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Luxury Holiday in Dubai
ROIS TRAVELS offers super exclusive locality destinations in Dubai, reached and lived at the best, without having to worry about anything. Private aircraft, 7-stars hotels and assistance services ultra personalized: we think of the whole. We have in mind only one goal: to give you the ultimate in luxury and comfort.
ROIS TRAVELS experience is not only synonymous with exclusivity, but it means, above all, to live holidays out of the ordinary.
For example - only with regard to travel in Dubai - ROIS TRAVELS, if you desired it, will seek to facilitate at the most your desire to move in Dubai.
Do you want limousine from the residence to the airport, VIP airport assistance, transfer by helicopter or private jet executive as far as the villa?
ROIS TRAVELS offers a special package services for executive transport that provides its customers in Dubai:
• Private Jets
• Helicopters
• Seaplanes
• Balloons
• Yachts
• Catamarans
• Dhows
• Ferry Boats
• Speed Boats
• Cruise Boats
• Luxury Cars
• 4x4
• Limousine
• Bus and Mini Vans
• Sleigh
You get ready to enjoy luxury holidays in Dubai and ROIS TRAVELS thinks about organizing everything.
Luxury Holiday in Dubai: Gold Hunt
Deira Gold Souq is considered the best gold market in the world and, given the quality of its products and its extensive selection, offers by far the best prices. The gold is sold by weight, but you can always negotiate. The cost of a jewel depends on whether it is produced by hand or industrially and on whether it has a more or less elaborate design. If you find an article you like, continue to visit the shops, compare prices and, if you see something like that elsewhere, seek pay less. If the seller tells you that gold is 22 carats, you can trust him, since the authenticity of the jewelry is guaranteed by strict rules.
Luxury in Dubai
Giuseppe Josca - correspondent of “Corriere della Sera" from the Middle East -, talks about Arab Emirates luxury [Giuseppe Josca "Nei paesi della mezzaluna" (In the Land of the Crescent) Sperling & Kupfer, p. 66] and tells about luxury among the Arab Gulf in the early years after the rise of the oil price. In 1994, he wrote, "In Bahrain there were people who rented a Concorde to make a flying visit to Ascot, between lunch and dinner, to see the races. A sheik, for the birthday of his son, call an entire circus from London, complete with big top, wild beasts, artists and jugglers, at the moderate fee of $ 250,000 per evening. Another tried in vain to give his son, who was found of western stories, Fort Alamo. Adnan Khashoggi had a boat of 30 billion built in Viareggio. One day, in the Parisian atelier of Cartier, introduced himself a young prince. He had a suitcase with $ 2 million and a couple of his favorites, who wanted give a tangible sign of gratitude. A mysterious Arab lover sold, for 12 million dollars, the Star of Peace, a diamond of 170 carats, unique in size and purity.
Arabs, traditionally generous with guests (even the poorest Bedouin divides his dates and his coffee with the wayfarer who passes by to say hello), felt obliged to honor their new status, so with oil prices also increased the magnificence of the gifts on official occasions. When Queen Elizabeth of England visited Riad' in 1979, was given her a necklace of sapphires with three hundred diamonds, a magnificent cadeau also for the richest woman in the world, who, presumably, not lacking anything.
Certainly, the kings and the emirs nothing was missing. Khaled, just ascended the Saudi throne, decided to replace the real aircraft. A choice not easy in countries where any merchant owns a Learjet and it does not matter if he does not use it: it is a status symbol. Feisal, the predecessor of Khaled, was content with a Boeing 707. However, also Gheddafi and the Emir of the small Qatar, which produces a tenth of Saudi oil, have one of that. Therefore, the new king ordered to Boeing a jumbo jet. He had to wait two years for this 747-SP, namely Special Performance, that even the president of the United States did not have for a long time (the new Air Force 1 was delivered to the White House in 1992). The Saudi flying palace is really special, with the private apartments, the throne room and a complete operating room, an accessory demanded by King Khaled. He had heart problems and he was already operated in the United States. In case of a sudden crisis a team of specialists could give him the first helps during the non-stop flight to Cleveland.
One evening in Riyadh, I went to a business appointment. We had to slow down passing by a large villa, in Palladian style, all white. Hundreds of torches and lamps illuminate it and in the garden, on the road, were parked dozens of luxury cars, Rolls-Royce, Cadillac and Lincoln. "Small wedding", he whispered to himself, with a grimace, the Saudi friend who accompanied me.
Only some time later I realized he meant exactly that. It was when I witnessed in Abu Dhabi at the celebrations for the wedding from the Arabian Nights (one and, for once, the comparison is not abused) between the prince Mohammed and the princess Salama.
So that the story does not appear exaggerated, it will be better to present the newlyweds. He is the eldest son of Sheikh Zayed, ruler of Abu Dhabi and president of the Emirates Federation. She is the young heir of a noble and wealthy businessman.
Now imagine the scene. Mohammed, riding a white horse and dressed in ceremonial clothes woven of gold, arriving at dawn (so the tradition wants) at the doors of the palace where the princess lives. However, a caravan of twenty dromedaries with gifts for the bride preceded the procession: boxes filled with valuables objects, thirst, emeralds, rubies, for a worth, it is rumored, of 4 million dollars. Just a thought for Salama, who brings a dowry of a whole quarter of the city with three towers, a luxury hotel, sixty shops lined up beneath the arcade of a shopping center, without mention the cash.
Towards evening, the celebrations begin. There is room for twenty thousand guests in the stands in a large square, and the show is worthy of the parterre. Zayed and the Sheikhs, come from the seven Emirates of the Federation with an air fleet of private jets, open the sword dance (those that they wield are obviously of gold). Follow the performances of fifty folkloric troupes and five hundred singers and dancers, the best of Arab show business. However, also the people have its part. On the streets there are long tables laid, a giant buffet open to all. At midnight, the fireworks draw stars, rainbows, multicolored waterfalls in the sky, including hiss and flare. The festival lasts seven days and seven nights, and the treasurer of Zayed will play bills for 35 million dollars."
The Luxury in Dubai: the Ruling Family
In Dubai, the power is managed by the family Al-Maktoum. The Emirates have a federal government, but each emir is sovereign in its territory. The Maktoum family governs Dubai since 1833. It was the year they moved to this area by the Oasis of Liwa. The Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed al-Maktoum (on the throne from 1958 to 1990) and Maktoum bin Rashid al-Maktoum (on the throne from 1990 to 2006) have ruled with a firm hand during the heyday of the city. They were particularly careful to ensure that Dubai does not again become a minor center after the exhaustion of oil resources. The current Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum is pushing the city to destinations that until a few years ago seemed unattainable.
Since always destined for the command, Sheikh Mohammed has long been the most visible and charismatic face of the ruling family. He is an accomplished horseman, soldier, poet, and he is very determined to achieve his own goals. Sheikh Mohammed has been the promoter of the most extraordinary projects in the city, including the Burj Al Arab, Dubai Internet City, Media City and Shopping Festival. Although these projects may seem very diverse, all aim at one goal: to make people come to spend in Dubai. Since the early '90s, Sheikh Mohammed has planned the city transformation into a leading tourist destination. In addition, since every city has its own icon like the Empire State Building or the Eiffel Tower, the Sheikh has launched the construction of the Burj Al Arab. At the end of the decade, while many governments are asked itself why they did not be able to control the Internet, Sheikh Mohammed was already implementing a strategy for 'e-government', requiring that all city government offices were active online within 12 months – and this is duly happened.
The determination of Sheikh Maktoum and his desire for changes have brought enormous benefits to the economy, so that today few persons think that Dubai will go back to be engulfed by the sand when the oil will finish. However, the fact that the city has been transformed from a third world village to a multicultural metropolis in the space of one generation has upset many of its inhabitants, stuck in terrible traffic jams. The most fascinating thing however is the fact that, according to the sheikh, was reached only one tenth of its aims: he desires that Dubai, the Emirates and the Arab world become world leaders in everything we undertake.
Information taken from the book "Dubai: encounter", by Lara Dunston and Terry Carter, EDT, 2008, p.160.
Luxury Holiday in Dubai: Entertainment and Shopping
Frances Gordon recommends in his book "Oman, Yemen and United Arab Emirates", EDT Editions (one of the best guides to Dubai and surroundings):
ENTERTAINMENT
Do you want to let enrapture by the Arabian Nights? You only are spoiled for choice. The dishdasha are at Kasba (The One & Only Royal Mirage), an Arabic version of Studio 54. Trendy people go to Tangerine (Fairmont Dubai Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Rd), to Terminal (Airport Millennium Hotel) and to the Boudoir (Dubai Marine Beach Resort & Spa). Those who like the quieter locals and a more frank and jovial fun meet in the Irish Village (behind Al-Garhoud Rd) and very often they end the night dancing at Long's Bar (Tower Rotana Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Rd) or at the Lodge (Za'abeel Rd, Karama). The scene in the nightlife locals changes more rapidly than the Dubai skyline, hence look at Time Out proposals for to know which way the wind blows in the city.
To see a film in English to try Cinestar (- 294 9000; Deira City Center) and Grand Cineplex (- 324 2000), near the Wafi City Mall.
SHOPPING
In today’s United Arab Emirates, the shopping center is the modern equivalent of the traditional suq, a place where the Emirates’ inhabitants go to do business, relax, go shopping and have fun. The truth is that today many "national" would not dream of going shopping in the suq of Deira or Bur Dubai, and leave them to tourists. They develop a passion for shopping centers; they go mad for the abundance of shops, for the haute couture boutiques and for the cafeterias. Two great advantages of the shopping centers are air conditioning and parking. The three most important shopping centers of Dubai are Wafi City Mali (- 3244555, 10-22 from Saturday to Thursday, 16.30-22 Fridays), specialized in exclusive clothing and base of some of the best bars and restaurants in Dubai. Deira City Center (- 295 1010; from 10-22 Saturday to Thursday, 14-22 Friday) is the base of superstores like Ikea and other big centers of entertainment and multiplex, especially appreciated by Dubai teenagers. The Market (- 3444161, 10 -22 from Saturday to Thursday, 14-22 Friday) is base of Spinneys supermarket, small boutiques and many cafeterias. All three are architecture follies: the Wafi City Mall is located under a big glass pyramid, a kitsch variation on the pharaohs theme. Deira City Center is huge, noisy and always crowded.
Dubai is a shopping paradise and it is difficult to decide when the choice is so vast. Too many shops, which would deserve your dirham, but these are our two favorite places in the city:
Majlis Gallery (- 353 6233; AI-Fahidi St, Bastakia, 9.30-13.30 and 16.30-20 from Saturday to Thursday), which is something between art gallery and craft shop. It is inside a restored traditional villa, a real Aladdin's cave full of treasures of local productions, including household items and jewelry. The prices are reasonable and the only reason for do not buy will be the restrictions of luggage on the return flight. Abdul Samad Al Qurashi (- 294 1344; Deira City Center, AI-Garhoud, 10-20 from Saturday to Thursday, 15-20 Friday) is a company of perfume, born a hundred years ago. It is an institution in the Gulf. The staff is always ready to introduce visitors to the secrets of the mixtures of heady aromas of Arabia. You will be amazed by the valuable original ingredients stored in hundreds of glass cases that cover the walls of the store. Prices range between Dh 200 and Dh 8000.
SHOPPING CENTERS
So much snubbed in other countries, shopping centers are particularly suited for the sweltering heat of Dubai and play the same role that in other cities have squares - complete with fountains, stages for live events and many souvenir stalls - allowing travelers to get an idea of the Dubai society and to know the locals. The elders sit in cafes watching the comings and goings, while young people stroll and send messages one another with the mobile phone.
The Ibn Battuta Mali brings to the extreme this concept of shopping, with "streets" specialized in certain goods that look like the markets of Andalusia, Tunisia, Egypt, Persia, India and China during the XIV century.
Shopping is a daily rite in the Emirates, but in Dubai reaches sublime heights. The elegant local girls, with shayla (foulards), designed by famous designers and decorated with Swarovski crystals, make a turn at Saks while their mothers in burqa spend the morning at the Spice Souq: everything takes place quietly, examining and selecting the items and, when the purchase is decided, they always asks for the discount. Follow their example.
The duty-free shops do not apply always prices lower than normal, since in the Emirates do not pay taxes, but we recommend to visit several shops and ask for the "best price". Shopping in Dubai is especially fun in the evening, with the locals. Shopping centers are open every day from 10 to 22 (Friday afternoon only).
Information taken from the book "Dubai: encounter", by Lara Dunston and Terry Carter, EDT, 2008, p.160.
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