Dubai - Playground of the Wealthy

Dubai is often featured on this blog, and remains one of the few regions unaffected by the credit crunch, still sailing high on massive oil profits. Flights to Dubai are still available at prices starting from �233 up to �938 for business class.

• Hotels: Luxury is the key word in Dubai, which is home to some of the grandest accommodation on the planet. Perhaps most famous is the landmark design of the Burj Al Arab. Named as the Best Hotel in the World at the World Travel Awards 2007, its sail-like exterior and top class interior offer five-star deluxe treatment. However, more modest facilities are available within Dubai City, such as Grosvenor House and the Grand Hyatt.





Burj-Al-Arab




• Attractions: If you can drag yourself away from the hotel spa, take time to see some of the sites which are located around Dubai City. Although the area is primarily associated with the modern, local history is very accessible in the shape of the Dubai Museum, the Heritage and Diving Village and the old district of Bastakiya.





Dubai Museum




• Shopping: If you've a hankering for designers galore, then Dubai is for you. All the major labels are represented, with many contained in department stores such as Harvey Nichols and within a selection magnificent malls. Local goods are also available, such as traditional textiles in local markets or the Deira City Centre. You may also be tempted by the gold products which are a hallmark of the area - try the Gold Souk for the best designs in various carats.




Deira city center



• Excursions: Nature beckons beyond the confines of the city. Tours can take you by 4x4 into the depths of the desert, some of which is a unique conservation reserve. To make the most of the trip, stay overnight in hotels such as the Al Maha Desert Resort, located in the heart of the region. Desert safaris can offer a package deal with dinner and entertainment.




Al Maha Pool at Sunset



• Family: The Wonderland Family Fun Park is next to the Al Boom Tourist Village, and includes water attractions, camel rides, rollercoasters and indoor games in an air-conditioned centre if the hot weather gets too much.




Al-boom



• Getting Around: Cars are available for rental, either from the airport or from a variety of outlets in the city centre. Most hotels will be able to book tours which run to excursions, while the city area can be walked or taxis taken for longer distances. A local bus service also runs, with details of routes available locally.




Dubai Traffic

Luxury Hotels in Las Vegas

Las Vegas is the mecca for playing casino games.

One of the most visible aspects of Las Vegas' cityscape is its use of dramatic themes. The theme of luxury hotels and casinos on the Strip has established the city as one of the most popular destinations for tourists and gamblers.





Due to the number of hotels, choosing a luxury themed hotel can lead to lots of decisions, including:

• The theme
• The Price
• The Location
• Casinos Available
  

There are lots of luxury hotels, but here are a few to view:

Venetion Hotel

Experience the romance of Italy in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip. Beauty and grace surround you at The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino, where every detail has been carefully designed to provide you with a memorable stay

The Palazzo Casino Hotel

Each suite at The Palazzo is specifically fashioned with your comfort and convenience in mind. A sunken living room decorated with a distinctly modern European design. Marble-appointed baths with oversized bath sheets










Bellagio Hotel

Contentment and opulence are the hallmarks of your Bellagio luxury hotel experience. A retreat unto themselves, the 3,933 Guest Rooms and Suites are an extension of our AAA Five Diamond Award-winning Las Vegas hotel.

Can't Afford the Luxury?

Of course, if you can't afford the flights and accommodation but still want to play casino games like the ones in Vegas, why not try some online casinos.

Saddam Hussein Luxury Yacht

The government of Iraq is selling the yacht of its former leader Saddam Hussein, Itar-Tass reports. The existence of the 80-meter-long Basra Breeze yacht (formerly known as Qadisiyah Saddam and Ocean Breeze) has been classified for a long time.

It was moored in the south of France along with millionaires? vessels, and is currently expecting its new owner in Greece. The starting price for the floating palace is $20 million.

The floating palace, originally named Qadissiyat Saddam, after a famous Arab victory over the Persians in 637 AD, was made by Danish shipbuilders in 1981, telegraph.co.uk reports

The yacht, now renamed Ocean Breeze and moored off Nice, is an astonishing testament to the playboy lifestyle enjoyed by Saddam and his entourage.

It is decorated throughout with fine mahogany, gold, silver and marble, and was described by its builders as "lavish in every detail and very Arabic in style".

There are bathrooms with gold taps, Jacuzzis, steam rooms, hi-tech entertainment suites and games parlours, including table tennis and pool tables, and flat-screen TVs in almost every cabin.

The yacht was built for Saddam Hussein by Danish engineers. The vessel was complete in 1981. Outwardly, it does not look so modern anymore, although the interior of the yacht was created to meet Hussein?s royal requirements. Gold, marble and other expensive materials along with mahogany furniture were used in the decoration of the luxury yacht. The Basra Breeze also has a secret passage, which allows the owner to access a motor boat and escape in case of emergency. The yacht is also outfitted with two surgery rooms and a special operation room. To crown it all, the yacht was equipped with a ground-to-air missile system, which is not going to be auctioned.

The yacht legally belongs to the incumbent government of Iraq. Organizers of the auction say that it would be na�ve for them to think that the auction market has not been affected with the global economic situation, although they hope for success.