Dubai

One of the seven emirates which constitute the United Arab Emirates - is a place of fascinating contrasts, a distinctive blend of modern city and timeless desert, east and west, old and new. Known in the region as the "city of merchants", Dubai has, for generations, welcomed seafarers and traders to its shores. Today, this tradition of courtesy and hospitality lives on. The streets are clean and safe, and travelers are sure to be charmed by the city's warmth and friendliness.

Dubai is referred to as "shopper's paradise" and without doubt, of its many attractions shopping is the greatest one. Being an open port with low import duties, Dubai's retail prices are reasonable and the product range is vast. Items range from designer clothes and hi-tech electronics to ethnic Bedouin jewellery. Shoppers have the choice of buying from elegant shopping malls, boutiques or ethnic souks.

Dubai has something for everyone - from the holidaymaker simply seeking a relaxing break away from the clouds and crowds, to the active tourist looking for a new and exciting experience. The city has superb facilities for sports, shopping, dining and entertainment and is well equipped to cater for the diverse needs of individual travelers, families or incentive groups.

Everything you need to know about Dubai before you get there...

Climate

The UAE has a sub-tropical, arid climate. Rainfall is infrequent and irregular. Falling mainly in winter, it amounts to some 13 centimeters a year. Temperatures range from a low of about 10 degrees Celsius to a high of 48 degrees Celsius. The mean daily maximum is 24 degrees in January rising to 41 degrees in July.

Culture

Only about a quarter of Dubai's population is Emirate; expatriates come from all over the world and large communities of Iranians, Brits, Pakistanis, Indians and Philippines call the city home. Arabic is the official language, but English is the language of business and most often used. Urdu, Farsi and Malayalam are also useful. Although there's little in the way of a national cuisine in the UAE - the Bedouin diet catered more to sustenance than to decadence - the city's tradition of trade and long-standing commitment to multiculturalism has nurtured a centuries-old love of international edibles.

If you attend any of Dubai's festivals, you may be lucky enough to see traditional dances like the fast-paced liwa or the Bedouin ayyalah performed. Most Bedouin crafts are practical as well as beautiful: Pots like the birnah and hibb are designed to keep milk cool, while the mehaffa, or hand fan, does the same for you. The barjeel, a wind tower and attractive architectural element, directs the smallest breeze into the house; it's surprisingly effective air conditioning.