Dubai - City of Fantastic Contrasts

Over the last twenty years or so the Middle Eastern city of Dubai has become one of the hottest vacation and business locations in the world. It is a rapidly developing, fabulously wealthy futuristic city set within a centuries-old Arab culture. The traditional ways are still there if you look for them. But they are gradually being overtaken by the new attractions and developments springing up virtually every day.

Dubai is a place of profound contrasts. In Dubai you will find luxurious residential districts just minutes from dusty traditional villages. Rugged mountains and shifting sand dunes are only miles from beautiful sandy beaches, lush green parks and world-class golf courses. Tourists can spend their money in some of the largest and most modern shopping malls in the world, or bargain with Arabic traders in Dubai's traditional market places.

Visitors to Dubai can choose to stay in one of its many luxury hotels. Or for a more authentic Dubai experience a person can rent a beautifully furnished apartment or villa in one of Dubai's newer residential areas. Dubai apartment rentals offer the visitor more space for less money, and provide a different perspective on this unique city.

Many New Developments Underway

With the rapid pace of real estate and commercial development taking place in Dubai it has become one of the most futuristic cities in the world. The city skyline is dominated by ultra-modern office towers, hotels and skyscrapers. The Burj Al-Arab, for instance, is the world's tallest hotel. The Mall of the Emirates is the largest shopping center outside of North America, with newer even larger malls on the drawing board and under construction. Dubai has also become a serious golfing destination with several famous championship courses and one of the very few fully lit 18 hole golf courses in the world.

Many other exciting developments are also under construction in Dubai. To name just a few:

- Dubai Mall - projected to be the largest indoor shopping mall in the world.

- Burj Dubai - scheduled to be completed in 2008 - will be the tallest skyscraper in the world.

- Dubai World Central including the Dubai World Central International Airport - will be ten times larger than the current Dubai International Airport and Dubai Cargo Village combined.

- The Dubai Waterfront project - the largest waterfront development and the largest man-made project in the world when completed.

Center for Shopping Tourism

Shopping is far and away the most popular attraction in Dubai. Its malls and market places are stocked with an incredible array of items from everywhere imaginable. Shopping tourists by the millions visit Dubai rom all parts of Europe and the Middle East and even come from as far away as Eastern Europe, India, and North America.

The souks of Dubai offer the most interesting shopping experience in Dubai. These traditional Arabic markets are located on either side of Dubai creek running through the city. The Spice Souk and the Gold Souk are the two most popular. Here shoppers can find exotic items brought in from points across the Middle East and the Orient. Bargaining in traditional middle eastern style is usually an important part of shopping in the souks.

In recent years the traditional type of shopping has met with stiff competition from more western style stores. Fantastic shopping malls and upscale boutiques are now everywhere throughout the city and carry virtually any consumer item you can imagine: clothing, housewares, luxury items, cars, furnishings, jewellery, electronics, sporting equipment. You name it and you will probably find it in the boutiques and malls of Dubai.

The Dubai International Airport also is the home of the Duty Free complex - one of the most extensive and largest duty free shopping areas in the world. New developments such as the Dubai World Central International Airport will have even larger duty free areas to draw in even more shopping tourists.

These and many more attractions make Dubai a favorite destination of tourists and an important hub for business travelers from around the world. Future developments are likely to enhance Dubai's status as a world class business center and a haven for tourists in search of a unique and exciting adventure.

Article Source: http://www.propertymagnate.com/articles

For more information about Dubai villas see Dubai villas . Rick Hendershot publishes e_Marketing - an online marketing blog.
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