Glitzy, glamorous, over-the-top and a little overexposed, Dubai certainly thrives on attention. On the surface it’s materialistic beyond anyone’s wildest imagination. By treating almost every visitor like VIPs, visitors respond by spending like VIPs. We’re talking about a city, which has redefined glamour; a city, which has continued to push the boundaries of innovation and a city, which surely must be considered one of the true diamonds of the Middle East.

Its myriad shopping malls, flamboyant hotels, enviable golf courses and divine beaches make Dubai one of the planet’s premier tourist destinations. Piquing curiosity is what has made Dubai famous. It’s a well oiled PR machine (how often do you hear that Saudi Arabia, Iran or Jordon are just next door?) Its leader, Sheikh Mohammed, is a man who simply cannot say ‘no’, and has willingly poured enormous amounts of money into zany developments, which have slowly turned an old fishing village into the Dubai of today — an attractive, accessible metropolis.

With major airlines now operating in and out of Dubai’s main international airport, demand for flights to the Emirate have soared, which means customers can book cheap flights to Dubai through major travel operators – like DialAFlight – without incurring exorbitant costs.

Despite the glamorousness of the buildings, the seemingly expensive lifestyle and sultry desert climate, Dubai still maintains its virtues, and offers tourists an unrivalled day experiences all year round.

Trawling through the copies amounts of stores is only a small part of Dubai’s unique shopping experience. Shopping malls in this city are what dreams are made of: offering you surreal attractions to lure you (and your credit card) into convulsive jolts of spending. Take Souk Madinat, inside the Madinat Jumeriah Hotel. This mall has its own system of waterways to help transport people through its abundant collection of bars, shops and restaurants – even to neighbouring clutches of hotels. All the big brands are there. From Channel to Marks & Spencer’s: it’s a great chance to take advantage of top bargain prices.

Even more bizarre is the gargantuan Mall of Emirates, which boasts its very own in-door ski slope. So while beach-goers are tackling mid-afternoon heat (in regular excess of 30 degrees), ski enthusiasts can carve their way down the world’s longest ski slope in a more tolerable sub zero climate.

If you’re keen on exploring the wonders of Dubai, you certainly have some of the world’s most audacious sites to gaze upon. Take Burj Khalifa, currently the world’s tallest building. Not only is this skyscraper, filled with shops and restaurants to keep you occupied but there’s also an observation deck, which allows for some stunning views of the gulf state (except on cloudy days) including the magnificent man-made islands.

The three palm Islands (Palm Jumerriah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira) and ‘The World’ showcase just how imaginative Dubai’s developments can be. These audacious projects are a triumph in land reclamation and have seen some of the world’s top engineers working together to create Dubai’s magnum opus. Boat trips out into the gulf are available and give visitors the chance to see, up-close, the magnificence of Palm Jumerriah – the only Island currently completed.

Dubai has built upon its reputation as a beach haven, offering some of the world’s finest beaches for sun-seekers to bathe in all year round. A lot of Dubai’s beaches are privately cordoned off – owned by the major hotels – but there are some public beaches as well. These can be populated by kite-surfing enthusiasts, so for a small fee you can migrate to the more attractive hotel beaches. However, either way, it’s hard to ignore the appeal of this divine shoreline.

Of course the beaches appeal to those who have ‘relaxation’ at the forefront of their itinerary. For those who like more adrenaline-filled activities, driving round the desert in a 4×4 Jeep is a definite must. Not only do tourists gain the thrill of driving over steep sand dunes at rally-like speeds but most tours offer customers a free BBQ lunch too, replete with belly dancers and henna painting services. If you want to avoid the vertigo and nausea inducing action, head out to the plush desert escape of Bab Al Shams. Here tourists can nonchalantly enjoy a cocktail drink, while watching the desert sun set behind the sand dunes. Romantic.

In the evening, take to the Bastakia Quarter, a traditional neighbourhood that harks back to the quiet fishing village Dubai once was. Whilst here, it’s the perfect opportunity to indulge in the tastes of traditional Middle Eastern cuisine. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants in this maze-like district; shopping markets and art galleries too. It’s the perfect place to unwind, reflect on your day in Dubai and watch as the city’s lights decorate the skyline.