Qatar Airways

Nothing in Dubai is really old but if you like cutting-edge modern architecture then nowhere else on earth can offer such a massive wow factor as does the United Arab Emirates’ largest metropolis.

Dubai is growing – fast. On the way is the 700-metre tall Dubai Tower, set to be the world’s highest building, along with the world’s largest shopping mall, the world’s first underwater hotel – Hydropolis – and The World, an amazing man-made series of 250 islands shaped to represent a map of the globe.

Already on hand are the iconic sail-shaped Burg Al Arab Hotel – currently the world’s tallest – and the new Ski Dubai indoor winter sports centre at Mall of the Emirates where you can snow ski a stone’s throw from desert sand dunes.

It’s a large city and, given the climate, you will be taking lots of cabs and buses but a surprising amount of it is walkable, especially around the Creek, an attractive stretch of water that bisects the city.

Around 80 per cent of the residents are ex-pats, not only from Europe and North America but from all over the Middle and Far East too, making this the world’s most vibrantly cosmopolitan city.

Eating

Thanks to its role as one of the great international crossroads and the truly cosmopolitan nature of its population, Dubai offers cuisine from all over the world. French, Italian, Spanish, Greek and Scandinavian establishments vie with the culinary delights of India, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan and Korea.

Then, of course, there’s true Middle Eastern food, with Moroccan, Lebanese, Iranian, Jordanian and other specialities on offer as well as such local Arabic delights as hareis (succulent slow-cooked lamb with cracked wheat), matchous (highly spiced lamb served over rice), fattayyer (bite-sized pastries stuffed with cream cheese and spinach), mehalabiya (a mouthwatering pudding topped with pistachio nuts and rose petals) and esh asaraya (a cream-topped variation on cheesecake). A good tip: for great value genuine Arabic food, try the long-established citywide Automatic chain.

This is one city where in-house hotel restaurants do extremely well – and offer a vast array of choice. Many hotels have six or more different outlets to provide a culinary tour of the world of fine food – and value often matches that of stand-alone eateries. In what is officially a Muslim city, the entirely cosmopolitan nature of the populace means alcohol is widely available and pork and shellfish find their way onto many menus.

Shopping

Shopping could almost be described as Dubai’s raison d’êtré. This is real shop-till you-drop territory, with an amazing array of vast, modern air-conditioned shopping malls, street markets, shops large and small, and the renowned gold, perfume and spice souks. There’s plentiful opportunity to use credit cards but cash is king where bargains are concerned. Tax-free status plus lots of haggling – which, as in all Arab countries, almost reaches the level of an art form – ensures great value and even major stores may come up with special discounts if you ask first, and you should never be afraid to ask, even in the most snooty of outlets.

Interesting facts

Time

Climate
The city of Dubai is situated on a coastal strip bordered by desert and gets very hot. It is dry on the hottest days and humid during the cooler days in the summer. Cooler, more pleasant weather lasts from the end of September to beginning of May. In winter the temperature at night is usually from 10-16 Celsius (50-60 Farenheit). In May, June, July, August and September, the sun is intense and temperatures can touch 45 degrees Celsius in the city and even higher in the desert.