The best known of the United Arab Emirates, Dubai has developed from a small pearl-fishing state on the Persian Gulf to an international player in a startlingly short amount of time. Often considered to be the glitziest of the emirates, it plays host to six-star hotels, an abundance of theme parks, and the world’s tallest building – the Burj Khalifa. But head to the ancient gold souk and you can still find your way to bargaining on prices, take a tour by traditional dhow boat to explore the region’s creeks, or soak up the culture in heritage centers and museums truly worthy of the name.