Dubai by Melody Hsu, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai, the glittering gem of the Middle East, is located on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf and is the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates. In 2012, Dubai was proclaimed the 22nd most expensive city in the world and the most expensive city in the Middle East. Known for luxury shopping, ultramodern architecture and lively nightscene, the opulence and extravagance of the city is apparent everywhere you go and begins from the moment you step foot in the magnificent Dubai airport. Endless skyscraper and development projects are continually ongoing and constantly transforming the Dubai skyline. The city hosts the Dubai Shopping Festival every year as well as the annual Dubai International Film Festival and Dubai Food Festival. 

The best time to visit Dubai is between November and March, although Dubai is ALWAYS scorching so it’s either hot or hotter! The weather is beautiful with blue skies in the winter but these are also the peak months which means greater crowds and higher prices. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).