Arrive in Dubai for a three-night all-inclusive hotel stay in this scintillating Arabian city. With its abundance of man-made attractions, from choreographed fountain displays at the foot of the world’s tallest building to sprawling megamalls, there’s an endless list of things to do here. Shop for bargains in the winding souks beside the creek and take a dhow river cruise between towering minarets and mirrored skyscrapers. You could even venture beyond the city and into the rolling sand dunes on a desert safari.

Today you will embark Virtuosa , one of the MSC fleet’s newest ships. On board, you’ll discover a superb line-up of features, including a remarkably large indoor promenade with luxury boutiques, plus five swimming pools and the thrilling Savannah Aqua Park.  You’ll also find ten diverse dining venues to satisfy every taste, hi-tech fitness facilities and a wide selection of entertainment at Le Grand Theatre, where you’re guaranteed a great view of the action.

Arrive in the impressive capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, and savour the architectural marvels dotted around this modern metropolis in the Persian Gulf. In the last two decades it has become a major tourist destination, with a host of attractions and an ever-expanding cultural district on Saadiyat Island, home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi. There are also sprawling, high-end shopping malls, souks and the jaw-dropping splendour of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a modern-day Taj Mahal.

Sir Bani Yas, an island off the coast of Abu Dhabi, was once a barren dot of land in the Persian Gulf but it has been transformed into an incredible wildlife reserve and resort destination where cheetahs, giraffes and gazelles wander freely. Explore the island on a game drive and try one of many activities available here, including diving with sharks and stingrays, mountain-biking, archery and kayaking in the mangroves.

On your only full day at sea, you could retreat into the tranquillity of the excellent Aurea Spa, offering an extensive menu of treatments. For swimmers, The Atmosphere Pool is one of the most spacious found at sea, while you could also check out the innovative Emotional Immersive Gallery and get a refreshing cocktail mixed to perfection by the robot bartender called Rob.

Today you’ll explore Dammam, the sixth-most populous city in Saudi Arabia. The capital of the Eastern Province, it lies on the Persian Gulf, northwest of Bahrain Island. Considered the best place in the region for food options, you’ll discover a wealth of international flavours to cater for its huge expat community. Escape to Coral Island, one of the most distinctive tourist areas in Dammam. Wander the footpaths between the sprawling greenery, venture into the turquoise waters for a boat or yacht tour or marvel at the beauty of the unique semi-spiral-design mellowe tower.

As it prepares to host football’s World Cup in 2022, Qatar edges closer to the limelight. With state-of-the-art sport facilities, luxury hotels and first-class shopping malls, its ambitious capital, Doha, is a city to watch. Among its growing list of attractions are the Pearl-Qatar, a man-made island that hosts luxury boutiques and restaurants, plus the maze-like Souq Waqif. You’ll also find one of the greatest collections of art in the region at the Museum of Islamic Art housed in a spectacular building along the Corniche.

Return to Dubai for an overnight in port. This incredible city continues to grow in popularity and expand its staggering list of attractions. Take to the ski slopes inside a giant shopping mall, visit the Bastikiya heritage area with its old fort and bustling streets, or take an Abra ride around the calm waterways of Souk Madinat in Jumeirah. For contemporary Arabian art, head to the warehouses district of Al Serkal Avenue, a great place to spot local talent.

Today you'll fly home from Dubai.