Day-by-day programme of this 9-day itinerary across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the seven emirates.
Day 1 â Arrival in Dubai
Landing in Dubai, the Gulf's showcase city: but before the skyscrapers you discover its old soul, along the Creek among souks and wind-tower houses.
- âïļ Dubai â Aeroporto Internazionale di Dubai (DXB)
- ð Al Fahidi Historical District â The historic district of Al Fahidi (Bastakiya) is the Dubai of a century ago: a maze of narrow lanes among coral-and-mud houses topped by barjeel, the wind towers that caught the breeze before air conditioning. Today it houses galleries, cafes and the coffee museum. From here you head down to the Dubai Creek, the canal around which the city was born.
- ð Dubai Creek â The Dubai Creek is the city's historic commercial soul: you cross it aboard an abra, the traditional little wooden boat (for a few cents), passing from Bur Dubai to Deira, where the senses reel between the Gold Souk - windows brimming with jewellery - and the Spice Souk, fragrant with saffron and incense. Dinner with a Lebanese or Emirati dish. You sleep three nights in Dubai.
- ðĻ Rove Downtown Dubai â Centro (Downtown / Deira / Marina), Dubai
Day 2 â Dubai of records
A day in futuristic Dubai: the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, the dazzling malls, the skyscraper Marina and the palm-shaped artificial island.
- ð Burj Khalifa â You begin with Dubai's symbol: the Burj Khalifa, at 828 metres the world's tallest building. You go up to the 'At the Top' observation decks (124th-148th floor, to be booked) for a dizzying view over the city, the desert and the sea. At its foot lies the Dubai Mall, one of the largest on the planet, with an aquarium, an ice rink and the famous dancing fountain. In the afternoon you head to the coast, to the Marina.
- ð Dubai Marina â Dubai Marina is a canyon of mirrored skyscrapers overlooking an artificial canal packed with yachts: you stroll along the Marina Walk and JBR beach, among cafes and palms. It is glossy, contemporary Dubai, perfect for a sea-view lunch and a sunset dhow cruise. Just beyond you reach the Palm Jumeirah.
- ð Palm Jumeirah â The Palm Jumeirah is the palm-shaped artificial archipelago, one of the world's most famous feats of engineering, reclaimed from the sea. You drive to the tip, crowned by the Atlantis The Palm hotel; from The View at The Palm or the monorail you grasp the incredible design from above. A sunset aperitif in one of its beach clubs. You return to the hotel: tomorrow the desert.
Day 3 â The desert and Jumeirah
A morning in elegant Jumeirah and an afternoon-evening in the desert, among golden dunes, camels and a Bedouin dinner under the stars: the most authentic Emirati experience.
- ð Jumeirah Mosque â The Jumeirah Mosque, all white stone in Fatimid style, is one of the few open to non-Muslims, with guided tours explaining Islam and local customs (the 'Open Doors, Open Minds' programme). Nearby, the Jumeirah district with its beaches and the fairytale Madinat Jumeirah, a souk-resort with canals from which to admire the nearby Burj Al Arab, the sail-shaped hotel. In the afternoon you set off for the desert.
- ðŊ Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve â The desert safari is Dubai's headline experience: aboard a 4x4 you tackle the golden dunes in an adrenaline-filled rollercoaster (dune bashing), then ride a camel, try sandboarding and watch the sunset over the sand. In the evening, at a Bedouin camp, a buffet dinner with grills, belly dancing and a tanoura show under a starry sky. Magical. You return to Dubai for your last night in the city.
Day 4 â Sharjah and the mountains
Heading up the coast: Sharjah, the cultural capital of the Emirates, and then Ras Al Khaimah with the country's highest peak, Jebel Jais, among the rugged Hajar mountains.
- ð Sharjah Central Souk â Half an hour from Dubai, Sharjah is the third emirate and its cultural capital, awarded by UNESCO: more sober and traditional than its neighbour (a total alcohol ban applies here). You visit the Blue Souk (Central Souk), with its blue tilework, brimming with carpets, gold and crafts, and the Heritage Area around the lagoon. Then you continue north, to Ras Al Khaimah and its mountains.
- ð Jebel Jais â Jebel Jais, in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, is the UAE's highest mountain (1,934 m): a perfectly paved scenic road climbs in hairpins among the limestone walls of the Hajar mountains to the viewpoints, where the air turns cool and the panorama sweeps over the gorges. Here too is the world's longest zipline. Sunset from the top is spectacular. You head down to sleep in Ras Al Khaimah.
- ðĻ Hilton Garden Inn Ras Al Khaimah â Centro / costa, Ras Al Khaimah
Day 5 â The east coast
Crossing the Hajar mountains you reach Fujairah, the only emirate facing the Gulf of Oman: the country's oldest mosque, the beaches and snorkelling among the fish.
- ð Al Bidyah Mosque â You cross the rugged Hajar mountains and descend to the east coast, washed by the Gulf of Oman. The Al Bidyah Mosque, of mud and stone, is the oldest in the Emirates (15th century): tiny, with four domes supported by a single pillar, it stands among palms and ancient watchtowers. From here you follow the coast to Khor Fakkan.
- ð Khor Fakkan â Khor Fakkan is a crescent bay set between the mountains and the turquoise sea, a surprise far from the skyscrapers: a palm-lined promenade, an artificial waterfall on the rock and a golden beach to swim from. It is one of the country's most relaxing corners. You lunch on fresh fish. In the afternoon, snorkelling at Snoopy Island.
- ðŊ Snoopy Island â Off Al Aqah beach rises Snoopy Island, a rocky islet (its outline recalls the famous reclining dog) ringed by a coral reef: just mask and fins let you swim among parrotfish, turtles and sometimes harmless reef sharks. It is the best snorkelling in the Emirates, reachable by swimming from shore. You dine and sleep on the Fujairah coast.
- ðĻ Sandy Beach Hotel & Resort â Al Aqah / costa, Fujairah
Day 6 â Al Ain, the garden city
Inland to Al Ain, the UNESCO 'garden city': the ancient irrigation system among the palms and the scenic road up Jebel Hafeet, one of the finest in the world.
- âïļ Fujairah â Al Ain â Al Ain, Emirato di Abu Dhabi
- ð Al Ain Oasis â The Al Ain Oasis, a UNESCO site, is a sea of 147,000 date palms irrigated by the ancient falaj system, underground channels that have carried water from the mountains for over 3,000 years. You lose yourself in the cool shade among the palm groves on walkways and lanes, discovering how people lived in the desert before oil. Beside it, the Al Jahili fort. In the afternoon you climb Jebel Hafeet.
- ð Jebel Hafeet â Jebel Hafeet (1,240 m) rises in isolation over the desert on the Oman border: the road climbing its flanks, with its perfect hairpins, is considered one of the finest driving roads in the world. At the top, a viewpoint overlooks the city, the dunes and the mountains, magical at sunset. You head down to sleep in Al Ain. Tomorrow the capital, Abu Dhabi.
- ðĻ Aloft Al Ain â Centro, Al Ain
Day 7 â Monumental Abu Dhabi
You reach the capital Abu Dhabi: the majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, all white marble, and the sumptuous presidential palace Qasr Al Watan.
- ð Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque â You arrive in Abu Dhabi, the capital, and step straight into its emblematic monument: the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the largest and most beautiful in the world. A triumph of white marble inlaid with hardstone flowers, 82 domes, gilded columns, the largest hand-knotted carpet on the planet and Swarovski-crystal chandeliers. Open to visitors (with covered clothing), it dazzles by day and turns pink at sunset. You continue to the presidential palace.
- ð Qasr Al Watan â Qasr Al Watan, the 'Palace of the Nation', is the presidential palace open to the public: not a residence but a celebration of Arab culture, among immense halls, decorated domes, a monumental library and a throne room of dazzling splendour. It tells of the present and the ambitions of the Emirates. You dine in town and sleep two nights in Abu Dhabi.
- ðĻ Southern Sun Abu Dhabi â Centro / Corniche, Abu Dhabi
Day 8 â Saadiyat and Yas Island
A last day of art and fun: the Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island, the thrills of Yas Island with Ferrari World and a stroll on the Corniche.
- ð Louvre Abu Dhabi â On Saadiyat Island, the Louvre Abu Dhabi is a masterpiece by architect Jean Nouvel: an immense dome perforated with 8,000 metal stars creates a 'rain of light' over galleries facing the sea. The collection tells the story of humanity through civilisations, from ancient artefacts to masterpieces loaned by French museums. Unmissable architecture and art. In the afternoon, the thrills of Yas Island.
- ðŊ Ferrari World â Yas Island is Abu Dhabi's entertainment island: here stands Ferrari World, the theme park with the world's fastest roller coaster, Formula Rossa, reaching 240 km/h. All around, the Yas Marina Formula 1 circuit, the water park and SeaWorld. Pure adrenaline for families and enthusiasts (alternatively, relax on the white sand of Saadiyat). You head back towards the Corniche for sunset.
- ð Abu Dhabi Corniche â You close the trip on the Abu Dhabi Corniche, the elegant eight-kilometre seafront with cycle paths, city beaches and palms, from which to admire the skyline lighting up over the water at sunset. An evening stroll and a dinner with a view are the right farewell to the Emirates. You return to the hotel: tomorrow the return flight.
Day 9 â Departure from Abu Dhabi
Return flight from Abu Dhabi airport. End of the journey among skyscrapers, desert and mountains.
- âïļ Abu Dhabi â Aeroporto di Milano Malpensa (MXP)
