Visiting Modern Dubai and the Burj Khalifa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai - the oil-rich Emirate surrounded by golden dunes of the desert has become a symbol of everything that's largest, tallest and most luxurious. It's hard to believe that a few decades ago this place was just a small fishermen village. With a huge airport and famous Emirates Airlines it is easy to get there from basically any major European or Asian city. Many people seek shelter there from harsh continental winters, within just a few hour flight they can get back to the summer and sunbathe on the beaches. Dubai is a very cosmopolitan and relatively liberal city, although you have to obey some strange rules for westerners, like for example the ban on taking photos on the beach.

After arriving in Dubai you might feel as if you were in India, there are many immigrants from Asia but it's also not difficult to encounter Europeans or Russians. The city is being constantly developed and offers many job opportunities. Also, if you work in Dubai you don't pay taxes.

Burj Khalifa in Dubai is the tallest building and structure ever made - 830 meters (2,722 f.). Construction of the skyscraper began in 2004 and the tower was opened for use in 2009. The whole project cost 1.5 billion USD. The design includes in itself Islamic geometrical patterns that are common in Arab architecture. Besides highly luxurious (and equally highly expensive) apartments, offices and hotels, on the 124th floor of the building there is a terrace and viewing platform for tourists. If you want to visit Burj Khalifa, and, when you are in Dubai, you definitely should, you 'must' book it way in advance online. The price - 125 AED (25 EUR or 34 USD). ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).