Dubai is a United Arab Emirate that has transformed itself into
one of the world's most fashionable holiday destinations. And
whilst it can't pretend to offer the tropical escapism of the
Indian Ocean or West Indies, it does have the beaches, the winter
temperatures and the hint of mystery that everyone's looking for,
as well as enough hard cash to ensure its leisure facilities are
world-class and its hotels are out-of-this-world.
You can stay in anything from a desert retreat where you'll live
like an Arabian prince to an over-the-top beach resort where the
treatment is very definitely VIP. And you can enjoy spas that are
top notch, golf courses that are championship quality and enough
land and water sports to enable you to sample the eclectic cuisine
without too many guilt pangs. The staff are cosmopolitan, the
service is slick and the resorts are relaxed enough to let you take
full advantage of the sunshine during the day and the bars and
nightclubs in the evenings.
If you fancy stepping a little further into the Middle East, why
not spend a week or so in neighbouring Oman, a forward-looking
sultanate on the Arabian peninsula? Here the wild deserts, stunning
beaches and friendly people combine with the bustling bazaars,
ancient forts and towering city walls to create a Middle Eastern
visit that is distinctly authentic. Of course, the ever-increasing
stable of upscale international hotels only adds to its allure.