When October fog takes over Dubai's brick and mortar canopy, holiday makers enjoy the ostentatious glitz of the world's fastest growing city in a dream-like atmosphere that remains unrivalled in the urban world. The startling constructions belie Dubai's past as a sleepy fishing town.

A little of the third world has been left behind, where camel trainers, traditional wind towers and calm desert sands are found facing a mystical backdrop of first world excesses. Dubai can be defined by its contrasts, which are most evident in its position as a lush tourism hub that is at the same time home to thousands of migrant. 

Your holiday to Dubai can be tailored towards a more profound and meaningful expedition through its cultural hotspots and ecotourism destinations. The Sheik Mohammed Centre introduces guests to the city's customs, history and religion. Dolphin Bay is considered one of Dubai's greatest assets for its premium marine habitats and interactive shows. Swim with the ocean's kindest aquatic creatures in a tropical setting as they tow you out to the lagoon's depths.

Immerse yourself in Dubai's most characteristic ecosystem featuring sand plains and desert dunes at the Desert Conservation Reserve. The spectacular Dubai fountains create a watery musical landscape with fountains that rise to the heights of a 50 storey building. Alternatively, enjoy the city's most magnetic tourist attraction, Burj Khalifa, which offers a real time telescopic view of the skyline from the top of the tallest skyscraper in the world. 

It doesn't take an expert in architecture to recognize the bold splendour of Dubai's cityscape, and the masterpiece that supersedes all is the lofty Burj Khalifa. The world's tallest building is surrounded by stellar displays of grandeur and sparkling night life. The park's design blends greenery, lighting and sculptural water features to achieve an eerie backdrop for outdoor dining, ice skating and marine life viewing at the strategically placed Dubai Mall.

Every destination on your holiday in Dubai is delivered in style. The Aquarium and underwater zoo presents diversity gargantuan enough to win rank as one of Lonely Planet's premier global destinations. Extremists can scuba dive with sharks, whilst the timid can delve beneath safer waters from within the glass tunnel. Artificial coral and three eco zones act as biomes for rare and fascinating creatures such as giant spider crabs and sea dragons. Active party fiends boogie on ice at disco evenings held at the mall's Olympic size ice rink. Whether your preferred viewing pleasure takes place above or below sea level, the downtown district has what it takes to astonish the most seasoned travellers. 

Instead of following the path of millions of tourists who have taken before you, holidays in Dubai can be approached from a more unusual angle. For a truly Arabian experience, amble through the local mosques and markets. Practice your haggling skills at the Karama Market, where friendly shopkeepers will introduce you to their secret collections behind closed doors. Enjoy an authentic feast at Gordon Ramsay's culinary outpost at the Dubai hotel, Grosvenor House.

Extra Michelin star cuisine is enjoyed at Hilton Dubai creek. A more cultural gastronomy event can be had on Al Dhiyafah street, a local haunt with true Arabic character. Shopping is taken to new heights of absurdity by malls in which guests navigate by water, snowy slopes and aisles dotted with mechanical dinosaurs. Those who have dreams of treasure lined caskets will find their fantasies recreated at the gleaming Gold Souk, where jewels and gems are bartered for in a quality controlled environment. 

Dubai holidays take place in a desert climate with extremities resulting from the city's position on the tropic of cancer. Humidity and temperatures that reach record highs make summer vacations stifling.

Winters are comfortably warm, with coastal regions enjoying a cooler climate than the mainland. The ocean often rises to a spa-like 37 degrees centigrade. Between December and March, thunderstorms add an atmospheric brilliance to Dubai's dramatic landscapes. June is an arid month, whilst rainfall is largely isolated to February. Sandstorms being reduced visibility with powerful gales between April and February. Autumn and spring bring little diversity: conditions are only slightly subtler than those in summer and winter. 

During the more extreme months of spring, air conditioned indoor amenities have extreme value, which makes the highest ranked hotel in Dubai a welcome treasure. The Burj Al Arab has seven stars to match its grandiose interior. Lobbies are splattered with gold; Rolls Royce fleets cater to every travelling whim, and VIPs are announced by fireworks displays. Mid day is ideal for shopping, but just before the sun sets the cooler weather welcomes more active encounters with the desert landscape.

Take on the dunes in a 4x4 safari guided by trained adventurers. As the sun sets, an eerie shadow is cast across the dunes, offering some incredible photographic opportunities. After the sun dips below the horizon, it's time to settle into an Arabian night featuring desert-style hospitality. Camel rides and belly dancing are accompanied by barbecued meals and local music. 

Summer's extreme heat traps residents indoors until the sun sets, but the season brings some unique travelling opportunities. Camel racing is a sport that locals take seriously, and tourists can access events at Al Ain road's track four times weekly during the year's hottest months. The sight of camels galloping at break neck speed is a spectacle that is generally reserved for mornings.

Practice sessions are open to spectators throughout the day, but early risers will be treated to the coolest weather. Dubai's beaches are popular among those staying at Dubai hotels out of season, but cooler waters are needed to make mid summer tolerable. Widi Wadi Waterpark offers Arabian adventure themed rides, extreme slides and white water rapids to amp up the adrenalin of the young and the young at heart. 

The autumn months between October and December are accompanied by weather that is primed for tourism, Plunging temperatures are a welcome change, opening the city for a host of novel experiences outdoors. To escape the glitz of the inner city, sedate Dubai holiday makers find their serenity in the skies above the desert on hot air balloon trips. At sunset, the dunes turn a startling shade of red, transforming the bland sandy palettes into fiery hued sandscapes. Participate in a tribal experience on full moon nights when guests gather at Al Awir's camp for drumming sessions. Those who wish to avoid the crowds can book into desert based hotels in Dubai

Tropical destinations are at their best during the winter months, particularly when rainfall is negligible. The ocean dips to comfier temperatures, making this the ideal season for Dubai's coastal regions. Swim up bars and poolside loungers take guests from chlorinated waters that lead to the sea. JBR is the most conveniently placed option. Avid scuba fans prefer the wreck dives in Dubai because of the diverse array of tropical fish they attract. Shark rays are the biggest draw card for guests of the Gulf of Oman. January and February are the most festive months of the year, as locals and visitors gather for the annual Shopping Festival. The Global Village brings guests a vast array of rides, circuses and cultural performances from across the globe. 

Dubai is located on the Persian Gulf, in the northeast of the United Arab Emirates. Dubai is the second largest emirate with an urban area of 3885 sq km and the city is roughly 35 sq km. However it will expand to twice that size with the addition of the man-made islands; the Waterfront, the three Palms, the World, the Universe, Dubailand, as well as the construction in the desert.

One of the most fascinating geographical aspects of Dubai, is its Creek, which divides the city into two regions. Dubai Creek is made up of a natural 9.5 mile inlet in the Persian Gulf, around which the city’s trade developed. North of the Creek is called Deira, and Bur Dubai refers to the south where it joins the tourist and residential developments of Jumeirah along the coast.Dubai also has the highest population, sharing its borders with Abu Dhabi in the south, Sharjah in the northeast and the Sultanate of Oman in the southeast.Due to the city’s unique geographical location it enjoys a strategic position which allows it to connect to all local Gulf States, as well as to East Africa and South Asia.

Eating in Dubai is a multicultural experience, with a virtual UN of cuisines to choose from. Middle Eastern and Indian fare are most prevalent, but basically you can feast on anything from Afghan kebabs to fish and chips in the city's myriad eateries. These run the gamut from simple street kitchens and fast-food franchises to family restaurants and deluxe dining temples.

The line of the Tropic of Cancer crosses through the UAE, causing the weather in Dubai to be warm and sunny. In the winter it has an average daytime temperature of 25°C , nearer the coast 12-15°C , in the desert or mountains 5°C. With the nights being relatively cool. Near coastal areas humidity can average between 50% and 60%.In the summer, the weather in Dubai is very hot and humid, with temperatures reaching mid 40’s. Even the sea temperature can reach 37°C , with humidity averaging over 90%.Rainfall in Dubai is infrequent and does not last for a long period. It mostly rains during the winter period in the form of short gushes and an occasional thunderstorm. On average, rain falls only five days a year.

Dubai and UAE have varying degrees of tolerance to clothing styles from across the world. Nevertheless, dress code in Dubai is quite liberal, in comparison to several other states in the Middle East. There are legal guidelines about what is acceptable, but, in general people are mostly allowed to wear what they like. However, it would be wise to tone down your dress code in other emirates of UAE (other than Dubai), especially in areas where there is greater proportion of nationals or Emiratis.

For women

Women do not have to cover their heads, faces and hair with a scarf or something similar when in public, although Muslim women, particularly Gulf Arabs, do cover their hair, faces, heads with scarf for cultural and religious reasons. But, when visiting a Mosque, women have to cover their hair, bodies and legs, although covering the face is not a must.To be respectful of the UAE culture, it is best to remain covered from shoulder at least to the knees. For instance, although t-shirts (preferably with sleeves covering at least upper arm) are fine, spaghetti tops for women may not be appreciated in public areas. Also, very tight and/or low-cut t-shirts are also considered offensive. Females wearing strappy tops may be in for a warning at Dubai shopping malls, or shopping centres.It is best to not to keep the skirt length above the knee level. As skirts get shorter in length, there is higher risk of male attention, police arrest and fine. In more traditional areas such as villages and souks, markets and such other areas, short skirts are not considered appropriate for women, and long-skirts below knee length are preferred. Western tops with deep neck lines are strictly prohibited.

For men

Men wearing shorts, although may be considered odd, are unlikely to get into trouble. However, cycling shorts that reveal certain contours or boxer shorts may result in warning from the authorities. Wearing cycling shorts when cycling should be fine.Sports clothing appropriate for the sport being played is allowed at the sports venue. However, any combinations of t-shirts and shorts are not a problem, even if worn elsewhere on the way from sports location. At the beach, a swimsuit is acceptable.When visiting a Mosque, men are required to be dressed in long trousers.T-shirts with offensive slogans or pictures, gestures, or obscene language that might cause religious or cultural offence are not acceptable in Dubai.

About 30 years ago, a group of scientists said the Maldives would disappear within 20 years. For many, a holiday to the Maldives become epitomised as the ultimate must visit destination because within a generation it simply would not exist.

Fortunately for us today, Maldives holidays are still an option, and hoteliers continue to expand with multiple new developments scheduled for opening over the next 5 years reaffirming their faith in the future of this island nation. But don’t get too complacent. Sea levels are still rising, and that means that land mass is still being consumed yearly. Whilst we are probably in no danger of loosing the Maldives within the next 30 years, as more land is lost, land that remains will become more expensive. It should not them come as a surprise, that within a generation, prices for Maldives holidays will be as outrageous as the ostentation that has over taken the resorts that make up this island paradise.

Unlike the islands of the coast of Malaysia and Thailand, the Maldives is not a volcanic Island that has risen as a result of colliding plates. The Islands that make up the Maldives are actually deposited on the tops of coral reefs, which means that the highest place in the Maldives is a mere 8 meters above sea level- a holiday to the Maldives will certainly not satisfy mountain enthusiasts. This unique geography has allowed for some outrageously luxury resorts to open over the last decade. Each tiny Island is home to a single resort, and each resort is spread out across the island with villas ranging in size and facility options. And because each resort is its own island, most villas are either on the beach or a few seconds walk from it.

Those that have been on holiday to the Maldives will describe the crystal clear waters, and the unique shade of turquoise that colours the water surrounding the islands. Even those who have never been on holiday to the Maldives will recognise images of the Island paradise instantly as being something quite different to every other island resort the world has to offer. And this is perhaps the crux of it. The Maldives is truly unique. There are many islands in tropical climates with nice beaches and hotels- but the combination of sugar white sand, warm waters and secluded islands protected by coral reefs is unique to the Maldives.

Another unique characteristic of the Maldives is the loss of a sense of time. Go on a two week holiday to the Maldives and by day 5 you will not even know the day of the week without asking- that is, if you even remember how many days you have been on holiday! Loosing track of time however in no way means getting board. Cheap Maldives holidays do not exists, and the hoteliers know that- so they make sure that their guests get everything that they would expect for the sums they have spent. This means the resorts are packed with facilities from Water-sports to land based group activities. Dining on most Islands is an event in itself, and one that can easily take out 2 hours from your schedule. Considering that you do this three times a day, you are only left with 10 hours to lounge by the pool or the sea under the sun!

There are of course some people who simply cannot fathom the idea of being stuck on an island for two weeks- however beautiful the surroundings. Even these people however love the Maldives but as part of a multi centre holiday rather than a holiday in its own right. With an increasing number of airlines flying to the Maldives, you have the choice of a stop over in Dubai, Abu Dhab, Istanbul, Singapore, Sri Lanka and various cities in India. Sri Lanka tends to be the most popular combination choice destination with the Maldives, but Dubai is probably the most popular actual stopover destination because of the number of flights on offer combined with the array of hotels available.

Nestled in the Middle East, between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, the United Arab Emirates are made up of seven very different emirates. The federal capital is Abu Dhabi, but it is Dubai that has become its economic centre, thanks to tourism and luxury shopping.For travellers who like modernity and anything on a large scale, visiting these two megacities are a must.

Unique combinations of palaces, shops, mosques, souks and skyscrapers that defy the laws of gravity, these two flagship regions of the country, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, bear witness to an unprecedented development that has taken place in only a matter of years. Ajman, Sharjah, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah and Umm al-Qaiwain: each of the five other emirates offers a wide range of treasures to explore.

Fancy an adventure and some starry skies? Liwa Desert, south of Abu Dhabi, is the perfect place to enjoy some trekking, either on foot or by camel. Fine sand, dunes as far as the eye can see, and an authentic atmosphere provide a balance to the dazzling bustle of the cities. The reefs off the Green Coast are a paradise for divers and anybody interested in marine life. The country is also packed with museums, so there’s plenty to satisfy those interested in culture and history. The cities of Sharjah and Fujairah are more traditional and also a lot less crowded, boasting a rich, well-preserved heritage to delight curious minds.

The United Arab Emirates are a multifaceted destination, where tradition and modernity live side by side in perfect harmony. The desert carries on happily alongside huge cities where development and wealth flourish thanks to the region’s oil. Discover this rich and exciting destination that can be summed up as follows: secular tradition based in a young, forward-thinking country with an incredible energy.

The UAE began as simple pearling villages, but has evolved into one of the most multicultural societies in the world. The population is predominantly Islamic and therefore many laws are respected. Emirati women wear a full-body abaya according to Islamic practices. Pork is not common, and in Sharjah, alcohol is prohibited. Nevertheless, in most parts of the UAE, tourists will find a liberal stance on Islamic culture. Alcohol can be purchased at licensed venues (mostly inside hotels), but outside of these, a permit must be obtained in advance. A strict dress code is also observed and wearing anything too revealing in public is frowned upon.

The AED (United Arab Emirates Dirham) is the currency abbreviation for the United Arab Emirates dirham, the official currency of Dubai and other Emirates. It is often presented with the symbol Dhs or DH. The United Arab Emirates Dirham has been used since 1973, when it replaced several currencies, such as the Dubai riyal and the Qatar riyal.

Basics of AED

The United Arab Emirates dirham is made up of 100 fuloos, which is plural for fils. A fils is also the sub-unit for the Kuwaiti dinars, Iraqi dinars, Bahraini dinars and the Yemeni rial. The dirham is available in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000. The 1 dirham unit exists in coin form only.

The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates issues the country's banknotes. To combat counterfeiting, a watermark of the national emblem appears on the obverse of each note. The emblem is the Hawk of Quraish, a golden falcon with a disk surrounded by seven stars in its center and seven feathers to represent each of the Emirates.

Pegged to US Dollar

The UAE dirham is considered to be among the world’s most stable currencies in terms of exchange rate stability. It has been pegged to the United States dollar since 1973. Since 1997, it has been set at a rate of 1 U.S dollar to 3.6725 AED. For UK visitors, the exchange rate will be determined by the strength of the Pound against the Dollar.

Exchanging Money

All the Shopping Malls in the country will have multiple Foreign Exchange Bureaus. These offer much more competitive prices for exchanging cash when compared to forex bureaus in the UK. Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard and American Express) are widely accepted in shops, hotels and restaurants. There are cash machines at hotels, malls and various other on street outlets across the country. Most ATM machines are free to use, so you will only be charged the fees applicable to your account from your bank.

Arabic is the official language of the UAE although you will find that English is spoken by almost everyone. Hindi is also widely spoken by the locals and expatritate workers from the Indian Sub Continent.

Arabic is the official language for both written and verbal communication in the UAE. Government offices and affairs are conducted in Arabic, and rules and laws are published in Arabic. Arabic is mainly spoken by the natives of the UAE, called Emiratis. You can get by with just speaking English in the UAE.

If you’re travelling on a British Citizen passport, you can get a visitor’s visa on arrival in the UAE. This visa allows visitors to stay in the UAE for up to 30 days. The visa terminates automatically on departure and a new visa is issued on arrival each time the visitor returns to the UAE.For a fee, visitors can extend their visa twice without leaving the country. Each extension is for an additional 30 days.

Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into the UAE. If you hold a residence permit, your passport must be valid for at least 3 months in order to travel into the country.If you’re transiting the UAE (and not passing through Immigration) your passport only needs to have a minimum of 3 months validity from the date of transit.

The United Arab Emirates is situated in Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia; it is in a strategic location slightly south of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil.

The UAE lies between 22°30' and 26°10' north latitude and between 51° and 56°25′ east longitude. It shares a 530-kilometre (330 mi) border with Saudi Arabia on the west, south, and southeast, and a 450-kilometre (280 mi) border with Oman on the southeast and northeast.

The traditional food of the Emirates has always been rice, fish and meat. The people of the United Arab Emirates have adopted most of their foods from other West and South Asian countries including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, India and Oman. Seafood has been the mainstay of the Emirati diet for centuries. Meat and rice are other staple foods, with lamb and mutton preferred to goat and beef. Popular beverages are coffee and tea, which can be complemented with cardamom, saffron, or mint to give them a distinctive flavour.

The climate of the UAE is subtropical-arid with hot summers and warm winters. The climate is categorized as desert climate. The hottest months are July and August, when average maximum temperatures reach above 45 °C (113 °F) on the coastal plain. In the Al Hajar Mountains, temperatures are considerably lower, a result of increased elevation. Average minimum temperatures in January and February are between 10 and 14 °C (50 and 57 °F). During the late summer months, a humid southeastern wind known as Sharqi (i.e. "Easterner") makes the coastal region especially unpleasant. The average annual rainfall in the coastal area is less than 120 mm (4.7 in), but in some mountainous areas annual rainfall often reaches 350 mm (13.8 in). Rain in the coastal region falls in short, torrential bursts during the summer months, sometimes resulting in floods in ordinarily dry wadi beds. The region is prone to occasional, violent dust storms, which can severely reduce visibility.

The UAE has a modest dress code, and is part of Dubai's criminal law. Most malls in the UAE have a dress code displayed at entrances. At Dubai's malls, women are encouraged to cover their shoulders and knees. Despite this, people are allowed to wear swimwear at pools and beaches.

People are also requested to wear modest clothing when entering mosques, such as the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Those mosques which are open to tourists provide modest clothing for men and women if needed.