Winter sun with Wi-Fi in Abu Dhabi

Why should you go to New York University? Well, it's "transforming higher education for the next generation of global leaders". Except this is not New York University in Manhattan; it's New York University Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, is changing from a sleepy Gulf region to an internationally recognized centre of commerce and culture through its multi-billion-dollar investments in tourism and technology. Along with New York University, the Louvre and Guggenheim museums are setting up on Saadiyat Island as part of a $30 billion development, while $40 billion has been pumped into Yas Island, which recently hosted the final race in the Formula One season.

Now Lonely Planet has named Abu Dhabi as one of the top ten cities to visit in its Best in Travel 2010 guide. If you're looking for winter sun, sea, sand and Bedouin culture, Abu Dhabi is the place to go. Because this is one of the richest parts of the world, the experience comes with Wi-Fi, air conditioning, plasma-screen TVs and minibars.