Cultural Experiences
Our guided excursions provide wonderful opportunities to discover the richness of ancient Arab culture, with walking tours through heritage areas and traditional marketplaces, visits to local homes, and exotic activities.
Some of our most popular tours are listed below, but these and others can be personalised to suit specific demographics, objectives, and budgets.
The Scents of Arabia
Scents have always played a significant role in Arabic culture and traditions, and aromatic herbs, wood chips, incenses, essential oils and unguents are used very widely even today. Personal perfumes, mixed by hand and stored in expensive bottles, were once considered a privilege of the rich and elite. But this erstwhile tradition has been revived and made more affordable, and is available in the heart of Dubai's old perfumeries.
On this special tour, knowledgeable perfumers offer advice on the oils best suited to skin types and lifestyle trends. A staggering range of scents are made available for sampling and purchase. But most importantly, guests can have a perfume specially blended for them as one of the best mementoes of a trip to the UAE.
A Sacred Pact at Jumeirah Mosque
Although non-Muslims are not usually permitted to enter a mosque, the Jumeirah Grand Mosque is the first and only mosque in the UAE to open its doors to interested visitors. The Jumeirah Grand Mosque is built in the Islamic Fatimy style, with one large central dome, four smaller domes, and two minarets, and has the capacity to house 1,200 people for prayer. Arranged as a private tour, guests are invited to discover more about Islam and the Emirati lifestyle by asking as many questions as possible.
The Heritage Village
A traditional cultural centre located near the mouth of the Dubai Creek, The Heritage Village features potters and weavers practicing erstwhile crafts, as well as exhibits and demonstrations of the forgotten art of pearl diving. It is a place where guests can take a few steps back in time, and experience some of Dubai's honoured rituals and traditions.
Camel Caravan - Day trip to the camel races
Camel racing is a deep-rooted traditional sport that finds its origins in desert cultures of the Arabian Peninsula, North Africa, and the Middle East. Camels have played a vital role in the region for thousands of years, influencing every aspect of daily life. Beyond providing transportation, food, and shelter, the camel also once served as a means of entertainment, celebration, and competition and various show and competitive races would take place at large events. Camels continue to be venerated, and camel racing is held in very high esteem by Emiratis.
Guests will be transported to and from their hotels, and all arrangements made to ensure that they have a great view of the races, from comfortable and vantage points.
(This trip is based on Dubai's camel racing calendar. Camel races take place on an annual basis during the racing season between late October and early April, and periodically throughout the year.)