Dubai or New York???

No question, I'd go for NYC. Drawbacks to Dubai - no alcohol, conspicuous consumption on an insane scale, having to have a male "chaperone" at all times, covering up to observe their strict practices (this wouldn't stop me going, I've been to Israel 3 times and done the same, personally I'd just rather not have to *think* about what I wear.)

positives to NYC - broadway, the Empire State, MOMA, Central Park, getting to see all the places I've watched on TV and films in person!

Show off! ;-) tough choice, but I think it would be new York. Dubai to me would just be a beach holiday (can't afford all the swanky stuff!)

Completely agree with sambarine!

I agree with sambarine!

New York is great at that time of year too - everyone really buys into it, and the iconic locations that you've seen in every feel good Christmas film ever. Absolutely effing freezing though. And can be pricey.

No contest, NYC everytime. Theres so much to see, do and experience. Obviously it'll cost to get over there and for accomodation, but it can be as cheap or expensive as you want to make it. Maybe try air b&b for accomodation.

Ive been to Dubai a couple of times, and honestly, it's not my scene and wouldn't return. I Personally found it all so flash and fake, there are plenty of places I'd sooner go. Plus it's not cheap either.

New York for me too. I don't like heat - so it would have to be New York in the winter, preferably for New Year, but not Christmas (I'd miss the family way too much!)!!

Or before Christmas so I could do all my shopping in Bloomingdales and Macy's!

And I'd want to do all the touristy things, like the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge and take a horse and cart around Central park and see Times Square and go to a show on Broadway and oh, oh.....all the other things I can't afford right now!!!

I went to Dubai for my honeymoon in October - I would honestly say its fantastic. It isnt the cheapest city in the world granted, but neither is it the most expensive. The people was really nice we found plenty to do and the weather lovely. Fair enough, you do have to be modest, but tell me, really when would you and your partner be all over each other in your local town anyway and whereever you do on holiday its only nice to cover up in places. admit it can be a little showy lots of designer shops etc, but its just truely wonderful. I think you can make it as expensive or as cheap posh resturant/the abundance of reasonable price places.

I went Dubai 10 years ago now (wow where did that time go?) it is all a bit poncy but I quite like that, lots of great food and went to some great clubs, bars and parties (my friend was working there at the time so had the 'insider knowledge) alcohol is available out there in hotels where all the bars clubs etc are located anyway so we didn't really notice it. You cant buy booze in the shops but we brought some duty free in with us so didn't need to (i'm not sure if that's actually allowed but we made it through customs with it anyway)

I don't remember feeling nervous or unable to relax for fear of being offensive but I was younger then and more naive.

I do remember walking around the market with my female friend who was wearing just a vest top and shorts and she was getting stared at pretty bad (i actually saw a man walk into a wall where he was staring so bad he wasn't looking where he was going) I imagine that could be scary for a group of girls on their own.

I wouldn't rush back.

That doesn't just happen in dubai though. Im Morocco I was stared/tutted at because I accidentally ended up in the old town in my shorts (oops) and in Egypt guys were actually trying to take pictures down my top! Bit creepy.

There were actually 2 girls travelling together on one of our trips in Egypt, H ended up walking with them to shield them from all the attention, then he started getting kudos for having 3 women!

New York every time. It is amazing. I could literally go and just watch things. Its my dream home ?

I've been to New York and loved it! Just make sure you take comfortable shoes! The revolving restaurant was lovely too.

I'd love to go to Dubai

I spent 2 weeks in Dubai 3 years ago and I thought it was great. It's not *that* strict. You can drink there, but you can't buy alcohol in a supermarket without a resident's license. So you'd have to drink in bars, no sneaking a bottle back to your room!

I went out clubbing a few times, had a great laugh! I did get stared at a bit, but it wasn't that bad.

You just kinda have to be respectful, which I reckon you'd do anywhere. I think it's great too see. I would go back, but I'd LOVE to go to NY!

NYC without a doubt. It was amazing, beautiful and literally so much to do you will never be stuck for choice. Money wise, I didn't find we spent a lot more than the same amount of time in London. We didn't eat in fancy resturants and don't drink so that possibly kept costs down a bit.

Dubai for me feels very fake and I've read a lot of articles about the poverty there and how people are treated. Not somewhere I would ever want to go.

Totally depends on your tastes though, they are very different places.

We've just come back from NY as part of our honeymoon. It was amazing! I didnt find that it was overly expensive, we spent about $1000 in 3 days but we didnt go 'cheap' on anything. We did eat out fancy one night (13 courses and alot of wine) and that set us back $300!

We were there at the beginning of March and it was freezing (actually colder -9!) and there was alot of snow but youre on the move constantly so the cold wasnt too much bother.

I'd love to go again at christmas, I can imagine how much more beautiful it would be.

I'd always pick NY, nothing about Dubai appeals to me really!?

I'm going to NYC for the first time in a few weeks time so this thread has massively cheered me up after a shitty day! Thanks peeps!!

I've never been to Dubai either so can't help. i'd probably prefer a place like Israel or Egypt though as you can get some culture once you've finished roasting yourself on the beach ?

I'm not sure you can actually compare the two? New York vs Paris yes but not vs Dubai.

Dubai is much more of a beachy, laid back holiday. Lots of shopping opportunities and food and drink. but not much culture. Beautiful big hotels and shopping malls and beaches.

New York is fabulous as it is full of culture and history. There are hundreds of historical things to see and do. But relaxing it ain't. It's a typical hectic city break that for me normally requires a meticulously laid out timetable and plan! I always come back needing a holiday to recover from the holiday on these breaks.

So what are wanting/needing more. A break which is about sightseeing and culture or a laid back holiday where you can chill & sunbathe?

New York at Xmas/NY would be crazy expensive for accommodation so I personally wouldn't go at Xmas. And yes NY is expensive - but no more than some of the tourist spots in London. As with anywhere whether you find it expensive depends on what you decide to do and type of meals you have etc.

I'd never go to Dubai. As a lesbian couple we wouldn't feel safe to anyway! It doesn't appeal to me at all.

New York however... ❤️❤️❤️ I love it. Love love love it. I was pretty desperate to go for my 30th in Jan, but that's probably not happening now (money. WAH. Disneyland Paris instead!) so I think we're going for christmas 2016 instead. CAN'T BLAAAADY WAIT.

Another vote for New York by me. I have been twice and really enjoyed it both times -the 2nd time was last year and part of our honeymoon. There is so much to do and so much variety. I haven't been to Dubai and it doesn't appeal that much. My husband and best friend of been and neither really rated it. My best friend said it was a bit dull and my husband found it very hard to relax while he was there.

Dubai in April would be good. Weather is ok - warmish - like a good English summer - and as long as you don't get the sand storms we've had recently, will be lovely.

There's actually loads to do......yes there are the shopping malls..........designer stuff, UK High street stuff at inflated prices......but out of them Dubai still has some traditional areas. In Deira there are a couple of museums (admittedly small ones), the spice and gold souks (markets), take an Abra (small boat) over the creek, then sit with a cool drink and watch the boats......spend an evening at JBR watching the boys with their toys (shiny red ferraris etc), go up the Burj Khalifa, do to a craft/art market thing called ARTE (held once or twice a month, head to SIKA art/cultural exhibition which should be on around then. There's also the Sheikh Mohammed centre for cultural understanding where you can find out more about Emirati culture and actually try the traditional food. Head out of Dubai and go to Abu Dhabi.....shops, mosque, Ferrari world, nice beaches..........., Al Ain - inland - green...... Fujairah - beaches and hills. Do a desert safari - sandboarding, dune bashing etc...........go on a dolphin spotting boat trip in Musandam. See there's more to the UAE than the malls.

As for alcohol - no - you can't buy it in the supermarkets (even with a license you have to go to 'special' shops) but you can take in 4 litres/bottles ((??) each which should keep you going. The hotels have bars - at least most of them do - think there's a branch of the Rotana chain that don't. Bars vary - everything from ultra glam, guest list only, far too expensive cocktails to grotty 'could almost be brothels' - and luckily everything in between.

Dubai also has great restaurants - most of it is from other countries though and actual Emirati food is difficult to find.......and of course you have to do a Friday brunch.

Reading this back- I don't work for the UAE tourist authority - just lived until I moved to Qatar in November (don't bother with Qatar lol).

Can't say anything about New York - more hectic I'm guessing but great fun.