United Arab Emirates

The UAE is a place where the impossible feels routine. In a few short decades, it transformed from vast desert sands to a glittering playground of luxury and innovation. Dubai’s skyline looks like it was designed by someone playing SimCity on hard mode, and Abu Dhabi’s cultural scene boasts the Louvre and Guggenheim before most cities could even dream of it. Yet amid the flash, the Emirati people remain deeply connected to their Bedouin roots—hospitality is sacred, falconry is still revered, and camel racing remains a serious national pastime. And don’t forget—this is home to the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, because the UAE doesn’t believe in doing anything halfway.