Sippin Gypsy Guest Post: Lavish Yet Eco-Friendly Travel Destinations in Dubai By Allen Walker

Cheers Sippin Gypsy Travelers! This post comes to you from my friend Allen Walker.  Allen is sharing with us several great ways to indulge in the beauty and luxury of Dubai, but still be conscious of the environment.  Allen highlights some of the many ways Dubai is choosing more responsible ways to delight tourists and locals alike. Enjoy!

Dubai is popular for its lavish malls and extravagant lifestyle. You can see man made wonders everywhere which stun the human eye and make you believe that it’s not a part of this world. However, it’s a fact that people often don’t consider Dubai when they plan to visit a bio diverse place full of natural beauty as they think Dubai offers just luxurious and engineering feats and has nothing to do with natural beauty. It’s not true at all. The city is an ideal place for ecotourism and has everything one desires. From striking deserts to beaches and from natural resorts to animal petting farms, nature is visible everywhere and this is another reason which makes Dubai the first choice of tourists.
Dubai has started several ambitious projects to explore and promote natural beauty and few of them have already completed. Curious to know more about the natural wonders the city has? Let’s discuss one by one.
Natural Resorts
Spending holiday in a resort with family or spouse is the dream of every individual. Dubai resorts  & hotels promise to give an amazing combination of adventure, fun activities, glamour, and glitz. There are a number of resorts present in the city which are situated at the best locations. Some are present in the middle of the city while others are established in the desert. For the comfort of tourists, international level restaurants are present there where you can eat mouthwatering food and enjoy local cuisines. Paddle board, windsurf paddle boat, spa, and adventurous activities are available in these resorts. Here are five top resorts in Dubai which you must not forget to visit.

• The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina
• Royal Mirage
• Jumeriah Creekside Hotel
• Le Royal Meridien Beach and Resort
• The Ritz Carlton Dubai

Al Maha – A Supreme Project of Eco-tourism
It’s not only a major eco-friendly project of Dubai, but also the entire country. The project aims to protect natural flora and fauna without involving lavish development so people can enjoy nature at its purest form. Taking breathe in the air of Al Maha is like inducing peace and eternity into your body while the beautiful scenery mesmerizes your eyes. After all, it’s Dubai so you can stay in a comfy room surrounded by the tropical environment.

Petting Farms  
If you are going to visit Dubai with kids, then petting farms would be worthy experience. You see different types of animals including exotic rescued, imported, and mundane. It’s allowed to touch and feel these animals and management also informs tourists how to take care of them. Learn about their food, habitats, and interesting information. Most of the petting farms run on donations and you can also give some money to provide better facilities to animals.
Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary is a small area near Dubai creek and known as a natural wetland area. The place is abounding of marsh harries, flamingos, and ospreys. The area is the perfect depiction of natural beauty and proves Dubai has much more to offer other than gigantic shopping malls and towering spires.

Masdar City – Zero Waste Production
Dubai is a place full of wonders so never expect less than the perfect from it even when it comes to ecotourism. A mega project is underway named Masdar City which would function and run on nature. It would be free from carbon that is a harmful gas for human beings and causes several diseases. Zero waste production is the ultimate goal of the city for that clean energy production technology is being used in the project. MIT and Masdar Institute of Science and Technology are working on the project and putting extreme efforts on the development of green technology.

Desert Safari Dubai
Desert is an intrinsic part of Dubai and it lets you explore nature at its best. Waling on the sand dunes and feeling the sand particles on your feet is an amazing experience. Youngsters cover these deserts on cycles while families prefer 4x4 jeeps. Experts drivers are required to ensure safety as driving on the ups and downs of sandy hills is not a child's play.
Morning and evening are the best times for a desert safari because enduring scorching heat isn’t possible for tourists who come from cold areas. Scrumptious food is available during your visit to the desert while belly dancers and traditional performances let you know the life of local people. If you want to explore and witness the desert life, then prefer cycling as you can stop and see the local animals and plants. Last but not the least, don’t forget ride in the desert because you can’t enjoy the real essence of a desert without it. 

Parks and Aquariums
There are multiple parks and aquariums present in Dubai in which Al Bashra Pond Park, Creek Park, Mushrif Park, and Umme Suqueim parks are very popular where you see a lot of flora and fauna, enjoy picnics, take cycle rides, and observe the habitats of different birds. In winter season, you can visit the park any time, but visiting timings are specific for the summer season.
Educational aquariums are present in Dubai which are a great source of learning for children to know about the native marine life. The prominent aquariums in Dubai include Sharja Aquarium and Dubai Aquarium Underwater Zoo in Dubai Mall where you see different species and various types of marine life.
Hatta Dam
The Hatta Dam is closer to Dubai and known for the peaceful environment it offers away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The Heritage Village is surrounded by beautiful mountains where breathtaking beauty is spread everywhere. Kayak and paddle boats are the amazing and fun full activities in the area that also helps you to lose some weight and restore your energy level by taking bath in the cool water.

Isn’t it impressive? Hence, we can say with great confidence that Dubai is a second to none city that can host people of every taste and interest. It doesn't matter if you are a fan of lavish lifestyle or a nature lover, Dubai is ready to surprise and impress you with its striking entertainment opportunities.