Emirate City Escape (United Arab Emirates in 9 Days • 7 Nights in Destination)

Ready to experience the culture and glamour of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates? Head to your departure airport to catch a flight to Dubai.* Night on board.

* If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Arrive in Dubai, considered one of the most luxurious cities in the world. Clear immigration and customs before transferring to the hotel. Get comfortable at the hotel and take in the views of the beautiful city skyline. Overnight stay in Dubai.

* You will have the option to add early check-in on arrival in Dubai (before 3:00 p.m.) in the next step of the booking process.

Breakfast at the hotel. Get to know the city as you set off on a half-day tour of Dubai. * Begin in the historic area of Bastakia, home to old merchant houses, cafes, and restaurants. Board an Abra Water Taxi and cruise along the waterways of Dubai Creek before disembarking and explore the Spice Souk and Gold Bazaars, the most famous in the world. Return to the hotel and enjoy the evening at your leisure. We recommend an optional Dhow Cruise and Dinner this evening.** Overnight stay in Dubai.

* Please note: this excursion operates on Friday afternoons and Monday, Wednesday, and Sunday mornings only.

** Optional Dhow Cruise and Dinner: Take a traditional Dhow Cruise along Dubai Creek and enjoy spectacular views of the skyscrapers and Dubai's illuminated skyline as you enjoy dinner on board.

Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day at your leisure, enjoying a shopping spree in Dubai's fabulous malls or relaxing at your leisure on the beach. We recommend an optional tour of the city's modern attractions.* In the late afternoon, take a luxury 4x4 desert excursion and enjoy an unforgettable barbecue dinner in a traditional Bedouin camp under the starry night sky with authentic Bedouin entertainment, belly dancing (except during the month of Ramadan) and traditional music. Return to the hotel and overnight stay in Dubai.

* Optional Half-Day Modern Dubai Tour: Visit the most emblematic sights in the city starting at the Souk Madinat Jumeirah, a traditional arabian bazaar and popular marketplace where you can find typical hand-made crafts. Next, travel to the man-made palm-shaped island of Palm Jumeirah to see the amazing Atlantis Hotel before heading back to the city on the monorail. Afterwards, explore glittering Dubai Marina, a man-made canal city and one of the most sought-after neighbourhoods in Dubai and end the trip in the Burj Khalifa area (entrance not included) and back to the hotel.  Please note: this optional excursion operates on Mondays and Fridays only. You will have the option to be dropped off at the Dubai Mall for some shopping and return to the hotel on your own.

After breakfast at the hotel, set off to Abu Dhabi, the immense capital of the United Arab Emirates, located to the south of Dubai. * On arrival, enjoy a comprehensive city tour to get to know the most emblematic sights of this Emirate metropolis. Start at the immense Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, an icon of the city and one of the largest mosques on earth. Clad in marble, it's a dazzling example of Islamic architecture. Afterwards, head to Al Bateen to see the Royal Palaces before driving along the spectacular Corniche, past gleaming mosques and elegant high-rises. See the impressive artificial Lulu Island and take a photo stop at the Breakwater for panoramic views of the city. Pass by the outside of the Emirates Palace Hotel and explore the luxurious interior of the Presidential Palace: Qasr al Watan. Stop for lunch at a traditional restaurant before exploring the cultural delights of the Louvre Museum, an incredible art and civilisation museum. After an action-packed day, return to Dubai. Overnight stay in Dubai.

* Please note: this excursion operates on Tuesdays and Saturdays only.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today is free to discover this modern Emirati metropolis at your leisure. We recommend visiting the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world and a symbol of the city of 828 meters and 160 floors. Since its inauguration in 2010, it offers the best views of the desert and the city. Underneath is the largest shopping centre in the world, the Dubai Mall where 1200 stores of all kinds are located. A shopping paradise! As night falls, we recommend an optional dinner overlooking the Dubai Fountains.* Overnight stay in Dubai.

* Optional Dinner at Dubai Fountains: Enjoy an unforgettable dining experience at a restaurant overlooking the musical fountains of Dubai. The Dubai Fountains are one of the largest and most complex fountains in the world, situated on a 30-acre lake surrounding the Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa. Enjoy dinner as you watch the dancing musical fountains.

Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day at your leisure in Dubai. Why not take a relaxing stroll through the beautiful flower beds of Dubai Miracle Garden, head to Jumeriah Beach or soak up the view from the top of the Burj Khalifa! Alternatively, we recommend an optional half-day excursion to the Emirates of Sharjah and Ajman.* Overnight stay in Dubai.

* Optional Sharjah & Ajman Half-Day Excursion: Get to know the Emirate states of Sharjah and Ajman, to the north of Dubai. Explore the handicraft stalls at the Blue Souk and pass by Faisal Mosque. Explore the authentic Al Arsha Souk, home to an array of unique Islamic arts and discover the history of the Emirates at the Ajman Museum. After lunch at a traditional restaurant, return to Dubai. Please note: this excursion operates on Thursdays only.

Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day at your leisure, shopping, sunbathing or exploring the delights of Dubai. Why not discover the sea life at the Dubai Aquarium or enjoy a fun-filled day at the Aquaventure Waterpark. Alternatively, we recommend an optional excursion to Fujairah, on the UAE's East Coast.* Overnight stay in Dubai.

* Optional Full-Day Fujairah Excursion: Set off to Fujairah, another of the United Arab Emirate states. Stop at the local market, at the foot of the Hajar Mountains and visit Masafi, home to a natural water source. Enjoy captivating views of the huge Wadis and head to the coast for a dip in the Indian Ocean. Lunch on the beach before passing through traditional fishing villages to visit Bidaya Mosque, the oldest in the UAE, and Fujairah Fort. Please note: this excursion operates on Saturdays and Sundays only.

Breakfast at the hotel. It's time to bring your time in beautiful Dubai to a close. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight back to the US. Arrive in the US and end your trip.