Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai is an extravagant city, which pushes the limits on its architecture and its cultural diversions. The Burj Khalifa, at a height of 828 metres (2,716 feet) and more than 160 stories, is currently the tallest building in the world, though two towers under construction - one in Jeddah and one in Dubai - will top it when they open in 2019 and 2020. The Palm Jumeirah, the first completed of three planned Palm Islands in Dubai, is the world's largest artificial island, and includes high-end housing and hotels. The Dubai World Cup is the richest horse race in the world. Dubai has even built a ski-hill in a mall.

Dubai's economy is based on tourism, banking, and the development of industry-specific zones for different economic activity, such as healthcare services, media, financial services, technology, etc.

I mustn't forget to mention the beaches, the sailing, and the diving.