Once you have admired Dubai’s astonishing modern skyline, you will quickly realise there is not much to contrast it with. Remarkably little history, or traditional Bedouin culture, survived the oil-boom in this tiny port.

But Dubai does have two outsstanding Attractions: the sea and the desert. Weekends revolve around both. The beaches—pristine water, vast stretches of clean white sand, fringed by palm trees—are a match for any in the Caribbean, and the desert and wadi (dry river-beds) provide hours of entertainment to off-road drivers and seekers after adventure.

The persistent heat that blankets Dubai throughout much of the year does not encourage outdoor meandering, so plan your activities carefully.