As a traveler I have longed for the perfect exotic destination, comprised of rich culture, beautiful beaches, shopping and nightlife, and Western amenities. Dubai is one such place.
Located in the United Arab Emirates with a population of one million, this is a city of contradictions. While it possesses a rich Muslim heritage, it is Western in every other sense. Dubai has preserved its rich Bedouin past amidst a modern future. Located across the Arabian Gulf from Iran and Iraq, its beaches are beautiful and the water is a perfect temperature. The five and six-star hotels cater to Western sensibilities and tastes. The pools and beaches provide exotic allure, modern comforts, and best of all, allow bikinis. Bars and nightclubs serve alcohol to Western visitors, but you won’t be able to wet your whistle until after sundown during religious holidays.
Your first stop will be the ultra modern and gigantic Dubai airport. You will realize immediately that you are in a very different world just by the individual dress. Arab women wear long black robes (Abaya) and headdresses, while the men wear long white robes with headdresses of white or various colors depending on nationality. The airport has one of the largest duty-free shopping areas in the world. Take a few minutes to enter the lottery for one of the car giveaways—the odds are in your favor at 1000 to 1 for a Jaguar Convertible or BMW M5. Then breeze through the least intrusive customs imaginable.
Shopping
Dubai has a proud heritage as a centuries old, multi-billion dollar Gulf Region trading center including major trade with India and Iran. As a result of being one of the largest port cities in the world, the shopping experience is phenomenal and largely non-taxed, making it a luxury goods capital attracting eight million visitors annually. The Gold Market (called a Souk) is the best place for jewelry purchases, and not the anemic 14K we are accustomed to—it’s dazzling 24K.
Dowries still consist of gold jewelry, and at a Muslim wedding that I attended, the bride was given pounds of gold jewelry from all of her guests. There are more than twenty-five shopping malls that are some of the world’s most beautiful. Shopping is a national past time for the women of Dubai. You will find all of the high-end designers as well as trendy Spanish and other European brands. Dubai also hosts the Dubai Shopping Festival, a month long, over-the-top extravaganza attended by close to three million visitors.
