Visit Dubai for the contrasts between the wind towers and the emirates towers, the souks and shopping malls, sailing on a dhow and the sails of the Burj Al Arab.

Straddling the Tropic of Cancer, the UAE is warm and sunny in winter and hot and humid during the summer months. You can’t really go wrong if you visit any time between November and March, as you’re virtually guaranteed beautiful weather every day. June to September can be unbearably hot and humid during the day, although hotel bargain deals can still make it an attractive proposition.

	Shopping		Sightseeing
	World-class buildings		Restaurants
	Beaches

Dubai International Airport, 3 miles from the city, with direct flights operating from Heathrow, Gatwick, City and Stansted airports.

Haggling is a tradition in Dubai’s souks and independent shops, and it really is rare to pay the full price on the tag – if there is one. Most shopkeepers will quote you a figure saying that it is the price ‘before discount’. Even the ‘best price’ isn’t necessarily as low as you can go. A common rule is to initially ask for half the quoted price.

Despite Dubai’s rapid development, just a short distance from the city, numerous small villages still live the lives of the Bedouin and dress in the traditional way.

Symptomatic of massive development throughout the 1980s and 1990s Dubai boasts some great postmodern architecture; the best is perhaps Mercato – a mall made to look like ancient Venice. Afterwards, make a point of travelling to different parts of Dubai by taking Abras – traditional Arabian boats that operate as very cheap water taxis.

This is a family-oriented society, with safe beaches and an array of kids’ clubs at the hotels, and serves as an ideal option for parents in search of a worry-free getaway between October and May. Active youngsters will be in their element with scuba-diving, sports parks and water sports all available.

	Golf		Diving
	Windsurfing		Surfing
	Hiking		Sailing

For more information on Dubai, visit www.dubaicityguide.com