Ever since the new Burj Khalifa opened and then rapidly closed it's 124-floor observation deck, we haven't really trusted it. Instead, we'd be more likely to just hop on a seaplane to zoom above the building itself, and kill a few other birds with the same stone by continuing our flight around other Dubai landmarks.

This type of airborne sightseeing adventure is exactly what a new tour from Seawings Dubai offers. For $333 per person (the plane seats up to 9), you'll buzz in the Dubai skies in a seaplane, passing by these spots on the 40-minute flight: The Jebel Ali Palm, Dubai Marina, the Palm Jumeirah, the 7-star Burj Al Arab Hotel, Jumeirah Beach, Dubai Creek, The World Islands and of course the Burj Khalifa building.

It might seem pricey, but remember that just showing up at the Burj Khalifa and wanting a ticket up to the observation deck costs you $109, and you don't even get to go in a seaplane! And then, there's the toll to even cross the causeway to visit the Burj Al Arab Hotel, so we think this is pretty much worth every penny.

Related Stories:
· Seawings [Official Site]
· Seawings Launches Burj Experience Flight [AsiaTravelTips]
· Dubai's Trouble Deepens [Jaunted]
· Dubai Travel [Jaunted]

[Photo: seawings.ae]]]> JetSetCD 2010-03-01T16:34:59-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/2/12/44323/3774

Dubai's Burj Khalifa's 124th-floor observation deck may have shut down, but college students have another excuse to travel to the city: a highly sought-after internship at the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo. Oh, to be frat-age again.

To be eligible, students have to be at least 16 years old and the preference will go to those studying marine science, teaching or a tourism-related subject. Students from all over the world are encouraged to apply. ]]> Jennifer Kester 2010-02-12T09:00:16-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/2/9/0910/62138

Remember a couple years ago when all the cool news was coming out of Dubai, like they had all the money in the world and were using to build the adult playland of the future? Well, Dubai is still turning out all the news, but it's just that the headlines have gone sour, and this week has brought another rush of bad news for the showy Emirate.

First, the newly opened 124-floor Observation Deck in the Burj Khalifa building has closed. The reason they're giving for the closure is that they've had far too many electrical problems, and with people paying $27 in advance or $109 on the spot for the privilege to simply look out their windows, they can't afford to have any hiccups. Really—they can't afford it. Maybe they also can't afford to keep the lights on right now too? ]]> JetSetCD 2010-02-09T11:30:14-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/1/31/235440/363

Even though it's mired in financial woes, Dubai refuses to scale down the excess. The city's hosting its 15th annual Dubai Shopping Festival, which is best described as a non-stop 32-day party.

Despite its name, the Dubai Shopping Festival is all about entertainment. It features mini festivals, including an international jazz fest, a bike festival, a pet show, a weight-loss conference and a food festival—hopefully the latter two aren't near one another. On each day of the fest, the DSF is raffling off a Lexus LS 460 and an AED 100,000 cash prize ($27,225) , and on the weekends, you can win a custom-edition LX 570.

After the jump, even Bob the Builder gets some action]]> Jennifer Kester 2010-02-01T13:20:10-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/1/27/11651/8330

The Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, opened its observation deck this month in Dubai and we did some digging to see what the experience is supposed to be like. Perched on the 124th floor, the observation deck is supposed to give an airplane-like view of the area.

To get to "At the Top," the observation deck's, you have to enter through The Dubai Mall’s lower-ground level. Before you pop your ears on the elevator up, brush up on your knowledge of Dubai and the building with multimedia displays like "Dubai Then and Now," "From Earth to the Sky" and "From Vision to Reality." You'll also see a big illuminated model of the Burj Khalifa, formerly called the Burj Dubai, where you can learn about the skyscraper.

A video of the view, after the jump.]]> Jennifer Kester 2010-01-27T08:40:48-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/1/4/10740/97884

See that ridiculously tall building pictured above? That, my friends, is the Burj Dubai, a 200+ story building just completed in the United Arab Emirates that is celebrating its official birthday today. How old is it, you ask? Well, it's 0 years old really, since today is only its official opening to the public, although not all 160 accessible stories are ready for occupancy.

The only piece seeing public footsteps today is the 124-floor observation deck—because Dubai is in a tourism and property slump and knows that any way of digging extra cash from the pockets of locals and visitors is a great thing. Actual tenants won't begin moving into the Burj until February, when the owners of the Armani residences move in, to be followed by the guests of the world's first Armani Hotel in March.

And even when everyone is settled in and the workers in the business floors are typing away at their tasks, the Burj won't be full; occupancy rates may only reach 75% this year thanks to Dubai's slump, and many of the condo buyers are purchasing simply for investment. So for those of you anxious to take the elevator to the 124-floor, you'll just be visiting a husk of hope.

Related Stories:
· Dubai Opens Tallest Tower, partially leased in slump [BizWeek]
· The Impossibly High Burj Dubai Will Have 124-Floor Observation Deck [Jaunted]
· Dubai Travel [Jaunted]

[Photo: jasab]]]> JetSetCD 2010-01-04T11:14:55-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/12/1/15830/4836

The United Arab Emirates is gearing up for the giant 2010 Shanghai tourism expo with a sustained online push of travel advertising. Their slick expo website, which is counting down the 150 days until the opening second by second, is already loaded with information and contests. They still have some knots to untangle—we're not sure they meant to title their Green initiatives category "Better Cities" and the frontpage should read "enter the drawing" not "enter the draw"—but the whole site shows substantial thought and effort.

The tourism board has also published a gorgeous ad designed to show off Dubai and the surrounding areas. First things first: the commercial is undeniably beautiful. The "traditional vs. cutting-edge" trope isn't exactly original, but that doesn't take much away from the overall spot. Whoever's in charge had a lot of money to play with.]]> Omri 2009-12-01T16:04:36-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/