For sheer escapism it is hard to beat Dubai. A no expense spared luxury resort in the United Arab Emirates, visitors flock to this unique city playground from all over the world. Known as the shopping capital of the Middle East, Dubai even hosts a shopping festival to encourage the tourists to start spending. However, with world class golf courses, beaches, restaurants and hotels there is something for everyone. In fact Dubai is an extravagant destination in all but price - flights to this increasingly popular city are surpringly affordable (check http://www.dialaflight.com/flights/middleeast/dubai/ for the latest deals).

Perhaps less well known, there are also some fascinating historical buildings around the creek that divides Dubai into two areas, Bur Dubai and Deira. For those who wish to find out more about Dubai's past, the Heritage Village is a great place to experience demonstrations of traditional song and dance. The traditional markets, or souks, are also well worth a visit. The gold souk with its ingots and jewellery is unmissable, and the narrow lanes and enticing aromas of the spice souk are full of atmosphere and popular with visitors.

Yet for most visitors, it is the modern that is most attractive about Dubai. Ambitious projects such as 'The World' - a development of commercial and private islands reclaimed from the sea in the shape of the world map - has to be seen to be believed. The Burj Dubai is the world's tallest tower, and still getting taller, The Burj Al Arab, the world's only seven star hotel, is a famous landmark in Dubai. Built to resemble a sail, features of the hotel include a Skybar, from which you can enjoy the extraordinary view. Another reclaimed island, 'The Palm', contains luxury hotels, shops and private homes. The multi-billion dollar hotel Atlantis on the Palm provides not only 5 star accommodation, but guests and day visitors can enjoy a water park which boasts a water ride through a glass tunnel with sharks swimming above, a 2km river rapids ride, and the terrifying 'Leap of Faith' ride, a near vertical 27.5 metre drop from a tall tower to below the shark infested lagoon. Watch this space for upcoming attractions like the world's first underwater hotel, Hydropolis. In Dubai, there is no such thing as impossible.