Asia
Glass towers, desert dunes and a coastline built for winter sun.
The Emirates pack a lot into a small country. Dubai's skyline, led by the Burj Khalifa, rises beside the old wind-tower houses of Al Fahidi and the abras crossing the Creek, while Abu Dhabi pairs the white marble of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque with the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Beyond the cities lie the high dunes around Liwa, on the edge of the Empty Quarter, and the rugged Hajar Mountains.
Days slow down in the heat and run late into the evening, with Emirati machboos, shawarma stands and a huge range of South Asian and Levantine cooking. The Dubai Metro helps in the city, but taxis and hire cars cover most distances. November to March is the time to go; from June to September temperatures regularly pass 40°C and outdoor plans shrink to early mornings.
January, February, March, November, December.