Dubai

Dubai is usually described by its superlatives, which is the least interesting thing about it. The more useful frame is that it is a trading port that grew very fast — and both halves of that are still visible. Deira and Bur Dubai, either side of the creek, are dense, old and full of working souks. A few kilometres away the city is glass, and beyond that it is sand.

The distances are short and the contrasts are sharp. You can cross the creek by wooden abra in the morning and be standing on a dune ridge by sunset. For a first international trip, or for a family travelling together, that combination of variety and ease is rare.