Diving
One of the great pleasures of Dubai is being on the water. The spectacular Arabian Gulf is warm and clear, a delight to swim in and perfect for every variety of water sport. On the Jumeirah beachfront, most hotels can easily arrange sailing, paragliding, windsurfing, powerboat cruising, fishing trips, snorkelling and diving.

The diving in Dubai is worth special consideration because developers have plans to sink jet aeroplanes, tanks and other military equipment into the sea so as to provide artificial reefs which will attract an abundance of marine life, a dynamic and can-do approach to a project that is typical of Dubai.

If you are a deep-sea diving fan, then you will just love Dubai. You can expect to see a whole range of marine life in the blue waters of the Arabian Sea when you go out on deep sea expeditions. You can see eels, batfishes, snappers, turtles, reef sharks, and also hammerheads. When you go out on a scuba diving expedition, you can see whales, tuna, barracudas, squids, lionfish and seahorses.

You need not be much concerned if you are not experienced in diving. There are a number of diving shops that can be of assistance. If you do not have the experience of deep sea diving, you can always do a trial swim under the supervision of experienced trainers. If you are a seasoned scuba diver, then you could go farther out and try out a more difficult terrain. Most of the expert divers can guide you through customized diving trips.

Spa
Dubai has emerged as a popular spa destination with those seeking to de-stress and re-balance, spoilt for choice among the emirates many award-winning spas. Try the Rasul Suite in the Retreat Spa at Grosvenor House, the outdoor rain shower in the Amara Spa at Park Hyatt Dubai, Ayurvedic treatments at the Taj Palace Hotel Spa or a genuine Turkish Hammamat One&Only Royal Mirage.

Indulge in a caviar facial at Burj Al Arab's luxurious Assawan Spa, or getenergised with crystal therapies and yoga by moonlight at Talise. Men have their ownspas as well with H20 at Emirate Towers, a favourite for jet-lag massages for its high-flying clientele. In Dubai, everything from yoga retreats to the perfect pedicure is available. Health and beauty treatments are among the best anywhere.

Shopping
If the thought of shopping centres seems rather dull and pedestrian, rest assured that Dubai's glittering emporiums and seductive souks will have you happily buying on impulse and here's the reason why.
In this part of the world, finding a certain pair of designer stilettos or a "must have" gadget is considered a quest worthy of the utmost seriousness, for shopping is as natural to a Dubaian as breathing with no retail request deemed too obscure or too extravagant. From Armani to Zegna, "Do Buy" has it all which is hardly surprising as it is a nation built by and for traders.

The concept of the shopping mall has however definitely been kicked up a considerable notch with Dubai's retail malls also being state-of-the-art lifestyle centres that are an integral part of the social scene, a way of life, not just a place to buy things.
The Mall of the Emirates just off Sheikh Zayed Road is the mother of all malls, home to Harvey Nichols and designer-filled Via Rodeo plus 400 other shops that sell everything under the sun from designer brands to teen fashion, furniture, electronics, accessories, jewellery, shoes and bags. With its stores grouped in themed precincts and its two levels interconnected by a vast network of escalators and travelators, this is shopping made luxuriously simple.

Others of note are Boulevard and Ibn Battuta, both in Jumeirah (designer chic and arty curiosities respectively), Mercato Mall in Jumeirah Beach, which is smaller and easier to navigate than most and the recently opened Dubai Festival City. The latter is already getting rave reviews for its range of shops and wide selection of chic places to "see and be seen" including the stunning new InterContinental Dubai. A highlight of the venue is the 40 alfresco dining spots dotted along a scenic waterfront.

With its cosmopolitan population, high per capita income and love of luxury, Dubai has quickly and seamlessly evolved into one of the world's most exciting shopping destinations.