In United Arab Emirates and Oman:
In a nutshell
Dubai is just one of 7 Emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The others such as Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah are quieter, but still have great beaches and resorts offering excellent value for money. See the section Beyond Dubai on pages 100-104.
Sightseeing ideas
sightseeing from dubai dubai city tour Daily except Fri, from 3.00pm-7.00pm The perfect way to experience the mix of old and new in ever-changing Dubai. Visit Bastakia, the Dubai Museum and take an abra across the creek to haggle in the spice and gold souks. From £18 per adult | £9 per child helicopter ride Daily except Fri, 30 min With the fast-changing face of Dubai, the ideal vantage point is from above! Fly along the beautiful coastline near the Burj Al Arab, circling over Jumeirah Palm and, on the way back, enjoy the skyline of the modern Dubai and contrasting Creek. From £148 per person desert safari Daily from 3.00pm-10.00pm (with barbecue dinner) Speed through the golden sand desert in a 4WD and enjoy the thrill of dune bashing. Witness the magical Arabian sunset, try some camel riding and enjoy a belly dancer show as you relax under the stars. Available locally from US$71 per adult | US$52 per child (Owing to the nature of dune driving: expectant mothers, children under 3 years and adults over 65 years cannot be accepted on this tour.) abu dhabi city tour Wed from 9.00am-5.30pm Experience the bustle of everyday life at the old souk and walk along the magnificent Abu Dhabi Corniche, see how local tali handicrafts are made and visit the dhow yard where traditional boats are built. From £38 per adult | £19 per child (with lunch) musandam cruise Daily from 6.00am-8.00pm On the northern tip of the Sultanate of Oman near the Straits of Hormuz, you’ll find Musandam, where the mountains drop as vertical walls 1km into the sea. Famous for its spectacular fjords, small villages can be found along the shoreline, many only accessible from the sea. On this day trip, you’ll explore Musandam in the best possible way – by traditional Omani dhow. Drive to Khasab along the panoramic coastal road (approx 3 hours) to board the dhow for your full-day cruise. Anchoring at Telegraph Island, you can swim, snorkel and look out for the dolphins playing in the crystal-clear waters. From £84 per adult | £46 per child
Star attractions
If you’re looking for a really special destination where you can indulge your love of top-quality hotels, great shopping, fine dining, world-class golf and state-of-the-art spas, Dubai is for you. Add to this a fascinating Middle Eastern heritage to explore and a range of exciting activities, and you have a destination with just about everything. With year-round sunshine and miles of lovely beaches, Dubai is THE new destination, waiting to be discovered – and you’ll discover it in style with Virgin Holidays.
Additional info
what you need to know flight details Virgin Atlantic flights to Dubai depart daily from London Heathrow. flight supplements Fri/Sat/Sun £15 per person each way. flying time Approx 7 hours to Dubai. flight upgrades Premium Economy available from £275 supplement per person each way. time GMT +4 hours currency UAE Dirham (Dh) visa requirements British citizens do not require a visa. language The official language is Arabic. English is widely spoken. alcohol Legal drinking age is 21. fast track at dubai airport For all Virgin Atlantic arrivals, we can help you beat the queues on arrival in to Dubai with our fast-track lane through arrivals and immigration. This lane is exclusive to Virgin Holidays’ passengers and a voucher will be required to access the fast-track lane, which is available for arrivals on Virgin Atlantic, regardless of cabin of travel. dubai flight arrivals Virgin Holidays’ transfers in Dubai are direct to your chosen hotel. Transfer times may vary due to traffic conditions. The Virgin Atlantic flight to Dubai arrives early in the morning. Hotel check-in times start at 2.00pm. You will be able to store your bags at the hotel and use the hotel facilities until your room becomes available. If you would like to check in on arrival, you will need to pay for an additional night’s accommodation. religious periods During the holy month of Ramadan (01-29 Sep ’08), Eid and other religious festivals, there are restrictions on alcohol consumption and entertainment from dawn until dusk when all Muslims must fast. However, public areas come alive at night with feasting and celebration, so it’s a great time to experience the culture and tradition of the UAE. the changing face of dubai Dubai is emerging as one of the world’s leading holiday destinations. Development is ongoing throughout Dubai, so please be aware that there may be some disturbance during your stay. Dubai Festival City is now open and the Dubai Marina project in Jumeirah will be completed during 2008. The Palm Jumeirah is already open with Atlantis, the Palm due to open in Oct ’08. The Palm Jebel Ali will open in 2008 and the largest, Palm Deira will open in 2015. The 300 man-made islands making up The World are due to be completed by 2010. Please see our dedicated Dubai, the Emirates & Oman 2008 brochure for more information and a wider choice of hotels, tours and sightseeing options in the Middle East.