Crashing out of the desert sands like an urban mirage, Dubai is one of the most fascinating places we’ve visited to date while filming for Travels with Darley for PBS, Amazon Prime and Ovation TV. You can spend a morning skiing or scuba diving with sharks… in the mall… and the afternoon shopping in traditional marketplaces or souqs and trying tasty traditional foods, like falafel and hummus.

We loved our adventures in Dubai, where you can head out into the desert on a safari to ride a camel or sit by the pool on a palm tree made of sand.

Located in the Middle East on one of the seven Emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates, Dubai rises out of the desert with futuristic skyscrapers and fantastic architecture. Traveling here, it’s astonishing to think that most of the modern city was built in the last 50 years. From the world’s tallest building to some of the world’s most luxurious shopping to the starkly beautiful desert, Dubai is a place of extremes. Amid the grandeur, we also find authentic traditions and cultures. Dubai is a surprising land of juxtapositions, where glitz and glamour combine with old world history and cool architecture.

Day 1: Arrive in Dubai

Check into your hotel, where you can enjoy the rest of the day relaxing and get some rest after your long journey or check out a nearby attraction like The Dubai Mall, the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Opera.

Day 2: Exploring Old Dubai

Embark on a tour that showcases the older side of the city and learn about the rich culture of the UAE. Head to the Jumeirah Beach Road and stop for photos at Jumeirah Mosque which is considered to be the most iconic and beautiful mosque in Dubai. Visit the Bastakiya Quarter which was built in the late 19th century by the Persians. Admire the cobbled streets and wind towers as you proceed to the 150-year old Al Fahidi Fort. Visit the Dubai Museum, which records the city’s past of pearl diving and trading centre before the discovery of oil.

Continue your journey across the creek on a traditional water taxi called Abra. Visit and shop at the famous Gold & Spice Souk which offers wide variety of local produce, lavish jewelry, beautiful textiles, and fragrances.

Enjoy a traditional Emirati lunch at The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. Located in the Al Bastakiya trading village in the Al Fahidi Historic District, the center is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Bur Dubai. Enjoy a meal with local flair while chatting with an Emirati host about UAE culture, customs and religion.

Old Town Dubai
After lunch, drive to see one of the UAE’s latest cultural landmarks, The Dubai Frame an iconic structure that ‘frames’ impressive views of Old and New Dubai, while serving as a metaphorical bridge connecting the emirate’s rich past with its magnificent present. Offering spectacular panoramic views across the city, the Dubai Frame celebrates the story of Dubai from its early establishment to its ambitious plans for future development. Finally, stop for photos at the Zabeel Palace, home to the ruling family of Dubai.

Day 3: Dubai City Tour & Ski Dubai

Today’s Dubai city tour shows you how much Dubai has changed over the past fifty years.

This tour includes newly built Dubi at one of the world’s largest manmade islands, one of Dubai’s most luxurious resorts known for its architecture and a top spot for waterfront shopping and entertainment. You’ll also see where Dubai residents live at the Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residences, before photos at Burj Al Arab, the only 7-star hotel in the world and known for its unique architecture.

Next visit the Mall of the Emirates, one of the world’s largest shopping malls to enjoy the experience of skiing something pretty wild, the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East. At Ski Dubai, you can ski inside the mall and there’s even a chairlift! Winter Gear is provided at Ski Dubai, including jackets, trousers, disposable socks and snow boots.

Now head to your final stop in the downtown Dubai. Ascend through one of the world’s fastest elevators to the “At The Top” at Burj Khalifa. Enjoy unbeatable views of the city from the world’s tallest tower’s observation spread across the 148th, 125th and 124th floors.

We highly recommend a visit to the Dubai Aquarium or a dinner at Souk Al Bahar with views of the Dubai Fountain at night.

Dubai views from Burj Khalifa with Darley Newman

Day 4: Sharks & Shopping

We have a few options for you today with your main adventure being a trip to the mall and the Dubai Aquarium. This morning, should you wish:

Optional: Early morning Balloon ride

Optional: Adventure through the desert

Experience the desert environment on the outskirts of Dubai on a 5-hour Arabian desert tour, and ride the rolling sand dunes by 4WD vehicle. Enjoy a dinner at a safari camp, and take part in a range of entertainment options, including belly dancing.

But first, gather in the beautiful little desert camp (an oasis in the sands) where you can enjoy an authentic breakfast and some down time before adventuring across the dunes.

Optional morning excursion: Should you wish, this morning you have the option to swim with sharks… or just observe them at the Dubai Aquarium. Take the plunge and swim with sharks from inside a cage or free diving. Darley also tried this adventure in Dubai.

The Dubai Aquarium in the Dubai Mall. Travelers with no experience can try scuba diving in a cage during the shark’s feeding time. The Dubai mall and aquarium are only 3 minutes from eachother. Spend the rest of the day here and have fun!

The Dubai Mall is an epicentre of luxury shops and stores for the finest shopping in Dubai. Find exclusive designs & fashion brands under one roof. It is the second largest mall by total land area, and the 26th-largest shopping mall in the world by gross leasable area, tying with West Edmonton Mall and Fashion Island — both of which are older than it. It has a total retail floor area of 502,000 square metres.

Burj Khalifa. Finish off the day, Darley style. Take an elevator up to the top of the tallest building in the world in 41 seconds and have a drink over looking the fabulous city. Relax and enjoy the sunset on top of the world…you’ve earned it!

Day 5: Stables Insider’s Tour & Dubai from Above

Every Tuesday & Wednesday morning, start the tour at The Meydan Hotel and watch the racehorses during morning Track work. Take a personal tour of the stables where these horses are groomed and conditioned and learn how they are trained and prepared for race day. See horses exercise in the equine swimming pool. Go behind the scenes at the Meydan Grandstand, which is over a mile in length and overlooks the Meydan Racecourse, home to the Dubai World Cup – one of the world’s richest horse races. Gain exclusive access to the Jockeys’ Room, Saddling Paddock and Parade Ring.

Dubai from Above: VIP Helicopter tour
Explore the Dubai from above on a 20 minute flight flying over key attractions in Dubai. Grab an overhead view of the crazy islands and buildings that have been built in Dubai over the past few decades, literally emerging out of the water like a mirage. View Port Rashid, the Dry docks, Jumeira Beach Park, Burj Al Arab, World Islands, the Palm Jumeirah and the Burj Khalifa, among other sites.

Day 6: Full day Abu Dhabi Capital City Tour

Today, tour a whole new part of the Emirates on a trip to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates and second to Dubai in population. You’ll visit the new and stunning Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island, the largest art museum in the Arabian peninsula, have lunch at Emirates Palace, visit a palace and more.

Head to Abu Dhabi at 9pm and along the way, drive through Yas Island to see the Yas Marina circuit and Ferrari World Park. See art ranging from prehistoric artifacts to the contemporary at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Drive along the Abu Dhabi Corniche to see the waterfront mosques and high-rises and then on to the Madarin Oriental, one of the most iconic landmarks of Abu Dhabi and an epitome of Arabian luxury known for its gold and marble interiors and sweeping lush gardens. Enjoy choosing your lunch spot at this five-star hotel and beachside resort.

After lunch, visit Qasr Al Watan, an incredible, new and unique landmark in the United Arab Emirates. A Palace brimming with knowledge, offering the world a first-of-its-kind insight into the Arab heritage and the governing principles that shaped the history of the United Arab Emirates and its vision to the future. Qasr Al Watan is more than just a palace, it is an enriching journey in a contemporary setting that reveals and reflects on governance and craftsmanship. If Qasr Al Watan is closed, visit Qasr al-Hosn, a historical landmark and the oldest stone building in the city of Abu Dhabi.

An authentic experience of Abu Dhabi is not complete without a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – a majestic marvel that reveals a spectrum of architectural splendours. The Mosque features 80 domes, over 1,000 columns, gold plated chandeliers and the world’s largest hand woven carpet, and has a capacity for an astonishing 40,000 worshippers.

Day 7: Sundowner Desert Safari

Take the morning off to enjoy your resort or head to something you’ve learned about that you wanted to experience that you haven’t yet.

Head off to the desert, where you’ll be taking a four-wheel drive journey deep into the heart of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Then, hop aboard a camel to ride into the dunes to a camp set up with traditional rugs and cushions, where you’ll enjoy sunset and the desert evening.

Flaming torches and a barbecue under the starry skies add to your exclusive dining ambience. Our staff will indulge you with a delicious Arabian feast and unlimited select beverages.

After dinner relax with aromatic shisha as you gaze into the desert and skies.

Day 8: Depart Dubai

Safe travels home.

Darley’s Dubai Vacation Itinerary