Explore the Middle East

Great Outdoors · Local Customs · Charming Hospitality · Traditional Cooking · Stimulating Art · Intriguing Architecture

Out of the ordarytours for everyone

Explore the Middle East2014

2

1 Meet the locals in Muscat>> pages 4–5

2 A rendez vous with the local villagers, bedouins and fishermen>> pages 6–7

3 Unlock the mysteries of the Bedouin life>> pages 8–9

4 Open Doors, Open Minds>> pages 10–11

5 Dubai behind the scenes>> pages 12–13

6 Do art, see art>> pages 14–17

7 Ramadam Kareem>> pages 18–21

8 Bigger, better, taller!>> pages 22–23

map middle east & contents

Muscat

Jerash

Madaba Amman

PetraWadi Rum

Dana Biosphere ReserveFeynan Ecolodge

Dead Sea

Dubai Sharjah

Abu Dhabi

oman

uae

qatar

yemen

saudi arabia

jordanirak

iran

syrialebanon

israel

persiangulf

gulf of oman

red sea

arabian sea

1

2

3

47 8

5

6

Point of InterestNational Park

3

come explore with us.

Our programmes take individual and small group travel in a new direction. They are for travellers who don’t want to experience what everyone else already has.

They are for the seekers of a truly authentic and sustainable travel experience in the great outdoors, of local customs and charming hospitality, flavourful traditional cooking, stimulating art, and intriguing architecture.

out of the ordinary tours for everyone

introduction

4

Meet the locals in Muscat

highlights

h Meet and dine with a local Omani familyh Learn what the men talk about in the Majlish Ladies learn hands-on about Omani cuisine and a woman’s kingdom

Get an insight into Muscat’s charm-ing culture and family life. The people of Oman are surprisingly cos-mopolitan: a mixture of Arab clans swept together by the cross currents of migration, ancient and modern, and spiced with descen dants of quite different people from across the seas. Today, they are all Omanis, and very hospitable and friendly towards visi-tors. Join us on a wonderful journey to meet the “locals” of Muscat.

a tour of muscath Muscat offers the visitor a unique opportunity to witness a modern commercial centre existing in harmony with its traditional culture. With its natural harbour, Muscat means “Anchorage”, and lies in a natural volcanic bowl.h Your host of the day will take you on a tour of the stunning Grand Mosque.h Explore the impressive Natural Historic museum, which houses information on flora and fauna, and a giant fossil.h Visit Bait Al Zubair Museum and enjoy a brief introduction on Oman’s history and development.h Drive along the waterfront Corniche, visit the fish market and stroll through the colourful Muttrah Souq.h Enjoy the photo stop at the magnifi-cent Al Alam Palace, the official palace

muscat, oman · all year round

of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, flanked by the 16th century Portuguese forts Mirani and Jalali.

visit an omani familyh In the late afternoon, you will be welcomed by an Omani family to their home.h As it is in the local tradition, men will be hosted in the Majlis by the father of the house. Here you will get to know more about the family, Omani traditions and other anecdotes about the local community. h The ladies will be welcomed by the mother of the house and guided to the kitchen, where they will learn hands-on about the traditional Omani culinary delights, enjoy a cooking lesson, as well as have a wonderful chat about the family and the communities, culture and traditions.

h The evening will be completed by the unique opportunity of sharing a traditional meal and wonderful conversations with your new friends.

1

5

1 · Local man2 · Grand Mosque3 · Omani children 4 · Traditional house5 · Building in Muscat

Travel Period All year round, except Thursdays and Fridays

Travel Duration 8 hours

Group Size Ideal for minimum 2 persons per booking

Included in the Tour Transportation. Entrance fees. Qualified tour guide and interpreter. Sightseeing in Muscat. Local family visit and dinner.

Excluded from the Tour All services not mentioned in the inclusions.

Programme subject to change.

muscat, oman · all year round

4

2

5

3

6

A rendez vous with the local villagers, bedouins and fishermen

highlights

h Meet with the local community and experience their lifestyleh Prepare and enjoy mouth-watering traditional foodh Discover the wonders of Petra, unique Dead Sea and dazzling desert of Wadi Rum

The journey takes you through the different Jordanian societies and landscapes. You will meet warm and generous Bedouins in the heart of the Nabatean city of Petra and the amazing desert of Wadi Rum; cheerful singing fishermen on the shores of the Red Sea and grandma, the perfect hosting cook from the heart of Amman city. A leisure day at the unique Dead Sea will revive you until the end of the tour.

day 1, ammanh Assistance at the airport and transfer to hotel.

day 2, amman, ajlounh Drive north to Ajloun natural reserve to enjoy a hike (2–3 hours, 6–7km) through an amazing evergreen oak forest offering panoramic views. h At the Soap House, meet local women who will show you how they produce natural olive oil soap. Overnight in Amman.

day 3, mabada, dead seah Discover the Madaba church with the oldest map of the Holy land. h Visit the Arts River Handicraft Centre, which employs handicapped girls who will teach you the art of making mosaics. h Drive to the lowest point on earth: the Dead Sea. Overnight at the Dead Sea.

jordan • all year round

day 4, dead seah Enjoy swimming and floating in the Dead Sea’s therapeutic saline water, or simply pamper yourself with a mud bath.h Overnight at the Dead Sea.

day 5, petr ah Start the visit of Petra on a horse -back, followed by a walk through the Siq. The place gradually unfolds its mysteries with its spectacular treasury, royal tombs, burial chambers and places of sacrifice. h At night, join a local tribe at their campsite for an unforgettable ex-perience with authentic Bedouin music, dance and delicious local cuisine.h Overnight in Petra.

day 6, wadi rum, aqabah Visit the most enchanting desert in the world, Wadi Rum. The sculptured

rock formations and towering bright-red sand dunes and the many rock inscriptions compose a kaleidoscope of colours.h Drive to Aqaba and overnight.

day 7, dead seah Join the local fishermen on board a traditional boat. Seafood meal with the catch of the day.h Back in Amman, learn how to prepare a typical Jordanian dish in a cosy house (Beit Siti; Grandma House) in the old neighbourhood of Weibdeh. An expert cook and a heart-warming experience awaits you.h Overnight in Amman.

day 8, ammanh Departure.

1

7

1 · Inside a bedouin tent2 · Dead Sea3 · Petra by night4 · Local man5 · Petra treasury

Travel Period All year round

Travel Duration 8 days

Group Size Minimum 2 persons per booking

Included in the Tour Accommodation with daily breakfast and meals indicated in the programme. Transportation. Entrance fees. English-speaking guide. Service charges and taxes.

Excluded from the Tour Services not mentioned in the programme. Gratuities.


jordan • all year round

4

2

5

3

8

Unlock the mysteries of the Bedouin life

highlights

h Join stimulating hikes through rocky terrains in the impressive and ever-changing landscape of Wadi Danah Meet the local Bedouins and learn how to make their traditional bread and cardamom coffeeh Enjoy the evening in a romantic candlelit atmosphere at the Feynan Ecolodge

Hike in the heart of the mountains of Dana Biosphere Reserve and experience Beduin culture. At the end of a rugged track, enter an enchanting world of serenity and natural beauty and spend a night in the idyllic candle lit Feynan Ecolodge. Cross paths with shepherds tending their herds of goats and women walking to the aquifers, leading donkeys laden with water jugs.

day 1, dana, feynanh The hike to Feynan starts from Dana guest house through dramatic mountains and valleys of the Wadi Dana reserve. The route starts with a beautiful well-trodden path, you contour the huge escarpments of the Wadi Dana, along impressive white sandstone domes with some beautiful views down into the reserve. h After the orchards of Dana village, follow a trail down Wadi Dana, which has not been used since the Dana Reserve was established. h The descend to the floor of Wadi Feynan through the ever-changing landscape is an attractive 5 to 7 hours trail (14 km) accompanied by a local guide. Organic picnic lunch provided.h Reach the candlelit, solar powered Feynan Ecolodge set against the glorious desert landscape and hailed

dana biosphere, jordan · all year round

as one of the top 50 ecolodges in the world by National Geographic Adventure magazine.h Check in and retreat to the serenity of nature gazing at the majestic sunsets across the multi-coloured mountains. Enjoy a delicious organic diner. h After dinner, simply unwind in the serene courtyards and terraces of the candlelit complex accompanied only by the sounds of the desert wind, wildlife and the occasional Bedouin footstep.h Or join one of the neighbouring Bedouin tents for their famous mint tea. Set an appointment with the Bedouins for next day’s early morning lesson, which includes preparing the shrak (a type of local bread), kneading jameed, a thick goat’s milk yogurt and making a traditional cardamom coffee.

day 2, feynanh After your morning lessons, you can take a guided or self-guided mountain bike ride to the many archaeological sites near Feynan or to the nearby villages.h Or take an excursion in the neigh-bourhood to experience first-hand the birds, plants, animals, geology, history and Bedouin culture.

1

9

1 · Making fresh shrak2 · Feynan Ecolodge in Wadi Feynan3 · Rooms at the Feynan Ecolodge4 · Goat in Feynan5 · Traditional serving of sweetened tea


Travel Duration 2 days


Included in the Tour Accomodation with daily breakfast and meals indicated in the programme. English-speaking guide. Service and taxes.

Excluded from the Tour Services not mentioned in the programme. Gratuities.


dana biosphere, jordan · all year round

4

2

5

3

10

Open Doors, Open Minds

highlights

h A unique insight into the cultural attitude that make up the people of the UAEh Learn about the Emirati tradition, culture and religion in a relaxed and open atmosphereh Share a breakfast or lunch with the local community

dubai, uae · all year round

Walk through Bastakiya, the historic restored part of Dubai where you will find out more about traditional architecture and lifestyle. Learn more about Islam by visiting a Mosque and join an interactive discussion with your UAE national host. It is a unique opportunity to ask anything you always wanted to know about the culture, while sharing a meal.

h Your host for the day guides you on a tour that will make you travel back in time; Explore the impressive Bastakiya area, the oldest and most traditional neighbourhood in Dubai.h Walk through the narrow paths and enjoy the atmosphere of a historical place marvellously ornamented with the wind towers, a conventional ventilation system used in the original residences of this historical district.

h Witness the beauty of the Mosque’s architecture and have a closer impres-sion of the Islamic religion.h Join your local host for a traditional Emirati breakfast or lunch in the am-bience of their Bastakiya residence. h Have an open conversation with your Emirati host about UAE culture, customs and religion while sitting down in the “Majlis”, an enchanting courtyard furnished with carpets, and comfortable cushions and pillows.h Enjoy a cultural discovery Q&A session and be treated to Arabic tea, coffee and dates.h Be curious and ask any questions about Emirati life in a cheerful, amicable ambiance.

1

11

1 · Bastakiya daytime2 · Traditional architecture and family living3 · Arabic hospitality4 · Typical Arabian interior in Dubai5 · Cultural breakfast

Travel Period All year round. Breakfast on Mondays and Wednesdays. Lunch on Tuesdays and Sundays.

Travel Duration Half-day


Included in the Tour Transportation. Mosque entrance. Sightseeing in Bastakiya. Breakfast or lunch.


Dress Code Modest dress is preferred however traditional attire can be borrowed from the Mosque.



4

2

5

3

12

Dubai behind the scenes

highlights

h Experience and capture the everyday hustle and bustle of Dubaih Learn about the city’s unique history by visiting one of the most beautiful neighbourhoodsh A dream come true for photographers and the more curious explorers

dubai, uae • all year round

Whether you are a photographer or just a curious explorer, this unique half-day driving and walking tour through Dubai offers you an enchanting and educational expe-rience which goes beyond the com-mercial and popular tours of the city. If you are interested in a side step away from the usual tours of the city, then get your camera and walking shoes ready because this tour is for you.

h Our artist, photographer and guide picks you up at your hotel and drives you through the Jumeirah district.h From there, drive and walk through some of Dubai's oldest streets to see how their everyday life is. During the drive, you will be able to stop at specific areas to photograph sceneries and people in hidden locations known only by locals.

h Take a drive through to the city’s main trade district and start an incre-dible walking tour of the back streets, where you will be able to experience and capture the everyday hustle and bustle of the city. Visit shops and hidden mosques, and learn and learn about how the local society functions, being at the centre of it.h This tour leads to the famous Dubai gold and spice souks, which are an absolute must-see on any visit to the city, followed by an optional trip across the creek to the Dubai Museum and Bastakiya District.

1

13

1 · Bur Dubai back street2 · Bur Dubai back street3 · Souk4 · Sheik Zayed Road5 · Bur Dubai back street


Travel Duration Half-day

Group Size 1–4 persons

Included in the Tour Tour as specified in the programme.

Excluded from the Tour Personal expenses. Optional trip across the creek to the Dubai Museum and Bastakiya District.



4

2

5

3

14

Do art, see art

highlights

h Create your own art together with leading UAE artists during interactive «do art» sessionsh Let art experts guide you on «see art» excursions to the most important art galleriesh Enjoy the breathtaking sunset in a “1001 Nights” desert adventure

Would you like to embark on some-thing artistically and spiritually different? On this once in a lifetime experience you will rub shoulders with local artists and see some of the best exhibits in the region while enhancing your creativity and creating your own art journal. A memory of a lifetime. The extra-ordinary economic development of the UAE, particularly Dubai is common knowledge. What is not

so obvious is that this development has extended drama tically over the past few years into the field of arts and culture. Dubai’s galleries and Fairs, Abu Dhabi’s festivals and events and Sharjah’s longstanding cultural base all combined provide venues, expe riences and encounters ranging from ancient astrolabes to cutting-edge contemporary art.

day 1, dubai art scene lecture & your art journalh Arrival at Dubai International Airport, meet & greet, then transfer by private car to the Desert Palm Hotel.h In the early evening, you will be introduced to your host for the week. Mrs Hetal Pawani will provide you with a vivid introduction of the vibrant Dubai art scene. She’s one of the pioneers of the art movement


in Dubai, the founder and Managing Director of “thejamjar” an extremely active community arts organisation, which does everything from exhi - bitions to workshops to publishing and organises the ArtBus for special events.h Meet your travel journal teacher, Ms Lené Pieters. Lené will elaborate on the process of creating and making your own travel journal by capturing all your experiences in visual format.h Afterwards, enjoy dinner with the group.

day 2, photogr aphic lesson & 1001 nights desert adventureh Enjoy an early morning Yoga and self-awareness session with life coach, meditation and Yoga trainer Adriana out on the world famous Polo fields.

h After breakfast in the hotel, meet your photography lecturer for a “do art” lesson, who will assist you in capturing all the excitement ahead of you in the most artistic way and will also add more creativity and angles to your personal journal. You will be taught by one of the UAE’s pioneers in photography.h Enjoy lunch.h Late afternoon, we will drive you deep into the desert, where we have created a very unusual traditional Arabic setting for your “do art & see art” 1001 night desert adventure. In the dunes, enjoy the breathtaking sunset with refreshments and straw-berries, while Mr Wasel Safwan, a professional local Emirati artist, will introduce you to “UAEism” and teach a lesson using the sunset as a canvas.

1

15

4

2


h After sunset, continue to the Al Nizwa Village to enjoy a tantalising barbecue along with other guests. Ride a camel, apply the photo techniques from the morning or get a henna tattoo. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the desert, and the stars above you.h While the other guests return to the city, the “do art & see art” guests get to explore another form of Middle Eastern art. You will be introduced to your per sonal belly dance coach. Dareen will teach you a few easy belly dancing moves.h We will spend the night sleeping under the stars and enjoying the silence and peace of the surroundings.

day 3, sharjah’s art scene, emir ati culture & a calli gr aphy lessonh Enjoy a rise-and-shine Yoga session on the dunes with Adriana. Meanwhile, a traditional Arabic breakfast will be prepared for you.h Next, we will visit the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation and enjoy a private tour conducted by Dr Ulrike Al-Khamis, an expert in Islamic art.h We will then continue to get some answers on questions you may have about the Middle East: Why do women

wear black & men wear white? Do arranged marriages still exist?h Our programme will take us to Bait Al Naboodah, a traditional Emirati house. Situated in Sharjah’s old city, at this charming two-storey house from 1845, one can admire the tradi-tional Gulf architecture. Built around a large courtyard, you will see walls made from coral, get to admire inno-vative methods of air conditioning and unique decorative carvings. Emirati ladies will talk about local customs, traditions, dress, etiquette and much more. Then you are invited to taste the traditional local cuisine first hand during a life cooking session.h In the afternoon, we will visit the Sharjah Art Museum. Opened in April 1997, this is the largest art museum in the Gulf. Explore the history of the region through the Orientalist painters of the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as gallery after gallery of stunning land scapes, cityscapes and portraits painted in oil, watercolours and acrylics, created by both local and internationally re nowned artists. Enter three floors of galleries dedi-cated to modern creative expression. Focusing on exhibitions and collections of over 300 works of art, you will see graphic displays exhibiting an amazing

array of styles and inter pretations created by artists from the Arab world, in a variety of media.h Afterwards, we will see if we can meet and interact with some of the local artists at work.h We will continue on to the Calli -graphy museum, where a teacher will meet us for a “do art” lesson. Arabic calli graphy is a primary form of art for Islamic visual expression and creativity. Throughout the vast geography of the Islamic world, Arabic calligraphy is a symbol representing unity, beauty, and power. The aesthetic principles of Arabic calligraphy are a reflection of the cultural values of the Muslim world.h Later, we will depart to Dubai, where you will check into the Qamardeen Hotel for the next four nights.h Evening at your own leisure.

day 4, dubai & al quoZ galleriesh Breakfast in the hotel.h Meet with Lené, your art journal teacher, to create pages in your journal.h Mid-morning, we will explore Dubai’s treasures and its art scene. Dubai richly mixes together the old and the new. We will be visiting the famous Jumeirah Mosque, an architectural landmark of Dubai.h Next, Bastakya awaits us, where we explore the traditional and cultural side of Dubai, where until today, you can find the old wind tower houses and the markets (Souks). We will visit the exhibits of the XVA, a bohemian gallery, which is also an artists resi-dency space, a café, design and book shop, plus the organiser of the annual Bastakya Art Fair in March. Another highlight is the Majlis gallery, one of

2

16 dubai, uae · all year round

the oldest, which features local and international art, specialising in mixed media and contemporary art. h Enjoy lunch in these inspiring surroundings.h In the afternoon, we will head to Al Quoz, an industrial area of Dubai. Between the commercial laundries, warehouses and car repair workshops you will find some of the best galleries in Dubai. We will visit the Ayyam Gallery, the Arab world’s premium gallery; Third Line, bringing to Dubai contemporary art from the region; B21, focusing on the emergent and innovative artists of the Middle Eastern region; and Art Sawa, a distinctive art platform dedicated to the promotion of public awareness of contemporary art from the Middle East, North Africa and neighbouring countries.h In the afternoon, return to your hotel. You are free to explore the Dubai Mall and the activities around the Burj Dubai area, all within walking distance.

day 5, abu dhabi’s art scene & gr and mosqueh Breakfast in the hotel.h Today, you will visit the capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi, and our first stop will be the majestic Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque. Now that

you have learned the history behind calligraphy, you will be delighted to see the Qibla wall, 23 metres high and 50 metres wide. It features the 99 names (qualities) of Alah on the wall. Tradi-tional Kufi calligraphy was used. Three calligraphy styles, Naskhi, Thuloth and Kufi, are used throughout the mosque and were drafted by Mohammed Mendi (United Arab Emirates), Farouk Haddad (Syria) and Mohammed Allam (Jordan).h Continue on a short tour of Abu Dhabi, where you will visit Union Square, the Corniche (photo stop) and the Heritage Village.h Lunch at the famous Emirates Palace Hotel.h On permanent exhibit at the property is Abu Dhabi’s future plan with an ex-hibition detailing the architectural and aesthetic features for these am bitious and groundbreaking projects of the Saadiyat Island development, which will house a Louvre, a Guggenheim, a maritime museum and performing arts centre.h We will visit Abu Dhabi’s Al Ghaf gallery, and the real heart of Abu Dhabi, the Cultural Foundation, right next to the Qasr Al Hosn Fort, the oldest house. The foundation houses a large gallery space with rotating exhibitions and hosts numerous live

performances of classical, world, jazz and international folk music.h We will also pass by Qibab Art Gallery, which specialises in Iraqi art and in pro-moting local and foreign contempo rary artists; and Salwa Zeidan Gallery, rep-resenting established and new talents from all over the globe.h Afterwards, return to Dubai.

day 6, dubai galleries & the artist in youh This morning, we will head out and visit the Miraj Islamic Art Centre located in Jumeirah. The art centre is a unique blend: a museum, showroom and a showcase for creative art forms from the world of Islam.h Continue to the Dubai International Financial Centre, the third most im-portant and newest art area in Dubai today, to see some of the most extra-ordinary galleries in town.h Exhibits include Opera Gallery, which features a selection of high end contemporary artwork as well as the works of early modern and nine-teenth century masters; Cuadro fine art Gallery, which displays a selection of top regional artists; Empty Quarter Gallery, the only major fine art photo-graphy art gallery in the Middle East; The Farjam Collection, one of the finest

privately owned Islamic art collections in the world today.We will complete our day with a visit to the Artspace Gallery, which promotes contemporary Middle Eastern art and artists.h Enjoy lunch in these inspiring surroundings.h Continue to Jumeriah Beach Park, where you will meet your travel journal teacher to work on your journal.h Return to the hotel and rest before we sail you off to the Dubai skyline.h It’s also time to dress like an artist. Let go of all your inhibitions! Tonight you will enjoy your farewell together with the group and showcase your art work and share all the amazing experiences.h The Dhow Cruise dinner is an artistic way of spending an evening while aboard a traditionally decorated wooden dhow as it sails along the Dubai creek under the moonlight. The major Dubai landmarks shine through the night sky as the wooden vessel slips silently across the creek.

day 7, farewellh Today, the unforgettable journey through the United Arab Emirates comes to an end.h We have arranged for your transfer to the airport and it’s time to say goodbye.

17

5

3

6

4

1 · Art Gallery2 · Arabic calligraphy3 · Harbour skyline of old Dubai4 · Sheikh Zayed Mosque5 · A work of art6 · Mosque in Sharjah

Travel Period All year round. Best from October to March.

Travel Duration 7 days / 6 nights

Group Size Maximum 20 participants

Included in the Tour 6 nights accommodation. Daily breakfast. 1 lunch is included day 3. Dinners are included at Desert Palm Hotel day 1, Desert Camp day 2, and Dhow Cruise dinner day 6. Meet & assist upon arrival. Transfers and transportation as per itinerary in an A / C vehicle. All taxes, service charges and entrance fees where applicable. All art supplies for “do art” lessons. English/German-speaking tour guide Experts’ presen tations in English.

Excluded from the Tour Each participant needs to bring their own camera for the photo graphy session. Visa charges to United Arab Emirates. Meals not mentioned in the programme. All beverages unless stated otherwise. Tips and porterage.



18

Ramadam Kareem

1

2

highlights

h Experience the spiritual and cultural Ramadan Kareemh Learn more about the Middle Eastern culture and traditionsh Dinner with His Highness Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Ali bin Rashid Al-Nuaimi

Ramadan is of great religious significance for Muslims, who observe the period with daytime fasting, worship and spiritual contemplation. If you’ve always longed to do something completely different or give your body a rest (fasting), then join us in the United Arab Emirates for this once in a lifetime experience. Be part of this very spiritual, cultural and social occa sion. During this Ramadan

Kareem ex pe rien ce, learn about the Middle Eastern culture and traditions, and give something back to the community by participating in charity. Celebrate your final Iftar meal with His Highness Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Ali bin Rashid Al-Nuaimi.

day 1, welcome to dubaih Arrival at Dubai International Airport, meet & assist and transfer to the Qamardeen Hotel in Dubai. A small traditional gift awaits you.h In the evening, you will be meeting your Ramadan host/hostess and the group for a short introduction.

day 2, cultur al dubai with jumeir ah mosque visith Breakfast in the hotel or for guests who will be participating in the fast an early

dubai & abu dhabi, uae · 9 july – 8 august 2013

morning traditional Arabic breakfast (Suhoor) will be served before sunrise.h Your host will be greeting you this morning and give you an overview and presentation on the exciting week ahead and explain what you can expect to experience and you will have the opportunity to ask as many questions as possible.h Then we invite you to discover more about the life and religion of the

Emirates while visiting the famous Jumeirah Mosque, an architectural landmark of Dubai.h Entice your senses on a walk through the spice market, get blinded by the sparkle of the Gold Souk. We cross the Creek by Abra, the traditional water taxi and visit the old Fahidi Fort, which is today the Dubai Museum, providing us with a great insight of the cities history.h In the afternoon you will have some time for a rest and meditate, before getting ready for Iftar, the traditional meal after sunset, followed by the late evening atmosphere in a Ramadan tent.

day 3, abu dhabi sheikh Zayed mosque & cultur al awareness h For guests fasting, early morning Suhoor or normal breakfast in the

19

4

2


3

hotel. We will then drive to the capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi and visit the magnificent Sheikh Zayed Mosque, an architectural landmark and extremely spiritual place. On a guided tour you will discover all the treasures of the mosque. Then you continue on a short tour of Abu Dhabi, where you will visit Union Square, the Corniche (photo stop) and the Heritage Village. If time allows, we will visit the famous Emi rates Palace for a photo stop or for a little exploration.h In the afternoon, you will be expe-riencing a Cultural Awareness Session, hosted by a famous Emirati National from Abu Dhabi, who has chosen to live his life differently then most; he’s an author, cultural consultant, professional speaker and TV show host. The session will entail an interactive presentation or discussion, providing an insight on the history and background of the United Arab Emirates. You will get to under-stand the social codes of the Arabian Gulf while building bridges between cultures. Learn more about Ramadan, why it is important, why Muslims fast, what are the benefits of fasting.h We will then share an Iftar in Abu Dhabi and enjoy the atmosphere here of a Ramadan tent. Later on in the evening transfer back to Dubai.

day 4, sharjah visit & ajman charity centreh Early morning Suhoor or normal breakfast in the hotel. Today, you will be visiting Sharjah, an exciting, lively city with colourful souks filled with interesting artefacts on every corner. The combination of restored houses in traditional style with walls of sea coral and the bright colours of the material souks gives the city a magical feeling. We will pass by the Sharjah Creek Mosque for a photo stop, the Al Arsa Souk and the beautiful Central Souk (Blue Souk).h Later on in the day, we will be on our way to Ajman spending time at the Al Eshan Medical and Charity Centre one of the highlights of our trip. Giving, helping and doing charity is a vital part of Ramadan in the community. This afternoon you will have the opportunity to learn more about that aspect of Ramadan and will be participating in the food distri-bution programme.h Ajman doesn’t have natural resources of its own, and there are many families that cannot afford medical care. In ad-dition to these services, Al Eshan grants credit to single mothers, who have been widowed or abandoned by their husbands. You will get the opportunity

20

4


to provide food to underprivileged people. A simple Iftar will be enjoyed in the Charity Centre with hundreds of people.h Following Iftar you will return back to Dubai with so many new impressions and experiences.

day 5, join hh sheikh abdul aZiZ and his family for iftarh Normal breakfast or Suhoor before sunrise. Today you will have some free time for meditation or to explore on your own, before we drive to Ajman, where you will be joining

HH Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Ali Rashid Al-Nuaimi and his family for Iftar in their home.h Be personally received by His Highness Sheikh Abdul Aziz along with his family at their Ajman home in the traditional style of this country.h Enjoy the exclusivity of discussing one-on-one with a distinguished, well-educated and travelled Sheikh any issues pertaining to the UAE, be it politics, traditions, economy, environment, family, and more. HH will share the spiritual meaning of Ramadan with his guests throughout the evening, show you

around his home and tell you about his family.h This is also a unique opportunity to taste traditional home cooked dishes of this region and discover the legendary Arabic hospitality. h You will leave with an immense sense of satisfaction having made new friends among the Emirati community and understanding truly better their beautiful culture. All proceeds of the dinner will be do-nated to the Al Eshan Charity Centre.h After dinner transfer back to Dubai and you have the option to join late night evening tent atmosphere.

day 6, departureh Normal breakfast in the hotel or early morning Suhoor.h Transfer to Airport for departures or extend your stay in the United Arab Emirates.

21

7

5

8

6

1 · Festive lights2 · Water taxi Abra3 · Spices at Dubai market4 · Stall in a bazaar5 · Sheikh Zayed Mosque6 · Little boy in traditional clothes7 · Gold bangles8 · Nuts

Travel Period 9 July – 8 August 2013

Travel Duration 6 days / 5 nights

Group Size Maximum 20 participants

Included in the Tour 5 nights accommodation at the Qamardeen hotel. Breakfast or Suhoor every day. Iftar as in programme. Meet & assist upon arrival, transfers and transportation as per itinerary. All taxes and service charges are included. All entrance fees where applicable. English/German-speaking tour guide. Presentations by experts in English.

Excluded from the Tour Late night Ramadan tent consumption, incl. beverages and shisha, also called water pipe. Visa charges to United Arab Emirates if applicable. Any other meals not mentioned in the programme. All beverages unless stated otherwise. Tips and porterage.



22

Bigger, better, taller!

highlights

h Discover Dubai’s most famous architectural landmarksh A day trip to explore how a landscape can change so dramatically in 20 yearsh Walk the path of Dubai’s vision with an architect

Back in the 90’s, Dubai was a vast area of desert. In the last 20 years, it has gone through an intense ur-banisation to become a city hosting hundreds of skyscrapers today. This tour will give you an overview of the most famous landmarks in Dubai as well as an special insight of who is behind those projects. Guided by a professional architect, you will find out about Dubai's architecture craziness.

h During the tour, current architectural developments, urban contexts, social, political and cultural backgrounds are discussed in an enjoyable and informative way.h Visit the presentation centre of the government-owned development com-pany, Nakheel, to get to know all about Palm Islands and The World projects. These leisure, residential and tourist developments will be shown with the aid of models and satellite view plans.h Reach Aquaventure Waterpark via monorail followed by a short tour and explanation of the iconic Hotel Atlantis The Palm Jumeirah.h Discover Dubai Marina, a city within the city, the Marina Walk and the Jumeirah Beach Residence. h Enjoy the Souk Madinat Jumeirah, which successfully mimics the style of the traditional Arabian markets.


After a comprehensive tour through the compound with its canals and palaces, enjoy a lunch break. Half-day tours end here.h Visit the Business Bay presentation centre and follow a tour with stops through this vast construction site where 60 towers are currently being built and more than 230 are planned.h The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has attracted high- profile companies from all over the world. The rational architecture of the American-English office Gensler gives the DIFC area an appeareance of the highest international standards.h Experience Burj Khalifa and the observation deck “At the Top” on floor 124. Designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, the Burj Khalifa is the tallest structure in the world (828 meters high).

h The tour ends in Downtown Dubai. Surrounding the Burj Khalifa, master developer Emaar has created Dubai‘s new downtown ensemble, complete with the world‘s largest shopping mall and a “new old town” quarter. h Walk around the central lake and enjoy the Dubai Fountain show.

1

23

1 · Palm Jumeirah2 · Burj el Arab3 · Dubai Marina4 · Dubai Metro Station5 · Burj Khalifa


Travel Duration Full-day or Half-day

Group Size 1–10 persons

Included in the Tour Transportation. Entrance fees. Professional architect guide. Sightseeing in Dubai.




4

2

5

3

Explore India

Explore AsiaExplore Africa

Explore North America

come explore with us.www.k uoni - dmc.com

2014

out of the ordinarytours for everyone

Explore the Middle East

Documents

Transcript of Explore the Middle East