An oasis of glamour. There's nowhere quite like the United Arab Emirates, with the country regularly being labelled the Las Vegas of the Middle East or the Disneyland of Arabia. The truth is, however, that none of these nicknames could ever do the place justice, because it stands alone as the most opulent travel destination on the planet, and once you visit Dubai you'll realise just how wide of the mark these comparisons are. Perhaps the most striking thing about Dubai is the way that is encapsulates mankind's sense of ambition, and our collective ability to overcome the harshness of nature. Located in one of the driest and least hospitable places on Earth, the emirate is a stunning oasis of luxury and style, where glitz and glamour thrive against all the odds. This is perfectly embodied by the Burj Khalifa, which is the world's tallest building at 825 m high, and the ultimate symbol of Dubai's wealth and lavishness. It's also a handy attraction for anyone passing through as part of an Arabia cruise, and should be the first port of call for those who don't have much time in the city but want to see it all. It goes without saying that the view from the observation deck is simply breathtaking, and takes in the entire city and surrounding dessert, as well as the iconic Palm Islands. Another thing that Dubai is known for is shopping, with traditional souks contrasted against ultra-modern shopping malls. The enormous Mall of the Emirates and glamorous Dubai Mall (the latter of which is located beneath the Burj Khalifa) are the places to head to if you're looking to pick up designer goods, while the jaw-dropping Gold Souk is always worth a visit, even if you don't intend on buying anything. With the emirate being home to some of the richest people in the world, it's unsurprising that it has developed a first-rate culinary scene, with several award-winning restaurants serving Arabic and global cuisine. Pierchic - which, as the name suggests, is located on a pier jutting out into the Arabian Sea and is rather chic – is among the most stylish eateries in Dubai, while the Mjlis Al Bahar restaurant can be found on the Burj Al Arab's private island beach.
An oasis of glamour. There's nowhere quite like the United Arab Emirates, with the country regularly being labelled the Las Vegas of the Middle East or the Disneyland of Arabia. The truth is, however, that none of these nicknames could ever do the place justice, because it stands alone as the most opulent travel destination on the planet, and once you visit Dubai you'll realise just how wide of the mark these comparisons are. Perhaps the most striking thing about Dubai is the way that is encapsulates mankind's sense of ambition, and our collective ability to overcome the harshness of nature. Located in one of the driest and least hospitable places on Earth, the emirate is a stunning oasis of luxury and style, where glitz and glamour thrive against all the odds. This is perfectly embodied by the Burj Khalifa, which is the world's tallest building at 825 m high, and the ultimate symbol of Dubai's wealth and lavishness. It's also a handy attraction for anyone passing through as part of an Arabia cruise, and should be the first port of call for those who don't have much time in the city but want to see it all. It goes without saying that the view from the observation deck is simply breathtaking, and takes in the entire city and surrounding dessert, as well as the iconic Palm Islands. Another thing that Dubai is known for is shopping, with traditional souks contrasted against ultra-modern shopping malls. The enormous Mall of the Emirates and glamorous Dubai Mall (the latter of which is located beneath the Burj Khalifa) are the places to head to if you're looking to pick up designer goods, while the jaw-dropping Gold Souk is always worth a visit, even if you don't intend on buying anything. With the emirate being home to some of the richest people in the world, it's unsurprising that it has developed a first-rate culinary scene, with several award-winning restaurants serving Arabic and global cuisine. Pierchic - which, as the name suggests, is located on a pier jutting out into the Arabian Sea and is rather chic – is among the most stylish eateries in Dubai, while the Mjlis Al Bahar restaurant can be found on the Burj Al Arab's private island beach.
