Shop Till You Drop in Dubai City
By Sarah Maple

If the prospect of battling your way through the January sales in freezing temperatures doesn't appeal to you then it could be time to head east for the annual Dubai Shopping Festival, arguably the world's best shopping experience. The festival starts on January 15th and is the shopping equivalent of the Olympic Games. Shoppers can expect an amazing experience which will include fireworks, entertainment and plenty of designer discounts.

With the pound continuing to fall against the dollar, those looking for a bargain are avoiding US destinations like New York and Los Angeles as they don't represent the value they once did. So whilst the pound is still recovering, shoppers can head east and explore events like the Dubai Shopping Festival.

Dubai forms part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and is increasingly becoming one of the world's most glamourous destinations. Luxury is the name of the game in Dubai and shoppers can expect to stay in the best hotels, explore some of the world's finest attractions and be treated like a VIP from start to finish.

Dubai is famed for the sheer size and quality of its malls and for those in need of some serious retail therapy. This year's festival takes place from January 15th to February 15th and is expected to attract millions of people to the UAE for what promises to be a retail extravaganza, unlike anything seen before. Established by the government in 1996 in order to promote the city as a major retail destination and to boost tourism, the festival has gone from strength to strength. Over the past 13 years the festival has continued to expand and now draws millions of people from all over the world.

The month long festival will include international fashion shows as well as streetside performances, nightly fireworks displays, musical shows and even movie screenings. If this isn't enough, Dubai also boasts dozens of shopping centres, including the Mall of the Emirates, home to Harvey Nicholls, Aspreys and Debenhams. Shoppers will find the main shopping malls located around Al Faheidi Road, Al Rigga Road, Al Karama, Al Satwa's Al Dhiyafah Road and Beniyas Square, with modern stores standing side by side with the traditional souks.

Bargaining is expected so be prepared to haggle even in large stores where customers are advised to ask for the 'best price' at all times, especially those planning to pay for their goods in cash. [http://www.justtheflight.co.uk/cheap-flights/DXB-dubai.html]Flights to Dubai operate daily from most major UK airports, including Gatwick Airport, London City Airport, Heathrow Airport and Manchester Airport, with prices available from less than 300.

So if you're looking for the ultimate shopping trip then why not choose a quality airline, or even book business class, so you can relax and wake up refreshed in Dubai, ready to enjoy the shopping trip of a lifetime. Check out [http://www.justtheflight.co.uk/cheap-flights/DXB-dubai.html]flights to Dubai for some competitive deals.