Dubai and its draws

For all its shopping connotations and its very nomenclature, the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) , which is in its 20th year has much more to offer than stores bursting with goods and alluring discounts

Apart from being a popular shopping destination, DSF is also a cultural spread and gastronomic experience and a time when sports and fashion events are also included. Throw in the famous tourist attractions and exciting activities and you understand why Dubai becomes such a magnet during the DSF, which is regarded as the biggest shopping and entertainment extravaganza in the Middle East.

Of course, there is the shopping, which is always there. Dubai is known as a shoppers’ paradise given its souks and glitzy stores with an astonishing variety of goods from top brands to local makes, attractive deals and good shopping ambience. The souks are also a photographer's delight with their winding streets crowded with vast merchandise in vibrant colours.

During the DSF all these will become magnified into a mega shopping experience which will run from 1 January to 1 February I, 2015. And among the visitors will be thousands of Indians. Take Delhi-based small-scale entrepreneurs Rashika Grover and Vidisha Bose - Both of them team up every year to visit Dubai during this time. They return heaving and panting under the weight of their shopping bags!! "The DSF offers so much variety and the fabulous discounts mean we easily make up for our airfare and accommodation expenses," they say.

Even window-shopping can be great fun. Strolling through Dubai's shopping areas during this time is a big thrill for both the locals and tourists especially given how the city is all dressed up in its best during this festival. In fact, the window shopping at Duty Free in Dubai International Airport--which is like a microcosm of the DSF - is my own favourite past-time during long layovers. Adding to the allure of the discounts and special sales during DSF will be the raffles. Many stores and retail chains offer fabulous prizes to shoppers from lucky draws and scratch-and-win cards. Gift coupons too are aplenty.

Not all of us are the shop-till-you-drop kinds. Some of us would rather soak in the culture. And DSF, the annual event which began in 1996 and will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2015, recognises this by including lots of art-related events. The cultural line-up this year has an Indian connection. There will be a three-day theatre festival directed by Salim Arif which is a tribute to the works of poet, director and lyricist Gulzar. At Madinat Jumeirah, a 40-member group from the renowned National Ballet Company of Monaco will present Romeo and Juliet choreographed by Jean-Christophe Maillo.

The WNO orchestra will showcase their music at Zabeel Park. As a music lover I could relate to software engineers S. Keerthi and her husband Sreeram* who told me they will be travelling from Turkey where they are based, to Dubai only to attend this orchestra event as well as the series of concerts at Dubai Media City Ampitheatre featuring Arabian star performers. "The bonus is that we will also get to watch Sonu Nigam and Arijit Singh, who have shows during this time," Keerthi added. My own favourite, the tabla maestro Zakir Husain will also be performing.

More Indian poetry will be heard too. A Kavi Sammelan and Mushaira are planned there on January 26, on our Republic Day. There is also an event for signage and graphic imaging which Mumbai-based advertising professional Akhil Gupta says he will be attending along with a few colleagues. "We hope it will be educative. And then we will also go shopping!" they share.

From affordable street food to fine-dining in a seven-star property, there is a range of food options to try out. There is something for everyone from gourmands and connoisseurs to those who just eat to live and wonder what the fuss is all about when it comes to food. Of course, hardcore vegetarians like me tend to be picky and ask the vendors a lot of questions when it comes to street food but then it is all part of the culinary experience.

So, you don't like shopping or music and dance and wonder what you will do if you are going to be in Dubai during the DSF? Or maybe you wish to do more after your shopping expeditions? Well, like every good tourist, you can go sightseeing. Bastakia, which is like the Old City of Dubai, is the favourite of many a photographers and heritage-lovers. Stroll through the narrow lanes and check out the well--preserved coral and limestone buildings and the impressive wind-towers. The Bastakia Mosque and its lattice work is enchanting. Art lovers can head to the Majlis Gallery with its beautiful Arab ceramics and contemporary art displays.

You can also museum-hop---there is The Dubai Museum within Al Fahidi Fort and the House of Sheikh Saeed Al-Maktoum. Besides, you have the Gold and Diamond Park and Museum. Get on to the Observation Deck of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, for breathtaking views of Dubai. You can take a Dhow Cruise along Dubai Creek. If you are a Hyderabadi, you will draw parallels with Hussain Sagar as historically, the Dubai Creek separated two towns. The beautiful Jumeirah Mosque looks even more lovely at night with floodlights as everyone who has visited will vouch for. Jumeirah Beach is very touristy and that means very crowded. If you have kids in tow, Dubai Aquarium is a good option.

For those who like more action in their holiday, there are the desert safari, dune-bashing, dolphin encounters at Dolphin Bay, skiing, and sand-surfing. And camel-riding too, but then you are in the Middle East! Of course, camel rides have always left me feeling sore and sickly and my preference has always been the more sedate boating and hot-air balloon rides or the slightly more challenging sea karting and tandem-paragliding.

Those who enjoy watching watersports- me included-- rather than diving into that sea or plunging into the river-waters, will have plenty to view. Just take your pick. There is a mind-boggling variety to choose from. And oh, don’t forget to pack extra batteries and loads of memory cards – you will need them!

By:Aruna Chandaraju