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knowledge middle east
ttglive.com
increasing appeal for travellers from the west.
Premier Holidays’ Nikki Hain says:
“Bahrain regards itself as a more cosmopoli-
tan Middle East destination, displaying wider
western influences, and there are plenty of
upmarket hotel choices for shoppers includ-
ing the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel and Spa.”
The other top-end resort escapist spot is
the Banyan Tree Al Areen, with Four Seasons
due to arrive soon. Together, they will bring
Boutique 1 affluent travellers keen to shop.
Bahrain’s Gold Souk is packed with more
Emaar’s Dubai Mall Abu than 50 individual outlets selling the finest
opened. The size of 50 football Dhabi has quality 21-carat gold, and the Al Jasra
pitches, it has 600 retailers, plus been attracting Handicraft Center is the place for authentic
another 600 to follow. While it won’t high-end travellers. souvenirs. Or, suggest clients have a mooch
rival London, Paris or New York for sheer The Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri Abu around the Manama souk, accessed via Bab
shopping cachet, there will soon be a Dhabi has an Arabian souk next to the hotel, Al Bahrain, or the “gate of Bahrain”. But for
Bloomingdales and Galerie Lafayette as as well as its own gallery showcasing local those who like their shopping a little more
well as Fashion Avenue with 70 haute art. The fabulously extravagant Emirates obvious, there’s the busy Seef Mall.
couture boutiques. The hotel to match Palace is home to many shops, but the Bahrain’s City Centre mall opened just last
this glittering experience? Newcomer The concierge can also arrange a chauffer-driven September with 300 outlets. It is already
Address Downtown Burj Dubai. Rolls Royce to take guests to shops in town. planning to add an indoor waterpark and
Dubai Marina Mall opened in December The city takes its malls seriously, with 18 two luxury hotels this year.
boasting more than 70 fashion outlets with a built so far, the biggest being Abu Dhabi And with “riviera” projects such as
promenade overlooking Dubai Marina. Mall. There’s also popular Marina Mall, Bahrain Bay ongoing, this Arabian island
“Visitors to Dubai should check out the home to more than 300 high-end brands could be the one to watch.
new marina area, which has a promenade including Gucci, Burberry, Yves Saint
with almost 200 stores, the likes of which Laurent, Versace, Louis Vuitton and Chanel.
you would see on New York’s 5th Avenue,” For a more local experience, recommend
says ITC Classics sales consultant Zoe Dodd. the Madinat Zayed Gold Souk, with a great
But Premier Holidays product manager range of gold jewellery, or, for carpets, the
BOOK IT
Nikki Hain adds: “Dubai has its older side too. Al Meena Souk.
In Deira and around the Creek, you can buy Seasons in Style product manager
ITC Classics offers seven nights at One&Only Royal
Mirage, Dubai, in a Palace Deluxe Room from £1,350.
pashminas, gold, spices, rugs and carpets in Suzanne Boulton, says: “Abu Dhabi is both
■ itcclassics.co.uk
a traditional Middle Eastern environment.” traditional and cosmopolitan; the Iranian
If your client is just “too posh to shop” souk is one of the most authentic souks in
Premier Holidays offers four nights at the Shangri-La
among the masses, places such as Boutique 1 Abu Dhabi and well worth a visit.”
Hotel Qaryat Al Beri in Abu Dhabi from £975.
offer closed-doors shopping. The Arabian Gulf is regarded as
■ trade.premierholidays.co.uk
Real fashionistas should book the cradle of the perfume industry
Seasons in Style is offering seven nights for the price
up for October when the Dubai so a visit to the Yas Perfumery
of five at The Chedi, Muscat, in Oman from £1,365.
Fashion Show comes to town. gives a fragrant twist to a trip.
■ Seasonsinstyle.com
ABU DHABI. BAHRAIN.
Premier Holidays offers four nights at the Ritz-Carlton,
Bahrain Hotel & Spa from £1,159.
With a tourism development plan Seen as a moderate Middle Eastern
■ transfers. trade.premierholidays.co.uk
aimed firmly at high-brow culture destination and with an attractive
All prices include return flights and transfers
and haute couture, it’s no wonder island setting, Bahrain has
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