Opulent Dubai

If there is one thing Dubai knows how to do, it’s extravagance. The city has no shortage of malls catering for the discerning visitor and offering a cool retreat from the blazing midday heat. A good place to start is the famous Mall of the Emirates. It is home to 520 international brands, a 14-screen multiplex cinema and incredibly, an indoor ski slope. For a truly unique experience, visit Mercato Mall. A full-on east-meets-Renaissance confection, Mercato Mall features a stunning glass ceiling, marble floors, bridges and rustic Italian-style murals. In between browsing the likes of Mango, Topshop and Massimo, it’s a good place to relax with a cool drink and watch the world go by. Or, if you’re looking to give your wallet a real workout, head for Burjuman, where you can window shop in style and pick up the likes of Tiffany, Louis Vuitton and Cartier.

Mall of the Emirates, Dubai

All that glitters

Dubai’s history of shopping goes back to its days as a major international trading port, with ships from the Far East, India and Sri Lanka stopping off to trade their wares. There is no way to evoke this history so well as paying a visit to the traditional souks. For foodies, the Spice Souk is a great spot to stock up on vanilla pods and saffron, but if you’d rather leave space in your luggage for another pair of heels, it’s worth taking a stroll through the market to absorb the fragrance and ambience of traditional Dubai.

If bling’s your thing, you will definitely want to spend an evening exploring the Gold Souk. With gold, diamonds and all that glitters as far as the eye can see, you can pick up everything that’s precious at prices you’d never see at home. Bring cash and a willingness to haggle.

For the ultimate retail experience, plan your trip between 20th January and 20th February. That’s when Dubai celebrates its annual Shopping Festival, with over 2300 outlets selling everything from cars to couture. It’s now a major tourist event and attracts visitors from all over the world who can enjoy the fashion shows and fireworks, or just spend, spend, spend.

Burj al Arab, Dubai

Win with First Group

If you’d like a chance to max out your credit cards in style, The First Group is giving away a very special prize. One lucky winner and a companion will be whisked away on business class flights to Dubai. You’ll be staying at the Burj Al Arab, which is the last word in opulence and style and one of Dubai’s most recognisable landmarks. You’ll have two nights living the rockstar lifestyle: just enough time to soak up some sunshine and push your baggage allowance to the limit with the best designer finds.

Enter here: http://www.facebook.com/thefirstgroup

The competition is running until 29th July, but a special tip for LadyM Presents readers: if you get there your entry in before Monday 25th, you’ll also be entered into a prize draw to win $300 ASOS vouchers.

Good luck!