‘I used to live in the Middle East. Here’s why I’d still travel there’

Opinion: Biggest, tallest, newest, fanciest, fastest, newest... after two years living in the Middle East, the superlatives never stopped.

From the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, which towers over the world’s biggest shopping mall, Dubai Mall (1,200 shops), to the world’s largest natural flower garden, the boasts are never ending.

In fact, I lived in the world’s tallest residential building at the time, which had 100 floors (I was on 29 and yep, it swayed in the wind).

But forget the records, I’ve never since found a more diverse destination to visit.

Where else could you hang out on yachts at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, watch international pop stars like Kylie, visit the world’s biggest indoor theme park, or hold a falcon in the desert, all on the same weekend?

Then rest your head in a hotel which is not just five stars, but six or seven?

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(Or for a true mind-spinning stay at Andaz Capital Gate Abu Dhabi, which leans nearly five times more than Pisa and holds the title of ‘furthest man-made leaning building’.)

So, I’m not surprised Abu Dhabi and Dubai have been lauded as “cities to watch” in 2027.

The Oxford Economics Global Cities Index named them as some of the “emerging stars of the global economy”, with BBC Travel stating they “should be on travellers’ radars right now”.

That’s despite the ongoing Middle East war breaking out this year. Though travel warnings for the UAE and Qatar have now lowered to the same as countries like the UK.

What’s that got to do with going on a holiday, you may think.

Well, growth and money mean better transport, developments, and attractions.

The Emirates already has a branch of globally renowned gallery The Louvre and The Guggenheim will open at the end of the year in Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District.

The UAE has a fancy new high-speed train line which cuts the journey between Abu Dhabi and Dubai to a little over an hour.

The new Dubai Airport, Al Maktoum International Airport, will be the world’s biggest when it opens by 2032.

Even Elon Musk is reportedly planning an underground transport system.

And there will be a Disneyland Abu Dhabi in the early 2030s.

It’s not all shimmering buildings and indulgent food either.

Many people are surprised to know there’s plenty of culture in the UAE.

Take an abra boat across the Dubai creek, dine on Pakistani food in a hole in the wall café (Ravi’s was the go-to in my time), marvel in the gold and spice souks, and see Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

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You can live out your Lawrence of Arabia fantasies at desert hotels like Al Maha or on Sir Bani Yas Island. I went to both and the luxury is unmatched.

Also indulge at the expat tradition: weekend brunch.

We are not talking avo on toast here.

They offer a buffet of every world cuisine you could possibly imagine. And all the drinks too. (I once took my mum to one with free-flowing Bollinger...)

Add to that the people are generally friendly and helpful: almost 90 per cent are expats.

Is it safe to travel to the Middle East

While Saudi Arabia is largely now not advisable, the government says, other tourist areas have lowered warnings.

The advice level has now been lowered for Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, to be the same as Indonesia and the UK.

“Exercise a high degree of caution” is the current alert.

Of course taking heed of the local laws is also vital when visiting the Middle East.

That includes how you should behave, especially during events like Ramadan.

Covering shoulders and dressing modestly at that time is a rule, and even sipping water in public is banned.

However, the region is largely tourist-friendly, with bikinis allowed at the pool and drinking allowed for over 21s.