I have frequently flown from Leeds Bradford Airport for weekend breaks or family holidays to Europe, but leaving the green fields of Yorkshire from the comfort of the premier lounge for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Dubai was a totally new and relaxing experience.

From priority check-in where our luggage was whisked away to meet us again at our destination, to landing at Heathrow’s flagship Terminal Five and heading straight to the British Airways Galleries Lounge for the short wait for our long-haul flight – the whole thing was stress-free and seamless.

Thanks to the joys of travelling club class, there have been few seven-hour flights after which I’ve felt so refreshed and ready to explore my new surroundings. The first views of the Dubai skyline by night were breathtaking and began to give me a true sense of the colossal scale of this man-made city.

Next stop was our accommodation at the 5-star Fairmont the Palm Hotel. Located on the world’s largest manmade island, formed in the shape of a palm tree, it is directly on the waterfront, providing unrivalled views of the Arabian Gulf.

With a 450-metre private beach and four huge pools boasting cabanas and a private butler service, it could have been tempting to simply lounge around, soak up the sun and sample the array of top-class dining experiences on offer. However, with a packed itinerary over the next two days it was time to turn in for a luxurious night’s sleep in the king-sized bed that took up just a fraction of the suite that was bigger than the ground floor of my modest terraced house.

After a quick morning dip in the pool, the promise of a 'famous Friday brunch' seemed just the ticket to set me up for the day ahead – but this was a far cry from the bacon, eggs and coffee I was expecting.

Friday brunch in Dubai is all about celebrating the end of the week in style with free-flowing champagne and culinary delights from every corner of the world from finest lobster to Thai, Mexican and local specialities. People dress in their Sunday best and for three hours appear to sample the celebrity lifestyle – although I quickly realised that this is standard for the locals.

Refreshed from an enormous feast and a few glasses of fizz we embarked on a short boat trip to Old Dubai. This was worlds apart from the expensive sheen of our hotel, and as we meandered around the narrow streets and souks selling everything from spices to gold, we were transported back in time to a much more authentic atmosphere.

This was a photographer’s dream – craggy faced locals beckoned and waved from shady doorways, ready to barter with tourists for their wares and others sat in convivial groups, simply passing the time in the heat of the day.

We finished the day much as we started it – with another show-stopping meal and cocktails. The Frevo Restaurant is one of the city’s only authentic Brazilian Churrascari and served every cut of meat imaginable. If I had to recommend a visit to Dubai on just one thing, it would be the amazing dining experiences on offer.

Day two began with exclusive early morning access to the Burj Khalifa – the tallest building in the world. This amazing glass structure took eight years to build and as we stepped out of the lift onto the observation deck ‘At the Top’, or 124th floor, the view of the surrounding landscape was magnificent. The ‘Behold’ telescope offered unrivalled views on all sides, as well as contrasting images of the scenery at different times of day and under altering weather conditions. It’s a long way up, but has famously helped to conquer the fears of many tourists who are afraid of heights – you simply couldn’t visit Dubai and miss out on this experience.

Hurtling back down to earth, we spent time browsing the Dubai Mall - the second largest shopping mall in the world - and had barely scratched the surface of the endless array of shops on offer, before paying a visit to the resident aquarium and underwater zoo.

As with everything in Dubai, the aquarium offered up yet another ‘world’s biggest’ with a tank that was home to 400 sharks and rays. In the acrylic underwater viewing tunnel we came face-to-face with piranhas, catfish and otters and even encountered the odd penguin – yet another wonder of this truly awe-inspiring city.

With the trip rapidly coming to an end and after an amazing day of sightseeing, our tour guides somehow managed to save the best until last. As evening drew in, four-wheel drive vehicles picked us up from the hotel and whisked us into the desert for the Sundowner Safari and Barbecue.

Having been on a handful of pre-arranged and disappointing sunset holiday excursions in the past, I was afraid that this wouldn’t be any different – but I couldn’t have been more wrong. Beginning with an impressive falconry display, we then got the adrenaline pumping with a sand dune driving experience followed by camel rides for those who were brave enough.

As we sat back to watch the sun set over the Arabian desert and enjoyed a delicious barbecue dinner, I reflected on my action-packed two days in one of the most jaw-dropping places I have visited.

I came to one conclusion - that everyone should add Dubai to their bucket list of top ten places to visit in a lifetime as a city that stands quite literally head and shoulders above the rest.

INFORMATION

• British Airways offers three nights at the 5-star Fairmont The Palm, Dubai from £929 per person based on September travel. Includes return flights from Leeds Bradford via Heathrow to Dubai and accommodation only. For reservations visit www.ba.com/dubai or call 0844 493 0758.

• At The Top (the Burj Khalifa observation deck): visit www.burjkhalifa.ae/observation-deck

• The Aquarium and Underwater Zoo at Dubai Mall: visit www.thedubaimall.com/en/section/entertainment-section

• Arabian Adventures Sundowner Safari and Barbecue: visit arabian-adventures.com

• For more information and prices for accommodation at 5-star Fairmont The Palm, Dubai. visit www.fairmont.com.