Dubai

Dubai’s skyline is the first thing that gets you — the Burj Khalifa piercing the clouds, the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab, and the Palm Jumeirah reaching out into the Gulf. But the city rewards travellers who go beyond the observation decks: the gold and spice souks of Deira, an abra ride across Dubai Creek, and the old quarter of Al Fahidi with its wind-tower architecture.

Just outside the city, the Arabian Desert delivers dune bashing, camel rides and Bedouin-style desert camps with dinner under the stars. Add in world-class shopping, beach clubs along Jumeirah, and some of the best fine dining in the Middle East, and Dubai comfortably mixes high-octane adventure with pure luxury.