Dubai and Oman - our best tour for the money

I was helping a client today with a custom 8-day Dubai and Oman Focus proposal, and it dawned on me, that I should write an entry about why that trip is the best all-round tour for Dubai and Oman for many travelers.

~ It's short; you can see the highlights of both countries in 8 days, plus one on each end for travel days.

~ It's customizable; depending on your interests, we can switch out "x" activity and replace with "y". For example, instead of the day trip to Sharjah, check out the desert in a private 4WD excursion, or choose to have a free day of R&R and enjoy Dubai on your own.

~ We can tailor the trip to the best price for you. If you have a certain budget, just let us know, and using the itinerary as a blueprint, we can fashion the best Dubai and Oman tour for you and your wallet. Obviously, there are many different hotels, hotel specials, excursions and date choices that we can draw from in order to help you best.

~ You pick the date. Among the many options with this trip - as good as it is, "as is" - you pick the date you want to go. Naturally we can help with recommendations for best climate, lowest prices, etc. but we leave the timing to you.

~ Options. You can choose public excursions - shared with other travelers seeking the best value - or you can opt for private tours, private guides, private vehicles, if finances allow.

~ The tour can accommodate any number of travelers, there are no group minimums or maximums.

Here is one example of a recommended schedule, or recommeded itinerary for Dubai and Oman:

Day 1, Friday: Arrive Dubai - most flights get in late ... Fridays are the "down" days in the region so they make good days to arrive and depart generally.

Day 2, Saturday: Afternoon Dubai discovery tour/ Evening dhow dinner cruise along Deira Creek.

Day 3, Sunday: Dubai development tour, and/or 4WD evening desert escape and BBQ dinner out in the sands.

Day 4, Monday: Abu Dhabi, full day exploration / or Sharjah discovery / or a 4WD trip out the wadis, coast and/or desert mountains

Day 5, Tuesday: Full day touring to Muscat, o/n Muscat (or if traveling solo, fly to Muscat, it can be a better "deal").

Day 6, Wednesday: Muscat city discovery tour, including a not-to-be-forgotten visit to the majestic Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.

Day 7, Thursday: Nizwa - a must see - full day.

Day 8, Friday: Depart Muscat - perhaps relaxing in a public park with local families or lounging on the beach prior to your flight home (typically in the evening).

For a specific quote and recommended itinerary, we just need to know what date - generally or specifically - you want to go, how many people would be traveling, and what kind of hotel (economy, moderate, luxury) you'd prefer.

Of course, this trip is online, at http://www.latitudetours.com/pages/dubai-8-day-dubai-oman-focus and you can always email me, at dan@latitudeworldtours.com or call me, at 866.949.9940 x701, or direct, at 303.495.3432 for more information.

Saving money on ATM and cc fees in Dubai

The New York Times has a helpful article about how to save money on ATM and cc fees. I thought I'd post the link but first chime in some extra advice.

Naturally the first order of business is choose your cards (generally a "primary" credit card and one ATM card, plus a "backup" credit card should suffice) then notify the credit unions or banks about your tour, so they don't think you're being defrauded. Generally a quick call or an email to them is enough and they will make a note on your account- just give then the general region you're traveling in "the UAE and Oman" e.g. and the general time frame. (When you get back, make a point to monitor activity for awhile just case).

Now, one particular useful reminder in the article is to research who the local partner of your bank are - you'll often save on transaction fees - if not get free service entirely - if you take the time. Often you can ask the bank or go online and google partners in the country you plan to visit.

Here is that passage: you can "...reduce the fees somewhat if you use their own machines, or those of their partners. Bank of America, for example, partners with Deutsche Bank in Germany and BNP Paribas in France, so withdrawals are fee-free there (but not, however, at Deutsche Bank branches outside Germany)."

The link to the whole article is here (which also details insurance plans for budget/long term travelers, so that information may not really apply to most of us):

http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/27/packing-the-right-credit-card/#more-115

Oman getting some deserved props

Oman was recently recognized by Lonely Planet in their new guide, "The Best in Travel 2009," with an inclusion into the "top 10 countries" to visit in 2009. The publication noted a number of compelling reasons, among them the exciting new developments and fantastic culture in Muscat plus the outstanding natural history in the nation's wild and wooly desert landscapes. Oman deserves the love, it is a secret now but not for long!

The Al Fahidi Fort and Dubai Museum

If you are going to Dubai and wish to take in some culture while you are there then the Dubai Museum located at the Al-Fahidi Fort is certainly a must. It has been called one of the most impressive museums in the country and it will give your visit both a historical and cultural perspective.

The fort where it is located, first used for protection against foreign invaders and the ruler’s office, is over 200 years old and is thought to be the oldest structure in Dubai.
Inside the museum you can view exhibits chronicling the extraordinary development of Dubai from a small fishing village to an international hub. Most of the museum uses life-size dioramas complete with an excellent use of video and sound to illustrate several aspects of historic Dubai life. Some of these exhibits depict Islamic schools, various workshops, a dhow dock, a marvelous underwater pearling display, and several others. There are also a number of displays that explore the nuances of desert living, from flora and fauna to desert survival and the desert at night. If you are interested in artifacts there are plenty that abound the museum both big and small. In the courtyard you can view cannons, boats and huts and inside you can observe excavated pottery and other relics some dating back to the 2nd millennium B.C..

So if you are thinking of spending some time in Dubai consider setting some time aside to have an in depth look at the history and culture of Dubai at the Dubai Museum. If you are interested in learning more or are looking for a tour of this and many other exciting places take a look at one of our base tour packages here: http://www.latitudetours.com/pages/dubai-3-day-dubai-highlights. -Derek H.

Traders Hotel Special Offer through October 2009

Traders Hotel, one of my favorite 4-star properties in Dubai, is offering a great special - 'pay for 4 nights, and stay for 5.' This is a great deal at one of the very best moderate-priced hotels in the region. 5 nights/6 days allows you to really experience not just the amazing development of Dubai, but also to branch out and explore the greater Emirates, including the wild and scenic East Coast, desert mountains and canyons (known as "wadis"), Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and more. So much is within easy driving distance it is ridiculous. Excellent roads in the UAE and Dubai and our A/C vehicles make it comfortable. Call or email us for a quote, no obligations: 866.949.9940 x701 or email me at dan@latitudeworldtours.com. We can generally generate a quote and a custom itinerary proposal for you within 24 hours for most requests!

The epic Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat

Are you planning on going to Dubai soon and looking to build your itinerary? Something you may want to consider is taking some time out to visit Oman. “Why” you ask? Well Oman is what we like to call a “hidden gem”. There are some spectacular sights to see that most people don’t know about.

One of those sights is the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. This is truly a wonder of modern architecture and design. The massive complex occupies over 100 acres on which the structure and a beautiful garden is located. The building, with it’s main dome standing over 150ft high and the primary minaret standing nearly 300ft high, masterfully combines subtlety with the ornate. The sandstone exterior uses smooth archways, the single color of natural stone, and reflective marble floors to create a very tranquil and heavenly feeling. The dichotomy becomes apparent when you step inside and marvel at the extremely elaborate tiles and carvings that adorn the walls and ceiling. You will also notice that the monotone exterior is highly contrasted with the vibrant use of color inside. The Persian carpeting is currently the second largest hand woven rug in the world and took 600 workers 4 years to complete. The main prayer hall is also ornamented with the world’s second largest chandelier made of Swarovski crystal which is 45 feet tall. The detail and the shear grandeur of Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is breathtaking, and many people usually find themselves spending a few hours at least to really take in all of its beauty. .

So if you are thinking of going to Dubai, it could be well worth your time to visit Oman as well. If you are interested in touring either Dubai or Oman or even better, both, we have tours available that we will tailor to your needs and can easily include a guided visit to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. Just email us at info@latitudeworldtours.com or call our Dubai and Oman desk, at 866.949.9940 x 701. - Derek H.

Hyatt Regency in Dubai

We have also secured special rates - for package travelers enjoying our private airport transfer service, at least one excursion and hotel - at the other outstanding, centrally located 5-star, the Hyatt Regency, with special rates all the way through September 19, 2009.

Last Minute Deal in Dubai

One of our premier partner hotels, the Radisson SAS Deira Creek (outstanding location and service), is offering extra special rates for travel between now and January 17. If you can't make that window but you would still would like to experience Dubai and stay at one of Dubai's best located 5-star hotels, please know we've re-negotiated special rates all the way through April 30, 2009 valid for new bookings). Just let us know how many nights you'd like to enjoy in Dubai and peruse our selection of day tours for a great "hub and spoke" vacation, where you conveniently stay in one hotel in Dubai but experience the wonders of the other Emirates. This is just one of many options we can help you with: www.latitudetours.com/pages/dubai-3-day-dubai-highlights or email me direct at dan@latitudeworldtours.com.