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No matter how cosmopolitan Dubai gets, there are still people who will tell you that it is a conservative city where women have to cover their faces and wear long black robes. Nothing could be further from the truth. Although the UAE is a Muslim country, there is no need for women to cover up at all (it is another common misconception that local women are poor, downtrodden souls who are forced by their domineering husbands to hide themselves behind shrouds of black and full veils – the truth is that UAE women are well educated, well respected, and increasingly outspoken, and those that wear headscarves or veils do it mostly out of choice and respect for their religion).

There are no real restrictions on dress codes in Dubai (as opposed to neighbouring emirate Sharjah, where things are more conservative and both men and women should dress appropriately). Topless sunbathing for women is a definite no-no, and any clothing that reveals the bits only your mother, husband or doctor should see should be left at home. But with the beautiful climate, shorts and T-shirts are totally acceptable, as are dresses or tops with spaghetti straps.

During the cooler months (October to April), it is often necessary to wear a light jacket or cardigan as the temperature drops into the low teens. And don't forget that everything in the city is air-conditioned, and sometimes indoor temperatures can give you the goosebumps!