Simply put, if you haven’t yet, you must visit the incredible metropolis of Dubai, nestled safely within one of the most unstable parts of the world. You really can’t speak of Dubai and all of the United Arab Emirates without at least acknowledging the carnage occurring mere miles from Dubai in Iraq, Yemen, Syria and elsewhere across the region. Yet as if by magic, Dubai managed to carve out a vibrant, safe, utopian-like, cutting-edge city on the world’s stage, placing it alongside the likes of established world business and shopping meccas New York, Paris, London, Hong Kong, Los Angeles and Tokyo. At the center of it all, the Burj Khalifa stands more than 2,700 feet tall; in a word, awesome! Although there are many pockets of activity around the city, the Burj Khalifa is much like the Empire State Building to New Yorkers and those visiting New York City. It’s at the heart of Dubai and symbolizes what the city and its inhabitants, many of whom are ex-pats, stand for and believe in. Regardless of who I spoke to, everybody is exceptionally proud of Dubai, how it has grown out of the desert from almost nothing, their everyday contributions to making it better and their love of working and raising their families in a city where crime is nowhere to be experienced and innovation is literally around every corner. Getting there is easy, with many major airlines to chose from, inclusive of Emirates, Qatar Airways, United Airlines and Royal Jordanian Airlines. I had the pleasure of experiencing Royal Jordanian’s outstanding Crown Class service aboard its Boeing 787 Dreamliner from New York (JFK) to Dubai (DXB) by way of Amman, Jordan (AIG). Pick a first-class hotel from the many (I stayed at one of Emaar’s many fantastic properties — The Palace Downtown Dubai) and you can’t go wrong. From the eclectic restaurant dining menus and endless shopping to the musically coordinated Burj Khalifa fountain shows and new-age architecture of a 21st-century futuristic city, Dubai literally stands out as a desert oasis. Though you may want to avoid visiting during the summer months (100-plus degrees), put any fears and trepidation aside and check out Dubai for the ultimate in luxury travel. You’ll be amazed! — David Katz, director of sales & marketing