Dubai

Overview

In only 50 years this little pearl-fishing village wedged between the Arabian Gulf and the desert has transformed itself into a slick, mega-rich oasis of R&R, sun, sand, shopping and spa. And what it doesn't have, it's building.

Need to know
When to go

Dubai is remarkably liberal both in behaviour and dress but egregious displays of anger or saucy conduct are frowned upon. Check ahead and plan around Ramadan month when the city fasts from sunrise to sunset or the Prophet’s birthday when bars are shut and virtue is essential.

The perfect time to visit is Nov-Apr, take a pashmina for the cooler evenings; July-mid-Sep is obscenely hot when temps can rocket to the high 40s and beyond.