Despite this will be the 4 th time I am going to DXB, I haven't really explored the city. (Tend to stick in the hotel resort before - esp paying so much for the Burj al Arab!) However this time I am planning to do a bit more exploring.

What are the recommendations:

1) Places to see
2) Shopping
3) Places to eat (I heard Gordon Ramsay or some other Mich. Star chef opened a restaurant there?)
4) Specific sites/activites (I heard there is an indoor ski centre? Also how is the safari or dessert trips? Is there one that will only take 4 hours max?)

Planning to stay at the PH so hopefully not too far away from things.

Also what is the must buy item in DXB?