Travelers of Distinction Tour to Dubai & Cairo - Sponsored Tours by Friendly Planet Travel

9 days, $3070
from New York (JFK)

Includes airfare, fuel surcharges, great hotels, transfers, most meals, guided touring and more!

Hosted by Marilyn Austin, Doris Houston & Bunny Frisby
November 14 - 22, 2008

Dubai has been called the ultimate playground of the rich and famous. From Conde Nast Traveler, Travel & Leisure, the Discovery Channel, National Geographic Traveler and others in the know, everyone involved in travel today considers Dubai to be the hottest new destination around.

Dubai is bigger, grander, more lavish (and considerably more expensive) than any place we've ever been. The world's most expensive hotel, the Burj Al Arab, that universally recognized sailboat-shaped architectural wonder whose room rate exceeds $1500 per night, is located in Dubai. The world's tallest building, the Burj Dubai, is rising in the middle of town, and that's just for starters. An entire series of man-made islands, in the shape of palm fronds and another series in the shape of the entire world, are being created off the shore line, complete with gorgeous private villas and luxury hotels and resorts. And you definitely won't find more luxury hotels and enticing duty-free shopping anywhere. This little gem, whose metamorphosis from sleepy desert enclave to futuristic metropolis has happened in just the past 35 years, is surrounded by sand - miles and miles of sand - with rippling dunes that are perfect for 4 x 4 adventures, camel riding and even intimate dining under the stars.

There is absolutely nothing like Dubai in the world, but you don't have to be rich and famous to enjoy this amazing destination for yourself. In true Friendly Planet style, your 6 day visit to Dubai includes airfare, deluxe hotel accommodations, daily buffet breakfast, transfers and city tour. And all of this will cost you less than a similar visit to Las Vegas.

Our Touring Program

Day 1, Friday, November 14: Depart USA. Your exciting journey to Dubai begins this morning as you check in for your wide-body jet flight via Emirates Airlines, voted one of the world's 5 best.

A Dubai mosque and skyline

Day 2, Saturday, November 15: Arrive Dubai. Arrival this morning where our representatives will be there to assist you through visa and customs formalities and take you to your waiting guide and touring coach. Begin your tour at the Jumeirah Mosque. A prominent feature in the Dubai cityscape, the Jumeirah Mosque is a spectacular display of modern Islamic architecture.

Next stop is the Bastakiya district, where traditional courtyard houses, with characteristic wind towers that cleverly catch the breezes to cool the houses, line the narrow alleys. Many of the houses in this picturesque area of Dubai, previously home to the city's merchants, have been lovingly restored by proud locals who wish to preserve the unique ambience of the district.

Spice souk merchants

Continue to the Dubai Museum, housed in the massive, restored Al Fahidi Fort. Inside, lifelike dioramas offer a fascinating view of life in Dubai before the discovery of oil. You'll learn the importance of the date palm to the desert culture, the maritime traditions of fishing and pearl-diving and boat building and much more. Take a walk through the bustling, exotic souks, where you'll find beautiful and bargain-priced textiles, spices and gold.

Water taxi

The highlight of your city tour is a chance to take one of Dubai's most reliable and inexpensive forms of transportation, the Abra Water taxi. Your touring coach will be waiting as you disembark from your water taxi to take you to your deluxe hotel to check in and relax. Sheraton Four Points Downtown Dubai.

Day 3, Sunday, November 16 Desert Safari. Today you will have the opportunity to experience Dubai on your own. Your deluxe hotel is located in the heart of this bustling city, within walking distance to one of Dubai's most popular commercial districts. Be sure to check out the Burj Dubai, which will be the tallest building in the world once it is completed. Later today, embark on an exciting Desert Safari. Set out on a four-wheel-drive across sand dunes to a Bedouin campsite, where we’ll enjoy a brief camel ride. Then relax on cozy carpets and cushions, savoring Arabian coffee and a fresh barbecue dinner of Continental and Oriental dishes. A live Oud player and bewitching belly dancer complement this authentic Arabian experience. (B,D)

The Burj Al-Arab

Day 4, Monday, November 17 Modern Dubai. Today's excursion is a bonanza of visual extravagance that shows the face of modern Dubai- the city of innovation. Allow your camera to capture the opulence of Burj Al Arab, the tallest hotel built from the sea. Drive past the unique Palm Island and zip through the trendy Dubai Marina, Internet City and Media City. Conclude your tour with a visit Emirates Hills, a picturesque venue of posh villas and lush greenery, and the renowned Gold and Diamond Park.

Henna artist

We suggest you take advantage of this afternoon to visit the souks where you'll find everything from exotic spices, silk and cashmere pashminas, lavish gold, silver and diamond jewelry. Stroll the malls to find duty-free electronics, or consider stopping for a henna "tattoo" as a memento of your Dubai visit. While the tattoo will wear away in a few weeks time, your memories of this amazing place will stay with you forever.

Tonight, enjoy a dinner cruise on board an exquisite, traditional dhow boat on the Dubai Creek. You'll enjoy a gourmet menu with options to please everyone and a wine list that features choices from many worldwide wine regions. Live entertainment and best of all, a magnificent view of both sides of Dubai Creek illuminated by night, add to the charm of this wonderful way to end your stay in Dubai. (B, D)

Day 5, Tuesday, November 18: Dubai/Cairo. Enjoy the morning in Dubai to continue your exploration, shop for last-minute treasures, or get the henna. This afternoon, you'll transfer to the airport for your flight to Cairo. Upon arrival, our representatives will assist you with passport and customs formalities and escort you to your hotel. After a short briefing, enjoy the evening at leisure. Sofitel Gezirah or Cairo Marriott Hotel. (B)

The Sphinx at Giza, Egypt

Day 6, Wednesday, November 19: Cairo. After breakfast, board your touring coach for a full day of touring, beginning at the most famous of all sites, the Pyramids of Cheops and Chephren. These monuments have stood for 46 centuries and are considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World, possibly the most visited monuments of Egypt. The Sphinx, a feline character with the body of a lion and the face of Khufu (Cheops in Greek) is 50 meters long and 22 meters high. Carved from a single stone, it lies just before the Pyramids, and even today its meaning and origin remain shrouded in mystery.

After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to Cairo where you'll visit The Citadel, built in the 12th century and offering magnificent views of Islamic Cairo, Old Cairo and the Egyptian Museum. This world-famous museum houses the world's greatest collections of Egyptian artifacts, with more than 136,000 artifacts from every period of pre-Islamic Egyptian history as well as the Mummy Museum containing the petrified remains of some of Egypt's greatest Pharaohs. (B,L)

Egyptian vendor

Day 7, Thursday, November 20: Cairo. Enjoy the day at leisure. There is plenty to see and do in Cairo, including a visit to the world-famous Khan El Khalili bazaars, where the sites, sounds, spices and exotic clothing and jewelry, hand-hammered copper, ceramic ware and other treasures are waiting for your deft bargaining to win them at astounding prices. Your tour manager will gladly recommend other places where you can shop and explore independently. (B)

Day 8, Friday, November 21: Cairo/Evening Departure. One final day to explore Cairo at leisure. Later this afternoon, transfer to the airport to check in for your return flight to the USA via Dubai. (B)

Day 9, Saturday, November 22: Arrive USA. Your adventure to Dubai and Cairo ends this morning as you arrive at JFK International Airport in New York.

Destination FAQs

For quick answers to Frequently Asked Questions about travel to Israel, click here.

For quick answers to Frequently Asked Questions about travel to Jordan, click here.

Travelers of Distinction Tour to Dubai & Cairo Prices

Per person, double occupancy	$3070
Single room supplement:	$629
Comprehensive Travel Insurance:	add $129
* Airline departure taxes, fuel surcharges & airport fees.

Reservations

Please download the reservation application and fax or mail it to us, together with your $300 per person deposit. Fax to: 215-572-9803. Mail to P.O. Box 505, Jenkintown, PA 19046.

Reservation application PDF (requires free Acrobat Reader)