Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Leave your centrally located Dubai hotel with your guide, and then travel to Abu Dhabi, roughly 1.5 hours away. Capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi is often called the ‘Arabian Jewel,’ a name that testifies to its lavish monuments and flashy modern architecture.

As you travel around town, listen to stories about the city and its sights such as Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan Mosque, or the grand mosque, as it’s more simply known. Head inside to learn about the monument and marvel at its sheer size and grandeur. The stunning building can accommodate some 40,000 worshipers inside its walls, making it one of the world’s largest mosques.

Hop back inside your minivan and travel the short distance to the Sheikh Zayed center, where the late Sheikh’s work is remembered. See memorabilia of the Shiekh including his hunting rifles and his vehicles. Also learn about how the Sheikh travelled around the world and formed the Emirates as we know them today.

Enjoy a break for lunch (own expense) before heading to Abu Dhabi Heritage Village, an open-air museum that showcases everyday life in the city prior to the discovery of oil. Stroll around at leisure and admire recreated souks and a traditional Bedouin camp complete with goat-hair tents.

Finish your tour with a drive past the Dhow Yard where wooden ships are built using time-honored methods, and then head back to Dubai where you will say your goodbyes to your guide at the start point.