Berlin: Kinder to Kids

Ruth Gordon Boca Raton, Fla.

Dubai is considered the commercial hub and cosmopolitan capital of the United Arab Emirates, whose seven independent states sit on the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia. The UAE's second-largest emirate has all the tell-tale signs of affluence: gleaming skyscrapers, Mall of Arabia shopping centers, golden beaches, elite sporting events (from horses to yachts) and hotels that take luxury to a whole new stratosphere.

"Dubai tends to be more open to the world. It has a lot of flights, hotels and big business interests," says Robert V. Keeley, a retired diplomat and former president of the Middle East Institute. "It is also a port of call for cruise ships. And ships don't like to go to places where people are unsafe on shore." Keeley added that Dubai has not been targeted by terrorists (like Egypt) nor does it have foreign military bases, which attracts dissension. For its part, the U.S. State Department's Consular Information Sheet on the UAE says crime is not an issue but that Americans "should exercise a high level of security awareness" because of "the possibility of terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens and interests throughout the world."

To deflect unwanted attention, be respectful of Muslim beliefs by dressing conservatively (covered arms, legs and heads) near religious sites and eschewing skin-revealing clothes -- except on the beach, where bikinis are acceptable. Also, refrain from drinking alcohol outside of hotel restaurants and bars.

American travel agencies specializing in Dubai are rare, but Travel East of Rochester, N.Y., can customize packages (golfing, shopping, excavation sites, etc.) as well as organize daily tours, hotels and flights. Info: 800-333-0909, http://www.etravelease.com . The Ten Travel & Tourism's Web site ( http://travel.theemiratesnetwork.com/agencies ) also lists some travel agents in the UAE, as does the Dubai World Trade Centre ( http://www.dwtc.com ). Other sources include Dubai's Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing ( http://www.dubaitourism.ae ) and the Ministry of Information and Culture in the UAE ( http://www.uaeinteract.com ).

Postscript

Jan White of Chevy Chase has a suggestion for a Spanish immersion program in Central America (March 13). White spent two weeks learning the language in Antigua, Guatemala, through Proyecto Linguistico Francisco Marroquin. "The instruction was one-on-one for seven hours a day for as many weeks as the student wants to attend," she says. "The school has many outdoor areas among gardens and ruins for individual classes." White paid $1,000, including airfare, classes, family home stay, a week at a B&B, meals, evening activities and private salsa lessons. Info: 800-552-2051, http://www.langlink.com/plfm .

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