Deluxe Dubai & Abu Dhabi

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You can find more details on the Before You Depart page.

Welcome to beautiful Abu Dhabi, with its year-round sunshine and stunning cultural sites. Tonight, we'll enjoy a welcome dinner and orientation.

Today, we'll see the city's striking architecture which reflects distinctly Islamic themes with modern materials, and learn how oil has been central to the UAE's development. We'll stop at a bustling authentic fish market, and drive along the Corniche waterfront which offers breathtaking views of the city. Next, the stunning Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque fuses styles from different Muslim civilizations and celebrates cultural diversity. Marvel at the domes, reflective pools, and the world's biggest chandelier and carpet—both of which are handmade. After a break for lunch, we'll visit the Louvre Abu Dhabi, an art and civilization museum—the first of its kind in the Arab world—bringing together different cultures to shine a light on humanity's shared stories.

Delight in a day of free time. Dive into more of Abu Dhabi, or relax at our luxurious hotel. Consider our optional Abu Dhabi Panoramic Tour which takes place this morning or our Dhow Cruise which takes place this evening.

This morning, we'll check out of our hotel and head to Dubai! In Dubai, we'll have a photo stop at Burj Al Arab Beach where we'll enjoy a fantastic view over the famous 7-star hotel Burj Al Arab. Next, we'll visit the sensational Atlantis hotel for a world-class experience at The View at Palm Jumeirah. The View inspires, educates, and celebrates the extraordinary achievements behind the making of Palm Jumeirah. Then we will drive to the glitzy Dubai Marina Walk. The Dubai Marina Walk features 7km of pedestrian walkways which lead to some of Dubai's most popular restaurants and shops. It offers an alfresco lifestyle for those that love the outdoors. Early this evening, we'll check into our Dubai hotel and have the evening at leisure.

After a morning at leisure, we'll embark on an exciting desert safari! Our safari guides will whisk us away in 4-wheel drive vehicles into the golden sand dunes of Arabia. We'll savor the sunset overlooking the desert, and continue on to a Bedouin campsite for camel riding, henna design, a delicious BBQ dinner, and more. Be enchanted by a belly dancer performing to classic Arabian rhythms.

Note: During Ramadan, there is no belly dancing or alcohol at the campsite.

Today we'll get a glimpse of how people lived before the Union and before the discovery of oil in the Emirate of Dubai. We'll visit Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House and then walk through the Heritage Village of Dubai, an immersive time capsule of what life was like pre-modern UAE with an old-world souk (market), mosque, and camp. We'll continue our tour by abra (traditional boat or "water taxi"), crossing Dubai Creek to the Spice Souk, followed by the glittering Gold Souk where we can shop for treasures. At lunch, we'll enjoy authentic Emirati cuisine followed by an open discussion about the UAE's history, culture, and traditions at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. This evening, we'll visit the Dubai Mall and Dubai Fountain Show—a spectacular display of water, music, and lights. Next, we'll go to the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, and enjoy its incredible "At the Top" observation deck experience as the lights of the city shimmer. Stay at Dubai Mall for dinner, or return with the group to the hotel.

We'll enjoy a full day of free time in Dubai today. Spend it checking out the city sights or consider an optional tour to Sharjah, named the Cultural Capital of the Arab World by UNESCO.

We bid farewell to Dubai today as our tour comes to an end after breakfast.