The emirate of Dubai is home to around 1.8 million inhabitants. The majority of the population lives in the city. Dubai is known for its modern and futuristic projects. From skyscrapers on manmade islands, to amusement parks, there is hardly anything that does not exist in this city. Dubai offers endless beautiful beaches, excellent water sports, desert safaris and an almost immeasurable range of shopping facilities.

Sur is the easternmost big city in the Sultanate of Oman and is located on the Gulf of Oman. Since the 6th Century, Sur has been an important commercial center for trade with East Africa. The city has a long tradition as a seafaring city, and is therefore known for its classic construction of the 'dhow', the ships used for trading voyages to Africa and India until the 19th Century. Although Sur is itself worth a visit, the city is a good base for day trips to Wadi Tiwi and Wadi Shab.

Khasab is a port town on the Musandam Peninsula in northern Oman. It is quite small but by no means sleepy. The port of Khasab is the main hub of activity - legal and semi-legal trade with Iran being the biggest one. The smugglers are easy to spot, their fiberglass boats are lined up along the creeks, waiting for the sunset to make a mad dash for Iran. However, the main attractions of the area are the picturesque fjord-like inlets and the beautiful Al Hajar range of mountains surrounding it. Khasab has often been called the 'Norway of Arabia'.