Dubai is full of enthralling contrasts. With the world’s tallest building and a series of 200 man-made islands in the shape of the earth, Dubai is on a mission to make the impossible possible.

Amid the pristine beaches and designer boutiques, you can still haggle for goods in the timeless souks

But amid the pristine beaches, designer boutiques and cutting-edge restaurants, you can still haggle for goods in the timeless souks, or see camels roaming around the desert just a few kilometres outside the city.

Dubai is a vibrant melting pot of cultures. In the air-conditioned restaurants or even on the traditional abra boats, you’ll see international tourists sitting happily alongside sari-clad Indians and Emiratis in spotless dishdashas.

Life is more traditional outside of Dubai. Head to the barren but beautiful Hajar Mountains or the UAE’s east coast beaches and you will find local people who are less familiar with foreign tourists, but more than willing to offer a friendly smile.

Dubai also has much to offer a family destination, with indoor ski slopes, the aforementioned beaches, and incredible water parks and indoor theme parks.

One of the top family attractions is the Aquaventure Water Park at Palm Jumeirah.

One of its most famous (or is that infamous?) attractions is the 27.5 metre-high ‘Leap of Faith’ – a near vertical drop which shoots those brave enough through a shark-infested lagoon in a tunnel.

From the heat of the desert to snow of the Alps – Ski Dubai is a prime example of the imagination of Dubai. This indoor ski resort is as popular with kiddies as it is with adults. If they’re not yet ready for the main slopes, the Snow Park is a good bet. There’s a theatre showing children’s films, a snow cave, an ice bar serving hot chocolate, as well as bobsleigh and tubing slopes.

Over at the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo you can see 33,000 aquatic animals, representing more than 220 species including sharks and stingrays.

This is one of the largest indoor aquariums in the world and holds the Guinness Record for ‘The World’s Largest Acrylic Panel’.

Then there is Sega Republic, a huge indoor theme park featuring nine heart-stopping attractions and more than 150 amusement games, including cutting-edge motion simulators, classic carnival games, competitive tests of skill, and one of the region’s widest arrays of redemption games.