Fly to Dubai

Few places chase records the way Dubai does. The world's tallest tower, its biggest shopping mall and a set of artificial islands you can see from orbit all sit here, yet the city still holds on to a strong Arabian identity. Come for the designer boutiques, the desert or simply the reliable sun, and you will find a trip that feels like nowhere else.

Every kind of visitor is covered. Thrill-seekers drive out into the dunes for dune bashing, camel rides and a night in a Bedouin-style camp, while families spend their days at the Atlantis waterparks and the Dubai Aquarium. Miles of Jumeirah shoreline keep beachgoers happy, and the dining scene mixes Lebanese, Indian and Japanese kitchens with upscale European restaurants.

Reaching Dubai from the US is easy. Emirates flies nonstop from Chicago, Boston, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York (JFK), with journeys lasting roughly 12 to 16 hours depending on where you start. You land at Dubai International (DXB), among the busiest and best-run airports anywhere.

Plan your trip for November to March, when daytime temperatures settle into the 70s and 80s. The summer months are fiercely hot, though they reward travelers with much cheaper flights and hotel rooms. Because the UAE dirham is tied to the US dollar, working out prices is painless.