The dynamic Middle Eastern city of Dubai attracts over 2.5 million visitors each year from around the world. But what does the second largest of the emirates have to offer? When flying over Dubai and looking down at the cityscape, a pleasant sense of relief arises that there is at least one Muslim place not riddled with poverty, chaos and overwhelming corruption.

Dubai speaks success. For good or bad, a "can do, will do" spirit pervades the city resulting in soaring skyscrapers and mega shopping malls. It can go crazy like with the ongoing constructions of islands that resemble palm trees and the world map. Whereas other major tourist destinations promote historical or natural sights such as the Taj Mahal or Niagara Falls, Dubai's major landmark seems to be the Burj Al Arab the world's first underwater luxury hotel. The Burj Al Arab is strikingly designed to look like the billowing sail of a boat (only with a helipad added on top) and hold's the unique rating of 7 stars, with nightly rates going up to as much a 6000 pounds.

Situated on the Arabian Gulf, Dubai is a vibrant modern city that has developed around a natural seawater inlet called the Creek. It was originally a small fishing community that prospered from pearl trading but in the last 40 years, it has thrived on commerce and oil exports. Remarkably, Emiratis form only around 20% of Dubai's population with immigrants from Asia, the Middle East and the West composing the majority. This cosmopolitan mix makes the city exciting but it also means that tourists can miss out on an authentic Emirati experience. However attempts have been made to recreate aspects of traditional Arabian existence.

The Heritage and Diving Village provides a glimpse of Dubai's past life with displays of Bedouin lifestyle and craftwork. There are models of dhows (ships used by Arab traders through the centuries) and pearling boats as well as a coffee house and restaurant from where you can take in views of the Creek. At Dubai Museum, which is housed in an old defensive fort, pretty exhibits depict historical Dubai in scenes of busy markets, pearl diving and home life. Archaeological finds that date back from thousands of years ago are on show as well as a short film illustrating the rapid transformation of Dubai from desert settlement to urban sprawl.

Near the museum lies the Bastakiya area where old houses with wind-towers have been restored. This may not sound like the most interesting of places but the amazing fact about these distinctive sand-coloured towers is that they provided air conditioning in the pre-electricity era. It's a pity that in the current period of excessive energy demand more modern houses haven't adopted these methods of natural cooling. Speaking of cooling Dubai's faux ski mountain will offer snow in 120-degree heat When this city's furnace-like summer gets too hot to bear, folks will cool off at a local resort with falling snowflakes, snowboarding and skiing on five trails, and, for those who need a break from the cold, why not relax by the fireplace with a hot mug of hot chocolate.

The resort, a faux mountainside playground dubbed Ski Dubai, is currently a cacophony of blazing jackhammers, forests of steel scaffolding and an emerging grey mountain of concrete slabs. Come September, a thick insulated roof with a sky-blue ceiling will seal in the site, with its 200-foot vertical drop and trails as long as 1,300 feet. Making it the largest indoor snow park in the world. Dubai is famous for its retail therapy but if you want a shopping experience unlike that in the UK, visit the bustling souks (local bazaars) around the mouth of the Creek with their arcades of shops selling items ranging from clothing and gold to fish and spices. Bargaining skills are de rigueur and if you want to cross the Creek from one souk to another, take a ride on an abra (water-taxi) from where you can enjoy the sights and sounds of busy Dubai.

When in need of a refreshment, buy a fruit smoothie from one of the roadside stalls - fresh, cool and cheap - they'll quench your thirst like no other can. Other shopping plazas worth trying include the Madinat Jumeirah, built in the style of an ancient Arabian citadel, and the new Ibn Battuta Mall designed to imitate the places visited by the eponymous 14th century Muslim explorer. Although Dubai is known as the city of gold, it's also a city of oud - the woody Arabian fragrance. Bottles of these perfumes can vary in price but they're a mustbuy for any scent-loving traveller.

You're spoilt for choice when it comes to buying gifts in Dubai but unfortunately many "souvenirs" are made in India! Something definitely Arabian is the sandy desert. Trips can be organised where you enjoy both the leisurely if bumpy camel ride and the thrills of dune-bashing when 4x4s drive at high speeds over sand dunes. These desert safaris also include visiting an Oasis, a burst of green in the middle of miles and miles of golden sand. Ending with an evening buffet at a Bedouin campsite where women can also have their hands decorated with henna. An experience not to be missed is dinner on a dhow cruise of the Creek when you can relax and watch the landmarks pass by. Dubai has some stunning architecture including the dazzling Emirates Towers and the more traditional Jumeirah Mosque. If you're feeling energetic, there's no lack of sport to take up.

Dubai likes to think of itself as the sporting capital of the Middle East with its golf courses, holding the biggest and best golf tournaments in the world, the Dubai Desert Classic. Then there's the water park Wild Wadi, It's 12 acres of pure fun with 30 adrenalin-pumping rides and attractions that leave you gasping for more. Maybe you would prefer horse riding. A love of horses runs deep in Arab blood and a number of sheikhs run stables with some of the finest horses in the world, so pencil a stable tour in your diary. Much of Dubai can seem contrived and artificial and it's not to everyone's taste but there is something undeniably alluring about the place.

Whether it's because of the continuous sunshine, the low crime, or the availability of great halal food and mosques, Ladies day at the beach, parks, gyms, etc. This emirate will somehow impress you. With its almost dream-like features, Dubai is an amazing city to escape to.