Dubai and the rest of the United Arab Emirates is an extraordinary mixture of ancient Arabic culture and modern Western capitalism. The most opulent hotels in the world fight for attention with open tracts of desert that stretch, uninhabited, to the horizon. Hundreds of kilometres of sandy beaches, which run into the warm and clear waters of the Arabian Gulf, are only interrupted by desalination plants that create enough fresh water to keep acres of Dubai public gardens in luscious bloom. No expense has been spared to make Dubai a five-star paradise for up-market tourists looking for great food and drink, extraordinary duty-free shopping, and all-year-round sunshine. The Dubai city guide includes: Full-colour photography, using original imagery to give a real sense of the place Handy pull-out Dubai map Extensive area guides not only cover the sightseeing in Dubai, but also restaurants, bars and shops - all plotted on maps handily located within the chapter Top 20 list of the must-see highlights Itineraries to help you plan your visit Critic's choices pick out the best Dubai sights, experiences and cultural highlights - at a glance All Dubai restaurants and bars have been visited and reviewed anonymously by critics who pay their own way Dubai hotels independently reviewed The revamped Time Out Guides retain the independence and local expertise that the series is known for, while adding more features to help the visitor navigate the city. Whether you have an action-packed 24 hours or a leisurely week in which to take it all in, these guides are more essential than ever.