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.
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.
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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.
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).
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).
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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.