Dubai

Depart for Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Arrive in the futuristic city of Dubai. Depart for sightseeing tour and stop at the Burj Al-Arab, the world-renowned sail-shaped hotel facing the Persian Gulf and ascend to the observation deck for a spectacular view of the city. Drive through exclusive Jumeirah, one of Dubai’s most upscale residential districts and continue into the old Al Bastakiya quarter to get a glimpse of Dubai’s past. See the 18th-century Al Fahidi Fort, the city’s oldest building and home to Dubai Museum, as your guide tells you about its historical fortifications. After breakfast depart for a walking tour of Old Dubai with visits to Textile Souk, Al Shindaga Watchtower, and the Dubai Creek, where you will enjoy a traditional Abra ride to cross the creek. Visit the Dubai Mall, the world’s largest and most-visited retail and entertainment destination where you will enjoy some free time to shop and explore. Enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise with amazing nighttime views of the Dubai skyline.

After breakfast, depart for a desert safari and camel ride. Feel the thrill of “dune bashing” as you spiral up and down the enormous golden dunes on a 4X4 vehicle. Enjoy camel-riding before viewing a beautiful sunset overlooking the desert. Continue to a Bedouin campsite for a delicious BBQ buffet while being entertained by an enchanting belly dancer performing to classic Arabia rhythms.

After breakfast, depart for Al Ain, the Garden City of the UAE. Arrive in Al Ain, a green city which is one of the oldest settlements. Visit Sheikh Zayed Palace Museum and Al Ain National Museum which houses artifacts of ancient times, ancient Arabic manuscripts and royal treasures. Enjoy some free time before continuing on to Muscat, Oman.

After breakfast enjoy a city tour of Muscat, the port city capital and heart of Oman. Visit Old Muscat and the Corniche before arriving at Mutrah Soug, the oldest bazaar in Oman. Wander and browse the Souq’s narrow lanes and colorful displays. Visit the Grand Mosque of Oman, the amazing sandstone structure that is home to the world’s second-largest hand woven carpet and chandelier.

After breakfast travel to the traditional city of Nizwa, Oman’s old capital city from the 6th and 7th centuries. Arrive in Nizwa and step back in time as you walk through the impressive 17th-century fort before exploring the souq, famous for Bedouin silver and beautifully crafted clay items. Next, discover Jabrin’s late 17th-century Jabreen Castle, along with the Nizwa Fort and the Bahla Fort before returning to Muscat.

After breakfast fly to Abu Dhabi. Enjoy a panoramic city tour of Abu Dhabi, stopping at the famous Emirates Palace and driving along the beautiful Corniche for breathtaking views of the city. Pass by the bustling fish market where you will see the colorful array of seafood and traders at work. Visit a traditional fruit, vegetable, and date market and stop at Marina Mall and enjoy some free time to shop. Continue the tour with a visit to the impressive Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque, a sprawling structure initiated by the late president of the UAE. Created in hopes of uniting the cultural diversity of the Islamic world, it’s a prominent place of worship. Enjoy a spectacular Dhow Cruise with a festive dinner on a traditionally decorated wooden boat.

After breakfast visit the Heritage Village, a reconstructed traditional desert village. Here you will journey back in time and experience life in Abu Dhabi before oil revenues altered the landscape. Many different aspects of desert life are attractively displayed in the open-air museum along with workshops where craftsmen demonstrate traditional skills, while women sit weaving and spinning. Learn the importance of falcons to Arabian culture at the largest falcon hospital in the UAE. Explore its museum that takes you through the history of falconry and take advantage of this rare opportunity to see these majestic birds up close. Step into the examination room to perhaps witness a falcon checkup or a pedicure. You might even have a falcon sit on your arm!

After breakfast depart for Masdar City, a sustainable eco-community. Arrive in Masdar City and enjoy a tour in an unmanned electric car while learning about futuristic initiatives. You will be introduced to this world’s first carbon-neutral, zero-waste city powered entirely by renewable energy.

After breakfast depart for Dubai for your return flight to the U.S.