Dubai (19)

The wife wants a few nice handbags brought back, but you've not really got enough money to get all the designer gear… never mind, head to Karama, home of all the fakes you could ever want. Be prepared for a very strange experience, as you go into shops and are asked if you want bags or watches, and then are led up to hidden back rooms above and under stores, and are treated to a moutain of fake designer goods. They have everything, watches, belts, bags, clothes - you name it, they've got it. I'm not a big fan of fake stuff, but they have some real quality merchandise, that'll keep the wife and the bank manager very happy. Make sure you haggle with them though, they'll try charge you through the roof, so have a good go at haggling away, you salesmen will get their prices down by half easy.

Got a few hours off and don't want to sit in the sun? Then go to the snow. You know that huge silver bit you see jetting off of the Mall Of The Emirates when you zoom past in a cab, well that my friends, is a ski slope, with real snow and everything. A great way to kill time, and get your practice in for your next visit to the slopes, is to go to Ski Dubai and spend an hour or two zipping your way down their real snow slopes. There are two runs, a fairly mild blue/red and a black (which is more red than anything else!) and plenty of space for beginners to learn on the nursery slope area. They provide all the kit except hats and socks… so bring some with you, even though it's weird putting them in the suitcase to visit the desert, or you can buy them there. Go get completely weirded out and go from 40 degrees to minus 2 in the space of a few footsteps.

Beautiful hotel which is perfectly located for business in Dubai on Sheikh Zayed Road. Stayed here on my first visit a few years back and have been there ever since. You get stunning views over the star wars part of the city from the higher rooms (and the top floors are there executive rooms complete with nice lounge and food all day). The pool is small enough to seem private yet busy enough not to seem like a loner, there are no screaming kids around and the staff seem to go out of their way to help you. They also have those curtains that open and close with a button so you can feel like James Bond.

The queues at immigration can be huge at peak times. Pre-book the Marhaba service. They will meet you from the jetway, drive you through the crowds and escort you through dedicated lines at immigration. They will then find your baggage whilst you browse the inbound Duty Free. I've saved at least an hour, the best value $21 in the Emirate!