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Dubai only has two seasons — hot and hotter. The months between October and April, known as the winter season, bring blue skies and flawless beach weather to the city. It’s also the rainy season, but normally rain showers don’t last too long so don’t let this factor affect your travel dates.

International airlines generally release their cheapest seats about six months prior to departure dates. This doesn’t mean you necessarily need to buy your tickets that far ahead of time, but it’s a good idea to start looking and comparing prices. At the latest, you should buy your tickets at least one month in advance.

Because Dubai is becoming such a popular vacation spot, and because October through April is the prime time for tourists to visit, you want to be sure you have a nice place, like these IHG hotels in Dubai, to stay before your arrival. In order to do so, make your Dubai hotel reservation a good two to three months in advance..

As you pack your vacation wardrobe, think conservative over revealing and flashy. Women’s clothing is considered indecent if it’s too short, tight or transparent, while men should never walk around without a shirt on. Dress modestly to avoid unwanted attention and respect the Muslim culture.

One of the busiest streets in London, if not the busiest, is Oxford, and it’s all because of the variety of shopping this street offers. Oxford Street is considered the heart of the city’s shopping, boasting more than 300 shops, outlets and stores and an variety of choices from British and international designers. A Londoners favorite is Selfridges (pictured above), where fashion, furniture and food are available for purchase. Its constantly changing, controversial and even a little bizarre at times window displays are one of the biggest draws into this department store.

This area came to life during the 60s and 70s and is now the place to find trendy boutiques, high-street regulars, designer shops and interior design inspiration. Clothing shops on King’s Road are for the customer with a lot of cash or high-limit credit cards, so be prepared to find higher prices on the cute dress and pair of heels you find. Hit the right stores and you’ll find vintage gear you might like or might just give you a good laugh.

For men’s clothing, walk down Jermyn Street. Located in the very remarkable and fashionable London district of St. James’s, these men’s shops include tailors, shirt makers and suppliers of the finest leather goods. Find the perfect gift for you man or treat yourself to a good-looking shirt made by Budd Shirtmakers.