DAZZLING DUBAI

Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates known for luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture and a lively nightlife scene. Burj Khalifa, an 830m-tall tower, dominates the skyscraper-filled skyline. At its foot lies Dubai Fountain, with jets and lights choreographed to music. On artificial islands just offshore is Atlantis, The Palm, a resort with water and marine-animal parks.

Iconic Burj Al Arab, a sail-shaped hotel, is near the public Jumeirah Beach, a popular stretch of sand. Of the many enormous shopping centres, Dubai Mall has an Olympic-size ice-skating rink, while Mall of the Emirates features the indoor slopes of Ski Dubai. Prestigious international restaurants, and outdoor and building-top nightclubs abound. Traditional gold, spice and textile souks are located around Dubai Creek, where Dubai’s past as a sleepy fishing village is on view in Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, a restored quarter of late-1800s houses with wind towers, and at Dubai Museum, housed in the 18th-century Al Fahidi Fort.