| |
|
You board your overnight flight to Dubai ready to begin our Arabian adventure. |
|
|
| |
You arrive in the late evening of the next day. Your driver is waiting to take you for the ride into the desert where our Bedouin suite awaits. If you want to refresh after the flight, the suites each have their own private temperature controlled pools.
|
|
|
| |
|
After the flight and a good night’s rest, you have the opportunity to have a massage at the resort’s spa or take a dip in the pool. Don’t feel guilty. In order to conserve the desert’s most precious resource and in keeping with the resort’s eco-focus, all the water is fully recycled and returned to its groundwater source via a unique irrigation system. After lunch you have the choice of archery lessons, falconry lessons or exploring the desert by 4WD, horse or, for true authenticity, a camel. For the less adventurous, you can lie by the pool and watch the Oryx grazing nearby. Tonight a dinner under Arabian stars. B, L, D |
|
|
| |
|
After a leisurely breakfast your driver is ready to take you from your quiet oasis to the tranquil white sanded beach with a visit to 21st Arabia in between. It is claimed that there are more cranes in use in Dubai than in any other place in the world. On your introductory tour of the city you will see the completion of the Burj Dubai, the tallest building in the world, the Palm, the largest man made island complex in the world and a 450 feet ski run complete with chair lift and real snow. As impressive as these sights are, it is nice to arrive at your beach front hotel where the only sound from our window is the surf breaking on the beach. B, L, D |
|
|
| |
|
Despite its modern focus, Dubai still respects its traditions and, this morning your driver will take you to what was, at one time, the Iranian quarter of the city, thankfully saved from the developers and restored as a testament to how things were. Today, however the buildings house art galleries and even restaurants. You shall visit a cultural center, however, where you learn the function of the Majlis, learn how to drink coffee in the appropriate manner and learn more about the Islamic culture. After lunch you return to the hotel for some beach time or a dip in the pool. This evening you have dinner on a Bateaux Dubai vessel, watching as the skyline of Dubai passes by while you dine. These are the same types of vessels well known on the Seine in Paris but now at home in Arabia waters. B, L, D |
|
|
| |
|
Dubai has long been known as “the city of merchants” going back to ancient days and that still holds true today. From the ancient souks to the world-class shopping complex’, Dubai is a shopper’s paradise. With your own driver, shopping is made easier and you start with the modern “souks” where Cartier, Christian Dior and Oscar de la Renta are available at duty free prices. After participating in your “retail experience” you have left time for lunch or some additional shopping before you meet up with your driver. Next, you visit the traditional souks selling spices including saffron, frankincense and other exclusive fragrances. Other souks offer handmade shoes, Persian carpets (be prepared to negotiate) and textiles. It is the gold souk; however, that is the prime attraction with its vast array of glittering gold jewelry available. After the visit to the souk you will go to a restaurant for a typical Arab meal before returning to the hotel. B, D |
|
|
| |
|
You have today open for relaxation or, if you must, more shopping. There are plenty of activities in and around the hotel so you can do as much or as little as you want. This evening, your driver will take you to a delightful restaurant for your farewell dinner in Dubai. B, L, D |
|
|
| |
|
Your driver is waiting to take you to the airport for your morning flight to the US. Because of the time change you arrive in the afternoon of the same day. B |
|
|