Cruising Dubai

Dubai, where skyscrapers and ultra-affluent luxury developments rise improbably from the desert of the United Arab Emirates, may not be the most historically significant Middle Eastern destination, but this global city is certainly a contemporary classic.

In the well-documented building boom of the past 20 years, Dubai has sprouted some of the most interesting architecture anywhere, and this is definitely a place to pursue comfort and luxury.

Originally a beneficiary of the oil industry, the Dubai economy now relies primarily on real estate, banking and tourism, with plenty of impressive facilities. If you decide to go shopping, look out for the perfumes and incenses, which tend to be stronger in the Middle East than what Western women typically wear.

Also be sure to visit the Gold Suq, where a large collection of gold merchants and craftsmen ply their wares. The craftsmen are known for altering the composition of the mineral to create gold pieces that are green, pink and even white.

And Dubai is ripe with wonderful restaurants where you can get your fill of Lebanese specialties and perhaps enjoy the gyrations of a belly dancer. If you find yourself in town on a Thursday, do make a reservation at Al-Qasr for a big night of feasting.