Holiday Overview

Discover the textiles of the Arabian Peninsula as you explore the United Arab Emirates and Oman on this 12-day holiday alongside our fabulous expert, Karin Hellaby. Uncover local traditions, textiles and crafts, and visit famous mosques such as Sheikh Zayed and the Grand Mosque, as well as spending an evening in the golden sand dunes of the Sharqiya Desert. There will also be plenty of opportunity for some retail therapy too as we wander through the many vibrant souks.

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Workshop Information: Karin has been travelling to Oman, considered by many to be the ‘Jewel of the Arabian peninsula’, since 1996. As her sister has lived in Oman and Dubai for many years, Karin has been fortunate enough to get to know the countries as well as teaching for quilting guilds and shows in the UAE and Oman. Karin's project will be based on traditional henna designs, after an introduction by a local henna artist. The options are for this to be stitched in hand appliqué and embroidery with a kit provided.

Meet Karin and your Tour Manager at London Heathrow airport for your flight to Dubai. We will arrive in Dubai very late this evening.

With our direct package, make your way to the hotel in Dubai independently to meet the group.

During our first morning in Dubai we will start with an Old Dubai city tour, starting at the Al Seef. Here you can capture fantastic views of Dubai’s historic creek, traditional dhows and old-world architecture paired with modern comforts. The tour continues through Bastakia, an area rich in history, to the Textile Souk before enjoying a ride across the famed Dubai creek in a local water taxi, an ‘Abra’. Here, you will visit the aromatic Spice Souk and one of the oldest traditional markets, the famous Gold Souk. A traditional lunch will be served in the Al Fahidi historic district, one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Bur Dubai.

This afternoon we will visit Chuk Palu, a wonderful Afgan textile shop before spending the evening at La Perle, a one-of-a-kind theatre. It features a cast of 65 artists, each bringing their own unique set of skills to the performance. Enjoy dinner at Abd El Wahab which offers a unique dining experience with exceptional views of the Dubai Fountains and the Burj Al Arab.

Included Meals

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Highlights

Dubai Creek
Gold Souk

Dubai Creek Abra

Today we will travel to Abu Dhabi and explore the city’s heritage on a city tour. Visit inside the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates and the eighth largest mosque in the world. Stop at Heritage Village, which provides a glimpse into the simple life and times of the Emirate, and the Qasr Al Watan Presidential Palace, a majestic and cultural landmark. We will enjoy lunch as a group and then continue to the Louvre, a museum designed as a seemingly floating dome structure.

Afterwards, we will travel back to Dubai where this evening, you will board a traditional wooden Dhow for a dinner cruise. Sail along the Dubai Creek and capture the city.

Included Meals

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Highlights

Sheikh Zayed Mosque
Qasr Al Watan

Sheikh Zayed Mosque

This morning we will check out of our hotel in Dubai and head to Muscat via Sohar. On route we will visit Nakhl springs, a tranquil and picturesque spot where we can enjoy the charming surroundings around the warm springs framed by the majestic Jebels (mountains) and dense green oasis. We’ll also visit Bait Al Ghasham Museum. A guided tour of the museum will give us an insight into its interesting past including a hidden passage exiting the castle, a library and room of donated antiques. Lunch is included today at the museum.

This afternoon we will continue our drive to our hotel in Muscat. This evening dinner is included at the hotel.

Included Meals

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Highlights

Tropical Wadi in Nakhl, Oman

Tropical Wadi in Nakhl, Oman

Today we will start our projects with Karin Hellaby at the hotel. Karin’s project will be based on traditional henna designs and this morning we will be joined by a local henna artist.

Included Meals

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Highlights

Workshop

Workshop

We start our sightseeing day of Muscat at the Grand Mosque, which is one of the largest mosques in the world. Here you can admire beautiful artwork, chandeliers and one-piece carpet covering the entire prayer hall. Next, we drive to visit the Amouage Perfume Factory. Founded in 1983 by the Sultan of Oman, the perfumes created here are a very unique part of the Arabic culture as many of the ingredients used in the production are of strictly Arabic origin. Perfumes are created and packed here. We continue to Bait Al Zubair, which now houses one of the largest heritage and permanent art collections in the country.

After lunch in a local restaurant, we will visit the Local Market of Qurum and Seeb followed by dinner at an Omani restaurant.

Included Meals

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Highlights

Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque

Another day of exploring Muscat is in store today, starting with a visit to the Muttrah fish market, situated in the heart of Muttrah on Oman’s largest harbour. After, we will walk to Muttrah Souq, one of the oldest souq’s in Oman. Wander through the narrow alleys with mystic smells and browse the local antiques, clothing and spices.

We then drive to visit the Sidab Women’s Sewing Group, one example of a growing group of local women social entrepreneurs. Their most successful cottage industry is based in Sidab, a fishing village near Muscat, with 35 women active in the group. Using traditional wizar art of Oman, products like calico shopping bags, mobile phone cases, cushion covers and more are made.

Next we proceed to the NHI, The National Hospitality Institute, where young Omanis are trained to be part of the Omani workforce in the hospitality sector. Meet and learn about the students and their backgrounds and enjoy an Omani buffet lunch cooked by them. We will return to the hotel in the late afternoon.

Included Meals

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Highlights

Muttrah Souq

Muttrah Souq

This morning we will check out of our hotel in Muscat and drive along the mountain road to the Wadi Dayqah Dam, the highest and largest in Oman. Then we will drive high into the Eastern Hajar Mountains through some spectacular and colourful rock formations. This afternoon we will stop at the Bimmah Sinkhole, which according to legend was formed by a falling star. Here, enjoy a packed lunch and a refreshing swim.

Once we arrive into the desert later in the day, we will check in for our overnight stay at the Oryx Desert Camp, where this evening we will drive into the dunes to watch the sunset.

Included Meals

Breakfast
Dinner

Highlights

Wahiba Sands

Wahiba Sand

This morning we will leave the campsite and drive to Misfat Al Abriyeen, a unique and mountainous village located 1,000 metres above sea level. The village boasts amazing agricultural terraces, beautiful alleys and old houses. Later on we will continue on mountain tracks to Wadi Ghul known as the Grand Canyon of Arabia and the second deepest canyon in the world only surpassed by the view of Jebel Sham’s Oman’s highest mountain. We then check into Jebel Shams Resort and have the rest of the day at leisure.

Included Meals

Breakfast
Dinner

Highlights

Ad Dakhiliyah

Ad Dakhiliyah

This morning we drive to the town of Al Hamra, one of the best preserved old towns in the country and the home of the Bait Al Safar living museum. Walk through the alleys they date back three centuries and learn about Omani traditions.

Continue to Nizwa Fort, built on a solid base of rock, the huge tower was designed to withstand the vibrations of 24 cannons. From the top, a superb panoramic view provides a bird’s eye view of Nizwa. When we arrive at the hotel this afternoon, we will enjoy another workshop with Karin.

Included Meals

Breakfast
Dinner

Highlights

Nizwa Fort
Workshop

Nizwa Fort

After breakfast we will drive to Nizwa everyday market. We will also have the opportunity to explore Oman's oldest souqs, and the fort with its 40-metre high round tower.

After, we will drive to Birkat Al Mauz, a traditional village located in the Ad Dakhiliyah region. It serves as the entrance to the Wadi Al-Muaydin on the southern rim of Jebel Akhdar and is also home to a restored fort called Bait al Redidah. It is one of the most famous villages in ruins in the Sultanate and home to the traditional Falaj irrigation system, which is listed as UNESCO world heritage. Later today we arrive in Muscat where we will check into our hotel.

Included Meals

Breakfast
Dinner

Highlights

Al Jabal Akhdar

Al Jabal Akhdar

We have a very early start, checking out of the hotel early hours of the morning to catch our flight out of Muscat and back to London.

Tour Notes: You will need to have a good level of fitness to get the most out of this holiday. We therefore do not recommend this tour for anyone with mobility problems or walking difficulties. The itinerary involves a significant amount of walking whilst sightseeing each day, sometimes over uneven ground and steps. You should be able to board and alight coaches and 4x4 vehicles unaided. During part of the itinerary, you will travel in 4x4 vehicles, please note these vehicles are not suitable for those who have neck and back injuries. Whilst sightseeing is taken at a leisurely pace, for the enjoyment of everyone in the group you should be able to keep up with your fellow travellers.

Accommodation

You will stay for three nights at the 4-star Al Seef Heritage Hotel Dubai, five nights at the 5-star Royal Tulip in Muscat, one night at the Arabian Oryx Camp in Wahiba Sands, one night at the 3-star Jebel Sham Resort, and one night at the 3-star Intercity Hotel in Nizwa.

Al Seef Heritage Hotel Dubai

The Al Seek Heritage hotel sits on the banks of the Dubai Creek in the Al Seef Heritage district. It offers an authentic stay with excellent services, dining, and close distance to the historic district.

Hotel Facilities

Restaurant
Room Service Available

Room Facilities

TV
Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
Hairdryer
Air Conditioning
Fridge
Non-Smoking Rooms Available
Free Wifi
Iron or Trouser Press

Single Room Supplement from £579.00

Al Seef Heritage Hotel Dubai

Royal Tulip Muscat

The Royal Tulip hotel lies in the heart of Muscat with many amenities in walking distance. The hotels marble interior offers a traditional luxury Middle Eastern feel as well as features a swimming pool, fitness centre and its own restaurant.

Hotel Facilities

Outdoor Swimming Pool
4 Star
Restaurant
Room Service Available
Gym

Room Facilities

TV
Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
Hairdryer
Safe Box
Air Conditioning
Free Wifi
Iron or Trouser Press

Single Room Supplement from £579.00

Royal Tulip Muscat

Arabian Oryx Camp

In the golden sands of the Sharqiya Desert lies the Arabian Oryx Camp which offers luxurious style accommodation.

Room Facilities

Hairdryer
Air Conditioning
Fridge

Single Room Supplement from £579.00

Jebel Sham Resort

Jebel Shams is surrounded by the rugged and wild Hajar mountain. The resort offers comfort for those wanting to experience the iconic ‘mountain of the sun’. It is located steps away from Oman grand canyon with spectacular views into the deep wadi an akhara.

Hotel Facilities

Outdoor Swimming Pool
Restaurant
Room Service Available

Room Facilities

TV
Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
Air Conditioning
Fridge

Single Room Supplement from £579.00

Jebel Sham Resort

Intercity Hotel Nizwa

This 3-star hotel in Nizwa offers 120 hotel rooms and suites with all the amenities that you need. It is located in the Farq business district next door to the Grand Nizwa Mall.

Hotel Facilities

Outdoor Swimming Pool
Sauna or Steam Room
Gym

Room Facilities

Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
Hairdryer
Safe Box
Air Conditioning
Fridge
Free Wifi

Single Room Supplement from £579.00

Intercity Hotel Nizwa

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Textiles of the Arabian Peninsula

12 days from £4,035pp

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Itinerary

Day1 Departure to Dubai

Day2 Dubai

Included Meals

Highlights

Day3 Abu Dhabi

Included Meals

Highlights

Day4 Muscat

Included Meals

Highlights

Day5 Workshop

Included Meals

Highlights

Day6 Muscat

Included Meals

Highlights

Day7 Muscat

Included Meals

Highlights

Day8 Wahiba Sands

Included Meals

Highlights

Day9 Misfat Al Abreen to Jebel Sham

Included Meals

Highlights

Day10 Al Hamra to Nizwa

Included Meals

Highlights

Day11 Nizwa Market

Included Meals

Highlights

Day12 Return home

Accommodation

Al Seef Heritage Hotel Dubai

Hotel Facilities

Room Facilities

Royal Tulip Muscat

Hotel Facilities

Room Facilities

Arabian Oryx Camp

Room Facilities

Jebel Sham Resort

Hotel Facilities

Room Facilities

Intercity Hotel Nizwa

Hotel Facilities

Room Facilities

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12 days from £4,035^pp