Middle East: Dubai

Dubai has a rich history, and the UAE culture is fascinating if you scratch beneath all that gold. Weren’t expecting that, were you?

Head to the souks that flank Dubai Creek, the original heart of the city, where traders from all over the Middle East come to flog their wares. Here you can haggle for turquoise trinkets from Iran, silver treasures from Oman, and dates from Saudi Arabia. There’s even a spectacular souk dedicated to gold – worth a look, even if you’re not buying.