Locals and vacationers shop till they drop, tax-free, at Tiffany and Cartier. But here, luxuries are flaunted in safety. Stealing can mean losing your right hand - and reports of pilfered tourist valuables are rare. Solo female travelers have a hard time in some Middle East countries. The picture in the paper is the worst, because it shames the family.
Women feel safe walking alone after midnight.
You won't be let in. But it is now OK to have an Israeli stamp in your passport. As for Dubai's gliding and graceful service, it owes much to the Arab tradition of helping travelers in the desert. As long as you follow the rules, you're fine. An 18-cent ride across Dubai Creek in a vintage wooden water taxi called an abra instills a real sense of history.