A souk is a market place where all types of goods are sold or exchanged. Originally the souks were located near the docks and were used as trading places for goods brought into the country on ships from India, Ceylon, China and the Far East. In the past the goods being bargained over were items such as spices, perfumes and silk, nowdays you can buy anything from gold to designer goods to electronic goods.

The Gold Souk

With more than 300 Gold Souks in Dubai, this is the place to shop as it is considered to be the cheapest place in the world to buy gold as there is no tax on gold and the import duties are very low. There is a huge variety of gold sold here, including such items as rings, bracelets, earrings, chains, necklaces, pendants and hair accessories. You will find both modern and traditional designs made from different coloured gold including yellow, white, pink and even green shades.

The Spice Souk

Here you will be amazed by the aroma of all the spices on offer. The spices here are imported from the Middle East and sold straight from the sacks that they arrive in. Goods on sale include saffron, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, dried fruit and nuts to name just a few.

The Fish Souk

Open in the early morning and late at night, this is a fascinating souk to visit. Here you will find a huge array of different fish including lobster, crab, prawns, squid, shark, red snapper, sea bream, rock cod, king fish, barracuda, tuna, mackerel and sardines all of which are landed by the local fishermen.

The Perfume Souk

Here you will smell the aromas of thousands of different perfumes, from the traditional ittars (Arabian perfume) to all the latest designer perfumes. If you can’t find a fragrance you like the shopkeepers here will mix a potion to your taste. The traditional perfumes here differ from western perfumes as they have a very strong spicy smell.

There is much more to see and do in Dubai but for those who like to shop a visit to a souk is a must when on your direct holidays to this wonderful country.

Why not look on the internet for one of the many last minute holiday deals to Dubai which are on currently on offer.

For a lovely day out in Dubai a trip to the Dubai Zoo will be a hit with all the family.

Dubai Zoo is the oldest zoo of its kind in the United Arab Emirates and the first Arabian zoo to breed the rare Chimpanzee and Arabian Wild Cat.

The zoo is easily reached from the hotels and resorts as it is located just across from Jumeirah Beach, making it very popular with tourists.

Arabian Wolf

The zoo is home to over 200 different species of animals, including endangered species like Arabian wolves, Socotra Cormorants which are indigenous to the Arabian Peninsula, Scimitar-horned oryx, Barbary sheep, Siberian tigers, Bengal tigers and gorillas.

Arabian species in the zoo include snakes, skunks, lizards, gazelle, caracal, wolves, foxes, wild cats, hyena, eagles, vultures, buzzards, flamingo, gulls, herons and cormorant.

History of the Dubai Zoo

The zoo was built on a 5 acre site in Jumeirah by Otto Bulart in 1967.
During its early years the zoo housed only a few animals like big cats, monkeys and hoofed-animals and also had a small aquarium with fish and reptiles.
In 1971 the zoo was taken over by the Dubai Municipality.

Barbary sheep

Part of the zoo was redesigned and rebuilt from 1986 to 1989 and is still going on to this day.

A day at Dubai Zoo is a most enjoyable day out and not to be missed when on your direct holidays to the ever enchanting Dubai.

Why not combine your summer holidays in Dubai with a spot of golf? 

The Emirates Golf Club

Located near the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, the Emirates Golf Club is home to two 18 hole courses, the Majilis and the Wadi.
The club hosts the European PGA Dubai Desert Classic and has a golf academy, gym, tropical swimming pool, restaurants and bars.

The Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club

Located just a few minutes drive from Dubai International Airport, this 18 hole championship course is also home to a first class golf academy, luxury hotel and villas, and six gourmet restaurants. Staying in the hotel or villas gives you the run of three water hazard 9 hole golf courses, practice facilities and a driving range.

Arabian Ranches Golf Club

For those wanting to experience playing golf in the desert this is the best course, with inter-mingling greens and patches of golden sand.

The Montgomerie

This renowned course is one of the most beautiful in Dubai, complete with a luxurious clubhouse, restaurant, gym, sauna, club bar and banqueting room.

The Jebel Ali Hotel

Combining a luxury hotel, all the facilities of a luxury beach resort and a golf course, the Jebil Ali is the ideal choice for family summer holidays.

Nad al Sheba Club

Located just a 20 minute drive from the centre of Dubai, the facilities here include an 18 hole course, a golf academy run by four British PGA Golf Professionals, training weeks for 8-10 year olds, and individual and group lessons.

Thinking of visiting Dubai for your holidays or just interested in this fascinating country?

Dubai beach

Have just found this great informative travel article for Dubai.

Why not take a look at this interesting and informative piece which includes information on dining out, beaches, shopping and sightseeing.

This article has been written by Trevor Butler who has written several other destination articles which you may find interesting and helpful.

Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai has just launched two competitions for holidaymakers to win a trip to Dubai.

Both are open to anyone and close at midnight, Dubai time, on the 25th June 2010.

Atlantis The Palm

More information and entry to both competitions is available at http://www.atlantisdubaibigbreak.com.

ATLANTIS THE PALM ROMANTIC RENDEZVOUS COMPETITION

This gives participants the chance to win a romantic break for two at the Atlantis resort. All you need to do is answer a multiple choice question, which is based on a short video on the competition site. 

The prize includes round-trip economy airfare for two guests, three nights in an Imperial Club room, daily breakfast, one complimentary dinner in Nobu and Seafire respectively, a spa treatment for two in the Atlantis Spa and two Dolphin Adventures.

ATLANTIS THE PALM BIG BREAK COMPETITION

This gives entrants the chance to win a holiday at Atlantis for themselves and 9 friends.

You need to make a short film explaining why you should win. The winner will receive return economy class flights for all 10 guests, five deluxe rooms at Atlantis on a bed and breakfast basis, return private transfers, ten Dolphin Encounters at Dolphin Bay and a complimentary dinner at Ronda Locatelli.

If you are not lucky enough to win one of these competitions there are always lots of bargain holidays available on the internet.

Low-cost carrier flydubai has announced plans to fly to Sri Lanka.

There will be four weekly flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays from Dubai International Airport starting from 23rd June.
This will be flydubai’s 21st destination, following the launch of flights to Lucknow and Karachi.

You will always find last minute holidays to Dubai, leaving in the next few weeks, on the internet.

Al Qasr, At The Madinat Jumeirah – Hotel Overview

The Al Qasr is ‘The Palace’ at the heart of Madinat Jumeirah, encircled by pools and waterways.

Location

The Al Qasr is located at Madinat Jumeirah resort, 30 minutes from Dubai airport, linked by beach boardwalk to Jumeirah Beach, Burj Al Arab and Wild Wadi Waterpark.

Accommodation

All 292 exquisite rooms and suites have a bath, separate shower, dressing room, air conditioning, tv, DVD player, telephone, minibar and balcony.
Arabian deluxe rooms have views of the resort and waterways. Ocean deluxe rooms overlook the beach and Gulf.
Premium leisure Arabian deluxe rooms offer additional benefits including private check-in and use of the Premium Leisure Lounge – with complimentary afternoon tea, and soft drinks and canapes during the day. 

Features

Restaurants, bars, swimming pools, kid’s club, windsurfing, sailing, kayaking and scuba diving. All Madinat Jumeirah facilities and leisure activities are available to Al Qasr guests.

This review has been supplied to us by our reader Stuart Evans-Moore

“I have visited Dubai many times on business and decided to take my wife and son on my last visit in April. Having never stayed at the Al Qasr before i had to rely on reviews and the recommendation of my travel agent. We were not disappointed – beautiful comfortable room, good food, great pool and beach, and excellent friendly staff. This became more like a holiday than a business trip as we had a marvellous time at Wild Wadi waterpark etc and i was able to spend quality time with my family, in a quality location.
We have decided to return again for just a family break, no business next time, and have found plenty of cheap holidays to the Al Qasr online so there is nothing stopping us.”

Jal Hotels has announced the opening of its new hotel, HOTEL JAL TOWER,  which will be opened later this year.

The hotel is located on the Sheikh Zayed Road, close to the World Trade Centre, and opposite the Dubai International Convention Centre and the Dubai International Financial Centre.

The hotel will have 471 rooms and suites and will cater for all markets, especially business visitors. With a Japanese theme, the new hotel will feature three Japanese restaurants and a ballroom that looks like it’s made from origami!

If you are looking for last minute holidays to Dubai, there are always great offers throughout the internet.

The new Stargate Dubai space age theme park is located in Zabeel Park and features five domes which are set around a multi-cuisine food court and shopping mall set in a central pyramid.

The central five-sided glass pyramid is home to the food court which offers natural light during the day and starry skies at night.

The Space Mall is a themed shopping mall which is family orienated. There are four interconnecting corridors which go from the central pyramid to the Space Mall. These corridors contain high-tec exhibitions and displays.

The Academy is a centre for school visits and child development activities.

Circling the park is a 450 metre long Fun Track set on a mezzanine floor. Along this track visitors will find interactive video games and a childrens art gallery.

The EARTH DOME

Home to a spinning roller coaster that travels through and around the Earth Dome.

The UFO DOME

This dome has an electric go-kart tracks. One track is for teenagers and adults with another track for younger children (complete with a children’s driving school). The dome also has bumper cars, a small games area and a cafe.

The LUNAR DOME

This dome is home to an ice rink, family viewing area and a cafe.

The SATURN DOME

Home to a state-of-the-art 3D cinema.

The MARS DOME

Here visitors will find a soft play area, slides, climbing frames, air cannons, party rooms, a family viewing area and cafe.

Take a visit to this family orientated new space age theme park while on your holidays to Dubai, there are hundreds of offers to Dubai available throughout the internet.

Why not take advantage of one of the many last minute holidays to Dubai that are on offer at the moment.

For more information on Dubai and to view my latest articles please visit my Dubai Blog.

The world’s first hotel to be developed by Armani Hotels and Resorts is to open in the Burj Khalifa on the 21st April 2010.

Every part of the Armani Hotel Dubai has been personally designed by the fashion legend, Giorgio Armani.

Burj Khalifa

The hotel has 160 rooms and covers 269,000 sq ft, across the concourse, ground floor and levels 1-8 and 38-39 of the Burj Khalifa.

The hotel has 8 unique dining options and the world’s first in-hotel Armani Spa, complete with treatment rooms, thermal suites, fitness centre and an outdoor swimming pool.

The hotel will also be home to the Armani/Dolci chocolates store, an Armani/Fiori florist and an Armani/Galleria showcase of couture accessories.

Luxury holidays to Dubai are always available throughout the internet.