1. One & Only Royal Mirage, Jumeirah Beach, Dubai

Dubai - The playground of choice for the world’s super-rich, Dubai is a city of contradictions, a city where capitalism meets conservatism and where the information super highway meets the desert highway. Yet, with literally dozens of direct flights a day from the UK, this desert playground is increasingly accessible and affordable.

Abu Dhabi - Sometimes called the 'Manhattan of the Middle East', Abu Dhabi City is essentially a modern and sleek city, filled with skyscrapers. The United Arab Emirates' capital, located on an island connected to the mainland by two bridges, is often accused of being a rather soulless place, but it does have its attractions: the Petroleum Exhibition and the Heritage Village, the beautiful Corniche (beach), the Al Hisn Fort, the old souk (market), the Breakwater Island and Sheikh Zayed's palace. 

Muscat - Oman shines as the cultural haven of the Gulf Region The Cradle of Civilisation, the Gulf Region, is known for it's rich cultural heritage and backdrop of stunning coastlines, mountains, fertile plains and sandy deserts. Judaism, Christianity and Islam all have their roots in the region and the buildings of worship are some of the world's most remarkable structures.

Bahrain - An archipelago of 33 islands in the Arabian Gulf, situated between Saudi Arabia’s east coast and the Qatar peninsula. Manama, Bahrain’s capital, is modern, dominated by a Manhattan-style skyline. The souk lies in the centre of the old town, near the archway of Bab al-Bahrain and, although much of the surrounding area is modern, the street layout and division of occupations still follow traditional lines: the gold souk, for example, is to be found to the southeast of the market area and is particularly impressive during the hours of darkness.