Dubai lifestyle

Dubai is a fantastic place for picking up high quality goods at bargain prices. You'll be dazzled by the gold, silver and pearls on offer at the glitzy modern malls, while you can buy chunky Arabian jewellery, spices and carpets at the colourful range of souks. Go to the out-of-town malls for great value designer labels and fashions.

Dubai's cosmopolitan flavour is reflected in its huge variety of international eateries, with restaurants ranging from Indian, Chinese and Mexican to fast food and gourmet European. Try fresh fish from the Arabian Gulf in the shape of lobster, kingfish and red snapper - grilled, stuffed or fried with spices. Traditional Arabian specialities include roast lamb with cinnamon and raisins; mezze (a selection of bite-sized appetisers like tabbouleh and hummus), and 'shawarma' (a filling snack of grilled chicken stuffed into pitta bread). Remember, alcohol is only served in hotels and Western-style bars, with most locals enjoying fruit juices, Arabian coffee and soft drinks.

Dubai's nightlife revolves around hotels that have their own nightclubs, discos and bars, plus beach barbeques and live music nights for guests. There are Western-style DJ clubs in town for dancing until dawn, plus a wide range of pubs, live music spots, smart café bars, cinemas and jazz clubs. Dubai's other after-dark obsession is shopping: its modern malls and souks stay open till late. Here, you can hunt and haggle for souvenirs until around 9pm on most evenings, perhaps heading to a local coffee house for a late-night caffeine boost.