The Dubai and Cairo trip was an ideal mix of ultramodern and traditional.

We visited planet Dubai to be amazed. this amazing 21st century city did deliver. Since my visit last year, it has exploded with additional expansion. Desert safari dubai deals wants to become the top tourist destination in the world. Thanks to its favorable tax rate Dubai is now home to worldwide mega corporations. This is due to the ruling sheik with his entrepreneurial vision and his super-tolerance. He's the opposite of xenophobic.

The 7 emirates lie in between Iran, Qatar, Oman and Saudi. Each tiny nation is run by an sheik or emir. At one time, Dubai was a quaint town for camel trading and pearl diving. Nowadays, it is growing in a staggering manner with 800 miles of shorelines being built from man-made islands. The hundreds of new islands in The Palm and The World are visible from space. This land of sun sand, sea, snow and sex has a pocket of liberty in Arabia with such titles as; "Las Vegas of the Middle East", "St. Tropez of the Gulf" and "Monaco of the Desert."

The paradox is seen in its Islamic tradition within a world of western affluence , forming an entire fusion East and West. It was difficult to grasp that there was a war that is going on right next to this clean and safe city in the state of.

We were welcomed with our own Arabian dinner cruise aboard the wooden dhow. The city tour we took revealed that camels are now substituted by cranes. We saw the new almost-completed Burj Tower, tallest building in the world , as well as many other architectural marvels. ("Burj" is a word that means tower in Arabic so "Burj Tower" ironically means "Tower Tower".) We visited the Spice Souks and shimmering Gold Market. We also visited neighboring Abu Dhabi, capital of the Emirates, but it is an island.

We drove on the rich Corniche filled with lush greenery and azure Persian Gulf. We tasted chocolate dates, walked through a fish market and visited the largest mosque in the world. It is home to 40,000 worshippers. Our group were required to cover their heads to foot in borrowed black abayahs (sort of like a burka.)

One evening was our Desert Safari. Our jeeps in a group of 8 went deep into the desert for an evening of "dune bashing". Our driver Ahend lost control like a drunken shipwrecked sailor on the most steep dunes. While I yelled I screamed, he talked on his mobile phone.

We arrived at a tented camp oasis for dining and dancing under the stars similar to the Arabian story of 1001 Nights. My most memorable time was on our leisure day with the endless possibilities. We went for a run in the morning before swimming the crystal-clear Gulf beaches later in the afternoon. In the water, it was bath warm, it was possible to have brought soap.

Terry and I began our day with a visit to Mall of the Emirates, world's largest mall with 1563 stores and Ski Dubai. Imagine a 25-story mountain of 6 acres under one roof with 5 ski pistes and chairlifts. The ceiling is covered with machines that drop 3 inches of snow each day. Winter equipment is included in cost of entry. It was 32 ° inside and 102 outside.

After that, I finally fulfilled my dream of traveling to eat at the famed Burj Hotel, the famous 7 star masterpiece shaped like sails and situated within its artificially created island. It had been closed from tourists for months in order to provide its billionaire guests with privacy. It was a blessing to secure a table for lunch, but at a surprisingly high 3 figure price. The moment we entered the lobby, it was as if you were in the world of a kaleidoscope. The delicious spread of delicious treats was beyond my expectations and will be remembered forever. Terry's birthday was celebrated and at the conclusion of our meal, a beautiful work of art cake was given to Terry. A chocolate-infused mousse, stuffed with fruits and figs was decorated with thick layers of Godiva.

Then we flew to Egypt with the award-winning Emirates Airlines. We were like the Jetsons travelling back in time to this land of Cleopatra. I've always enjoyed the chaos of Cairo the world's most populous capital city with 17 million inhabitants. It was all calm when we stepped into the 5 star luxury Sofitel Hotel.

I'm guessing that this was my 9th trip to Cairo and this one provided the best guide I've ever had. Hany has won tourism accolades and is the current head of Egypt's Tour Guide Union. He wanted to teach us through a basic course of Egyptology 101, but he did it in a way that made the subject come alive for us to see.

An entire day was spent in Giza viewing the only remaining wonder of the seven World Wonders. The legend says "The world fears time, but time fears the pyramids." We were allowed into one of the pyramids constructed around 2500bc . to view an ancient burial site. We also visited the Egyptian Museum which is arguably one of the most important in the world museum, filled with over 100,000 antiquities. Hany was awestruck when she performed a skit with our group to ensure we knew exactly what the story was to King Tut and what we were looking at. The crowning jewel was the Royal Mummy Rooms which exhibits 11 bodies of kings , kings and queens.

In our spare time we decided to get lost within Khan Khalili Bazaar. "The khan" is a chaotic maze of souks in which it is possible to bargain on anything from hookah pipes to bras. We all said our goodbyes at the end of a farewell sail by felucca on the Nile.

There was plenty more in this tour to two different "worlds." In Dubai we were able to experience magical effects in a different land with a view that is the limitless possibilities.

In Cairo we gained knowledge in virtual terms of the civilizations of the in the past. Every single place was a feast for each of us with five senses. We were "citizens of the world" who felt the most welcome in these Islamic nations. As we departed on our flight, Belinda said to me "I feel like its Christmas. My carry on is filled with gold, frankincense and mir." Another trip well-done.