Can you travel to 90 countries in just one day? I have!

Oh, I jest but it may as well be a reality in Dubai's Global Village, an in-demand destination in the United Arab Emirates which features the various heritage sites, customs and traditions, arts and culture, sights and sounds of almost a hundred nations and territories, rising from the desolate desert, a rambling complex that is all so beautiful.

The ingenious idea, which had its own share of doomsayers, began with a sprinkling of tiny kiosks in January of 1997. It has since expanded — make that exploded exponentially — to massive rosaries of gems that it is today, one grander than the next.

Walk into individual unique worlds of locally crafted, but globally appealing, admired shopping items, national cuisines as authentic as you can get, globally renowned travel destinations, and more offers and surprises. Enumerating them all might just spoil your planned visit! Be counted among the over seven million visitors annually, all very satisfied, fulfilled and elated.

Here are five essential spots to visit during your tour of the Global Village:

Far reaches: Continental exploration

A choice venue which affects all earthly senses, while it touches the soul, the village — which is a misnomer — gave recognition to their respective years of yore. We were amazed at the dedication to authenticity of the Americas, where both the North and South were represented via the Triumphal Arch of Mexico and the stelae of the ancient Mayan city of Palenque, the art style of the Incans and even a tribute to Native Americans in their traditional attires and accessories.