Shopping paradise
Dubai is often called the commercial capital of the Middle East. Shoppers are spoiled by a selection of fashionable clothes, electronics and colorful products by local craftsmen. In addition, Dubai is an open port with low import duties, and due to the absence of VAT, goods from leading global brands cost less here than in the producing countries.
Modern and, of course, air-conditioned shopping malls, as expected, include not only many shops, boutiques, supermarkets, restaurants and cafes, but also entertainment areas for the whole family, ranging from children's playgrounds to state-of-the-art cinemas.
There are many different shopping malls on the waterfront in the Jumeirah area. Jumeirah Beach Road is home to the exclusive shopping galleries of The Village Mall with trendy boutiques and the Italian-style Mercato complex with shops of leading Mediterranean and global brands. Further along the embankment, to the east of the "Palm Tree", in the Madinat Jumeirah complex, there is Souk Madinat – a modern variation on the theme of the traditional Arab market.
Market flavor
Strictly speaking, all that remains of old Dubai are the famous Arab markets. Visitors wandering among the stalls at the Spice Souk in the Deira area are intoxicated by dizzying aromas: at every step there are open bags with fragrant spices, incense and rose petals.
Nearby there is also a grandiose Gold Market (Gold Souk) – a cluster of shops selling gold from all over the world, gold necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings and brooches shine in their windows, here you can buy gold bars and gold coins at reasonable prices. Prices depend more on the weight of the product than on its design or level of work.
It is customary to bargain in the markets. Haggling, the buyer communicates with the seller, gives him pleasure. But this tradition is unacceptable in modern shopping malls, supermarkets, department stores and electronics stores. But even in such shopping malls, no one has abolished the concept of "discount". The Dubai Shopping Festival is held annually, during which prices can drop by up to 40%, with its thematic events and lotteries, in which such household necessities as gold five-kilogram bars or executive class cars can be played.
Daily activities during the festival will entertain and surprise guests: sporting pigeon competitions, ice shows, performances by dolphins and parachutists, crawling competitions on all fours, performances by Chinese acrobats, bullfights, fireworks – everyone will find in this list something they have never seen before.
It tastes even better at night
Most bars and discos in hotels are open all night, light snacks and performances by guest artists complement each other well. The trendy Trilogy nightclub in the Mina A'Salam complex, namely on the upper floors of the Souk Madinat shopping center, regularly invites leading DJs, and within a month five dance floor stars can perform here at once. In addition, there are many Middle Eastern nightclubs in Dubai with Arabic music and belly dancing.
Sometimes clubs host themed parties such as "sizzling snack" evenings, where guests are served freshly cooked sizzling pieces of meat or chicken, sausages. It is not uncommon to announce Ladies Night or Ladies Hour, when women are offered free drinks during the evening or certain hours.
Tours, whether classical music concerts or performances by popular singers, usually take place in winter, during a shopping festival, major sports events or exhibitions.
The main venues in Dubai are located in three buildings: the Madinat Theater, the Dubai International Exhibition Center (DIDEC) and the Mall of the Emirates Public Theater complex, where local theater groups stage performances.
From September to May, the world's biggest stars come to Dubai. Phil Collins, Robbie Williams, Shakira, Aerosmith, Jamiroquai, Sir Elton John, Sting, Lionel Richie, Mariah Carey, Bryan Adams have already visited here.
Dubai parks necessarily provide play areas and attractions for children, and for adults – playgrounds and gyms, pools and beaches. It is forbidden to bring alcohol and sunbathe without clothes or topless on the beaches.
Performances and concerts are held in the parks from time to time. Entrance to small unequipped parks is usually free, and to large and equipped ones is paid. Most parks have special Ladies Days, days when only women with small children are allowed in. The most famous are Jumeirah Beach Park, Dubai Creekside Park, Mushrif Park, AL Mamzar Park and Al Safa Park, and among the amusement parks are Wonderland, Wild Wady, Magic Planet and Encounter Zone.
Sports affairs
Dubai has become one of the world's leading sports capitals. Even when it's winter in Europe, you can practice any kind of sports here, including water sports. There are excellent opportunities for scuba diving, ice skating and skiing.
In Dubai, you can also devote time to such exotic activities as camel riding or ski slalom on the sand. Camel races are held on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays in winter and can be the most memorable sight for tourists. The show involves not only camels and their jockeys, but also energetic animal owners and trainers who follow the camels along the distance in jeeps.
Fans of equestrian sports can be advised to visit the Godolphin Gallery, where the awards won by racehorses from the stable of the ruling Al Maktoum family are collected. Among the awards there are also unique cups established by the British royal family and the rulers of Dubai.
The zoo located in the Jumeirah area is very popular. Its visitors can see representatives of the animal world of the Arabian Peninsula, including Gordon's wildcat and the Arabian wolf, which is no longer found in natural conditions. One of the main hobbies of Arab men is falconry: in Dubai, near the camel market and one of the racetracks, there is a special falconry center where you can buy hunting birds, as well as visit the falconry museum dedicated to the life and habits of falcons and the history of hunting.
The
locals are educated, friendly and speak English well, but it should be borne in mind that it is better to avoid some topics in conversation: you should not talk, for example, about religion and politics.
Men are greeted with a slight bow, without offering their hands. If a guest is offered refreshing drinks, it is not accepted to refuse. Shoes are removed at the entrance to the house, the soles of the feet, according to the Arab custom, should not be visible to the interlocutor – this is perceived as an insult. Kissing in public is not welcome. It is forbidden to show more than friendly feelings in public places under threat of a heavy fine.
You cannot pass in front of the worshippers. It is worth avoiding anything that can be perceived as disrespectful to the shrines.
Muslims do not drink alcohol, and visitors are forbidden to drink alcohol in public places: this is fraught with fines and imprisonment.
With an overall high level of security, the only threat in Dubai is the recklessness of local drivers, so you need to be very careful on the road. And Allah forbid you to run into a growing palm tree or knock down a camel walking in a pasture! Fines will amaze your imagination no less than the wonders of the whole emirate.
