Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates known for luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture and a lively nightlife scene. Burj Khalifa, an 830m-tall tower, dominates the skyscraper-filled skyline. At its foot lies Dubai Fountain, with jets and lights choreographed to music. On artificial islands just offshore is Atlantis, The Palm, a resort with water and marine-animal parks.

Iconic Burj Al Arab, a sail-shaped hotel, is near Kite Beach and Jumeirah Beach, 2 popular stretches of sand. Of the many enormous shopping centers, Dubai Mall has an Olympic-size ice-skating rink, while Mall of the Emirates features the indoor slopes of Ski Dubai. Prestigious international restaurants and outdoor and building-top nightclubs abound. Gold, spice and textile souks are located around Dubai Creek. Dubai’s past as a sleepy fishing village is on view in Bastakiya, a restored quarter of late-1800s houses and wind towers, and at Dubai Museum, housed in the 18th-century Al Fahidi Fort.