Jude Sheerin finds that all that glitters can be golden in the exotic Arabian city of Dubai - AS you fly across the desert that stretches over the United Arab Emirates to the Persian Gulf, Dubai rises suddenly and improbably from the sand like a mirage.

A glittering metropolis of post-modern architecture, the city is a millionaire's playground where life is lived mainly in the fast lane.

The Creek with its stunning, modernistic buildings towering above the waterfront, also boasts a golf and country club grand enough to entertain Tiger Woods.

With super-luxury hotels and miles of pristine beach, this is a favourite getaway for celebrities.

It was at the celebrated Jumeirah Beach Hotel, a 30-minute coastal drive from the city of Dubai, that the England soccer team relaxed before the 2002 World Cup, and the Beckhams are rumoured to have considered purchasing a mansion nearby.

Other recent visitors have included Tamzin Outhwaite, Dean Gaffney and The Williams Sisters, relaxing between tennis matches.

But there is more to Dubai than star spotting.

For starters, although it is a seven-eight hour flight, it lies directly south, removing the risk of jetlag for those visiting on short breaks.

Then there is the climate, of course, which offers a perfect escape from our gloomy, winter months.

Shopping is world class, and as a duty-free zone Dubai has some of the most lavish malls in the world.

Best buys include caviar, clothes and electrical goods -- and simply visiting the markets and malls is an experience you are unlikely to forget.

Only the excesses of the buzzing night life -- drinking alcohol is permitted here -- match the shop-till-you-drop atmosphere of the designer malls.

With its bustling Arabic open-air markets, exquisite mosques and enduring local customs Dubai seems to offer much more than an average city break.

But it never quite loses sight of its past, even a futuristic glass skyscraper forms the shape of a sail from one of the show boats that have traded in the port for centuries.

Despite Dubai's traditional touches it can often seem that the only thing taken seriously here is having fun.

The social calendar is crammed with high-profile events designed to attract hordes of visitors.

The world's richest horse race is held here, as is one of the world's biggest air shows, the Dubai Desert Classic golf tournament and the Dubai Shopping Festival.

But as if all that wasn't enough, Dubai is now building a residential and tourist resort which, when complete in 2006, will be the world's largest man-made island.

Palm Island will house two marinas, a water theme park and shopping, leisure and boutique facilities, 2,500 beach side villas and 2,400 shoreline apartments.

The island will add 120km to Dubai's shoreline and be visible from the moon.

It seems impossible that barely a century ago this world-class metropolis was a drowsy colonial pearl-fishing port.

Today it is part of the seven-state federation that makes up the United Arab Emirates, established in 1971 upon independence from Britain.

Dubai's lifeblood is trade, not oil -- and located between the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean, it could hardly have failed to become a world capital of commerce.

Given this, it is not surprising that it has become such a cosmopolitan city - some 80per cent of Dubai's 1.2 million population is made up of ex-pats from all over the globe.

There is much to see and do in Dubai for those prepared to brave the humidity (temperatures can hover in the low thirties even at night-time).

It is best taken in with a trip on an abra (small boat) along Dubai Creek, an inlet of the Gulf, where goods-laden dhows bound for ports from Kuwait to Bombay dock.

The vibrant souqs (markets) -- with their textiles, spices, curios, clothing, rugs perfume and glassware -- are suffused with colour and scent.

Indeed Dubai's nickname, the City of Gold, is apt. The gold souq attracts buyers from across the globe, who haggle for the best price with jewellers.

While it may appear westernised, Dubai's culture is still firmly rooted in Islam, which is reflected in the city's many stunning mosques.

The Grand Mosque, with Dubai's tallest minaret, the elaborate Jumeira Mosque, and the Persian-style Iranian Mosque are well worth a look.

Another must-see is the Dubai Museum, which charts the emirate's history and astonishing growth over the last few decades.

The 30-room al-Maktoum House, the grandiose former abode of Dubai's ruling family, built using coral quarried from the Gulf, is also impressive.

Outside the city, visitors can take in a 4WD desert safari and stay the night at a Bedouin-style desert camp at Al Maha with romantic dune dinner beneath the stars. Indeed Dubai offers a unique three-in-one holiday experience -- with desert, city break and beach -- all within a 90-minute drive of the airport.

A trip to Dubai may not be cheap. But with its opulent hotels, white beaches and deserts, this taste of Arabia is the closest most of us will come to feeling like a sultan.

TRAVELFACTS

Jude Sheerin flew to Dubai as a guest of Emirates, and Emirates Tours UK (0207 932 9900) three night Dubai breaks start at £615, incl flights and transfers, until Dec 10.

Package including three nights' B&B at the Royal Mirage in deluxe Room and two nights' full-board at Al Maha, private transfers and airport Meet & Greet service starts at £1,599 per person (two sharing).

Emirates return flights to Dubai from Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham or Manchester start at £341 (includes taxes). List of operators and information from Dubai Dept of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (020 7839 0580).