Dubai has all the sunshine, shopping, seaside and intriguing culture you can wish for. With its rich Arab-Islamic culture mixed with cutting-edge 21st century development, it’s no wonder Dubai is one of the world’s most rapidly developing leisure destinations. 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.

Dubai Festival City is a famous place in Dubai that has its modern business and entertainment area, and centres on a massive mall of the same name, home to international fashion and furniture brands, global food courts and a cinema complex. Upmarket hotels on Dubai Creek host major conferences, and have stylish European restaurants with city skyline views. The annual Festival of Literature is popular for workshops and poetry readings.