Great Short Breaks

Take a tip from us – go out on an early morning flight from the UK so that you arrive late in the evening in Dubai. Then take a hot bath and catch some sleep. Wake up mid morning the next day and you'll be raring to go.

The alternative is to take a night flight, but that puts you into Dubai at 7am in the morning. You'll feel like poo and will either have to sleep and miss part of the day or hit the streets and get even more tired.

We've done both and the early morning flight out is the best way – believe us!

So once you get to Dubai, the gem of the United Arab Emirates what can you visit?

Here are five hot tips:

The Grand Mosque, only built in 1998 is a notable landmark with its multi-dome style and boasting the city's tallest minaret. The beauty of the architecture is a must see and the interior with sky blue mosaic, handmade stained glass, rich ornamental patterns and wooden shutters will impress all visitors.

For more adventurous travellers it would be hard to pass up a desert safari. Many tours are available that pick up from hotels and drive tourists to the desert to enjoy watching the sun setting on the horizon. After sun set, the driver will take all willing participants wadi bashing.

There are also camel rides, sand boarding and henna tattooing for those non-thrillseekers. After the fun and excitement there is a traditional feast of classic Middle Eastern food , followed by shisha (hubble bubble water pipes) and local entertainment in the form of belly dancing.

The Burj Al Arab hotel is the world's only seven-star hotel and is the tallest. It is one of the most photographed structures in the world and a major draw for tourists in Dubai. Its iconic image can be seen on many photos.

There are also many restaurants within the hotel and you do not have to be a hotel guest to enjoy them, however you do have to book in advance due to popularity. Security is tight around the Burj so you may not be able to just walk in – make sure you call them and book first.

The Palm Jumeirah is one of the man-made wonders of the world. This man made island is in the shape of a tree.

The size of the Palm Island is amazing being five kilometres by five kilometers wide and the total area is larger than 800 football pitches. The residents of the Palm Island consist of “A list” celebrities with luxurious villas.

A holiday in Dubai would not be complete without a spot of shopping and the facilities are perfect for any shop-o-holic. There are plenty of malls in which to escape the heat outside as the centres are fully air-conditioned and provide welcome relief.

Our tip? Visit Dubai in November – February. The temperatures will still be in the 80s, but you won't have the vicious heat of the mid summer. And don't worry – it won't snow!

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