Venture into centuries-old souks and zoom to the top of the world’s tallest skyscraper, exploring the past, present, and future of the United Arab Emirates as you make your way from the labyrinthine streets of old Dubai to the dunes and oases of the Arabian Desert to the innovation-focused city of Abu Dhabi.

Starting at: $5,490 * Price includes special offer Make a Reservation Ask Us A Question or Call 855-330-1542
 Downtown Dubai with the Burj Khalifa at center
 Boats on the bay in Dubai
 Al Fahidi
 Dubai Marina
 Palm Island
 Aerial view of Burj Al Arab and the Palm, Dubai
 Burj Al Arab, Dubai
 The Frame in Dubai
 Gold market window in Dubai, U.A.E.
 Street Market in Dubai
 Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.
 Sheikh Zayed Mosque
 Sheikh Zayed Mosque
 Qasr Al-Hosn Fort, Abu Dhabi
 Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.
 The Louvre, Abu Dhabi
 The Louvre in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.
 Panorama of Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.
 Arabian Oryx at the Desert Conservation Reserve
 The revered falcon in the United Arab Emirates

Dubai and Abu Dhabi: A Stay in the United Arab Emirates

10 days from $5,490

Venture into centuries-old souks and zoom to the top of the world’s tallest skyscraper, exploring the past, present, and future of the United Arab Emirates as you make your way from the labyrinthine streets of old Dubai to the dunes and oases of the Arabian Desert to the innovation-focused city of Abu Dhabi.

or Call 855-330-1542

Accommodations

* Click on hotel name to visit hotel web-site.

Canopy by Hilton Dubai Al Seef

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Located just a ten-minute drive from Dubai International Airport and along Boardwalk Dubai and close to Dubai Creek, the sleek and modern Canopy by Hilton Dubai Al Seef features 200 rooms, a stunning outdoor/roof-top pool and pool-side lounge, a stylish lobby area serving refreshments, two restaurants and a fitness area. Guest rooms feature a bright, sleek and modern design and include spacious baths with a deep soaking tub and rain shower. Room amenities including complimentary Wi-Fi, a mini-refrigerator and a coffee/espresso maker. There are several restaurants, a pharmacy, and shopping just steps from the hotel entrance.

Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Spread out amongst the dunes of the Arabian Desert, the Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa combines authentic Arabian architecture, rustic charm, and luxurious amenities. Superior rooms feature balconies facing the pool or garden with tastefully appointed sleeping areas, balancing modern comforts with authentic décor. Guestroom baths are modern and bright with dual vanities, soaking tub and separate shower. The resort’s restaurants offer a wide choice of dining experiences from Middle Eastern specialties to European cuisine, and onsite amenities include a sparkling swimming pool, fitness center, a full service spa (additional charges apply) and extensive gardens.

Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

In the heart of Abu Dhabi’s business district just a short walk from the Corniche, Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi is one of the city’s most stylish hotels as well as an architectural landmark. The recently refurbished hotel offers deluxe rooms with contemporary furnishings and views of the Corniche or the towering Abu Dhabi skyline. From a fine dining experience at Stratos to the casual Market Kitchen to a bistro, a pub, and a café, the hotel offers a range of restaurants and lounges to suit every occasion. Other amenities include a fitness center, an indoor and an outdoor pool, and an inviting coffeehouse-style lounge. 

Bab al Shams Resort

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Spread out amongst the dunes of the Arabian Desert, the Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa combines authentic Arabian architecture, rustic charm, and luxurious amenities. Superior rooms feature balconies facing the pool or garden with tastefully appointed sleeping areas, balancing modern comforts with authentic décor. Guestroom baths are modern and bright with dual vanities, soaking tub and separate shower. The resort’s restaurants offer a wide choice of dining experiences from Middle Eastern specialties to European cuisine, and onsite amenities include a sparkling swimming pool, fitness center, a full service spa (additional charges apply) and extensive gardens.

Activity Levels

Expectations: Ten-day Cultural Stay featuring three regions. Full-day excursions with some longer, extensive walking tours of museums, old cities, and outdoor historic sites. Excursions can be over uneven terrain (e.g. outdoor sites, desert landscapes, unpaved paths, stairs without handrails, absence of elevators). Hotels are well located for easy access to sites and restaurants during time at leisure. The sun can be quite strong, so hats, sunglasses and sun protection are highly recommended when venturing outdoors.

Appropriate for: Travelers who are physically fit and comfortable with longer days of touring (both walking tours and coach time).

Special Air Rates & Services

FlexAir is designed to provide you with the flexibility and choice you need to personalize your air travel experience. Explore a wide range of flight options in consultation with our experienced travel professionals to select the flights, routing, class of service, and dates of travel that most fit your needs. Our partner tour operator has negotiated contracts with a wide variety of carriers that allow them to hold flight reservations and then issue your ticket close to departure without additional fees. This protects you from the need to purchase published-fare tickets, which must be ticketed within 24 hours of purchase. FlexAir reservations provide the flexibility to adjust reservations without penalty and to accommodate extensions and upgrades right up until ticketing time, usually around 60 days before departure. We look forward to providing you with more choice and the best possible itinerary for your air travel plans.

Program Includes:

  • Guaranteed transfers between the airport and your overseas accommodations upon arrival and departure (in most cases). We will provide you with all of the details you need to guarantee your transfer.
  • Air schedule change and delay assistance. Book FlexAir to ensure assistance should schedule changes or delays impact your air travel plans.
  • Flight insurance worth up to $250,000, subject to policy terms, is automatically included.
  • Confirmed airline seat assignments at the time of booking (in most cases).
Reading List

Highly Recommended

Lonely Planet Dubai & Abu Dhabi 9 (Travel Guide)
By: Schulte-Peevers, Andrea, Raub, Kevin
Beyond Dubai: Seeking Lost Cities in the Emirates
By: Millar, David
UAE - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture (93)
By: Walsh, John, Culture Smart!

Also Recommended

City of Gold: Dubai and the Dream of Capitalism
By: Jim Krane
Showpiece City: How Architecture Made Dubai (Stanford Studies in Middle Eastern and Islamic Societies and Cultures)
By: Reisz, Todd
Louvre Abu Dhabi: The Complete Guide
Enticing, Exotic UAE Recipes: A Complete Cookbook of Excellent Emirati Dish Ideas!
By: Allen, Allie
Layover in Dubai
By: Fesperman, Dan
Conversational Arabic Quick and Easy: Emirati Dialect, Gulf Arabic of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, UAE Arabic, and the United Arab Emirates
By: Nitzany, Yatir
24x36 World Wall Map by Smithsonian Journeys - Tan Oceans Special Edition (24x36 Laminated)
Travel Insurance

For the convenience of our travelers, Travel Guard provides an on-tour Insurance Plan. On-tour emergency evacuation insurance (up to $100,000), medical expense coverage (up to $25,000), dental expense coverage (up to $500), travel medical assistance and worldwide travel assistance (U.S. Residents only). It also includes up to $25,000 medical and up to $500 dental expense coverage, and 24-hour worldwide travel and medical assistance. Please click here to view complete coverage details.

Please visit www.TravelGuard.com/SmithsonianJourneys or call Travel Guard at 1-800-208-6142 to learn about additional (optional) coverage.

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