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Dubai Holidays, Hotels & Travel Guide
Travel guide to hotels & holidays in Dubai
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Dubai Holidays Overview
A guide to holidays in Dubai - Originally a small fishing settlement that
became a busy port of call on the ancient trade route between
Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley, the emirate was rapidly
transformed into an international business centre and modern
tourist destination following the discovery of oil in
1966.
Today Dubai ranks as the country's
foremost commercial centre, a city whose skyline is constantly
being upgraded with new developments providing the infrastructure
and facilities needed for a progressive society, including
world-class hotels, shopping plazas and outstanding sports
facilities. Dubai Creek divides the city centre into two parts:
Deira on the northern side and Bur Dubai to the south and each has
its fair share of souks, restaurants, hotels, shopping malls and
fine mosques. From within these high standards
of luxury and convenience, visitors can experience exotic Arabia in
the bustling souks or a night in a Bedouin tent with belly-dancing
under the starlit desert skies, as well as a way of life that is
still embedded in the Islamic traditions of an ancient land.
Dubai's attraction lies in the contrast between the ultra modern
and the enchantingly traditional, which gives the city a
personality like no other and visitors a variety of experiences to
choose from. From desert oases and unspoiled beaches, camel races
and old wind towers, to top-class shopping opportunities,
avant-garde architecture and the finest international cuisine,
Dubai has more than enough depth to satisfy even the most seasoned
of travellers. One of the city's top attractions
is its excellent shopping. As an open port with low import duties,
Dubai can offer an incredible range of top brand names at cheaper
prices due to the tax-free environment, and 'shopping tourists' are
drawn from around the world to this paradise of malls, souks,
boutiques and modern department stores selling everything from
Paris fashions to Japanese electronics. The annual Shopping
Festival attracts millions of tourists to the city for a
shop-till-you-drop holiday.
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Dubai
holidays - Top Places To Go
1. Dubai Creek
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What is it? The natural seawater inlet that cuts through
the centre of the city is the historical part of Dubai where
visitors can take an abra (small water taxi) and view the old
trading port and the dhows from the water. A cruise to Al-Maktoum
Bridge will pass many of the city's historic as well as modern
landmarks. A stroll around the wharf offers a picturesque glimpse
of Dubai's trading heritage, where dhows bound for distant places
dock to unload their goods.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
2. Bastakiya
Bur Dubai
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What is it? The old Bastakiya district is a step back in
time to the days before electricity and air-conditioning, where
traditional courtyard houses were cooled by wind towers. Old Dubai
was famous for its wind towers that lined the Creek on both sides,
and today the narrow lanes festooned with the distinctively Arabian
architecture is a popular historical attraction that has been
marked for tourist development.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
3. Souks
Both sides of the Creek, in Deira and Bur Dubai
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What is it? The souks or traditional markets are popular
with bargain hunters as well as sightseers and photographers. The
most famous is the gold souk where the narrow streets are lined
with shops selling everything golden from 24-carat bars to rings
and elaborate necklaces and all at low prices. The tiny lanes of
the traditional spice souk are scented with sacks of cinnamon,
incense, spices, and dried fruit, while the modern fish souk
bustles with activity and is redolent with smells of a more
unpleasant nature. At the heart of the Bur Dubai souk lies Al
Fahidi Street, selling the latest electronics, photographic
equipment and home appliances at competitive prices. Other streets
sell everything from materials and carpets to traditional coffee
pots, loaves of unleavened bread and hubble-bubble
pipes.
Hours of Operation: Daily 7am to 12pm and 5pm to 7pm; Fridays 5pm to
7pm
Phone: |
Dubai
holidays - Top Events
1. Dubai Shopping Festival
From 2006-12-20
To 2007-02-02
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What is it? The Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) was started
in 1996 by the government to promote retail trade in the city, and
has since grown into the foremost shopping event in the world, an
annual extravaganza of shopping and entertainment that promotes
tourism and attracts millions of people from around the world to
Dubai every year. The city is already known as a shopping paradise,
but for a whole month thousands of retail outlets offer further
specials, with hotels, travel companies and airlines also extending
special discounts to visitors during this period. Besides the
shopping malls and souks, one of the most popular shopping spots is
the Carpet Oasis, showcasing thousands of exclusive carpets from
around the world. Other events include nightly fireworks,
laser/light shows, international fashion shows, street
performances, music concerts and many cultural events. Daily raffle
draws offer very attractive prizes of money, gold, cars and 4x4s.
The festival also coincides with the richest horse race in the
world, the Dubai World Cup (US$15,250,000 in prize
money).
Where is it? Throughout the city, but the main focal point of the
festival is the Global Village, Emirates Road |
2. Dubai Desert Classic
From 2007-02-01
To 2007-02-04
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What is it? Part of the European PGA tour, the Dubai
Desert Classic takes place at what was the first grass golf course
in the Middle East, which was entitled The Desert
Miracle in 1988. The tournament attracts prestigious
international players to compete for the trophy and US$2.2 million
in prize money.
Where is it? Majlis Course of the Emirates Golf Club |
3. Dubai Rugby Sevens
From 2006-11-30
To 2006-12-02
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What is it? The Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens
heralds the opening of the IRB Sevens World Series, and features 16
of the best international rugby sevens teams each year. The event
has grown rapidly over the last few years and attracts fans from
around the world.
Where is it? Dubai Exiles Rugby Ground |
4. Dubai International Jazz Festival
From 2007-03-01
To 2007-03-09
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What is it? Ten of thousands of jazz lovers flock to see
some of the finest international acts in the world performing in a
variety of genres including rocket-fuelled funk and bluegrass, pop,
blues, rock, reggae, and afro-centric music. The festival is in its
fifth year now and the increasing number of fans has helped secure
it an award for the Best Festival in the UAE. This year's line-up
includes Jamie Cullum, Toto, and Dee Dee
Bridgewater.
Where is it? Dubai Media City and at Madinat Jumeirah Outdoor
Amphitheater |
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