Vacation in Dubai! - Your online Emirates travel resource -

Shopping in Dubai

Travel Books | Shopping in Dubai | Dubai Souks & Markets | Gold and Diamond Park | Shopping Centres | Mall Of The Emirates & Ski Dubai | Dubai Shopping Festival

Before you go shopping in Dubai

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TOP ONLINE STORES for purchasing fashion and accessories before you go to Dubai

	ShopDress.comYour one-stop online designer dress boutique. This online boutique makes shopping for superb designer dresses both formal and semi-formal easy and convenient without the hassle of visiting store after store. At ShopDress.com, you'll find the variety and selection you desire. Browse through the boutiques at ShopDress.com and view the many designer dresses on offer.
	SlimWearAn online shop specialising solely in the new "body sculpting" garments m ade from the highest quality fabrics which are also available in plus sizes. They are the only online shop that carries the full range of "Flexees" and "BodyWrap" currently available in Australia . They ship worldwide for one flat postage fee.
	VivaSwimWear caters for ladies sizes 10 - 32 in practical styles to suit all body shapes. If you're looking for a swimsuit that offers support and flatters your figure type, check out their modern range and shop online.
	www.shirtcity.co.uk UK only- Individually customise and create your own personal range of clothing with text, print designs or image. Select from many options to ensure your clothes are as individual as possible.
	Netherlands and Germany- Eshop offers a full range of the latest fashion and non-fashion related products. As a true lifestyle brand, Mexx merchandise extends beyond apparel to include an extensive list of non-apparel products and accessories.

Yearly Climate in Dubai

In order to effectively plan your travel wardrobe it is necessary to know what type of climatic conditions you will be travelling to, so before you buy take a look at the yearly climate in Dubai.

Dubai enjoys 365 days of warm sunshine, with cooler evenings and occasional showers in the months between November to March.

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Travel Books

Lonely Planet Shop The company aims to inspire people to explore, have fun, and travel often. And Lonely Planet strives to provide travellers everywhere with reliable, comprehensive and independent travel information. As part of a worldwide community of travellers, they want to enable everyone to travel with awareness, respect and care. We publish over 600 titles in English and cover every corner of the planet. Their guidebooks are published in a number of languages, including French, Italian, Spanish, Korean and Japanese. Lonely Planet also offer a range of services to aid and inspire travellers at home or on the road.

• Destination guides- regional guides, country guides, city guides, best of guides, city maps
• Language guides- phrase books, fast talk
• Pre-departure guides
• Activity/interest guides including food guides
• Travellers' tips
• Theme packs
• Travel journal
• Dvd's and gifts
• Music
• Calendars
• Guide bag
• Lonely Planet Prints and Posters

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Shopping in Dubai

Dubai has been labelled the "shopping capital of the Middle East," earning an international reputation for the excellent quality and variety of its shopping. Whether in the traditional souks or the ultra-modern, air-conditioned shopping malls, there is such a variety in Dubai you will without a doubt find what you are looking for. There is no better place to find products at unbeatable prices. It is truely a duty free shopper's paradise that gives you more for your money.

The Big Bus Company Tours

The Big Bus Company has proved a very popular open-air, double-decker hop-on, hop-off bus tour for those unfamiliar with Dubai. Frequently stopping at key touist attractions in and around Dubai. With guided English commentary guaranteed on every departure. The ticket is valid for a 24hour period. The ticket offers you double value, not only will you receive the city tour but in addition you are able to enjoy the beach tour at no extra cost. Tours operate 7 days a week between 9am and 5pm.

Included with your Big Bus ticket:

• Free 2 hour beach tour
• Free entry into Dubai museum
• Free entry to Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House
• Free Wafi City Advantage Card offering 20% discount at various shops and restaurants

City Tour (Red route)

1. Wafi City
2. Karama
3. Creek Walk and Danat Dubai Berth
4. Al Fahidi Fort (Dubai Museum) Free Arabian Treasures Walk starts
5. Dubai Old Souk
6. Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House
7. Gold Souk (Arabian walk finishes)
8. Abra Station
9. Deira City Centre
10. Al Boom Tourist Village and Wonderland

Beach Tour (Blue route)

1. Deira City Centre
2. Wafi City
3. Jumeirah Beach Park
4. Jumeirha Public Beach
5. Souk Madinat Jumeirah
6. Meridien Mina Seyahi
7. Royal Meridien Hotel
8. Oasis Beach Hotel
9. Hilton Jumeirah Beach
10. Sheraton Beach Hotel
11. Mercato Mall
12. Jumeirah Mosque

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Dubai Souks and Markets

Bargain hunters head for the souks, where haggling is a tradition. A labyrinth of narrow winding alleys on the Deira side of the Creek, houses the spice and gold souk. In the spice souk, the pungent and heady aromas of Arabia meet you - spices, perfumes, incense and food stuffs are piled in sacks all awaiting a sale. Walk a bit further along to the gold souk and be dazzled by the glittering displays in each shop window. Choose from gold necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets, even design your very own. Bargaining with the shopkeepers is expected.

Close by the antique market may be found where you can buy coffee pots, Arabian chests, daggers, Bedu jewellery and carvings at excellent prices. If you're interested in buying textiles or silk, head for Cosmos Lane in Bur Dubai or the streets of Satwa, where numerous shops sell a vast array of colourful fabrics.

Carpets can be bought all over Dubai from traders from all over the Gulf, Iran , Afghanistan and Pakistan . In Deira Towers shopping mall, they have set up a carpet souk, where prices are very competitive and bargaining is expected.

If its electronic goods you are after, head for Al Fahidi Street in Bur Dubai which has streets lined with electrical and electronics shops.

Further out from the city centre, you will find a bargain or two in Karama, which has numerous cheap and cheerful shops selling sportswear, household items, toys, clothes, souvenirs and fashion accessories. Choose to browse through the older markets and the narrow walkways located in the Meena Bazaar , Karama and Naif areas, dedicated to inexpensive reproductions of international brands; leather goods and textiles; computer and electrical accessories and Arabic perfumes. Dont be alarmed if the shop assistants take you around the corner, up some stairs, through a dark room, through a small door and into a room filled with merchandise. Just be aware that some reproductions are better quality than others and the sellers will tell you anything in order to make a sale. Bargaining is the key- never take their first offer as it is usually extremely unrealistic and over priced. They usually do this to test tourists to see if they can get away with it. Make sure you are the one in contol of the bargaining, work out how much you are willing to pay for the product in your countries dollar and then convert it into Dhs. Calculators are always on hand so dont be affraid to borrow it when calculating your price.
Fresh food items can be bought in the souks - fish in the modern fish souk with most fish caught that day and the fruit and vegetable souk where you will always come home with more than you anticipated! Both are by Shindagha tunnel near the Creek. For more modern food shoppers, there are supermarkets all over Dubai with grocery items from all over the world.

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Gold and Diamond Park in Dubai

The Gold and Diamond Park was established in May 2001. The Park's architecture reflects the region's Arabic heritage while maintaining a balance of space and comfort in its interiors. The park now consists of more than 38 retail outlets and 118 manufacturing units.

The project has proved to be a glowing success when the number of gold and jewellery shoppers has exceeded all expectations. It has become literally the heart of the gold and diamond jewellery market in Dubai. The success to-date of the park has laid the groundwork for an impressive expansion plan. The new expansion will comprise of 154 manufacturing units for gold and diamond jewellery, three office blocks including 200 offices and an additional 52 retail outlets.
The Gold & Diamond Park is located at the heart of the "City of Gold", on Sheikh Zayed Road, which is classified as the new growth corridor of Dubai. From its vantage point, the park is within close proximity to the new financial district, Internet City, Media City and an ever growing number of luxury hotels and shopping malls.
The choice and quality of products available at the Gold & Diamond Park is unmatched, while customers are also welcome to commission their very own designs, taking advantage of the skills and experience of some of the leading craftsmen in the world. The park also boasts of a representative office of the Gold mine from Australia, a Mini Gold Refinery, assaying by world renowed Alex Stewart Assayers.

How do I get to the Gold and Diamond Park? Click here for MAP

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Shopping Centres in Dubai

The city is also home to some of the Middle Eastern region's most prestigious shopping malls, boutiques and department stores, housing retailers of high fashion and haute couture, hi-tech electronics, home furnishings and accessories. Free of tax, many top brand-name products are cheaper in Dubai than in the countries of their origin. There are numerous malls around the city. The larger shopping mall complexes also house cinema theatres, food courts, entertainment centres and play areas for children, allowing for complete family shopping experiences.

There are over 44 Shopping malls and centres in Dubai, some bigger than others. If you are not visiting Dubai purely to shop then I assume you have limited time to visit the shopping malls so I have put together a list of the best to visit if you lack time.

The majority of shopping centres open at 9:00am and close at 20:00, however many of the larger shopping malls stay open well beyong this time, some even to 24:00. This is very beneficial to those who choose to soak up the daytime sunlight and prefer to hit the shops after the sun has gone down, wasting not one minute of the day! Many shops close for a couple of hours at lunchtime, reopening at four or five. Some are closed on Friday, although the downtown souks and major shopping malls tend to remain open.

The best shopping centres to vistit if you have a limited time in Dubai (A-Z)

MALL OF THE EMIRATES & SKI DUBAI

http://www.malloftheemirates.com

The Mall of the Emirates is the ultimate leisure, entertainment and shopping resort which opened in September of 2005. Strategically located in the heart of what is now deemed 'New Dubai,' this 223,000 square metre centre offers a full range of shopping, leisure, and entertainment.

Mall of the Emirates is home to over 400 retailers and also features a complete range of entertainment options including Ski Dubai, the first indoor ski destination in the Middle East, a two-level Magic Planet, the largest indoor family entertainment centre in the country, a 14-screen Cinestar Cinemas and the Dubai Community Arts and Theatre with a 500 seat-theatre and art gallery. It also has 65 restaurants and coffee shops with everything from fast food to themed restaurants and exclusive dining alternatives.

Internationally recognised retailers at the Mall of The Emirates include:

http://www.skidxb.com

Ski Dubai is a unique world of its own. The Mall of the Emirates features Ski Dubai which is the first indoor themed ski resort in the Middle East.

With all year round temperatures of -1° to - 2 the Emirate's very own cold mountain boasts five ski slopes, snow-covered hills and chairlifts.

With a slope height of 80m and a width greater than the average highway, the snow park has a capacity of 1500 people and offers a variety of activities for people of all ages and skill levels. For experienced skiers there are black runs at the top of the ski hill, while for snowboarders there is a permanent quarterpipe and tricks area.
For the less experienced there are a host of friendly and well-trained instructors to help visitors learn the basics. Children have their own dedicated area that includes toboggan runs, ice caverns and places to make snowmen or just throw snowballs. Ski Dubai is a unique experience that offers you the opportunity to enjoy real snow in Dubai all year round.

How do I get to the Mall Of The Emirates? Click here for MAP

Kempinski Hotel Mall of The Emirates

Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates is Kempinski's first hotel in Dubai, located on the most prestigious address on Sheikh Zayed Road at the "Mall of The Emirates."
Kempinski Hotels guarantees superior standards of service combined with distinctive style reflecting its old heritage and tradition in fine hospitality across Europe.
Together with the Mall of the Emirates shopping centre and Ski Dubai Alpine themed indoor snow resort, the hotel is a central attraction in Dubai, offering tourists and local visitors an unmatched formula of fine hospitality, exciting shopping, and innovative entertainment & sporting facilities. The hotel features 395 deluxe rooms and suites including 15 unique Ski Chalets with unprecedented views over the amazing indoor ski resort.
The 48,000m² hotel, part of one of the largest and most exciting retail developments in the Arab world, offers a complete leisure experience with a state-of-the-art health club including Ayurveda wellness centre, swimming pool and tennis court. Guests will be able to go skiing or simply soak up the 'winter' atmosphere in one of the fully licensed restaurants overlooking the ski slope.
Opened on 7 April, 2006, Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates introduced one of the country's largest hotel guestrooms taking the standards of service excellence in the region to new heights with its luxurious propositions and superior guest facilities.

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Dubai Shopping Festival

The Dubai Shopping Festival (DFS) commenced in 1996 and was an entirely new concept. The event however, became so successful that it has now become an annual shopping extravaganza with people travelling from all over the globe to take advantage of the incredible deals that are on offer. The event currently draws about 3 million people to Dubai to shop, and this figure is only expected to increase over the years to come.

Initially the DFS was conceived as a purely retail event to showcase and revitalise the retail trade in Dubai, but the festival became so appealing to tourists that numerous entertainment activities were added and over the years the DSF has now set retail records and standards that other countries can only dream about.

During the festival there are incredible incentives and it is not unusual to be able to purchase items at a discounted rate of 50% off the normal retail prices, and in some cases there are even bigger reductions. Other features include daily draws with lucky winners carting off large cash prizes, luxury cars and gold bars.

It goes without saying that this is obviously a very busy time for the tourism industry with hotels bursting at the seams. However if you can find a hotel room or apartment the experience can be thoroughly recommended.

On a secondary note, if you are considering moving to Dubai , or have recently arrived, this is the time to fully furnish your villa or apartment from top to bottom.

Dubai Summer Surprises is a similar, but smaller event, that takes place for 6 weeks during the summer months. The DSF festival normally takes place in December and lasts for a month. More information is available from www.mydsf.ae