These days shopping in the U

These days shopping in the U.S. can provide a treasure trove of delights for European holiday shoppers seeking to cash in on the spiralling decline of the once mighty U.S. dollar and strength of the Euro. Whether it’s a holiday excursion to the Big Apple (New York) and a carriage ride in Central Park or a little sin in the desert (Las Vegas) there is no better time than now to spend those super heated euros in America.

But what if you could combine the lure of New York with its terrific shopping at Macy’s or any number of 5^th Ave glitzy shops with the awesome desert splendour of Las Vegas in one fantastic city? Would you go? Are you ready for some adventure? Well try Dubai, the shimmering new shopping Mecca rising in the desert of the United Arab Emirates. Rising between Europe and Asia, on the southern shores of the Arabian Gulf, Dubai is the crown jewel of the United Arab Emirates. The second largest of the seven Emirates (Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al-Kamiah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Qaiwain), Dubai is a mighty combination of sheer wealth and power with the charm of Old Dubai that will excite and delight you.

If you wait until January, you can find flights just over €500.00 from Frankfurt or Paris. Lufthansa, Air France and Emirates Air are all viable options that will have you there in less than seven hours.

From the moment you arrive at the ever growing Dubai International Airport you soon realize that you are in for a treat. Is it an airport? Ultra modern with passenger friendly accessibility or one of the best shopping malls you have ever laid eyes on. But hold on to your euros there’s much more waiting for you.

First rule of travelling in Dubai, forget renting a car and opt for a hotel shuttle and taxi’s to get around. If you think the infamous stau’s on the German autobahn are horrendous you are in for a real surprise in Dubai. Their first subway system is currently under construction and only adds to the traffic woes so taxis are the best way to go. They are usually spacious, with air conditioning, very friendly drivers, and reliable. Most drivers speak English and I have yet to meet one who tried to take advantage of my tourist status. The best tip I can give at this point is to bring something to read and avoid looking out the window because their driving habits rival most Hollywood chase scenes.

If you were smart you talked with your travel agent who knows that during our European winter there are great deals to be had for luxury hotels in Dubai as it’s their low season. If not a great place to start would be the website for luxury hotels at

http://www.fivestaralliance.com. My personal favourite would be the Burj Al Arab with its unique wind sail design towering 321 metres above the Arabian Sea. If you’re really special perhaps you can convince them to meet you at the airport in their Rolls Royce Silver Seraph.

No trip to Dubai is ever complete without a visit to the Gold Souk in Old Dubai near the Hyatt Regency Hotel. I like to travel there at night when its cooler, the deals are more plentiful and the bartering less intense. A word to the wise, you will never get a great deal on the wonderful jewellery if you bite on their first offer. Take your time relax, shop and come back later. Better yet bring someone with you who treats bartering as a blood sport and then enjoy. After you’re done take a short walk and tour the spice souk before strolling across the street to take a water taxi that will give you a wonderful tour of the beautiful Dubai skyline at night. And there is more, golfing, swimming, shopping (the best malls in the world), and even indoor skiing at the most decadent indoor ski arena in the world.

One final word on Dubai if I may. You can find opulence everywhere from its towering hotels to its citizen’s fancy for luxury automobiles crammed with every goody imaginable. But behind all of the opulence and decadence is a wonderful city with little restaurants where you can walk the streets at night and sit under the stars eating a delightful meal for the equivalent of six euros served lovingly by a couple whose livelihood depends on seeing you come back to Dubai again to savour their home spun restaurants delectable treats. Enjoy!