Marina Byblos Hotel – 4 Stars

The Marina Byblos Hotel is just steps away from the famous Jumeirah Beach, an important destination for visitors to Dubai. Designed to be a calm oasis from city life, the Marina Byblos has six restaurants and bars, 24-hour concierge services, an outdoor rooftop swimming point, gym, sauna, steam room and health spa/beauty salon.

Tour of Dubai’s Old Center District

Dubai’s history is that of an ancient merchant town. The Old Centre shows evidence of its roots in trade of gold, pearls, spices and food stuff at the Gold Souk and the Grand Souk Deira, marketplaces which still offer all of these commodities. You will also visit the Heritage House, which offers a view into traditional life in the city, and the Al Ahmadiyad School, Dubai’s first school building, which now hosts exhibits on the city’s educational progress over the years.

Next, the tour takes you across the canal in an Abra, or water taxi, and visit the palace of Shindaga, which are old government buildings. Here we also find the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House, where the grandfather of the present leader of Dubai resides. Along this walk we can also see the Grand Souk Bur Dubai, the Grand Mosque in Bastakiya and an old quarter of Dubai which was built by trading merchants and has been picturesquely restored with authentic winding streets and houses.

The last stop is the Sheikh Mohammed Center for Culture and Understanding, which will be serving lunch and providing informal, educational talks.

Tour of Dubai’s Modern District

Dubai is a fascinating city that offers a stunning contrast between the architecture, culture and wealth of modern life in the UAE with the rich desert history of the Persian Gulf. On this tour, you will see many new projects and learn more about Dubai, its growth as a city and its future in the world of tomorrow.

A new Metro system will take us along a route which covers many important stops: Palm Jumeirah, a man-made island which is shaped like a palm tree, the Atlantic Hotel, themed boutiques, villas, apartment buildings and retail shops. We will also visit the marina, a newer residential district along the canal.

From here we will stop by the Dubai Land Information Centre, where you can get information on the city and a preview of upcoming projects. Dubai always has some complex architectural feat underway!

The last stop is Downtown Dubai, which hosts Dubai Mall (the largest shopping mall in the world), the Burj Khalifa tower (a 282 m skyscraper), fountains, public art and the Souq Al Bahar, a traditional Arabian marketplace. This is your chance to explore Dubai and see it through the lens of the modern age!

Tour of Abu Dhabi

As the capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi is a reflection of centuries of historic culture and traditions. For this full day tour, we will depart Dubai in the morning and drive approximately 2 hours to the city.

Here you will get the opportunity to go inside the Sheik Zayed Mosque, the largest mosque in the UAE. This mosque is one of the most important religious centres for the country, and was established with the purpose of uniting the cultural diversity of Islamic world, as well as the historical and modern values of architecture and art. It is able to hold up to 40,000 people for daily prayer services and has separate rooms for female worshippers.

Following the tour of the Mosque, our trip will lead us to Heritage Village, a reconstruction of the traditional oasis villages once found in the area. Traditional aspects of the desert way of life are attractively displayed in the open museum. Wander the streets of traditional mudhouses and watch craftsmen demonstrate traditional skills, such as metal work, pottery, weaving and spinning.

The final stop is at Emirates Palace for lunch. Emirates Palace is a seven star hotel known for its magnificent size and luxurious interior. You will enjoy a world-class meal before returning to Dubai.

Tour of Al Ain City

Al Ain means “the Spring” in Arabic. This city is an enchanting collection of gardens sprung from complex underwater irrigation systems. Al Ain still uses the 2,000 year old falaj irrigation system, which allows for its lush date gardens and city parks. As a desert village with ample underground water resources, it was an important stop on historic trade routes.

The tour begins at the Al Ain Museum and fortress. This is the oldest museum in the UAE and boasts an extensive collection of interesting archeological finds. Here you will gain insight into traditional Bedouin culture and be able to visit the nearby Hili Graves, which is a 5,000 year old Mesopotamian burial site.

We will also stop at the Al Ain Palace Museum. The museum was once the actual palace of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahayan, who ruled the UAE from 1927 to 1970. The palace was originally build in 1910 and contains many ornate meeting rooms, works of art and information on UAE history.

The next stop is the Camel Market, the largest livestock market in the region, where locals barter for camels, goats, sheep and horses. A fun and unique opportunity to meet the locals and glimpse traditional Arabic life!

The last activity on this tour is the drive up Mount Hafeet, a 1,300 metre high mountain. A sightseeing point will allow you to get out of the vehicle and take stunning photos of the vast desert stretching out below the mountain. Lunch at the Mercure Hotel, at the highest peak of the mountain, will be provided before our return to Dubai.

Atlantis Hotel Waterpark

 Not only is the Palm Jumeirah a spectacular feat of engineering (built on an enormous man-made island), but it also houses the Atlantis Hotel Waterpark! The hotel itself is famous for its nautical lost-city-of-the-sea theme, and the waterpark is just an extension of the enchantment! The park features a 700 m long private beach, water slides, rides and attractions. Take the “Leap of Faith”, and drop 28 m vertically, through an undersea tunnel and into shark infested waters!  Or slide down “The Plunge” sitting in a rubber tube, ending with a free fall into a massive pool.

An optional addition to your day of undersea adventures is a visit to Dolphin Bay, where you can watch these captivating creatures show off their tricks, or take a swim and meet them up close!

The Hotel Aquarium is also a sight to behold, with over 65,000 marine animals to view in spectacular underwater settings.

Yas Marina and Ferrari World

 A trip to the UAE is not complete without a visit to Yas Marina and Ferrari World! Take a full tour and get a glimpse of everything the massive man-made Yas Island has to offer! See one of the world’s most technologically advanced motorsports tracks from the biggest Grandstand in the park, then check out the Driving Academy, Drag Centre, Royal Shams Tower and Paddock. Take an iconic Formula One photo with the starting grid, finishing line and podium! You will then see the Pit Garages, F1 Team Villas and a stunning view of the Marina and famous Yas Hotel, as well as the Media Centre, an advanced global communication centre. On your way out, pick up a special souvenir from the YMC Welcome Centre Gearbox and get updates on what’s new at on the island.

Our last stop is Ferrari World! A theme park based on the speed, style and history of the iconic cars themselves. Ride the world’s fastest rollercoaster at top speed – 240 kph!

Seaplane Tour of Dubai

 If you’ve never been on a seaplane before, now is your chance! Take-off from one of either the Park Hyatt Hotel, Dubai Creek or in Jebel Ali, and soar through the city in style. On your 30 to 40 minute flight, you will see all the important sights of Dubai: the creek, Port Rashid, the Palm Jumeirah, Burd Al Arab, Dubai Marina and gorgeous stretches of beach. You will be flying in a loop around the entire city, so on the way back watch for the Emirates Golf Club and famous Sheik Zayed Road. This is an experience you won’t soon forget!

Helicopter Tour

 Get an eagle-eye view of Dubai from the cockpit of a helicopter! This first class trip comes with an experienced and knowledgeable pilot who will share information about the sights below. Take in views of the impressive skyline, famous Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab towers and beautiful stretches of beach. Flights are between 20 and 30 minutes long for small groups, and private tours can be arranged.

Sunset Boat Cruise

 Get a new perspective of Dubai – from the water! This relaxing cruise takes you past the Palm Jumeirah, a massive man-made island shaped like a palm tree. Sit back and enjoy the desert sunset as this luxurious cruise boat takes you from the Dubai Marina to the port of Mina El Siyahi, a vogue collection of bars and restaurants. Complementary drinks are offered aboard the cruise ship and a very pleasant evening awaits.

Afternoon Boat Cruise

Take a break from city life on the luxurious Afternoon Sundowner Cruise. Get a chance to see Dubai’s waterfront from a new perspective, with a knowledgeable host who will shape a picture of Dubai’s past, present and future. This one hour cruise is an excellent, informal way to get to know the city.

Fishing Trip

Early residents of the Arabian Desert have been fishing its coast for centuries. Join them in celebrating Dubai’s rich history and culture with a day of fishing. Your boat leaves from the Dubai Marina and heads into the Arabian Gulf, to be surrounded by water and all sorts of sea life. Look forward to a day’s catch of king mackerels, queen fish, barracudas, cobias and hammour, a delicacy which is widely eaten in the area. On board, you get the unique opportunity to grill your catch fresh from the sea! Enjoy your hard-earned dinner with non-alcoholic drinks and a spectacular view.