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The city of Dubai frames its creek, dividing sightseeing into two halves. Gleaming skyscrapers dot the skyline offering stunning views from many points along the creek, but there is also the traditional bustle of the old trading dhows that plow their way up and down the water as they did a century ago.

The Deira side of Dubai Creek is currently in the midst of a major redevelopment, which includes a waterfront promenade. Already on the Bur Dubai side, between the Maktoum and Garhoud bridges, the Creekside Park provides a number of gentle walks that meander through landscaped gardens or one can watch dolphin show in the park. At the inland end of the creek is a large, shallow lagoon, which has been spared from developers and preserved as a wildlife sanctuary. It is a haven for migrating shore birds with around 27,000 birds spotted during autumn migration, including Greater Flamingos, which have now started to make the creek their home.

Away from the city centre is Jumeirah Beach with its string of luxury hotels crowned by the world’s tallest hotel, the Burj Al Arab. The shape of this distinctive icon of Dubai mimics the sailing dhow and the white surface of the ‘sail’ is lit with coloured lights in the evening. Jumeirah beach is the location of the new Emirates Hills complex and the Dubai Marina, a network of hotels, offices, villas and apartments amongst picturesque water gardens and canals. Also underway is the Palm Island project off the Jebel Ali coastline, which will create a haven of holiday villas and hotels along palm-shaped promontories fringed with the characteristic fine, yellow sand of the region.

Dubai Museum: Al Fahidi Fort, which houses the Dubai Museum, is another imposing building. It once guarded the city's landlord approaches. Built around 1799, it has served variously as palace, garrison and prison.

Gold Souk : Dubai boasts one of the largest retail gold markets in the world, selling everything from ingots to intricately worked jewellery at bargain prices. The street-front stores hide alleys of smaller shops with glittering show windows.

Desert Safari & Bedouin Village: Dubai is one of the seven Emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the Arabian Peninsula. While in Dubai a desert safari is a must. Begin your exciting day or an overnight safari on the sand dunes in a 4 wheel drive; hitch a ride on a camel, relish sumptuous Arabic cuisine and groove with belly dancers in the middle of the desert.

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