Located in the heart of the Arabian Gulf, Dubai is one of the world’s youngest and yet most cosmopolitan cities.

The city literally sprung up in the middle of desert and has become a hub of activity in recent years. Like many travellers who converge on this emirate every year, Megan McCormick arrives in time for the Dubai Shopping Festival – a month of non-stop shopping, discounts and amazing raffle draws where bags of gold and four wheel drives are given out everyday!

She shops for a traditional women’s abaya, and discovers their subtle differences, which can be to the untrained eye, just a plain black outfit.

Away from the international brand names and air conditioned malls, Megan discovers the traditional spice souk, where she picks up the scents of old Arabia.

You cannot go to the United Arab Emirates and not see the desert, and Megan chooses the best way to get around – dune bashing! She hops into a 4×4 vehicle and takes off into the ocean of sand dunes.

Megan also visits one of the modern landmarks of Dubai, the Burj Al Arab hotel. Built on its own reclaimed island, the world’s tallest hotel reaches higher than the Eiffel Tower and is claimed to be a seven-star hotel!

After a well-deserved break, Megan goes shopping for the authentic Persian carpet, before ending her trip at the fantastic Global Village, a fabulous fun fair whose combination of amusement park rides and interesting stalls draw shoppers from all over the Middle East.