Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The chief port and commercial center of the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is a cosmopolitan yet exotic city. Wander the stalls of the traditional bazaars, called souks, where you can bargain for gold jewelry, Persian and Afghani rugs and more. Gold is a particularly good buy here. A guided city tour may take in the Dubai Museum, housed in the Al Fahidi Fort, Dubai's oldest building, and the Juneira Mosque, Dubai's most-photographed structure (particularly beautiful after dark when it is illuminated). Other excursions can include four-wheel-drive adventures in the desert, visits to Bedouin camps, an opportunity to ride a camel, or a cruise around Palm Island, the expansive development project on Dubai's coast.

Language: Arabic, English     Currency: Dirham (AED)