Calcutta is one of the largest cities in the world. It's the capital city of the Indian state of West Bengal. The city is sandwiched between the river on the west, the salt lakes to the east and the marshes and the swamps to the south. The region is part of the world's largest deltaic zone at the mouths of the river Ganges. The famous Sunderban mangrove forests are to the south of the city. The main city has a huge open area known as the Maidan. Most of the city's important landmarks, commercial areas and localities have come up around the maidan. The important roads here are the Chowringhee Road, Park Street, Shakespeare Sarani, Camac Street and the AJC Bose Road. The south of Park Street area is the main business address of the city. Kolkata's most famous building - the Victoria Memorial Hall is at the southern end of the Maidan. Greater Calcutta is a massive mixture of urban and semi urban sprawl. The best time to visit Calcutta is between the months of October and March when its cooler than the rest of the year. This is also the best time to visit India. It is sweaty during the summer (May - Jun) months. The monsoons (Jun - Sep) sometimes bring in heavy rain which can throw the city out of gear. All said and done, Calcutta's weather is moderate compared to the extremes in other parts of India. Calcutta's famous Durga Puja festival is held sometime in September or October (depending on the Hindu religious calendar).

The capital of the emirate of the same name, Dubai is a wealthy, cosmopolitan, multicultural and multinational city that combines the glamour and entrepreneurial panache of Hong Kong with the flamboyance of Las Vegas, all served up with an Arabian flourish. This liberal, tolerant destination has what it takes to have a good time, with big-time horse races and sporting events, first-class tax-free shopping, fine beaches lapped by the Gulf's warm waters, guaranteed sunshine and lively nightlife. With its array of striking, ultramodern architecture and brisk pace of life, the casual observer can be forgiven for thinking that the city is entirely a modern creation; the fact is that the location has been inhabited for well over 2 millennia, and old minarets, mosques and traditional dwellings can be found dotted about the older portions. The city hugs the coastline for about 15 mls (being about 5 mls at its widest), and comprises 2 main parts: Bur Dubai (the original section) and, on the opposite side of Dubai Creek, Deira, now the city centre. Around the airport on the NE side of Dubai Creek is Al-Garhoud, a select suburban area. Along the coast to the SW of the centre lies Jumeirah, a residential area that's home to many Western expats. Palm Island, an entirely man-made, palm-shaped, upmarket island resort development jutting 3 mls into the sea off Jumeirah and connected to the mainland by bridges, extends Dubai's coastline by 38 mls; it is so vast, it can be seen from space.

Increasingly popular with middle- to upmarket Western tourists seeking a hot, sunny shopping and sunbathing haven. Large numbers of international business people.

More than 2 dozen de luxe hotels and modern apartment complexes, as well as more modest properties in and around the city centre. Many of the most modern, luxurious establishments are dotted along the very extensive sandy shoreline (Jumeirah Beach) to the SW; most are well equipped and stylish, with their own in-house entertainment.

Although the city itself has a sandy shoreline broken only by the mouth of Dubai Creek, broad Jumeirah Beach to the SW is the resort's premier location: uncrowded, with gently shelving, soft, pale sands and warm clear water stretching for over 8 mls; numerous breakwaters flank the hotels' private sections, making bathing safer. All kinds of water sports are available including pedalloes, water-skiing, windsurfing and diving.

An upmarket shopper's paradise. Fine jewellery, gold, watches, designer labels, fabrics, Persian carpets, sports gear, consumer electronics and even cars, often at incredibly low prices (thanks to low customs duties). A proliferation of large, air-conditioned shopping centres, plus more conventional street parades and centres. A number of traditional souks; the Gold Souk, with its plethora of Arabian, Indian and SE Asian wares, is an experience in itself, and one of the largest retail gold markets in the world. Haggling is de rigueur, and watch your back pocket. Prized local products include Arabian coffee pots, silver and brass swords and khanjars (curved daggers), shisha pipes, porcelain prayer beads, antique silver jewellery, brass trinkets, model sailing ships of silver and wood, and high-quality wooden furniture.

Daytime: traditional quarter of Bastakiya; Dubai Museum, housed in an old fort, provides an entertaining interactive introduction to the city's history; Sheikh Saeed al-Maktoum House, a history and culture museum; Dubai Heritage and Diving Village (traditional culture); numerous souks; several mosques; trips aboard a dhow (traditional sailing vessel); fine beaches and varied water sports including scuba diving; amusement park; water park; shopping; horse and camel riding; horse racing; exclusive golf clubs; small zoo at Jumeirah. Nightlife: varied and surprisingly lively, with lots of bars and clubs (most based in hotels in order to serve alcohol); a few jazz bars and piano lounges. Just about every bar in town has live music or a DJ. Most nightclubs have cover charges and drinks tend to be expensive. Thursday nights are the busiest, and most bars and clubs close by about 3 am. Little in the way of performing arts; some traditional entertainments, such as belly-dancing.

Truly cosmopolitan, ranging from familiar Western fast-food chains and pizzerias to fine dining, including Italian, German, Indian, Chinese, Thai, Lebanese and other Arabian cuisine. The cost of dining and drinking in hotel restaurants tends to be on a par with the same in London. Kebabs and Indian fare are plentiful in the streets, and very cheap. Shopping centres have large food halls.

The city's public buses are air conditioned and frequent, with extensive coverage; they can, however, get crowded. Abundant metered taxis are cheap. It is entirely safe for women to travel alone. Reputable car hire is readily available. Nearly all roads are 4- to 8-lane dual carriageways; traffic is fast and heavy, with traffic jams common throughout the day. English-language signposts make things easier, but local driving style leaves a lot to be desired - better to take a cab.

Half day: Dubai city tour; Sharjah city tour; sand skiing; hiking tours in the mountains and desert; bird-watching; charter boats; deep-sea fishing. Full day: traditional village of Hatta (60 mls); the city of Al Ain; Abu Dhabi; 4-wheel-drive desert safari; overnight Arabian safaris/camping.

In the NE of the country, in the emirate of Dubai (one of the 7 emirates that comprise this country). 120 mls NE of Abu Dhabi city. Downtown is immediately NW of Dubai international airport.

Directly on the (Persian) Gulf, and occupying level terrain. Bisected by Dubai Creek (also known as the Khor Dubai), which is really a deep-water inlet. Flat desert surrounds; a great expanse of sand dunes stretches away to the S, and the rugged Hajjar Mountains rise to the E.

Telephone Area Code: 4
Website: www.dubaitourism.co.ae

Airport : Dubai International Airport
Airport Code: DXB
Flight time from ther U.K.: 7 hrs