statues right from the 7th century.

The cultural hub of Chennai, the neighborhood of Mylapore is a religious haven which houses hundreds of (and some very famous) temples, churches and mosques, and is also known for its South-Indian delicacies and is definitely worth a visit. Fort St. George marked the beginning of an originally uninhabited Madras and served as a nucleus through which Madras grew into a city.

Chennai is every foodie’s fantasy. Here, you will find flavours from all over the world to indulge in. Some tantalizing places to start off with are Madras Kitchen Company, Willows Lounge Bar, Avartana, The Cheroot Malt & Cigar Lounge and The Reef. For meals that are easy on the eyes and the budget, you can visit Paprika, Broken Bridge Café and Absolute Barbecue.

For those who like to taste the oriental side, head over to Pan Asian, Benjarong, Madras Pavilion, The Residency and Scallion. Sea Salt, Shree Mithai, Desi Klub, Thanjavur Military Hotel and Southern Street are popular destinations where you can dig into scrumptious street food.

Thyagaraya Nagar is the largest shopping district in Chennai with its specialty in Kanchipuram silk sarees, and huge jewelry stores among many other things. Pantheon Road sells superior quality cotton materials and garments at affordable prices.

George Town is one of the oldest areas of Chennai and offers some of the best local and more traditional items of the city and is great for really experiencing the culture of Chennai. Up north, Sowcarpet has a variety of North Indian inspired blend of garments, accessories, fabrics, etc. and is called the mini Rajasthan of Chennai.

Chennai offers several modes of transportation. Buses are the main or most popular mode of transportation in Chennai and the lowest priced one too, and the service runs several routes throughout the metropolitan. Private or shared auto rickshaws are also easily available. Chennai Metro Rail is a very efficient means of transportation, although it does not run throughout the city. It does, however, connect all the major transportation hubs.

Local trains run approximately every 15 minutes and are an excellent way to navigate the city. Private and pre-paid taxis, although less common, are available at major locations like airports, stations, etc.