The City of Gold, Dubai, offers a Gold Souk with street after street packed with enthusiastic vendors selling 18 to 24 karat white and yellow gold. Jim and I walked for a couple of hours window-shopping, but didn’t even come close to seeing all the shops. Frankly, the vast quantity is overwhelming. Most serious gold buyers would need to review the shops in and near the souk, and return the next day to begin serious bargaining, which is expected here. Pieces are sold by weight, but intricate designs – many made by hand – can put a bracelet or necklace into expensive territory. And for anyone who cannot find something to her taste in this realm of decadence, designs and pieces can be made in a week or less.

Interestingly the gold is not mined in UAE, but the lack of import duties, tax-free shopping and the hundreds of vendors offering competitive rates make Dubai a paradise for gold lovers.