Itinerary: Dubai Shop Talk Photo Lesson Ultimate Guide: New Zealand

“North Island’s Coromandel Peninsula – home to some of New Zealand’s most beautiful white sand beaches” – Ultimate Guide: New Zealand

Indebted or not, this Gulf metropolis has a gritty, manic, Middle-Eastern vibe, as well as a cool, contemporary one – both of which can be captured in 24 hours, writes Lara Dunston

9am If you’re in Dubai to do business, you’ve probably checked into a hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road, in which case you’re a 10-minute taxi ride to Al Seef Road Park, from where you can stroll along Dubai Creek waterfront to begin exploring the bustle of ‘Old Dubai’. Walk towards the mouth of the inlet, by the white Diwan or Ruler’s Court, to take in the pulsating action of the creek, still very much a working waterway. Amble through the atmospheric textile bazaar to see the traders opening their doors for the day, and go through to the abra (traditional wooden boat) dock. Hop onto one of the small wooden water taxis (1 dirham or US$0.30) that crisscross the creek to the spice souk, or market, on the other side.

10am Before crossing the road to the souk, wander along the dhow (traditional latin-rig sailing boat) wharves, to gawk at the mindboggling array of goods – from flat screen TVs to small cars – being loaded onto these old wooden vessels for the journey across the Gulf to Iran. Although you’re more likely to stumble across kids’ toys and plastic kitchenware in the spice souk these days than the fragrant sacks of cardamom and cloves you’d once find, it’s still worth visiting to admire the restored architecture.

11am Catch an abra back across the creek to the textile souk and ask a trader to point you in the direction of Dubai Museum in Al Fahidi Fort, Dubai’s oldest building, dating to 1787. Learn about Dubai’s dynamic history as you giggle at the kitsch life-size dioramas of everything, from an old souk to an Islamic schoolroom, along with fascinating displays of musical instruments, old weapons, costumes, jewellery and archaeology.

12pm Wander the breezy alleyways of the Bastakiya Quarter, where you’ll discover a section of the old city wall, and pop your head into the restored courtyard wind-tower houses. Once built by Persian merchants,these are now home to small museums, contemporary art galleries, boutique hotels and traditional restaurants. In the shady courtyard at Basta Art Café, enjoy a zingy, freshly squeezed mint and limejuice drink, then take a taxi to Dubai Festival City.

1.30pm Escape the heat of the day and browse the shops in air-conditioned comfort here (www.dubaifestivalcity.com); in cooler months, stroll along the attractive modern waterfront, before lunching on sublime seafood at superb Lebanese restaurant, Sultan Brahim (www.al-sultanbrahim.com).

3.30pm Cab it back across the creek and up Sheikh Zayed Road to Dubai Mall (www.thedubaimall.com), which is one of the world’s largest – and will make you think all others feel claustrophobic. Gape at the glamorous window displays on Fashion Avenue, where you can grab a coffee at Armani Café and dessert at Fauchon. Adults who are kids at heart can take a spin around a virtual racing track at Sega Republic, while a stroll through the tunnel at Dubai Aquarium (www.thedubaiaquarium.com) will allow you to marvel at more than 33,000 marine creatures, including some very scary sand tiger sharks and colossal sting rays.

5.30pm Saunter along the promenade around the artificial lake in front of the breathtakingly tall Burj Dubai, the world’s highest tower at 818m. Zip up in the double-deck elevators, the world’s fastest at 18m per second, to the observation deck on the 124th floor for a bird’s eye view of Dubai – definitely not a spot for anyone with vertigo.

6pm Back down on earth, position yourself in front of Souk Al Bahar, a prime viewing spot for taking in the spectacular Dubai Fountain, which shoots jets of water as high as 150m, around 50 storeys. Designed by the creators of the famous Bellagio fountain in Las Vegas, the ‘dancing’ fountain performs to a repertoire ranging from the Arab world’s hit song ‘Shik Shak Shok’ to Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli’s ‘Time to Say Goodbye’.

6.30pm Meander through modern Souk Al Bahar for some souvenirs – from black and white prints of Dubai’s architecture to gourmet goodies at Dean & Deluca – before heading to The Address hotel (www.theaddress.com) and riding the elevator to the 63rd floor to the super-sexy Neos bar. Dubai’s most glamorous drinking spot has more jaw-dropping views of Dubai Fountain. Return to ground and stroll through the souk to adjoining The Palace hotel to puff an aromatic sheesha pipe by the pool as you take in the hip atmosphere of Ewaan Lounge. 8.30pm Taxi off to Dubai International Financial Centre to the city’s buzziest bar and restaurant, Zuma (www.zumarestaurant.com), even hotter than its parent eatery in London. Rub shoulders with merchant bankers and art collectors over a martini in the bar, or go straight to your table downstairs where you’ll find all of Dubai dining. If you’re up for a nightcap, take a short ride to swanky hotel, The Monarch (www.themonarchdubai.com), and a post-dinner drink at Okku’s – a seriously chic bar where a DJ will likely be spinning Arabian lounge.

8.30pm Taxi off to Dubai International Financial Centre to the city’s buzziest bar and restaurant, Zuma (www.zumarestaurant.com), even hotter than its parent eatery in London. Rub shoulders with merchant bankers and art collectors over a martini in the bar, or go straight to your table downstairs where you’ll find all of Dubai dining. If you’re up for a nightcap, take a short ride to swanky hotel, The Monarch (www.themonarchdubai.com), and a post-dinner drink at Okku’s – a seriously chic bar where a DJ will likely be spinning Arabian lounge.