Nor even the stunning efficiency with which the capital's airport taxi mafia manage to transport me to city center in vintage cars for only twice the fare that it costs in Bangkok.

CNN: From Our Correspondent: On a Magical Hill

Its 25 stations and 23km (15 miles) of track, running along two lines, serve only part of the capital and stretch only some of the way to the city's airport.

ECONOMIST: Bangkok��s train, running on empty

City officials say the capital of Europe's biggest economy needs an airport worthy of its status.

WSJ: Berlin's New Airport Is Racking Up Delays Even Before It Opens

Check into the comfortable Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi (31st Street Airport Rd) - highly rated for its business facilities and just 15 minutes from the airport - then head straight into Abu Dhabi, the calm capital city of the United Arab Emirates, where mosques, parks and skyscrapers mingle comfortably.

BBC: Stopover in Abu Dhabi