Destination:
United Arab Emirates

Originally a small fishing settlement that became a busy port of call on the ancient trade route between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley, the emirate was rapidly transformed into an international business centre and modern tourist destination following the discovery of oil in 1966.

Today Dubai ranks as the country's foremost commercial centre, a city whose skyline is constantly being upgraded with new developments providing the infrastructure and facilities needed for a progressive society, including world-class hotels, shopping plazas and outstanding sports facilities. Dubai Creek divides the city centre into two parts: Deira on the northern side and Bur Dubai to the south and each has its fair share of souks, restaurants, hotels, shopping malls and fine mosques.

From within these high standards of luxury and convenience, visitors can experience exotic Arabia in the bustling souks or a night in a Bedouin tent with belly-dancing under the starlit desert skies, as well as a way of life that is still embedded in the Islamic traditions of an ancient land. Dubai's attraction lies in the contrast between the ultra modern and the enchantingly traditional, which gives the city a personality like no other and visitors a variety of experiences to choose from. From desert oases and unspoiled beaches, camel races and old wind towers, to top-class shopping opportunities, avant-garde architecture and the finest international cuisine, Dubai has more than enough depth to satisfy even the most seasoned of travellers.

One of the city's top attractions is its excellent shopping. As an open port with low import duties, Dubai can offer an incredible range of top brand names at cheaper prices due to the tax-free environment, and 'shopping tourists' are drawn from around the world to this paradise of malls, souks, boutiques and modern department stores selling everything from Paris fashions to Japanese electronics. The annual Shopping Festival attracts millions of tourists to the city for a shop-till-you-drop holiday.

The brash, bold city of Abu Dhabi is a modern marvel, capital of the wealthy United Arab Emirates and headquarters of the world's richest oil operating companies. The pulsating city, with futuristic skyscrapers and wide tree-lined boulevards, is capitalising on its sophistication, amazing duty-free shopping zone, its luxury hotels and top class transport and communication infrastructure to attract tourists. They come not only for the 'retail therapy' and glitz, but also to explore the fascinating culture of the vast Abu Dhabi Emirate itself (it is the largest of the seven Emirates), with its miles of desert and interesting oases.

The city is almost an island, jutting into the Persian Gulf, with land having been reclaimed from the sea to make way for a long seafront Corniche, lined with lush gardens and gushing fountains. It is a relatively young city, the area having been first settled by nomadic tribesmen in the mid-18th century; it remained little more than a fishing village until oil was discovered in the 1950s, and the financial and trading boom began.

Today the international airport and deep water port bring in visitors from around the world, most clutching credit cards and cash, set on spending as much as possible in the enticing shopping malls and buzzing souk (market). Limousines are a common sight in the congested streets, and restaurants offering the cuisine of many nations do a roaring trade, especially along the waterfront. Shopping fever is at its height during the annual Shopping Festival held in early March. Those taking a break from modern luxury can escape to the desert for a Bedouin feast under the stars, or a camel ride through the dunes.

Sharjah is the third-largest of the UAE's cities, and is capital of the wealthy Sharjah emirate.

Many of the headline attractions are within the Heritage Area near the main cornice. Here visitors can explore the Al Hisn Fort and the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, both worth experiencing to counterbalance the Emirate's more modern, consumer culture face.

Nearby Khalid Lagoon has a water fountain that spouts 160 feet (100m) into the air, making this the third largest fountain in the world. The Sharjah Aquarium, located at the mouth of Al Khan Lagoon, is also worth visiting.The Eye of the Emirates on the edge of the city is a giant wheel that offers a spectacular views over the downtown and cornice attractions - a great way to orientate one on first arrival.

For shopping, brush up on your haggling skills and head for the Blue Mosque, possibly the best place in the country to buy carpets, or the venerable Souq al-Arsah, the UAE's oldest covered market, and well worth a visit. For those wanting a little more activity into the surrounding area, there are plenty of desert and camel safaris, diving and boat tours to take.

The emirate of Sharjah is the only emirate in which the sale, possession and consumption of alcohol is banned. Despite this the city is popular with expats who take advantage of Sharjah's cheaper accommodation while commuting to Dubai, 20 miles (34km) away, for work.

The merge of ancient and modern Arabic culture is no more evident than in the fascinating city of Al Ain, about 100 miles (160km) east of Abu Dhabi (near the Omani border with Buraimi). This historic, scenic oasis is surrounded by red sand dunes and dominated by a vast mountain range in the eastern UAE.

Founded around 3,000 BC, Al Ain was an important oasis along caravan routes between Oman and the UAE. The oasis itself consists of thousands of date palms, now located near the main souq downtown. Fed by underground hot springs that bubble to the surface in the Green Mubazzarah recreation area.

Al Ain's heritage is still evident in the bustling camel market, located near the Meyzad border crossing. Hundreds of camels are bought and sold each day, and traders are very friendly to tourists. The Al Ain Museum and Fort is another historical attraction worth visiting in Al Ain, with exhibits depicting daily life in ancient Arabia.

Al Ain is also a modern city, filled with luxury resort hotels and shiny shopping malls. An exciting theme park, the renowned Al Ain Zoo, and an Olympic-sized ice rink are just a few of the popular attractions in Al Ain, known as the 'Garden city of the Gulf' because of its tree-lined boulevards and green public spaces.