From the observation deck of the soaring Burj Khalifa, Dubai spreads out like a 3D map below.

The towers of the Marina, the palm-shaped islands in the blue of the Persian Gulf. It’s a snapshot of the audacious ambition of Dubai, a city conjured from the sand. And it’s a lot of fun. There are dancing fountains, the lightbulb blooms of the Glow Garden, the hopscotch of global restaurants and cocktail bars. But beyond the glitz and gold are more down-to-earth experiences that connect you with the region, from the traditional wind towers of the historic district to the burgeoning art scene. Neighboring Abu Dhabi is curating a growing collection of museums to set alongside its gleaming grand mosque. Adrenalin sports are gathering speed in Ras Al Khaimah, the northernmost emirate, where the Jebel Jais zipline hurtles across ravines and mountain peaks. And out in the desert, a crop of stylish wilderness hotels and tented camps embed guests under a blanket of star-bright skies for seclusion and adventure amid the dunes.