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Dubai is a spectacular blend of ancient and modern; a mix
of Arabic culture and tradition with superb beaches, a
modern skyline and some of the world's best tax-free
shopping.
My Dubai
Dubai is often called the Las Vegas of the Middle East, and
it's not hard to see why. A shimmering oasis in the desert
where old meets new and east meets west, glitzy, glamorous
Dubai is fast gaining a reputation for 'firsts' and 'biggests'
and 'surely it's not possibles'.
You can almost smell the wealth in Dubai, in its sumptuous
hotels that drip with gold, in its gold soucks and in its
shopping malls - packed with designer goods. Only in
Dubai could two enormous palm islands be built off the coast
- and yet be considered 'old news' before they've even
opened.
The next big thing is The World, a dive park with
artificial reefs that will simulate those found in the Red
Sea, the Maldives, Bali, Palau and the Great Barrier Reef,
closely followed by the world's first underwater hotel, the
$500 million Hydropolis, opening in 2006.
Cosmopolitan, exciting and dynamic, Dubai has plenty of
small oases of history and charm despite its modern facade.
The Gold Souk is a glistening eye-opener - with none of the
hassle-factor you'll experience in souks elsewhere - while
the nearby spice souks and abra (boat) crossing on the Dubai
Creek, have a trapped-in-historical feel, refreshingly at
odds for such a forward-looking city.
From families seeking a break in the sun, to thrill-seekers
looking for an adrenaline shot, Dubai has something for
everyone. Clean, safe and easy to get around, its
theme parks, water parks, zoo, country parks and beaches are
great for families. Lavish spas, desert safaris, sand
skiing, diving, fishing, world-class golf and horse-racing -
the list of distractions here is endless, but it's the sun
and beach life that most visitors come for, and the chance
to kick-back in a luxury resort, enjoy a superb cuisine and
be waited on hand and foot.
Jumeirah is where tourists head, to a long stretch of beach
on the Arabian Gulf flanked by hotels that rank among the
world's best, including the sail-shaped Burj al-Arab and
wave-like Jumeirah Beach Resort. For those who really want
to escape, Al Maha desert resort, situated in a private
nature reserve, is the ultimate desert hideaway. With
five, even six-star leisure facilities, guaranteed sunshine,
great beaches, shopping and exceptional levels of
hospitality, Dubai offers a truly accessible and
cosmopolitan taste of Arabia.Dubai Holidays by Ben Misfud, London Sales Manager
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