The United States naval base at Pearl Harbor was surprised by a Japanese military strike on the morning of December 7, 1941: all eight U.S. Navy battleships were damaged, more than 2,000 Americans lost their lives, and this very attack led to the American involvement in World War II. Today, a memorial reminds of those who died in the assault, while two museums and outdoor exhibits present the historical happenings and their backgrounds. The visitor centre in general also features exhibits and interpretive programs for other Pacific National Parks: Kalaupapa National Historical Park on the island of Molokai, American Memorial Park in Saipan, and War in the Pacific National Historical Park in Guam.

Dubai Frame is one of the most exciting additions to the city’s skyline and represents a remarkable feat of engineering. Situated in Zabeel Park, directly between old and new Dubai, the towering structure offers sweeping panoramic views of the city from the height of 150 metres. One of its most amazing features is the state-of-the-art clear glass bridge that connects the parallel vertical towers to create the shape of a picture frame — a top pick for selfies.

One of the world’s greatest urban transformations, the Dubai Water Canal is a 3.2-kilometre-long waterway which extends from the Creek in Old Dubai through Business Bay, before finding its way to the Arabian Gulf. It effectively turns a significant part of the emirate into an island. Board a water taxi to Marasi Drive, home to a sparkling marina, water homes and cool dining venues such as Bella at Grand Millennium Hotel and BASTA! at The St. Regis Downtown.

Recommended by the National Geographic Society as one of the Top 10 Best and Most Impressive Underground Walkways in the World, does the Aktun Chen National Park need further introduction? This picturesque rainforest park features an underground river perfect for swimming, along with a zipline and opportunities for cave exploration. Considered sacred by the ancient Maya, these mystical freshwater pools offer a serene and magical experience.