Plan the perfect day in the Middle East’s main stopover spots, says Katie McGonagle.
Like this and want more details? Click here to download and save as a PDF.
Time is precious on any holiday, but on a short-and-sweet stopover, every moment must count.
Forget queueing for tickets, finding out too late that a favourite attraction is closed, or not knowing where to start with sightseeing – there’s no time to waste if clients want to squeeze the best of a city into a short stay.
And with Middle Eastern carriers providing access to an increasing array of long-haul destinations from the UK, your customers will frequently find themselves stopping over in the region. Whether they have a few days or barely 24 hours, pack some of these highlights in and clients get two holidays in one, while you boost commission by booking their extra activities.
DUBAI: TOP OF THE STOPS
With Dubai International nipping at Heathrow’s heels to be the world’s busiest international airport – it carried more passengers in January and February than the London hub – there’s no doubting its crown as the Middle East’s top stopover spot.
Suggest clients start by getting their bearings from the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, for incredible 360-degree views from the dizzying heights of the 124th floor (from £20 per adult/£15 per child), or upgrade to Fast Track tickets to skip the queues (£65; burjkhalifa.ae)
The usual array of city tours will let clients tick off the essentials – the Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Mosque, Dubai Museum and the bustling souks crop up on most itineraries – but those who want a real feel for the city can try touring on foot. Arabian Adventures, part of the Emirates Group, counts the Dubai Walking Tour among its most popular excursions (£27/£14), while for extra local flavour the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding has 90-minute heritage tours (from £10; cultures.ae).
All that walking is bound to make people peckish, so after admiring its dhow-shaped design from afar, return to the Burj Al Arab for lunch (£149/£75 with Attraction World).
If it’s already dinnertime, a quick drink at Buddha Bar overlooking the bright lights of the marina will get the evening off to a good start. Follow that with flavoursome street food shawarma or posh nosh at Japanese restaurant Nobu on The Palm – Virgin Holidays recommends both – or sightsee at the same time with a Bateaux Dubai cruise along the creek (from £89 through If Only).
Need to keep kids amused (and out of the sun)? Shopping malls double up as entertainment arcades here: Dubai Mall has its own ice rink, miniature world KidZania, Sega Republic and Dubai Aquarium, while Mall of the Emirates is home to Ski Dubai (pre-book two hours on the slopes for £35/£32 with Do Something Different).
Or if kids can’t wait to splash around in the sunshine, steer them towards Wild Wadi Waterpark (£45/£37 with Attraction World).
ABU DHABI: CHANGING LANDSCAPES
Development continues apace in Abu Dhabi, with three museums – a Louvre, Guggenheim and national museum – set to open on Saadiyat Island by 2017, but there’s plenty to do in the meantime.
If time is short, stick to the classic sights. Gold Medal offers full-day city tours on Saturdays and Tuesdays from £60, visiting the fishing harbour and dhow yard, Heritage Village, Petroleum Exhibition, plus ancient Qasr al-Hosn palace and impressive Sheikh Zayed Mosque.
To get more acquainted with the region’s long tradition of falconry, Virgin Holidays suggests stopping by the Falcon Hospital to see how these majestic birds are nursed back to health. Top that off with Arabic High Tea at Emirates Palace Hotel – gold-drizzled chocolate, anyone? – or for dinner, go with Caribtours’ recommendation of the Silk & Spice Thai restaurant in the Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche.
Over on Yas Island, kids can set themselves the challenge of testing all 43 rides and slides at Yas Waterworld (£100 via Gold Medal, including transfers), or burn rubber at petrolheads’ paradise Ferrari World (skip the queues with a premium admission ticket, £77 from Do Something Different).
Golf-loving parents could even squeeze in a quick round at the only links course in the Middle East, or start their holiday in style with a spa treatment at Yas Viceroy or Radisson Blu.
MUSCAT: AUTHENTIC ARABIA
Oman’s captivating capital is a far cry from the built-up city centres of Abu Dhabi or Dubai.
The sweeping scale of the Grand Mosque, which can hold up to 20,000 worshippers, is first on the must-see list. Next, view ancient artefacts at Bait Al Zubair Museum, drive along the Corniche, haggle your heart out in the country’s oldest souk, and finish at Al Alam Palace, the official residence of Sultan Qaboos.
Cox & Kings, Caribtours and Gold Medal combine these sights in their city tours, with Travel 2 also offering a full-day option adding a two-hour dhow cruise along the Muscat coastline and after-dinner transfer to the airport (from £92, meals extra).
If there’s time to get outside the city, add a day on the dunes. Gold Medal can arrange a full-day Desert Safari driving through the Sumail Gap between the Eastern and Western Hajar Mountains, exploring the impressive Wadi Bani Khalid, and ending with some adrenaline-fuelled dune-bashing before returning to Muscat (£65, Saturday-Thursday).
Or try the more tranquil option of a night in the desert: Kuoni’s Night on the Dunes excursion travels through Wahiba sands for an evening in a Bedouin camp.
DOHA: RISING STAR
Doha may not be as well known in the UK but expect that to start changing, with the addition of routes by Qatar Airways, including the five-times-a-week Edinburgh-Doha link, which began this week.
The first stop for any art lover must be the Museum of Islamic Art: not only are its opening hours the most regular of Doha’s museums, but its impressive collection spans 1,400 years of exquisite metallic, ceramic, glass and textile artworks.
Make time to unearth more hidden treasures – for sale this time – in Souq Waqif, then stroll along the Corniche to watch the sunset. Alcohol is served only in hotel bars, but first venture out to sample Doha’s diverse cuisine – Middle Eastern, Indian, Thai, Chinese and more.
MY PERFECT DAY
Dubai, Ian Scott, Dubai Tourism
“If you land on a Friday, brunch is a must – Vida’s Urban Picnic Brunch transforms the restaurant into a picnic setting – but on any other day, try Left Bank at the Madinat Jumeirah or its new Mexican restaurant, Tortuga. For something unusual, add a visit to the turtle rehabilitation centre at the Burj Al Arab. In the evening, Bliss at the Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort is my favourite place for sundowners and people-watching. It has a relaxed and elegant atmosphere and a live saxophonist at weekends.”
Abu Dhabi, Mubarak Al Nuaimi, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority
“The best way to start a day is coffee in Emirates Palace, famous for its exotic architecture and views across the Arabian Gulf – indulge in a cappuccino sprinkled with 24-carat gold. Next I would recommend Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and a stroll along the Corniche. In the afternoon, zoom up to the Observation Deck on the 74th floor of Jumeirah at Etihad Towers Hotel, then round off the day with shopping in malls offering everything from bargain outlets to haute couture.”
Muscat, Nicola Sweeney, Caribtours
“Start the day with the spectacular Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque – it’s open to non-Muslims from 8.30am to 11am between Saturdays and Thursdays – then Bait Al Zubair Museum, which offers an introduction to Oman’s history and development. Next, drive along the waterfront Corniche to the colourful Muttrah Souq for a spot of shopping, before stopping to take a photo at the magnificent Al Alam Palace, official palace of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, flanked by two 16th-century Portuguese forts, Mirani and Jalali.”
Doha, Richard Oliver, Qatar Airways
“Doha is a multicultural city, home to some of the region’s finest cultural and historical landmarks. I would suggest starting at Souq Waqif, a hotspot for art galleries and restaurants – a must is the renowned Souq Waqif Bakery to try bread with foul (mashed beans) and chickpeas. Around midday, head to the fishing harbours of Al Kohr and Al Wakra to catch a dhow cruise, then end with an Arabian Night Safari. And if you have time, stay overnight to sleep under the stars.”
