::: Advertorial - THE GOLD STANDARD :::

By M H Ahssan & Neha Sharma

Flamboyant, fun, hip, glamorous, yet very old world - Dubai's charm lies in its contrast.

The mosques and the wind towers of the old city of Dubai are reflected in the flashy skyscrapers that are everywhere. Conservative Arabs in their 'abas' rub shoulders with fashionable Europeans and other expats in the fastest growing city in the world. Sometimes referred to as the 'largest construction site in the world', Dubai's leaders' unflinching ambition is paving the desert, colonising the ocean and reaching for the sky.

The experience of the city can be exhilarating, intimidating, stimulating or plain entertaining. Dubai is one of the world's most vibrant tourist destinations. Attracted to its year round sunshine and luxurious lifestyle, the number of tourists visiting Dubai is expected to reach 15 million by the year 2010. The options of leisure in this city go on and on. From historical monuments to over-thetop malls and entertainment districts, from the dazzling nightclubs to the traditional souks - there's something for everyone.

In fact, the first thing that strikes you about the city is its cosmopolitan mix - the stubbornly traditional and the proudly avant-garde.

As part of its effort to lure tourists from all over the world, Dubai hosts some major cultural and sporting events over the year. Spectators can enjoy a host of premier sporting events such as the world's richest horserace, the Dubai World Cup; the Dubai Desert Classic Golf Tournament, the Dubai Tennis Championships, Rugby Sevens, the Emirates Grand Prix power boating; the UAE Desert Challenge, and of course, camel racing.

Some of the cultural events include the International Jazz Festival, Dubai Desert Rock, Art Dubai, Dubai International film festival, and the hugely popular Dubai Shopping Festival.

Apart from these hosted events and the obvious attraction of shopping, there are many other world class entertainment options in Dubai:

A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
For those whose balk at the idea of spending endless hours trudging with shopping bags, a different kind of tourist attraction in Dubai is adventure tourism. Adventure Tourism in Dubai consists of Desert Safaris, Mountain Climbing, Sky Jumping, Scuba Diving, Water Surfing, Sailing, Snorkeling, Swimming, Go Karting, Wadi Bashing, Sand Skiing, Crab Hunting, Dune Bashing and Sand Storming.

NIGHT BIRDS
Nightlife seems to be an integral feature of Dubai life and there are countless nightclubs in Dubai with music to suit even the most eclectic of tastes, whether you want to listen to Moroccan music, or the world's best DJs.

Alamo at the Dubai Marine Beach Resort and Spa; Atlantis, located right next door to the Hard Rock Café; Carter's; Hard Rock Café, Kasbaa, located at the amazing Royal Mirage Hotel; Planetarium; Tropicana, at the Dubai Marine Beach Resort and Spa, and Scarlett's, located at the Emirates Towers Hotel are just some of the popular nightspots in Dubai.

OUT AND ABOUT
The dhow cruises on Dubai Creek are a huge attraction, as is the promenade on the Bur Dubai side. The Jumeirah Beach is also quite a tourist magnet.

Many of Dubai's best hotels are located on or nearby Jumeirah Beach, including the unmistakable Burj al Arab, as well as leisure facilities like Wild Wadi Water Park and the more traditional attraction of Jumeirah Mosque. The Madinat Jumeirah development has become the focus of Jumeirah's eating and drinking scene. The newly opened Atlantis Hotel is also a huge attraction for international tourists and on everyone's must-see list.

A key attraction for the young and old is Dubai Aquarium. Over time, Dubai Aquarium will have more than 33,000 living animals, representing more than 85 species including over 400 sharks and rays combined.

SKI DUBAI
Ski Dubai is the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East and offers an amazing snow setting to enjoy skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing or just playing in the snow.

Dubai is well connected to most major metros in India. Some of the airlines that fly to Dubai are: Emirates, Etihad Airways’, Jazeera Airways, Air India, Jet Airways, Cathay Pacific, Oman Air, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Kuwait Airways, Virgin Atlantic, etc. The respective websites of airlines give details of the best deals for the Dubai Shopping Festival for visitors.

Dubai is fast becoming one of the global centres of fashion, trade and finance, a city waiting to be explored and one that has the potential of becoming one of the most significant international destinations of the 21st century.