| recent poll of travel agents, 51% chose Dubai as the | | | | Atlantis’ signature Bridge Suite unites the two |
| most important tourist destination of this century. They | | | | wings of the complex above a huge arch and costs |
| already know what the rest of us will soon find | | | | approximately $25,000 a night. |
| out—that Dubai is a world class travel destination | | | | Dubai Attractions: The Best Dining, Shopping and |
| like no other, poised to capture the attention of U.S. | | | | Adventuring |
| luxury travelers. Dubai has spent the last few decades | | | | Cuisine choices in Dubai are as diverse and |
| transforming itself from a desert backwater into an | | | | extravagant as the city itself. Visitors enjoy an almost |
| extravagant, anything-is-possible city. Recent | | | | infinite number of options covering every type of |
| developments, both in the air and on the ground have | | | | cuisine imaginable. Dubai hotels offer some of the |
| only upped the ante in terms of services targeted at | | | | highest quality meals to be found. They are also able |
| the most discriminating clientele. | | | | to serve alcohol with meals, which is not generally |
| For well-heeled travelers looking to experience this | | | | allowed elsewhere. The arrival of the famed Atlantis |
| incredible destination, the ability to travel to Dubai in | | | | hotel has added to the offerings in a grand way. In |
| unsurpassed style is evident from the moment of | | | | addition to other eateries, the hotel has opened 4 |
| departure. Emirates Airlines, the flag carrier of the | | | | restaurants, featuring Italian, seafood, Japanese and |
| United Arab Emirates, operates non-stop Dubai UAE | | | | French themes, run by celebrity chefs with a total of 10 |
| flights from a number of U.S. cities. Dozens of new | | | | Michelin stars between them! |
| double-decker Airbus A 380 aircraft feature 14 | | | | After sleeping and dining in some of the best venues |
| first-class suites, plus another 76 in business class. In | | | | the world has to offer, no Dubai holiday is complete |
| addition to unparalleled comfort and gadgetry at | | | | without some unforgettable shopping. When it comes |
| one’s seat, there are spacious lounge areas | | | | to shopping, Dubai doesn’t disappoint. The city |
| available for premium passengers and even a shower | | | | boasts some 40 world-class shopping malls and 4,000 |
| for those flying first-class to ensure their Dubai travel | | | | retail shops, with 800 or so selling the finest gold |
| adventure begins feeling as fresh as possible. | | | | jewelry in the region. Add to that scores of exotic |
| Upon arrival, travelers can take advantage of several | | | | souqs, and you’ve got a shopper’s |
| “meet & greet” services | | | | paradise. However, a new entry to the market is |
| headquartered at the new VIP facility in the | | | | getting all the attention. |
| international arrivals terminal. One option by Marhaba | | | | The Dubai Mall opened in early November adjacent to |
| (‘welcome’ in Arabic), a division of | | | | the Burj Dubai, already the tallest building on earth and |
| Emirates Group, offers a “Diamond | | | | still under construction. This new mega mall will feature |
| Service” to travelers where a seasoned escort | | | | branches of some of the world’s best-known |
| whisks you and your luggage (via golf cart) to the | | | | chains (Bloomingdales, Marks & Spencer, the |
| front of sometimes long immigration lines. They also | | | | Galleries Lafayette), 1,200 other shops, an Olympic-size |
| handle airport transfers in any manner of luxury | | | | skating rink, its own 10 million liter aquarium, 22 screen |
| automobile. | | | | cinema and 120 restaurants and cafes. Malls are |
| Luxury hotel choices in Dubai abound, with new | | | | important in a climate that is too hot for outdoor |
| properties opening regularly, each trying to one up the | | | | shopping a good portion of the year. Dubai’s |
| last. The iconic Burj Al Arab hotel, the world’s | | | | unique malls have become entertainment destinations |
| only “7 star hotel”, is the hotel Dubai is | | | | unto themselves. |
| famous for. The tallest hotel in the world (in the shape | | | | For visitors wanting to experience more traditional |
| of a sail), it boasts myriad options in terms of | | | | Dubai attractions, however, many rewarding options |
| accommodations, with rooms starting at around $1,000 | | | | exist. “Souqs” or markets focusing on a |
| per night and reaching $28,000 for the Royal Suite. | | | | particular item—gold, spices, textiles-- are |
| Many other well-known luxury chain hotels and unique | | | | fascinating to explore---and shop in! If you’d |
| desert resorts (a night in a luxury Bedouin tent, | | | | rather dive into the area’s history and culture, |
| anyone?) are also available, though the Dubai hotel | | | | arrangements can be made to explore the narrow |
| generating all the buzz these days is the just opened | | | | alleyways of Dubai’s old town and its excellent |
| Atlantis, the Palm, a sister hotel of the Bahamas | | | | museum in the Al Fahidi Fort. |
| Atlantis property. (A $25 million opening party is | | | | Those seeking a bit more action in their Dubai vacation |
| scheduled for November 20 with a star-studded line | | | | need not look far. The area offers superb facilities for |
| up of entertainers. It is anticipated that the $6.5 million | | | | sport and recreation, from golf and water sports to |
| fireworks display will be visible from space!) Located | | | | desert safaris and dhow (creek) cruises. Dubai tours |
| on the man-made Palm Jumeriah island, this 1,500+ | | | | can take you across the desert and through the |
| room hotel sits on almost one mile of beach, has | | | | rugged Hajar Mountains to the fishing villages of the |
| it’s own aquarium with 65,000 marine animals | | | | Arabian Sea coast. Or, you can go off-road, traveling |
| and offers more dining, spa and other recreational | | | | far into the desert to visit a Bedouin village, and then |
| options than we could do justice to here. Some 3,500 | | | | watch the sun set over the sands before enjoying a |
| staff aim to offer guests a unique Dubai vacation | | | | barbecue deep in the dunes. Your Dubai guide can |
| experience. Not to be outdone by other hotels, | | | | even arrange dune surfing or a trip to the camel races. |