Short breaks in Dubai
A journey along the Silk Route or on the Trans Siberian train is undoubtedly a fabulous experience, but even explorers deserve a luxurious short break on occasion. With guaranteed weather, unsurpassed shopping and only a seven-hour flight from London, Dubai is a popular candidate for its superb beaches, unrivalled water sports, golf courses and souks. Choose from a whole range of hotels, each with a very different atmosphere. Here are just a few, but we have plenty more we can suggest.
Fiona’s ideal places to stay
The Royal Mirage is one of the top hotels in Dubai and consists of three separate properties within the hotel grounds. The Palace rekindles the grandeur, dignity and charm of old Arabia: it has 250 rooms and suites, four restaurants with the finest traditions of the Middle East and a large pool. The Arabian Court gives new eloquence to an old and enchanting civilisation: 175 rooms and suites offer tranquil accommodation in the original building. Meanwhile The Residence and Spa has an exclusive air — 50 prestigious suites and villas, a sumptuous dining room, a library and an emphasis on pampering. The whole property has a kilometre-long private beach, floodlit tennis courts, a putting green and expansive gardens.
The Ritz Carlton Hotel is an oasis of pure luxury amidst flourishing, mature gardens where the clear blue waters of the Arabian Gulf meet the shimmering sand of a private beach. It has 138 rooms and suites with classy interiors and delightful swimming pools. Enjoy a treatment in the top class spa where you will absorb the Balinese influence — an idyllic retreat for the body and mind.
Al Maha Resort is a heavenly oasis of exclusivity set within a 25-square-km desert-conservation reserve about 45 minutes from Dubai. Framed by the distant Hajar Mountains and designed to reflect a Bedouin encampment, Al Maha offers amazing suites with canvas roofs, glorious views and private pools. Just enjoy this sanctuary of tranquillity or complement it with a touch of exotic adventure in the form of a camel safari, a falcon-training hunt, a 4WD wadi experience or archery practice from under a Bedu tent.
Burj Al Arab is the first seven-star hotel in the world. Built to resemble a sail, the hotel towers 321m above ground level and offers a wonderfully opulent stay of sumptuous decadence and self-indulgence. The foyer has breathtaking fountains and glass walls that feature an exotic aquarium. Of the five restaurants, the Al Muntala at the top has an amazing view of Palm Island. All suites are duplex and include every luxury you could desire.
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Trip Reports for the Middle East
Map
Travel Tips
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Fiona’s travel tips
TOP TIP: The Musandam Peninsula is just a 90 minute drive from Dubai — an easy way to combine the two countries.
READ: Wilfred Thesiger’s Across the Empty Quarter.
BEST TIME TO GO:
Jordan and Syria: Spring and autumn
Lebanon: year round
UAE/Oman: October to April
JOURNEY TIME:
Jordan: 5½ hours (direct)
Lebanon: 4½ hours (direct)
Oman: 9 hours (indirect)
Syria: 6¾ hours (direct)
UAE: 6¾ hours (direct)
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Clients’ comments
“Loved the goat market, worth the early start, also the fort and old town and markets. We all had a great holiday and are grateful to you for your excellent organisation. Would highly recommend Oman as a destination, also Far Frontiers Travel as an excellent tour firm.
Audrey Price, Sheila Maguire and Hazel Brown, Oman
“For a country that was so different it was immensely helpful to have an itinerary put together by someone who knew it. And it didn’t disappoint. Every day was packed with wonderful things. Absolutely fascinating trip, the culture, geography, history and the Omani people were wonderful. Thank you. I saw more, adventured further and was more amazed than if I was travelling independently.”
Kathrine O’Brien, Oman
“We had a wonderful visit, from the moment we arrived until the day we left. A few eyebrows were raised when we said we were off to Jordan, especially two women of mature years, but we could not have felt safer. Our itinerary was perfect from bustling Amman to scenic Aqaba and 10 days was the ideal stay. We were amazed at how mountainous and beautiful the country is. Mt. Nebo really conveys a biblical atmosphere, but the highlight is definitely Petra, just breathtaking. The food was very good and caters for all tastes and the people are charming. The spa at the Dead Sea was the best I have ever had, I only wish I could have another! Highly recommended.”
June Waring and Elizabeth Pybus, Jordan
“Fiona always makes the itineraries so exciting. We added the turtle watching and this was quickly incorporated. The holiday went as smoothly as the itinerary and was a perfect mix of relaxation and activity. We would love to go back again and perhaps explore other parts of Oman such as Salalah and the Empty Quarter. We had a wonderful holiday and look forward to planning another trip with you before too long. ”
Richard and Sally Morgan, Oman
“Fiona, we had truly amazing time in Oman, thank you so much for all you did.”
Mr and Mrs Anthony Hallet, Oman
“We thoroughly enjoyed our two weeks in Jordan. It was a marvellous experience visiting so many interesting places, meeting such friendly and welcoming people and learning a little about the past and the present of this beautiful and varied country.”
Rob and Jane Aylott, Jordan
“One of the very best holidays we have had. In fact we are seriously talking about going back to Oman next year. The agency was excellent….The guide and the trips were more than adequate, and the rest days perfect. Thank you for your efforts”.
Mrs Joan Dampney, Oman
“We had a truly memorable trip to Jordan from start to finish and cannot thank you enough for putting it together so professionally and in such a short space of time. One of the best holidays we have ever had.”
Paul Crayford, Jordan
“We wanted to write and thank you for arranging our recent holiday. It was superb and we had a very happy time. I wrote a little travelogue – I’ve attached it for your possible interest (less a travelogue and more a novel…it’s 5 pages long!) The itinerary was fine, we saw and experienced a great deal but never felt rushed. Loved all of it, I think my ‘travelogue’ speaks for that; planned experiences were as hoped but, as so often, it’s the unexpected things that make you smile which are mostly to do with the people you meet. A most wonderful experience was up in the mountains and stopping at a ‘lay-by’ where suddenly we were aware of goats and a Bedouin and two tatty chairs and a little table placed to overlook this beautiful valley below which was the Dana Nature Reserve; the Bedouin produced two plastic cups of the most exquisite Arabic tea and there we sat, drinking in both the tea and this wonderful place which was silent and still and the air so fresh. Asked if I may take a photo of him, the Bedouin seriously and graciously adjusted his headdress and beamed into the camera. Such happenings as this and many others could not have been possible if we’d come on a tour holiday.”
Stewart and Sue Thomson, Jordan