It’s only relatively recently that Britons have taken flights to Dubai for a holiday. The city in the United Arab Emirates has fast become the Las Vegas of the Middle East, the Manhattan of the East. One of the richest cities on earth, Dubai is a remarkable city with landmarks such as the Burj Al Arab hotel, the world’s only seven-star hotel, the Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world, and show-stopping man-made islands such as The Palm and The World. Amid all this construction, there are still remnants of old Dubai. You’ll find them in the souks and mosques and in areas such as the Bastakiya area, one of the oldest parts of the city near Dubai Creek. Visit the Dubai Museum in the Al Fahidi Fort for a snapshot of the history of the City of Gold, as well as other parts of the UAE.
If you’re after sizzling heat, book flights to Dubai in the summer. If you want a mind-melting experience, visit the Dubai Ski Centre while the sun beats down outside. It’s the first indoor ski resort in this region – five different runs and 22,500 square metres of real snow, the equivalent of three football pitches. Pack plenty of swimwear on your return flights to Dubai as a visit to Water Wadi, a themed water park close to Jumeriah Beach Hotel, will be in order. Its rides and attractions are based around Juha, a character from Arabian folklore. For shopping, visit the Mercato Mall, built, somewhat incongruously in Tuscan and Venetian style, and Deira City Centre, bursting with nearly 400 shops. For an unrivalled experience, use the money you save on your Dubai flight to book a room at the Atlantis Palm, a billion-dollar structure which embodies the luxury of this city.