The largest city in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai has grown at a breakneck pace in the past several decades. Looking at its lengthy skyline of sleek skyscrapers, it’s difficult to believe that the city didn’t even have a bridge across Dubai Creek until 1963. Since then, Dubai has built numerous headline-grabbing projects, including the world’s tallest building, the iconic sail-shaped Burj Al Arab hotel and glamorous real estate developments on man-made palm-shaped islands. Old Dubai, built on a curve in the creek, is worth exploring on foot. I recommend strolling its souks and, connected by water buses, the attractive (if touristy) Shindagha Historic District on the other bank. A metro connects points of interest along the coast, but Dubai is built for cars. Dubai also makes an excellent place to simply relax at the end of a trip, ideally in a lounger on the white-sand beach of One & Only The Palm.