There are huge building sites in Dubai and some of them surround existing hotels putting you right in the middle of a building site, so hotel selection is very important.
To elaborate on the reasons I think it is "mad"
- the scale and size of development is incredible, the tallest building in the world is under construction
- there are ridiculous things from the indoor ski slope and a shopping centre building the style of 5 empires, so plenty to do
- you can drive and still see a lot of the arabic culture, how the real people live out in the desert.
The diversity of people and the array of activities makes it a great place for a holiday. Just don't focus too much on the map as to where it is !!
i agree with Flexible, Puerto Rico (Gran Canaria) strongly ecommended. Go just after Xmas and take in the New Years Eve celebrations - absolutely brilliant. book soon - big demand this time of year.
thanks for all the replies. dont think i would be into thailand or dubai. was in gran carnaries a couple of years ago and thought it was pretty dirty (playes des ingles - not sure of the spelling) heard puerto rico was nice but for older people and couples?
more getting drunk & meeting nice ladies. have considered vegas, thanks. barcelona sounds good. What would the weather be like there at xmas? would it be warm enough to wear t-shirts and shorts?