Dubai

[ChicagoLion]

I have a 2 day layover there. Any recommendations?

[andyh]

Isobel Oakeshitt has become an immigrant there.
It’s bad.

[cdbearsfan]

I have a 2 day layover there. Any recommendations?

Some team called Villa are playing a bloke called Alan there I believe.

[ChicagoLion]

I have a 2 day layover there. Any recommendations?

Some team called Villa are playing a bloke called Alan there I believe.

Sadly it’s in July.
Should be nice and warm by then.

[pauliewalnuts]

You’re right Paulie’ for instance it’s David O’Leary’s favourite holiday destination. That’s all you need to know about him to know what he’s about. But I suppose if you wanted guaranteed sunshine and it’s relatively cheap to take a squad of player and staff to a sports complex that ticks all the boxes for warm weather training then it’s probably why it’s the choice and maybe there’s some commercial spin off too.

Oh I totally get it for football related warm weather stuff like we are doing ATM, makes sense.

[Sexual Ealing]

I can't think of many realistic holiday destinations less appealing than Dubai.

Someone mentioned it is as expensive as you want it to be, like New York or Paris, with the obvious difference that, you're in New York or Paris, cultural centres of the world, not a horrendous culture-free hell hole like Dubai.

And this will sound snobby, but I don't really care, but the other thing that puts me off going to Dubai is the sort of people who go to Dubai.

All of this. And it's not snobby to have met the kind of people who like Dubai and to conclude that the things they enjoy are going to be very different from the things you're into.

[lovejoy]

Dubai isn't like New York or Paris to the extent that everything is expensive. At least in normal big cities you have a spectrum to choose from for eating out, hotels, events etc. I recollect from being in Dubai that the hotels were very expensive as they have a monopoly on selling alcohol. Even the banana boat was £90 for 30 mins.

It is slightly more toned down and more cultural in Abu Dhabi (they even have a Louvre don't you know). I think Dubai is a place to visit as an experience as it is difficult to explain otherwise. But as others have said you just need to look at the types of people who flock there to realise what it offers.

[dave shelley]

I have a 2 day layover there. Any recommendations?

Go two days later?   

[eamonn]

So any updates from the lads in Dubai? Hope they're training well, being respectful in their way but still giving each other hugs and kisses if they feel like it.

[Border villan]

Dubai isn't like New York or Paris to the extent that everything is expensive. At least in normal big cities you have a spectrum to choose from for eating out, hotels, events etc. I recollect from being in Dubai that the hotels were very expensive as they have a monopoly on selling alcohol. Even the banana boat was £90 for 30 mins.

It is slightly more toned down and more cultural in Abu Dhabi (they even have a Louvre don't you know). I think Dubai is a place to visit as an experience as it is difficult to explain otherwise. But as others have said you just need to look at the types of people who flock there to realise what it offers.

If you get the chance visit Oman, a traditionally based yet modern Middle East country that has avoided over tourism.

[pauliewalnuts]

Dubai isn't like New York or Paris to the extent that everything is expensive. At least in normal big cities you have a spectrum to choose from for eating out, hotels, events etc. I recollect from being in Dubai that the hotels were very expensive as they have a monopoly on selling alcohol. Even the banana boat was £90 for 30 mins.

It is slightly more toned down and more cultural in Abu Dhabi (they even have a Louvre don't you know). I think Dubai is a place to visit as an experience as it is difficult to explain otherwise. But as others have said you just need to look at the types of people who flock there to realise what it offers.

If you get the chance visit Oman, a traditionally based yet modern Middle East country that has avoided over tourism.

Or, given it's lovejoy, Afghanistan.

[VillaTim]

I have a 2 day layover there. Any recommendations?

Some team called Villa are playing a bloke called Alan there I believe.

Sadly it’s in July.
Should be nice and warm by then.

Too hot and humid to do much outdoors other than in and out the pool.
Head for the dubai mall if you like shopping it will be cool in there .
I'd stay over by the old town and creek which is handy for the airport anyway

[AV84]

So any updates from the lads in Dubai? Hope they're training well, being respectful in their way but still giving each other hugs and kisses if they feel like it.

Kamara has new hair.

[AV84]

There's some younger players there but I can't tell who any of them are. I guess we'll see when the team to play the friendly is announced.

[VillaTim]

Looks like Ings in the background (middle pic)