Dubai Business Tour

You’ll be greeted at the airport by your guide and transported to your hotel. Once you’ve had a chance to settle in, you’ll meet for a brief orientation stroll around the neighborhood where you’ll be staying, followed by dinner and an in-depth look at your upcoming adventure to study business in amazing Dubai!

Today you’ll start your Dubai trip with what the city is most famous for: the glitz and glam. You’ll hit the Dubai Mall first, the largest shopping mall in the world – and given the potential heat of up to 110º F, the air conditioning is a welcome relief. Believe it or not, the 1200 stores contained within the mall weren’t enough; a luxury annex section was recently added. Even if you’re not into shopping, the spectacle of commerce infusing the mall itself is great entertainment, and there are plenty of places to grab lunch and do some people-watching. (Keep in mind as you set out that while Dubai is very international and welcoming of Western tourist dollars, the UAE nevertheless remains a Muslim country, and there are some norms of dress that should be observed anywhere locals go, like the mall and around the city. Your local guide will provide details, but suffice to say that while you won’t have to wear a head covering, it’s best for women to err on the side of modesty.)

Next up, it’s time to hit up one of the most famous sites in the world, the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building at 160 stories or 2,717 feet tall. You can access its dizzying heights with one ticket available up to the 125th floor observation deck, and for an extra price you can go up even further to the 148th floor. As your guide will explain, it’s best to get your tickets in advance as the incredible vista from atop the tower is a huge tourist attraction.

Once you’ve had your fill of towering over the city, head back down to earth and check out the Dubai Fountain, a must-see spectacle as grand as everything else in this city. Then it’ll be time for an easy stroll over to the Souk al Bahar with its Arabic-style archways, cleverly-lit structures, and stone walkways. Pick a place for dinner along the lakeside with a view of the Burj Khalifa as night sets in.

Today you’ll get a jump on the day’s activities by heading to the beach! Palm Jumeirah is one of the three artificial, palm tree-shaped islands that were reclaimed off the coast of Dubai in the Persian Gulf. There are plenty of beaches there lined with cafes and restaurants, as well as numerous opportunities for water activities including flyboarding, which propels you high into the air above the water on a jet of water!

After a relaxing beachside lunch, it’s time to return to the hotel to get ready for your next adventure: an evening safari into the desert surrounding Dubai. Your guide will accompany you for this unique desert tour, where you’ll be able to do some sand boarding, ride camels, and enjoy a buffet dinner as the desert sky turns to dusk. Relax under the stars and imagine the ancient traders passing through this area millennia ago before you return to the bustle and lights of Dubai.

Today you’ll take your Arabian time travel even further back with a trip to Old Dubai where the true heart of the city lies: in its ancient souks and narrow, vendor-lined streets. Trade and business have been staples of this region’s history since time immemorial, and here in Old Dubai you’ll get a glimpse of what it looked like before the construction cranes came along.

After a delicious lunch of traditional Arab fare, it’s time for a stroll along the Dubai Creek where you can catch an abra cruise and see the city from an aquatic perspective.

Next head over to Bastiqaya and Bur Dubai, the Indian quarter where pearl traders from India first set up shop hundreds of years ago. You’ll marvel at the winding, narrow streets and genuine bazaars that provide a welcome counterpoint to the modern sleekness of most of the city. After a visit to the Dubai Museum – a must-see museum built into an 18th-century fortress and containing invaluable local and regional history – head back to the heart of Bastiqaya for dinner and enjoy the best and most genuine Indian cuisine this side of the Ganges!

Today you’ll head over to Deira, where you’ll find the Gold Souk. If you are in the market for gold or jewelry, here is where you can find the cheapest gold in the world. The neighborhood is also home to the Grand Souk, where you can find virtually anything you might wish to purchase. For those who love food over jewels and gold, you can also visit the Spice Souk, where you will be mesmerized by the mingling odors and variety of spices for sale.

After lunch it’s time for an off-the-beaten track adventure: camel races! Your guide will get you out to the Al Marmoom race track where you’ll get to witness thousands of people screaming for their favorite racing camel barreling down the track with their legs flailing wildly. These races are an ancient tradition for the Emiratis in the Gulf region, and the spirit of the place is infectious, as well as being a fun snapshot of traditional life in the area.

After returning to the hotel and having dinner, it’s time to head out to sample some of the infamous Dubai night life! Here’s where people can really cut loose Western style, meaning short skirts and basically anything you would wear in a U.S. club is allowed. You’ll have a variety of clubs to choose from with the help of your guide.

After your big night out dancing, perhaps starting the day with a nice relaxing float is just the ticket. You’ll head out to the Palm Resort at the Palm Jumeirah where you can chill out in the cool water, or enjoy the thrilling rides in the biggest waterpark in the Middle East and Europe combined to your heart’s content.

After you’ve had enough of the water, head on over to the Mall of the Emirates, another tribute to bringing this ancient center of trade into the heart of the business world of the 21st century. You can enjoy a great lunch here, but don’t get too full because next you’re going skiing! The mall is home to Ski Dubai, a completely mad but wonderful indoor ski center carved out of the heart of the desert. Don’t worry – the venue provides cold weather gear like coats and boots. Enjoy snowfall in the desert and hit the slopes while its 110º outside!

Once you get tired, you’re going to head out for a final dinner with your group at the Marina Walk, with breathtaking views and an incredible array of choices for food. Take a moment to reminisce with your new mates over the amazing time you enjoyed together here in Dubai!

Time enough for an early coffee and bite to eat and then it’s time for goodbyes and off to the airport and on your way home. But you’ll have plenty of unique stories to share with your family and friends, and memories to last a lifetime!