Stunning Places and Cultural Highlights

If relaxing on the beach or pacing the shopping malls all day is not your thing, there are plenty of wonderful places to visit and see during your stay in the region. Whether it be Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar or Oman, we have selected just a few:

Dubai

Dubai Museum

A visit to the Dubai museum is a must on every Dubai itinerary. Housed within the beautifully restored Al Fahidi Fort, which was erected around 1787 to defend the city against invasion, the museum's diverse collection of exhibits offers a fascinating insight into the rich history and cultural heritage.
Renovated in 1971 for use as museum, its colourful life size dioramas vividly depict everyday life in the days before the discovery of oil. Galleries recreate scenes from the Creek, traditional Arab houses, mosques, the souk, date farms and desert and marine life. One of the more spectacular exhibits portrays pearl diving, including sets of pearl merchants’ weights, scales and shieves. Also on display are artifacts from several excavations in the emirate, recovered from graves that date back to the third millennium B.C.

Shopping & Diving Village

A traditional heritage village, located near the mouth of the Creek, has been created where potters and weavers display their crafts. Here the visitor can look back in time and experience some of Dubai's heritage. The Diving Village forms part of an ambitious plan to turn the entire Shindagha area into a cultural microcosm, recreating life in Dubai as it was in days gone by.

Hatta Village

The Hatta Heritage Village was opened to the public in February 2001 after careful and extensive renovation.The village represents another fine example of the Heritage of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates. Situated 115km southeast of Dubai city in the heart of the rocky Hatta Mountains, it provides the visitor with a fascinating glimpse into Dubai's historical past. The two towers overlooking the village, known as the "two stones" were used as defense fortresses against hostile invaders. Today, the Hatta Heritage Village has become an important historical site for tourists. The history of the village can be traced back to 2000 - 3000 years. It consists of 30 buildings, each differing in size, interior layout and building materials used. Great care was taken to use the same materials as those used when originally built during the renovation such as mud, hay, sandalwood and palm fronds.

 

Abu Dhabi

Between Khalidiya Street and Airport Road, is the impressive heritage site of Qasr Al Hosn, built in 1793 as the official residence of the Rulers of Abu Dhabi. Adjacent is the Cultural Foundation, a modern complex designed in traditional architectural style, and home to the National Library, an auditorium, exhibition halls and a cinema. The Foundation is the hub of Abu Dhabi's cultural life, staging concerts, plays, lectures and a variety of other events.

Traditional arts and crafts, such as weaving and producing hand made souvenirs, are practised at The Women's Craft Centre on Al Maktoum Street. Visitors may purchase these artefacts at fixed prices.

The new Heritage Village on the Breakwater provides a taste of life before the oil era. Its displays offer an insight into Bedouin life, as well as courtyard houses, wind towers and an example of the ancient irrigation system used in the region's oases. In different workshops craftsmen and women demonstrate traditional skills and the museum has displays of garments, coins, Holy Qurans, diving equipment, jewellery and weaponry from a bygone era.

The Centre for Documentation and Research at the Presidential Court on Airport Road contains a collection of old photographs tracing Abu Dhabi's development from the 1930s. Other exhibits cover the emirate's natural history and old weaponry.

Al Ain

Known as the Garden City, Al Ain was once a vital oasis on the caravan route to Oman. Situated just 148 km east of the capital, Al Ain boasts several historical forts and archaeological sites. Fascinating insights into its origins can be found at the Al Ain Museum and the Natural History Museum at the University of Al Ain, both of which feature displays on life before the discovery of oil in the region.

The Hili Archaeological Garden has remnants of a Bronze Age settlement dating back to 2500 - 2000 BC. This site is the source of some of the richest archaeological finds in the area, several of which are believed to be more than 4,000 years old. The Jahili Fort, once home to the late ruler Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is notable for its impressive main turret, which has four levels.

Al Ain is the most fertile region in the country, and its oasis supports a host of palm plantations and working farms. The city's many parks are all beautifully kept and well worth a visit. Featuring play areas, benches under shady trees, meandering walkways and elaborate fountains, they offer tranquil hideaways for visitors and residents alike.

The Al Ain Zoo and Aquarium, spread over 400 hectares, is one of the largest in the Gulf region. It is home to a wide variety of species, both common and rare, and runs an ongoing breeding programme for endangered animals.

The city's camel market is well known throughout the country and is the last of its kind. It provides the opportunity to see and hear traders discussing prices and listing the merits of their prized camels. The nearby animal souk is a similar experience, although it specialises in the sale of sheep, goats and other livestock.

Al Ain's Old Prison affords the best views of the city and its surrounding oasis. It is a lone square turret in the centre of a gravel courtyard, surrounded by high walls. At night this historical building is illuminated, and offers a beautiful view when seen from the nearby camel market.

Overlooking the city is the majestic Jebel Hafeet, the highest mountain in the country. A road leads to the summit offering spectacular views in all directions. At its base are Ain Al Faydah natural spring and the Green Mubazzarah tourism resort.

 

Qatar

Arroub Fort
Built during the Abbasside period on the foundations of an older fort, Marroub Fort is located on the west coast of Qatar and bears the marks of Abbasside architectural style. To the north of the Fort, 250 houses were grouped together in an arch formation.

Al-Ghuwair Castle
Al-Ghuwair Castle was built during the early 19th century and is now in ruins. It was constructed with thick walls of stone and mud in a rectangular shape.

Al-Thughb Fort
Located on the northwest part of the country, approximately 110 kilometres from Doha, al-Thughb Fort is rectangular with four towers – a common design for desert forts erected between 17th and 19th centuries.

Al-Zubarah
Situated just 100 km west of Doha lies the town of Al Zubara, an important archeological site famous for its old fort. This fort-turned-museum was constructed in 1938 during the reign of Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani and was erected on the ruins of a neighbouring fort. The fort itself is square-shaped with circular towers in three of its corners and a rectangular tower in the fourth. With high, thick walls, this fort also served as a coast guard station and, until the mid-1980s, was used by the military.

Al-Rakiyat Fort
Restored in 1988, Al-Rakiyat Fort was constructed sometime during the 17th and 19th centuries. Made of mud and stone, this fort, as with many others in Qatar, is shaped as a rectangle with four corner towers.

Barzan Tower
Originally built as watchtowers, Barzan Tower is the western tower of two that were erected around the Umm Salal Mohammed area. This Tower was built during the late 19th century and its ‘T’ shape is considered a unique architectural style in the Gulf region. It is a rectangle construction with three levels and an external staircase.

Umm Salal Mohammed Fort
Located about 20 kilometres north of Doha and built during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this Fort is distinguishable by its high thick walls and impressive façade. Inside the fort, you will find several examples of architectural and decorative elements.

Al-Wajbah Fort
With its high towers and thick walls, Al-Wajbah Fort was the site of a famous battle and is considered the oldest fort in the country. In 1893 AD, the people of Qatar, under the leadership of Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohammed Al Thani, defeated the Ottoman forces.

Al-Jassasiya
Composed of a number of rocky hills overlooking the northeastern coast of Qatar, the hills of Al-Jassasiya contain numerous stone carvings and engravings which are speculated to date back to pre-historic times. Known for its fine beaches, Al-Jassasiya and its neighbour, Fuwairet, are popular for weekend excursions.

Oman

Muscat City
The tour begins by driving through the beautiful embassy quarter of Muscat en route to Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. Visit the mosque, a religious landmark of Muscat and splendor of unique Islamic architecture (Islamic dress code to be observed).
The next stop is the Omani Museum, which offers a wealth of information about the country's culture, tradition and history. Then on to Muttrah, a delightful quarter of Muscat, complete with traditional souk and fish market. From Muttrah the drive continues to Muscat Old Town where the tour proceeds on foot, strolling around the palace of Sultan Qaboos and the forts Jalali and Mirani.

Wadi Safari
This tour will bring you closer to nature by first of all visiting the Nakhl oasis and a having a photo stop at the impressive fort, you then proceed to the famous warm springs of Thowarah.
Continue on an off-road track through lush plantations of palm trees and small mountain villages to the wadis (dry river beds) Bani Awf and Sahtan. A stop for a picnic lunch is made en route.
Travel through a narrow gorge past water pools and reach some secluded wadis famous for their rock paintings, before returning to Muscat in the late afternoon.

Green Mountain Safari
You start your private tour in the morning and drive from Muscat to Fanjah.
You will stop at Wadi Fanjah and continue to Birkat Al Mawz. Passing the Fort that once guarded the entrance to Jebel Akhdar, you proceed up the most impressive mountain of Oman, Al Jabal al Akhdar in the heart of the Hajar Mountains.
Villages are scattered on the mountainside with picturesque houses built of stones from Jebel Akhdar and the area is well known for its diverse agriculture. Small terraces with fruit trees, cherry blossom, peach flowers, pomegranate, saffron, garlic and much more create an amazing palette of colors and scents throughout the year. With temperatures being considerably lower than in other parts of Oman, the Saiq plateau is famed for its abundance of roses used for rose water and perfumes.
Return to Muscat late afternoon via Birkat Al Mawz. Do not miss this opportunity to experience the wonders of Oman. Lunch is served in Jebel Akhdar Hotel with wonderful views of the mountains.

Rustaq - Voyage into the Past
Your private tour starts with a visit to the fish market and souk in Barka and a visit of Bait Na'am, a fortified house where the Imams used to overnight during their journey to the interior.
From Barka the drive continues along the famous Batinah plain, the main agricultural area of Oman. Then on to Al Hazm, where you visit the impressive fort before stopping for a photo at Rustaq Fort.
The tour passes along picturesque wadis (dry river beds) and you will reach the oasis of Nakhl, with time for a visit of Nakhl Fort. Before returning to Muscat you will visit the natural warm springs of Thowarah.