There is luxury accommodation, and then there is LUXURY accommodation.      
Standards are high in Dubai, and luxury accommodation takes on a whole new meaning. The level of opulence and decadence you’ll experience in a hotel here will make you feel like the queen you always knew you were. In general, service is impeccable. But remember, a little humility and respect are much appreciated. The big bucks you shell out during your stay might not trickle down to those who make that stay so unforgettable. Tips are what these people survive on, so don’t be stingy and spread the love!

Towering over the city at a staggering 2,716 feet tall, the Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world with 200 stories, 160 of which are habitable. For those looking to stay in the height of luxury (pun intended), the five-star Armani Hotel Dubai is located on the 39^th floor. At.Mosphere restaurant offers fine dining with a view on the 122^nd floor, and At the Top offers panoramic vistas of the city from floors 124, 125 and 148. The views are spectacular any time of day, but if you can make it up for a sunset, you’re in for a special treat.

If you’re looking for a more ‘local’ experience, still oozing with luxury appeal of course, vacation rentals are a great option. There are numerous vacation villas on the iconic Jumeirah Palms – a manmade archipelago shaped like a palm tree that has become one of Dubai’s most happening neighborhoods – that make the perfect home base for your Dubai adventure. Beach bars, nightclubs, restaurants and shopping are all at your fingertips on this well-manicured outcrop. You could spend your entire vacation never needing to step foot on the mainland.

Behind the modern façade, a rich history awaits

Dubai is more than high-rises and high-end retail outlets. Founded in 1833, this city also has a rich historical heritage. A visit to the Al Fahidi Historical District, often referred to as Al Bastakiya, gives you a glimpse into the past – before oil money bathed this city in glitz and glamour. Narrow winding streets lead you on a journey through time, past quaint tea houses, through citrus tree-filled courtyards. The sand-colored buildings house art galleries, museums, cafes and, of course, the residents that still call this area home.

One must-visit site is the Dubai Museum, located in the 200-year-old Al Fahidi Fort. Exhibitions bring to life the many cultures that have called Dubai home over the centuries, exploring urban and rural environments as well as its natural heritage. Ancient markets, traditional homes and well-preserved artifacts are on display, engulfing you in the memoire of this incredible city.

From souks to Saks, a shop-aholic’s dream

The shopping scene in Dubai is world-renowned, thanks in part to its tax-free status. If you want to tick an item off your bucket list, head to Dubai Mall, the largest mall in the world. You could spend a lifetime (and a small fortune) browsing the 5.9 million square feet of retail heaven filled with over 1,200 shops. To make navigating this mammoth building a bit easier, it’s been split into three sections: Fashion Avenue is home to the high-end shops and boutiques, the Souk has locally made clothing, accessories and handicrafts and The Village has a more casual, open-air feel.

If a visit to the world’s largest shopping mall isn’t enough, how about a visit to the world’s first shopping resort? In addition to the shopping and dining experiences found in your standard mall, the Mall of the Emirates features a virtual reality amusement park, arcades, trampoline park, bowling alley and, wait for it, a ski slope. Yes, in the middle of the dessert, you can go for a ski any time of the year. Ski Dubai indoor ski resort features winter-themed amusement rides, cozy après-ski cafes and several slopes to choose from (complete with ski lifts). There’s even a resident colony of penguins.

Dubai is an international city, and this is brought to life in The Global Village. This is Dubai’s version of Disneyland’s Epcot Center, but with a retail focus. The village is separated into countries or regions where you can purchase local goods and handicrafts. Offering the full amusement park experience, there are also cultural activities, performances, exhibitions and more.

For a more traditional shopping experience, head to the Bur Dubai Souk which features a kaleidoscope of textiles, pre-made items like rugs, suits and dresses and a number of tailors that can turn your purchased textile into any bespoke garment your imagination can dream up. And for a little bling bling, the Deira Gold Souk is a sparkling mecca for all things gold. The intricate designs of the skilled artisans make this market as much an art gallery as a shopping destination.

What’s a vacation without a trip to the beach?!

Being an urban oasis set on the edge of the desert, an afternoon spent at one of Dubai’s beaches is a necessity. But, save your thong bikini for your trip to Miami. While dress codes are relatively relaxed on the beaches here, you want to be as respectful as possible of the local culture. A bikini is fine, but even better, opt for a one piece and have a wrap or cover-up on when you’re not in the water.

Sunset beach is the patch of powdery white sand that lies just off the famous sail-shaped Burj al Arab. Aptly named, each evening Mother Nature puts on a spectacular show as the fiery colors of sunset fill the sky and reflect off the crystalline water below. This setting has profile picture written all over it.

Jumeirah Beach is another favorite, especially for those looking for a livelier atmosphere. La Mer, the newest addition to Dubai’s beachside scene, is another good option for a beach with amenities like restaurants, cafes and water sports. For the more sporty-types, Kite Beach is a popular spot for kitesurfing, stand-up paddling, beach volleyball and more.

And, of course, on Jumeirah Palms, almost every inch of coastline is covered with golden sand. However, many of the beaches are private beach clubs. An entry fee gives you access to towels, sun chairs and, most importantly, an endless supply of cocktails to sip as you luxuriate by the sea.

Summer weather can make it too hot to be outside for extended periods of time, even at the beach, so avoid the hottest months of June-September.

Queen of the Desert

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the stillness of the Arabian Desert. Camel rides across the undulating sand dunes, cultural activities with local Bedouin tribes, the intricate stains of a henna tattoo or even a kick of adrenaline during a sandboarding adventure. Or maybe, you just do nothing at all, take a walk by yourself and appreciate the vastness of the beauty surrounding you. The desert is your playground.

World-class cuisine, shopping, entertainment and more, Dubai is a city that combines the best that luxury travel has to offer: city-break and beach holiday, shopping extravaganza and nature adventures. This city is a must-visit for any Travel Chick!

Since September 2019, fires have ravaged over 25 million acres of bush and national park, killed at least 25 people and millions of animals and birds.  One third of the population of koalas in the state of New South Wales are thought to have been lost, along with huge tracts of their habitat.  Whether they can recover their numbers is unknown.

One third of Kangaroo Island, a popular holiday and tourism destination off the coast of South Australia, has burned vineyards, homes and national parks just gone.

One third of the Adelaide Hills region wineries have been destroyed.  It’s estimated that 19,000 farms have been destroyed, along with thousands of commercial bee hives.

A school auditorium has converted to a hospital for injured koalas, and the Irwin family’s Australia Zoo has rescued or treated over 90,000 animals since the fires broke out.

Around the world, people are digging deep and supporting fundraisers for animal rescue programs, to help families rebuild after losing everything they owned, and supporting the largely volunteer-based Rural Fire Brigade organizations around the country, which have been affected be government-funding cuts.

As If you’d like to donate, reputable official fundraisers are listed below.  These organizations are helping the volunteer fire fighters, the families who have lost everything, the wildlife rescue groups and so much more.

But what’s becoming clear now is that tourism and small business has taken a massive hit, as tourists cancel their vacations or delay until March or April.  Tourism operators in locations outside of the bushfire areas are also suffering from cancellations, and everything from boutique hotels to small tour companies and restaurants are under threat of closure because the visitor numbers just aren’t there.

If you’re rethinking a vacation to Australia in 2020, maybe think again.  You can help out by visiting this year.  There are still incredible destinations downunder that will give you the experience of a lifetime and you’ll be supporting an industry facing a crisis.

Travelers are more than tourists – they’re actually the lifeblood for thousands of small businesses and tourism operators. Australia is a big country and there are plenty of places unaffected by the bushfires that will welcome you with a smile and an Aussie welcome.   Check out the Tourism Australia website for up to date information.

There are fundraisers being held across the globe, and the following are a handful of reputable and official groups that are currently providing help in the affected regions.

Australian Red Cross
NSW Rural Fire Service
St Vincent de Paul Society
WIRES (NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service Inc)
Port MacQuarie Koala Hospital 

How I got to this point, well, that’s a little more complicated.

As young parents, we made sure to take a family vacation at least once a year. My two girls were just children, each new experience opening up a whole new world for them. And now that they’re all grown up, we still look back and reminisce about the amazing beach days in Hawaii or all the fun we had in Vegas. Those family vacations have become some of the happiest memories of my life. Recently, my oldest daughter took her boyfriend to the same timeshare we used to visit when she was young, and I love knowing that she will now take those childhood memories with her as she begins her own journey through life.

Years passed, the girls grew up, and I went through a divorce. The urge to get out and travel was stronger than ever. But there I was, an empty-nester; none of my girlfriends could be convinced to join me on my European adventure. I dug deep, swallowed my fears and anxieties and headed across the globe alone. To say that my first solo trip forced me outside my comfort zone would be an understatement. I was in a foreign land, didn’t speak the language, forgot my credit card at home (yes, I was broke) and got lost more times than I can count. During my trip I had several moments when I felt like crying.  But despite all that, I made it back to the US alive, and so much stronger than when I had left.

As stressful as my first adventure into solo travel was, the experience left me wanting more. By connecting with other cultures, I had begun to better understand myself and realized what it was that I wanted out of life. I set out again, traveling to various destinations, each adventure providing me with unforgettable experiences and the opportunity for personal growth. I was more confident in myself than I had ever been. I found a deep-rooted happiness that reminded me of those family vacations I had taken so many times before. This is the same happiness I want to share with my fellow Travel Chicks.

I want to create a community where women, of all ages and backgrounds, can come together and share their love of travel. The Travel Chicks community will provide a safe space where women can grow and learn from one another. A place where they can find strength in numbers, pooling the knowledge gained by their fellow Travel Chicks, and find inspiration in their stories and adventures. A place where solo travelers never have to feel alone, and would-be wanderers can find travel companions to join them on their journey. 

Knowledge is power, and I want to empower women to get out and explore the world. And there is strength in community, so I want women to feel emboldened to push their limits, leave their comfort zone and discover their true inner strength as they discover the wonders that are waiting for them out on the road.

So come on ladies, what are you waiting for. Let’s get packing!

1. Choose your gang
This could be a no-brainer and your girl gang is ready to go, but it’s worth thinking about group dynamics and making sure everyone is compatible. If you have a lot of friends from different walks of life, give some thought who you’re inviting, and why. The reason we want to get away with the girls is all about connection with our besties and a no-drama break, so choose with this in mind.

  2. Decide on a destination
Whether you’re planning a weekend away or a two week break overseas, the destination should be convenient (and within their budget) for everyone to reach. Be mindful about how people will be traveling and whether you’ll travel together or independently.

3. Why go?
Is work super-busy and you all need to relax? Have family responsibilities left no me-time? Have the past few months been all work and no play? Find out what the girls need from their getaway and let that guide your planning.

4. Lock in the date
It’s time to stop saying “we must get together” and do it. Suggest a couple of dates and as soon as you find a time everyone is free, commit to it. Pay deposits, book the dog into a pet motel, clear the diary. Planning in advance leaves time to get organized for the getaway and get excited!

5. What’s your getaway style (and budget)?
These two go hand in hand. When you’ve worked out what type of break you’re having – beachy, European, nature-based, city splurge – calculate a quick budget for each person and make sure they’re comfortable with it. Make sure everyone is clear about their preferences (a bedroom each? Or is sharing twin rooms okay?) and what they can afford. Then start researching the all-important accommodation!

6. Where to stay
This is kind of a big deal, but if you’ve done your homework it’ll be easy to know if you need a cozy Airbnb house or an apartment overlooking the water.  One word of advice – make sure there’s a big comfy sofa or two for those long conversations and catch ups!7.

7. What to see and do
It’s great to have some options for activities but keep it simple. The main idea is to relax and have fun so keep lots of time free for just hanging out. Put long lunches (preferably with a view), beach walks or a spontaneous winery tour on your “to do” list.

8. Start planning the next getaway!
Chances are all those chats and long conversations mean you’ve had some great ideas for another trip. Set the date and destination for the next one before you leave.

Want some inspiration for your next girl’s getaway? Here are a few ideas to inspire your itinerary!

Wine-lovers: California produces almost 90% of the country’s wine, but you’ll find wine regions in every state. If you’re traveling overseas, France and Italy are the obvious choices, but look at Douro Valley in Portugal, or Hungary’s Eger wine region for something different.

Snow-bunnies: The US has some of the best (and most numerous) ski resorts in the world – the hard part will be choosing! For a ski holiday with a cultural twist, Niseko in Japan offers great skiing, amazing food and hot springs.

Waterside Wonders: The lodge at Lake Quinault in Washington State is a gorgeous spot for a weekender. If you’re planning a bigger trip, the Greek Islands have to be the ultimate blue-sky-blue-sea option.

Nature Unplugged: Could you share an RV with your besties? Or maybe a glamping weekend? Head off to a national park for a few days and unplug from the online world. Iceland is an incredible nature-based destination – perfect for an outdoorsy break (and maybe a luxury spa experience).

City Slicker: New York never gets old! Have dinner at Balthazar in Soho for a fabulous dining experience. If you’re up for a longer getaway, Melbourne will show you a great time – Australian-style – with beaches, a great food scene and lively nightlife all in easy reach.