Just a few hours from Europe and the Middle East, Dubai is an ideal stopover for shop-a-holics, sun-worshippers, and desert lovers. It features amazing structures, numerous fine dining options, awesome shopping centers, stretches of white-sand beaches, vast golf courses, and a vast desert made for adventures.

Day 1
Shopping for New & Old

Drive through a landscape characterized by superb infrastructure such as the Burj Al Arab, the only 7-star hotel in the world. Stroll through the narrow lanes of Bastakia, cross the threshold of Al Fahidi Fort, and cross over the Creek in an Abrah, a water taxi, to breathe in the colors, scents, and splendor of the Spice Souk and Gold Souk. Under a starry and moonlit sky, enjoy a romantic dinner aboard a traditional Arabic Dhow gliding silently along the Creek of Dubai.

Dubai City Tour
Dubai Shopping Tour
Traditional Dhow Cruise with Dinner

Day 2
A Desert Safari!

Experience the magic of the Desert today. Get into one of those SUVs and let a desert expert show you what dune bashing is all about. Drive towards an ancient fortress in Hatta, along scenic roads, past clear mountain pools, through a lush Wadi until you reach the warm hospitality of a centuries-old Bedouin Village. A sumptuous dinner at sunset is the perfect conclusion.

Full Day Hatta Desert Safari

Although Dubai’s economy was built on the the oil industry, the last few years have seen the rise of tourism, real estate, and financial services as main revenue sources owing to Dubai’s aggressive construction and real estate projects. The Emirates Towers, the Burj Khalifa, the Palm Islands and the world's second tallest and most expensive hotel, the Burj Al Arab, have all captured the world’s attention and helped Dubai in positioning itself as an important city.

In 2007, Dubai was the eighth most visited city in the world largely because of its vibrant shopping market and other ancient and modern attractions. But Dubai is more than just a shopping destination. Its proximity to the sea and the desert has been put to good measure and both the sea and the desert are now top attractions in the city.

The following itinerary highlights some of the exciting activities, featuring the sea, the sand and the air. Activities like yacht cruising, helicopter and hot air balloon riding and sand boarding are among those highlighted in this itinerary. More options are in store for tourists on City-discovery.com.

Day 1
Dubai, The Golden City

Start your first day day with a tour of the city’s great landmarks like Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah, the picturesque palace and residential area of Dubai, and also home to the famous Jumeirah Mosque. Take a few moments to take pictures of these beautiful buildings before heading to Al Bastakiya, the old part of Dubai, where one can find the museum located in Al Fahidi Fort. Visitors will cross the Creek on board an abra or water taxi to see the spice souk. There is time for shopping at the famous gold souk of Dubai on the return trip.

Gear up and see Dubai again from a different perspective, this time on board a helicopter. See the city’s most recognizable landmarks from up in the air as the helicopter flies down Dubai creek,  turn left toward Port Rashid and follow the coast over Jumeirah to Burj al Arab, before turning back to head down Sheikh Zayed Road.

At night, enjoy a Cruise with Dinner down Dubai Creek on board a traditional dhow. Watch the city spring into life at night as buildings and landmarks become illuminated and enjoy a buffet of Arabic fare for dinner.

Dubai The Golden City
Dubai The Golden City Private Tour
Helicopter Ride over Dubai
Traditional Dhow Cruise with Dinner

Day 2
Sand Boarding and Dune Driving in the Desert

Drive down to Dubai’s finest sand dunes on a four-wheel vehicle to try one of the most popular sports in the desert: sand boarding. Spend the other half of the day on an exciting dune drive and watch the beautiful sunset in the desert. Tourists can have the opportunity to do camel riding, and try out a henna design. Enjoy a delicious barbecue dinner and a shisha, (the famous Arabic water pipe) and watch a belly dancer perform around the campfire by starlight. Don’t miss to watch the glorious sunset as in the desert as you head back to the city.

Desert Wonder Safari
Desert Wonder Private Safari
The Adventurer Sand Boarding Private Tour

Day 3
Hot Air Balloon Ride and A Yacht Cruise

Before leaving Dubai, add another jewel in the memory box by taking the hot air balloon ride over the desert The hot air balloon takes off at the red desert sands near Fossil Rock between Dubai and Hatta. The ride is another tranquil experience that tourists can enjoy, especially at sunrise.

Cap your three-day stay in Dubai by Sail away from the ruckus of the city and relax on a yacht cruise down the sea. Get a different view of the city’s skyline from the sea, on board the Andorra, a 50-foot luxury air-conditioned yacht. Breathe in the fresh sea breeze or go sunbathing on deck.

Hot Air Balloon Ride Over the Desert
Yacht Cruise