Calling Even Non Shopoholics to the Dubai Shopping Festival

Come January first week and it would be the time to visit shopping paradise and tax free haven; Dubai.

For I solemnly swear I am up to all good.

Because without courting the danger of trying to evade import/export taxes, without converting black to white (in terms of moolah) and other such  befuddling, bureaucratic & moral  barriers , I hope to make a kill (with a shopper’s devilish glee ) at the Dubai Shopping Festival.

As a first timer, the one thing that I’ve been hearing is that this particular extravaganza is going to be bigger, better and way more excessive than any other shopping festival before. Imagine Palm Island like spectacular, Burj Khalifa like exotic and McDonalds like affordable.

There is this particular ‘City of Gold’ status that Dubai achieves during this time, the best part of which is that nothing becomes unaffordable, no want is left untouched and no sense is left un-catered to. Right from aquatic, light and sound Shows to gourmets delicacies, from ‘Open for All’ sports competitions to shopping outlets, malls and stores where you can flex your credit muscle, you have it all!

A potential treasure hunt is in the offering because malls like Al Ain, Marina, Khalidiya Mall and others have each and every conceivable luxury, lifestyle, jewelry and fashion item available on ‘SALE’.

But wait, because there' is more, after you have explored all these modern, commercial and westernized (albeit slightly) options, get ready to be a part of the souks, traditional markets which have been around since the sands of time.

Delightful little shops with small tea or coffee shops which also offer sheesha/hookah options are specialists for a range of things to buy right from fish, fruits and vegetables to gold.  This is still mellowed down version from the time souks sold anything from a bag of sugar to hairy, huge camels.

Now, one thing I have tightened up my belt and that too considerably , is for the fact that I am going to bargain till I drop dead, because this shopping festival and particularly at the souks, expect a hard bargain as part of the charming sales process. So do not give in, because an easy sale would leave a very dissatisfied shopkeeper behind you.

‘Layali Dubai’ as exotically as the Dubai Shopping Festival is known in Arabic will give me this one opportunity to indulge in that contact sport (read shopping) where you enjoy the scrimmage, the noisy colorful crowds, the dangers of losing a bargain and the final ecstasy of the perfect purchase.

Looking to go to Dubai? Here, check out our latest holiday packages for Dubai and this one specially made for the shopping festival.