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What an experience. Arabian Nights meets Wall Street. Bedouin tents and the tallest buildings in the world. A country of contrasts and excess. The perfect venue to be whisked away at a moment’s notice by my partner...

We started with an executive lounge at Manchester, a 6 hour flight with Etihad - express route through immigration. Then a limousine trip to our hotel. The Al Qasar, a 5 star Middle Eastern palace, within the Jumeira Beach complex - overlooking the 7 star Burj Al Arab. We travelled overnight and were ready for action as we arrived. It was a 45 minute transfer from the airport to the hotel.

We were greeted at the door by a Nubian Guard, then met with sweet tea, turkish delight, pastries and dates and rested in luxurious cushions as we were checked in and then escorted to our suite. Every member of staff was friendly, smiling and courteous.

Our Junior Suite was modern and yet captured Middle Eastern luxury and elegance, a hallmark of Dubai. The silk slippers, robes, wine and fruit bowl added to what was already a mouth opening experience. Looking out from our balcony, drink in hand you could see the beautiful gardens, the canal system and souks and the bars and beaches. All you could want without leaving the hotel! We didn't have time for the spa unfortunately.

The food was eclectic and all of the highest quality - with flavours from around the world, all well presented and beautifully prepared.

In the hotel Souk there was a huge range of shops that can take the best part of a morning to enjoy and discover at a leisurely pace, maybe followed by a cold drink looking at the Arabian Sea..

In the evening we took a desert safari, a nerve jangling but exhilarating 4 wheel drive tour in the sand dunes at speeds and angles one could not have believed until experienced personally. Always safe and in very capable hands the adrenalin and laughter flowed throughout. Followed by a Bedouin buffet, belly dancing and romantic sunset in the dunes.

The next day was spent discovering the Mall of the Emirates and the modern gold and diamond Souk, followed by a 20 minute taxi ride downtown, where the Old Gold Souk, Spice Souk and others are situated. We had a private Abra (local boat) trip on the Dubai Creek, only £10 for nearly an hour, where modern and old meet, and somehow not collide or jar.

That evening we had an awesome meal in the famous fish restaurant (Pisces) in the hotel Souk which we travelled to by an Abra on the Hotel Canal system as oil lamps flickered around us. The meal was not one of the cheapest in the Souk but was well worth the investment for such a fantastic meal and experience. The service was without compare.

It must have been great as Craig proposed to me on the Abra back to our room. I said "Yes", and he gave me a diamond ring made in Dubai (half the price but twice the ring girls!).

We only spent 3 days in resort but loved every moment, it was high speed and exciting, but a fourth day would have eased the speed with hindsight.

We travelled back overnight and had an executive car waiting to bring us home, a real bonus after travelling. Abu Dhabi has more than adequate duty free, however Dubai Airport has a much wider range and is an experience in itself. Travel with Etihad or Emirates and you can be assured of the highest standards in the air. For spices try the Spice Souk; the sounds, smells and tastes are certainly not like anything in the UK - Star Anise, Saffron and others.

I hope you enjoy the photographs and maybe book your own Arabian adventure, but beware you may come back with more than a few gifts. I came back with a fiancé. How will we top that for the honeymoon? Well as a Travel Counsellor I have some ideas......