Dubai - The Futuristic City with Global Citizen Martina

Dubai can look like a postcard of skyscrapers and luxury, but living there teaches you the real story fast: it’s blazing hot outside, freezing cold inside, and somehow both deeply traditional and aggressively futuristic. We sit down with Martina, a global citizen and former Reuters journalist who watched Dubai transform firsthand, to get practical, honest guidance for travelers who want more than a quick photo stop. We talk about what daily life feels like in a city where you can ski in a shopping mall, run “mallathons” before stores open, and pay with your face. Martina breaks down what to pack for the indoor outdoor temperature shock, what things cost (think Switzerland level pricing in many places), and how far you can get with English. She also shares why Dubai’s air connectivity is such a superpower, turning the UAE into a strategic base for exploring the Middle East, East Africa, and South Asia. Then we zoom out to build a smarter Dubai travel itinerary: when to visit, what’s worth your time, and why Abu Dhabi and Oman can balance the glitz with culture and history. If you’re curious about Dubai, this conversation gives you a clear starting point.  Subscribe, share the show with a travel-loving friend, and leave a quick rating or review to help more listeners find us. Map of Dubai Support the show Please download, like, subscribe, share a review, and follow us on your favorite podcasts app and connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wherenextpodcast/ View all listening options: https://wherenextpodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Hosts Carol Springer: https://www.instagram.com/carol.work.life Kristen: https://www.instagram.com/team_wake/ If you can, please support the show or you can buy us a coffee.