Dubai
It’s simply astonishing what a judicious blend of vision, passion and science can achieve. Who would have imagined that a place in the desert blessed only with a surfeit of sand and sun would grow to become one of the foremost cities of the modern world, attracting statesmen, artists, thinkers and pleasure seekers from across the world. For such is the story of Dubai. From a barren place, known only for its pearling and fishing, to a world class city which hosts the world’s richest horse races, is home to the most spectacular malls, boasts a state-of-the-art water theme park, golf courses and ski slopes, and also the world’s most extravagant hotels. The world’s most extravagant shopping festival, Dubai Shopping Festival attracts millions of happy shoppers each year. And despite the cultural regulations that are only to be expected in an Islamic country, there is still plenty of room for some first-rate entertainment. The City of Gold is the dream playground for those whose wallets are full, and hearts light.
Luxury Dhow Cruise
Float along Dubai creek in a traditional dhow, with the glimmering lights of Dubai around you, reflected on the waters. Enjoy the dance performances and music, and select from a lavish buffet, with several kinds of cuisines, juices and soft drinks.
Skydiving
After a ground safety briefing, you are taken up to about 90,000 feet in a small plane and, strapped to a qualified and highly experienced instructor, you jump out. After experiencing the rush of the free fall, which can last up to a minute, the parachute is deployed, giving you just enough time to admire the landscape of ocean and desert around you.
A Seaplane Ride
Take off from the harbour and skim over the impressive villas on the coastline with their vast swimming pools and sports cars, towards the palm and world shaped islands. You may choose flights of anything from half an hour onwards.
Power Parachuting
Just a seat, a few straps and a parachute keep you afloat over Dubai’s cityscape. Take off from Ras al Khaimah, with a bird’s eye view over the desert and coast. Your Microlight reaches a height of about 250 m, before landing safely, thanks to the parachute.
Helicopter Tours
If you want a stunning view of the city, but don’t have the courage to skydive, take a helicopter ride. Your tour takes you past the Burj Al Arab, the Burj Dubai - the world’s tallest building, The Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina.
Hot Air Ballooning
Take an early morning flight over Dubai in a hot air balloon. Depending on the air currents, you will fly over the dunes or close to the mountains. The flights last an hour, taking in the sunrise over the desert.
Dune Safari with a Barbeque
Head out a Bedouin campsite in the heart of the desert. There is much to entertainment you, from camel rides and sheeshas to belly dancers. Dine on a delicious barbeque spread, with soft drinks.
Wild Wadi
Between the Burj al Arab and Jumeirah Beach Hotel is Wild Wadi, a state of the art water theme park. Experience the Tunnel of Doom – a network of underground tunnels which take you to the Lazy River; and the Jumeirah Sceirah - the fastest speed slide in the Middle East.
Ski Dubai
In the middle of the Mall of Emirates is a manmade miracle – a ski resort with six tonnes of real snow that falls overnight at -10 degrees Celsius. Featuring a gentle slope for beginners and the world’s first ‘black diamond’ indoor run for the pros.
The Jumana Show
This open-air show in the desert features a kidnapped princess, a good prince battling evil, an international cast of dancers and acrobats, and a dazzling light and firework display by Groupe F, choreographers of the Olympic Games ceremonies in Athens and the millennium celebrations in Paris.
Dubai City tour by Hummer
A swank stretch Hummer takes you to see the Jumeirah Mosque, Jumeirah Public Beach, the creek, Dubai Museum in the Al Fahidi Fort, and includes a photo-stop at the Burj al Arab. You will pass by the colourful textile market and stop at the gold souk for the jaw-dropping sight of gold, gold everywhere.
The Emirates Golf Club
The Emirates Golf Club is the first championship grass course in the Middle East. It features no less than two 18-hole par 72 championship courses with lush fairways, large greens and superbly placed water hazards and bunkers. A day here for a serious game of golf is highly recommended.
The Dolphinarium
Watch trained bottlenose dolphins and fur seals as they perform for visitors. For those who seek a more intimate experience, swimming with the dolphins is an unforgettable way to learn about these creatures. You may also choose to have your photograph taken with the dolphins and seals.
Open Bus
An open-top, double-decker bus takes you around the city, from the Burj al Arab and Old Dubai to the spice souks and Dubai Beach. Stop at the Dubai Museum for an insight into the city’s past. Explore Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum’s House, and end your day with a Dhow river cruise.
Wonderland
The Wonderland theme park (open 2 pm to 8 pm) has much to offer the thrill-seeking traveller. Water slides, bumper boats, rollercoasters, and several other rides. All of these will help you work up an appetite, which you can quench at any of their three restaurants.
Fujairah Tour
On your day tour, you will stop at a local market view the 300 year-old fort, dine at a local restaurant and visit the oldest mosque in the U.A.E, the Bidaya Mosque. Next, head to Fujairah and Khorfakhan’s beaches where you can swim or relax on the beach.
Hatta Village
For a taste of the ancient desert, take a trip to Hatta village. Stop at the Friday market to shop for pots and carpets. At the Heritage Village you will see a 16th century fort and the old Sheikh of Hatta’s home. Stop for lunch at the Hatta Fort Hotel. After a period of rest, return to Dubai.
Aquaventure At Atlantis
Welcome to a state of the art water park. In the middle of the desert. At the Atlantis hotel’s themed water park, you can skim down water slides, float in a lagoon, laze on the beach, ride the rapids, drop off a sheer cliff, and much more.
Ice Skating
For an unbelievably different experience, go ice skating on an Olympic-size ice rink. The Dubai Ice Rink offers world class facilities, with its 1.5 inches of ice, an ice resurfacing machine, classes for beginners and Ice Marshals to ensure your safety.
City Parks
For a desert city, Dubai has a surprising number of parks. Mushrif Park, the Creekside Park, Zabeel Park and Al Mamzar Beach Park are the four that come most highly recommended, with vast expanses of lush greenery, children’s amusement areas and picnic areas.
Sheikh Makhtoum's Palace
Once the ruler’s residence, this palace now houses the Museum of Historical Photographs and Documents of the Emirate of Dubai. Carved teak windows and doors, delicate lattices and balustrades and towers transport you to a bygone era.
Dubai Duty Free Airport
Shopping. Tax-free. Where else but at the International Airport. Perfumes, jewellery, cosmetics, electronics, alcohol, chocolates and more. Shop here, and a Surprise Draw, now in its 19th year, could win you a BMW, Porsche, or Mercedes!
Jumeirah Mosque
Designed in the medieval Fatimid tradition, this imposing structure pays homage to Islamic architecture and design. Non-Muslims can explore the mosque in a guided tour organised by the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding.
Hatta Discovery
High up in the Hatta mountains, 115 km south east of Dubai is where you will find Hatta Village. Constructed around an old settlement, this village recreates a traditional Arab mountain village, with houses made of mud and palm leaves, and quaint seating areas around the oasis.Your half day trek to Hatta takes you along the Hatta highway to the Friday market where you can shop for fruits, pots and skilfully fashioned carpets. Drop in at Hatta Heritage Village to see the sixteenth century fort, the house of the old Sheikh of Hatta, and, if you’re lucky, the traditional method of watering the date palms with well water. Continue your journey past green fields and oases to cool wadis which offer you the chance to swim. Halt for lunch at the Hatta Fort Hotel. In the afternoon, you will return to Dubai.
Credit Cards Ready?
Chocolates. Gadgets. Gold. Perfumes. Dubai has it all, and much more. The city hosts the world’s most extravagant shopping festival, an excuse for fashionistas and shopaholics to congregate, arriving by the planeload in the months of January and February. Dubai’s malls are legendary; each year, a new one throws open its gates, surpassing the rest for novelty and grandeur. And there is never a dearth of shoppers… every luxe brand worth its pedigree has made a fortune here.The last few years, especially, have seen the birth of some truly colossal malls. Offering entertainment, a superb variety of cuisines to suit every taste, and of course, miles and miles of exquisite window displays. It’s easy to lose yourself in some of these malls; to cover just one thoroughly would perhaps take a day. The Mall of the Emirates, for instance, is home to the world’s largest ski slope, 350 shops and a 400-room Kempinski hotel. Ibn Batuta mall on the outskirts of the city on Sheikh Zayed Road boasts six themed shopping halls (Egyptian, Andalusian and Chinese style, to name a few), each ornately done up on a mammoth scale. The Dubai Mall houses 1,200 stores, with brands like Guess Jeans, Gap, Manolo Blahnik and Aldo. While here, stop over at the Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre and Dubai Ice Rink, also housed here. The other malls worth visiting include Dubai Festival City, Dubai Outlet Mall, Lamcy Plaza, Mercato and Wafi Mall.
The local souks of Deira and Bur Dubai offer a completely different perspective, of this part of the world with narrow alleyways selling spices, gold, traditional oil-based perfumes and textiles. Here, be sure to bargain for anything that catches your eye. No discourse on shopping in Dubai would be complete without a mention of the Gold Souk. You have here a staggering variety of jewellery, and your visit to Dubai is incomplete without purchasing some of its pure gold.
The Emirate Next Door
The United Arab Emirates are made up of seven emirates, of which Dubai is just one. The other emirates, each ruled by an Emir, are Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Quwain, Ras al-Khaimah and Fujairah.Located on the east coast of the country on the Gulf of Oman, Fujairah offers much to interest the traveller, and is best visited during spring or autumn. A day trip to this emirate is ideal. A two-hour drive from Dubai, Fujairah is home to several historic and archaeological sites. Its beaches are clean and largely empty. The mountains offer scope for trekking and hiking, with stunning vistas from the top. The Ain Al Madhab botanical gardens are a pleasant place to spend a few hours. Fujairah Fort, the Bithna Fort, the Heritage Village, Al Hayl Castle and Fujairah Museum are also worth a visit. On your day trip here, you will drive through the desert, stop at a local market, and at the 300 year old Fujairah Fort. After lunch at a local restaurant, you will visit the Bidaya Mosque, one of the oldest in the UAE. Next you will stop and explore the pristine beaches of Fujairah and Khorfakhan.
The Palace - The Old Town *****
With its gracious hospitality, stately architecture, and a serene spot on the bank of a lake, The Palace takes you back in time for a taste of ancient Arabia.
LOCATION
This lakeside resort is in Downtown Burj Dubai, overlooking the world’s tallest tower. It is close to the Dubai Airport, Dubai World Trade Centre, The Dubai Mall and The Souk Al Bahar.
FEATURES
The Palace hosts three international restaurants, a luxury spa with six private treatment suites, a large pool, a fitness centre, stunning meetings and events facilities and a comprehensive business centre.
ACCOMMODATION
The hotel offers 242 guest rooms, including 81 suites, all of which feature balconies with either Burj Dubai Lake or Old Town views. The interiors of each room follow a rich Middle Eastern theme. The Club Rooms, Palace, Royal and Imperial Suites offer an exclusive 24-hour personal butler service, complimentary airport transfers, access to the executive lounge and 24 Hour Check-in / Check-out facilities.
Atlantis The Palm *****
This magnificent hotel is the jewel in the crown that is the man-made island off the coast of Dubai. Inspired by the marine world, this hotel is the last word in luxury.
LOCATION
Set on the Palm Jumeirah, the hotel lies at a distance of 35 km from the Dubai International Airport, and is connected to the mainland by a six-lane tunnel. Alternatively, guests can reach the hotel via the Palm Monorail, connected to the main section of the Palm Jumeirah islands. Dubai City is a 25-minute drive away from the resort, while the Emirates Mall can be reached in only 15 minutes.
FEATURES
The resort has its own beach, along with a line-up of water-themed recreational activities which gives this destination its unique identity. Here, guests may explore a range of exclusive boutiques, And several recreational activities, including local excursions.
ACCOMMODATION
Each of the 1,373 spacious guest rooms and 166 suites has been designed with subtle oceanic and Arabic influences, with spectacular views of the azure Arabian Gulf or the Palm Jumeirah. The Lost Chambers Suites are set below the ocean, floor-to-ceiling windows offering a spectacular view into the Ambassador Lagoon with a variety of exotic marine life gracefully gliding by.
The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina *****
A tranquil setting on a private beach with beautiful views over the Arabian Gulf. And a world of luxury. The Westin offers everything the luxury traveller needs for a memorable vacation.
LOCATION
Set on the Dubai shoreline, The Westin Dubai is just 20 minutes from the cosmopolitan city centre and the modern attractions of the gold souks. Nearby is the Mall of the Emirates, with its plethora of swish boutiques and outlets.
FEATURES
The resort includes ten food and beverage venues and extensive conference and banqueting facilities, including an outdoor amphitheatre. The indulgent spa and gym provide total relaxation and rejuvenation.
ACCOMMODATION
There are 294 spacious guest rooms and suites featuring comfortable beds, luxurious bath amenities and LCD TVs. These have been decorated with a mix of contemporary and classical influence featuring high ceilings and oversized grand mirrors.
Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina *****
Set on the prestigious Jumeirah beach, Le Méridien is where guests will find the largest private beach in the city, with a host of water sports. Perfect for the holiday that’s all about fun.
LOCATION
Overlooking the Arabian Sea, this five-star resort stands opposite the Emirates Golf Club and Montgomery Golf Course, and is just 35 minutes away from Dubai International Airport.
FEATURES
The hotel features meeting facilities and banqueting rooms, including excellent outdoor facilities for up to 5,000 guests; eight restaurants and bars; five outdoor pools, and access to a range of activities such as water skiing, kayaking, and windsurfing. The hotel's Penguin Club provides activities and services for children.
ACCOMMODATION
Guests may choose from 154 Deluxe rooms, available with Sea and Land view options, including two rooms accessible to people with disabilities. There are also Royal Club rooms, Royal Club Superior rooms, and three Royal Club Executive rooms, with escalating levels of luxury and services. Two Deluxe Suites offer a large bedroom with a separate lounge and dining room and a superb view of Jumeirah beach and the Arabian Gulf. For unparalleled luxury, the two Royal Suites provide breathtaking views of the sea as well as a large bedroom with separate lounge and adjacent rooftop terrace.
Grand Hyatt Dubai *****
Thirty seven acres of landscaped gardens by the banks of the creek provide a suitably impressive setting for this sleek hotel.
LOCATION
Six miles from the heart of Dubai, five miles from Dubai International Airport by the edge of the Dubai creek is where you will find the Grand Hyatt. The main shopping areas are six miles away, and Jumeirah Beach is double that distance from here.
FEATURES
Within the hotel, there is a health centre & spa, a shopping arcade, swimming pool, tennis courts and sightseeing tours. The Grand Hyatt also offers its guests a choice f 14 restaurants and lounge bars serving everything from sushi to Italian.
ACCOMMODATION
Guests may choose from Grand King, Grand Twin, Creekside King, Creekside Twin, Club Twin, Club King, Club Creekside King, Club Creekside Twin, Grand Deluxe King, Grand Suite King, Emiri Suite King, Prince Suite King and Royal Suite King. Each room comes with a host of amenities. The 39-square-metre Grand King room, for instance, offers contemporary décor, a plush king-size bed, generous work area with high-speed Internet access, stylish Italian marble bath with separate tub and shower, twin basins and a bidet.
Everything, and a smile.
No matter where in this vast country you venture, you will be struck by one unfailing quality of the Turkish people - their genuine warmth and inbred spirit of generosity. It is an inherent part of their heritage, finding its roots in their early nomadic lifestyle in central Asia. Whether you seek dir ections or a favour, most folk are only too willing to help, since the general attitude of everybody here is that visitors are guests sent by God.
Family is very important to the Turkish people, with the elderly revered and deferred to. The most common social practice at a Turkish home is the offering and serving of coffee to visitors. Turkish coffee is quite different from any other kind of coffee, and involves an elaborate brewing process, which differs from one home to another. It is customary for the daughter of the house to prepare the thick, sweet brew, topped with a layer of rich foam. In your travels, count yourself fortunate if you are hosted at a Turkish home; as it offers you a remarkable insight into the traditional way of life.
Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort & Towers *****
Blessed with an enviable setting on the pristine white sands of Jumeirah beach, the Sheraton combines excellent service with a world of luxurious amenities.
LOCATION
Set on the far end of the Jumeirah beach strip, the hotel is perfect for both business travellers as well as vacationers. The Sheraton is a 40-minute drive away from Dubai Airport and is close to Dubai’s Internet City and Media City, Jebel Ali Free-Zone, Championship Golf Courses, and two shopping malls.
FEATURES
Here, guests will find everything from restaurants and bars to a water sports centre and a children’s centre. The spa, Aqua Senses, offers luxurious treatments using pure, natural ingredients.
ACCOMMODATION
The Sheraton offers Standard Rooms and Sea View rooms. Some rooms overlook the Gulf and Palm Island, while some overlook the Jumeirah Beach Residence.
Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers *****
In the Sheraton, with its unrivalled view over the serene Dubai creek, it’s easy to spend hours watching life drift past. Of course, the marvellous facilities here do vie for guests’ attention.
LOCATION
Overlooking the Dubai creek, this hotel is a quick walk away from the city’s main commercial and shopping districts, and seven km from the International Airport.
FEATURES
The hotel’s cuisine comes highly commended, with authentic Japanese, Indian, international, and Italian restaurants. There is also an outdoor pool and a fully equipped gym.
ACCOMMODATION
There are 262 spacious guest rooms and suites, each offering five-star comforts. Rooms on the Tower floors come with 24-hour personalised butler service and exclusive benefits. Panoramic windows offer uninterrupted views of the Dubai Creek and city. Refreshing colour schemes and a host of amenities make your stay more comfortable. For the height of luxury, guests may choose to stay at the Habari and Rasha Presidential Suites or the Abjar Royal Suite.
Experience Jumeirah, Dubai (3D/2N)
Inclusions
02 nights accommodation at Emirates Towers with breakfast
01 night accommodation at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray or Madinat Jumeirah with breakfast
01 lunch or dinner at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray or Madinat Jumeirah
Complimentary unlimited access to Wild Wadi Waterpark
Return airport transfers on private basis
Inter Hotel transfer via complimentary shuttle
Complimentary Marhaba Diamond Service on arrival
Complimentary Marhaba Lounge facility during departure
Value add-ons
Complimentary child’s accommodation including meals at Jumeirah
Zabeel Saray or Madinat Jumeirah
Unlimited Internet Access
Sinbad’s Kids Club for children
Complimentary private beach access
Complimentary shuttle to nearest mall
Complimentary “Abra tour” for in house guests @ Madinat Jumeirah
Choice of cuisine for lunch or dinner in any of their 28 participating restaurants in Dubai
25% discount on Spa
Upgrade to a higher category of room upon check-in
Desert Paradise (4D/3N)
Spend four action packed days in the city of a thousand malls. Savour a traditional feast in the desert. Shop till your credit cards overheat. Take a cruise in a dhow. You may never want to leave.
Dubai 3 nightsDAY 1
Arrive in Dubai, where our local representative will escort you to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day acquainting yourself with the area around your hotel.
DAY 2
After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, set off on a tour of the city. Stop to take a photograph at the Burj al Arab and wander through Jumeirah and Al Bastakiya, heading towards the museum in Al Fahidi fort. Cross the waterways in an abra (water taxi). In the evening, you may choose to go on a desert safari, where you can drive over the dunes, take a camel ride, have henna designs traced on your palms, try on traditional Arabic outfits and admire the grace of the belly dancers. The entertainment is accompanied by flavoured sheeshas and a sumptuous barbeque dinner.
DAY 3
After you’ve done justice to the buffet breakfast at your hotel, the day is free for you to shop at any of the malls in the city. In the evening, take a dhow dinner cruise on the Dubai creek. As you glide softly along the waterfront, pause to admire the imposing architecture of Sheikh Saeed’s house and the Heritage village.
DAY 4
After breakfast at the hotel, you might have time for a little last minute shopping before you check out of your hotel and head to the airport to board your flight home.
Dazzling Dubai(7D/6N)
Explore the most cosmopolitan desert city on the planet. Go on a desert safari, spend a day shopping, take a relaxed dhow cruise, and spend a day at a theme park. It’s all the action of Dubai, in one week.
Dubai 6 nightsDAY 1
Arrive in Dubai, where our local representative will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day shopping or exploring the area around your hotel.
DAY 2
After a buffet breakfast at the hotel, set off on a half-day tour of the city, beginning with a photo-halt at the Burj al Arab. Continue to Jumeirah with its famous mosque, and Al Bastakiya’s museum in the Al Fahidi Fort. You will also take a water taxi across the waterways. In the evening, take an exciting Desert Safari tour. This includes a safari in a Four Wheel Drive over undulating desert dunes. Watch a belly dance performance while you sample the exotic barbeque dinner. Later, return to your hotel.
DAY 3
After breakfast at the hotel, set off to Fujairah for a full day tour.
DAY 4
After a leisurely buffet breakfast, you may choose to visit either Wild Wadi or Ski Dubai, both of which offer several hours of high-tech exhilaration. Your evening is spent at the Jumana Light Show, an exciting open air show.
DAY 5
Once you’ve completed a substantial breakfast, take a full day tour to Hatta Heritage Village.
DAY 6
Savour a delicious breakfast, after which the day is yours to explore the city. Wander around the souks and glitzy malls, and dine at any of Dubai’s world class restaurants. In the evening, you will take a refreshing Dhow cruise, complete with a traditional Arabic dinner, for a completely bewitching alternative view of the city. Admire the grand architecture of Dubai as you pass by Sheikh Saeed’s house, the birthplace of Sheikh Rashid and the Heritage village.
DAY 7
After breakfast, set off to Dubai airport to board your flight home.