There's always something new to see in dazzling Dubai

There are some cities that you can visit once knowing that they'll never change that significantly. Then there is Dubai. This is an emirate that thrives on transformation. It's a place that you can visit over again and always see something new. I'm already planning my next trip in September for the launch of the tallest tower in the world - the 800m-plus Burj Dubai, with its hypodermic needle apex as well as the hi-tech driverless metro.

Sometime within two years, I'll pop in again for some thrills at Dubailand - the city's answer to Disneyworld. And of course when the first islands of the man-made The World appear, I'll be there to stake my claim. It's probably my only chance of owning the whole of Sydney.

On arrival in Dubai, I stepped into the brand new airport custom-designed for Dubai's national airline - Emirates. It was ultra-glam with gleaming aluminium and glass. The avenues of designer shops made me want to head straight to the nearest ATM to convert my Dollars into Dirhams.

Up in the air luxury
I was surprisingly energetic at 5am. It usually takes me at least a day to iron out the crinks in my neck after a long-haul flight. This time there was none of that discomfort. It probably had to do with the fact that I had spent the last 14-hours in a luxurious Business class bubble. Actually, the perks started hours before with a chauffeur pickup from my doorstep, free champagne and snacks in the lounge and then a priority boarding onto the most advanced plane in the Emirates fleet - the A380.

I loved the privacy of my seat, which I control with a touch of a button. I try the built-in chair massage - aaaah. There's something like a 1000 different viewing options on the large LCD TV or you can keep in touch with email or like I did, focus on the food. I never thought it was possible to enjoy fine dining on a plane. My tray table was set with a linen cloth, salt, pepper and silver cutlery (with the ubiquitous plastic knife). There was an entree, a choice of mains and a hot chocolate fudge souffle which sent my tastebuds into overdrive.

I was starting to feel sleepy so my seat was magicked into a flat bed complete with mattress and warm doona. It was the first time I had ever been able to stretch out on a flight and this, for me, was enough to justify the extra cash for an upgrade.

A Skyline of cranes
After a three-course brekkie, we touched down gently on Dubai soil. Besides the temperature (it was a warm 27 degrees at dawn), it was almost impossible to tell we were in the desert. We passed by a number of parks, all lush and green. The skyline was dominated by cranes - big ones, small ones, cranes on top of cranes. Apparently there are more cranes here than in any other city in the world. A few construction sites look somewhat forlorn - a side effect of the recession whipping the global economy. But for the most part, there is an energy in the city - a burning desire to be in the forefront of the world's...everything.

The 'seven star' hotel
Our tour guide quipped that Dubai is the smallest emirate with the biggest ambition. Everything here has to be the biggest and best. We visited the tallest hotel in the world, with its distinctive sail. At 321 metres high topped with a helipad (which, in a prime example of top-notch marketing stunts, was once converted into a celebrity tennis court), the Burj Al Arab is worth a visit if only for the reflected glory of saying you've been there. In fact the most frequent question I was asked when arriving back home was "did I visit that seven-star hotel?" The star value system does not go further than the ultimate five but with glitzy mirrors on the ceiling of the top suites, dining in a restaurant surrounded by a fish tank and a butler per floor, it's no wonder this hotel is perceived as one of the most luxurious in the world.

Glitz and glamour in Atlantis
When Dubai wants something, Dubai finds a way of getting it. The emirate needed more water so they built a sophisticated desalination process, giving life to vibrant fountains, water parks and marine worlds. Dubai needed more land so they dredged up the sea and built The Palm Jumeirah, the first of four ambitious man-made island projects (three Palms, one World).

The Palm fronds are topped with majestic residential properties, the first in the Emirate open to foreign purchase. At the crescent of the Palm is the impressive Atlantis Hotel with its twin towers joined by a bridge. If you're feeling flush, you could shell out $43,000 for the privilege of spending the night in the three bedroom bridging suite. However if I had $10,000 spare, I would opt for one of the two underwater suites which looks out into the impressive aquarium, recreated to resemble the lost city of Atlantis.

The theme of my room (more affordable at around $600 per room) is elegant decadence infused with Arabian glamour. The bathroom has a dome shaped screen door which opens into the bedroom, giving me the option of watching TV from the comfort of my bubble bath.

Gourmet variety
This family friendly resort is fully self-contained with 17 bars, lounges and restaurants (including four celebrity chef diners), two huge pools, a pristine beach, a marine wonderland, Aquadventure water park, a spa and an avenue of designer shops.

I savoured exceptional meals in all five restaurants I dined in, with the standout being breakfast in Saffron. I had found my gourmet utopia. There were a number of different themed stations - including impeccable Yum Cha, an Indian banquet, a continental bakery, a grill, all you can eat fruit trays and to top it all off a chocolate fountain and various dipping morsels. I could have lingered here for hours, giving new meaning to 'all day breakfast'.

Exploring the 'old city'
When I eventually tore myself away from my morning banquet, I decided it was time for some culture. Dubai has retained its ancient-world charm in the Old City. Here, we visited the traditional souks (markets) and took a one Dirham (about 50 Aussie cents) water taxi ride across the Dubai Creek. It's fascinating to see the Dhows parked along the shore. These sail from nearby countries and harbour in the creek for a few weeks while the boats are loaded up with cargo ranging from cars to fridges. We also popped into the Dubai Museum, housed in a 200-year old fort and delivers an interesting journey through the history of the Emirate.

Shopaholic's fantasy
Now that I had delved into the old, it was time to immerse myself into the new. Dubai is a shopper's dream and practically has a mall for every month of the year. You just about need a GPS to navigate the largest shopping centre in the world, Dubai Mall. But I only had a few hours to spare so I dashed through the smaller, yet still massive Emirates Mall for some commercial pleasure.

End-of-holiday Pampering
My credit card and I both needed a rest after all that shopping. So, I retired to the business class floor at the Dubai airport. There I could safely eat and drink to my stomach's content without spending a Dirham. It was a wonderful way to wind down before boarding the plane back home. What an adventure. There is just so much to talk about. I've barely touched on the exciting activities I experienced (look out for Dubai's ten of the best coming soon). And when you visit, I guarantee there'll be something new to discover. I can't wait to see what Dubai builds next.

Win a Glamourous Holiday in Dubai Experience the glamour, the adventure and the sheer delight of the Middle East by visiting Dubai, flying business class on award-winning Emirates Airlines. Once in Dubai, you will be treated to four nights of luxury at the Harbour Hotel & Residence, located in the heart of Dubai Marina. ENTER the competition and you could be travelling to Dubai in style.

PLAN A TRIP TO DUBAI HOW TO GET THERE Emirates Experience the glamour, the adventure and the sheer delight of the Middle East by visiting Dubai, flying award-winning Emirates Airline. You'll enjoy a relaxed journey with award-winning service, spacious cabins and sumptuous meals and wines, plus Emirates' state-of-the-art ice (information, communication and entertainment) in-flight entertainment system - which has more than 600 channels of movies, music and TV - ensuring you reach Dubai in what feels like no time at all. For more info, visit Emirates. WHERE TO STAY Atlantis, The Palm Atlantis, The Palm is the flagship resort on The Palm Jumeirah - the first resort to open its doors on Dubai's revolutionary island. Guests are transported into a dazzling, imaginative world, with access to Aquadventure, extensive fresh and salt-water pools and lagoon exhibits, an open-air marine habitat, a seemingly endless stretch of beach, luxury boutiques, numerous dining choices including four celebrity chef restaurants, an exciting nightclub and a Spa and Fitness Club. For more info, visit Atlantis the Palm. The Harbour Hotel & Residence The Harbour Hotel & Residence is located in the heart of Dubai Marina. Within the hotel enjoy a variety of dining experiences, the pool or the indulgence of the Timeless Spa. The Harbour Hotel & Residence is the perfect base from which to explore Dubai, including the new Dubai Mall with ice skating rink, the clean beaches or the traditional souk markets, located along the Dubai river. For more details, visit the Emirates Hotels and Resorts website. Burj Al Arab Designed to resemble a billowing sail, Burj Al Arab soars to a height of 321 metres, dominating the Dubai skyline. This all-suite hotel reflects the very finest that the world has to offer. With your chauffeur driven Rolls Royce, discreet in-suite check-in, private reception desk on every floor and a brigade of highly trained butlers, you can be assured of the ultimate in personal service throughout your stay. For more details, visit the Burj Al Arab website. MORE INFORMATION Dubai is an exhilarating, dynamic and constantly evolving destination. A visit to Dubai is never the same. The city offers unparalleled entertainment and leisure options with new developments unveiled almost every month. Blessed with incredible beaches and a vast desert brimming with native flora and fauna, including over 33 mammal and reptile species indigenous to the Arabian Peninsula, Dubai is a first choice destination for many international travellers. The emirate is currently home to over 160 different nationalities, making it one of the most multi-cultural destinations in the world. It is also host to around 400 world-class hotels and hotel apartments with nearly 41,000 rooms and over 4,000 restaurants and cafes ensuring even the most discerning travellers' needs are catered for. For more details, visit the Dubai Tourism website.