<p>My business partner and I will be traveling to Dubai in November. Our business will keep us there for probably 3 - 4 days, but since we’re already in that part of the world, we may decide to stay an extra day, two, or three (depending on the advice received here) and see some more things in that area. I have been to Saudi Arabia and Egypt, so those are off the table. I really have no clue what would be the best / closest-by things to experience while we are there. We could (at least theoretically) fly into Dubai and leave through another airport if that makes the most sense, as long as we don’t bill our client for more than what the Dubai round-trip would cost. Thoughts, itineraries?</p>
<p>Much to my surprise, it appears that there are flights from Dubai to Tel Aviv. You could easily spend a few days just in the Tel Aviv/Jaffa area, throwing in a day trip to Jerusalem if you want. </p>
<p>Another idea would be to fly to Amman and then go to Petra. You could stay in the city and do Petra as a day trip, but I’d suggest spending at least one night at lodgings near the site so you can have full day(s) exploring.</p>
<p>Pizzagirl - my niece, who is 35 yrs. old travels all over the world (sometimes I think she spends more time out of this country, than in it) regularly for her job and I know has been to Dubai. If you’d like, I could ask her for you. Last fall she stayed at this place:</p>
<p>[Burj</a> Al Arab - Luxury Hotels in Dubai - Jumeirah](<a href=“http://www.jumeirah.com/hotels-and-resorts/destinations/dubai/burj-al-arab/]Burj”>http://www.jumeirah.com/hotels-and-resorts/destinations/dubai/burj-al-arab/)</p>
<p>What about Qatar for a side trip. I know she’s been there, too.</p>
<p>You could visit Petra in Jordan. Even if you’ve visited Egypt (Cairo), you could visit the Red Sea resorts (great scuba and snorkeling) and climb Mt. Sinai.</p>
<p>If your business during the 3-4 days will keep you from sightseeing in Dubai, I’ll suggest that you just stay in Dubai for the extra time. In May, my husband and I flew to Dubai to meet up with our son who had been working in Saudi Arabia. We arrived on a Friday evening, and we left on Sunday evening, one week + later. Except for a 3 day side trip to Khasab, Oman on the Musandam peninsula (the Norway of Arabia), we spent the entire time in Dubai. We left Dubai felling that we had really explored the city, and not feeling like we had to return because we didn’t have time to fit everything in. </p>
<p>Things we did:
-Jumeirah Mosque tour and Q&A - the only mosque that non-Muslims can enter
-Walking tour of Bastakiya Quarter with Q&A
–both of these were through the Sheikh Mohammad Centre for cultural Understanding [url=<a href=“http://www.cultures.ae%5DSMCCU%5B/url”>http://www.cultures.ae]SMCCU[/url</a>] . They also offer cultural breakfasts and lunches.
-Big Bus tour of Dubai - a great way to see the city
-Explored the various souks - textile, spice, gold
-rode the abras (water taxis) across Dubai Creek - our hotel was on the Deira side of the creek, so we used the abras frequently
-went to the top of Burj Khalifa - gets tickets ahead of time on-line. We were at teh top at sunset
-had afternoon tea at Burj al Arab - extravagant, but I’m glad we did. The only way to get into this hotel is to stay there or book a meal/tea there.
-went on a desert safari - dune bashing, camel riding, dinner. Touristy, but enjoyable.
-toured the Dubai museum
-self-guided walking tours in Bur Dubai and Deira
-the malls, of course - my favorite was Dubai Mall (where Burj Khalifa is) and neighboring Souk Al-Bahar</p>
<p>You could also go the neighboring emirate of Sharjah or to Abu Dhabi.</p>
<p>My son had been to Muscat, Oman previously, and he really liked that.</p>