Thanksgiving 2026: A Luxe Escape to Dubai & Abu Dhabi

What's not included:

1. Optional Tours 
2. Gratuities for Tour Manager & Bus Driver
3. Travel Insurance
4. Meals Not Specified Above
5. Transfers if Flight Booked on Your Own*

Itinerary:

DAY 1 – Friday

Depart for the United Arab Emirates

Begin your journey as you depart for Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

DAY 2 – Saturday

Arrive in Dubai

Welcome to Dubai, the vibrant city of luxury, innovation, and towering skyscrapers. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Dubai

DAY 3 – Sunday

Old Dubai Tour + Cultural Lunch

Start your morning with a photo stop at the impressive Jumeirah Mosque. Continue to the historic heart of Old Dubai, exploring the famous Gold and Spice Souks with their maze of traditional market stalls.

Ride a traditional abra water taxi across Dubai Creek to the Bastakiya district. View the iconic wind towers and visit Al Fahidi Fort, home of the Dubai Museum.

Next, enjoy a specially arranged Emirati lunch and cultural exchange at the Sheikh Mohammed Center for Cultural Understanding. After returning to the hotel, meet your Tour Manager for an orientation, followed by dinner.
Overnight: Dubai
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4 – Monday

New Dubai Tour + Burj Khalifa “At The Top”

Begin with a stop at Palm Jumeirah, the man-made island shaped like a palm tree. Board the Palm Monorail to reach the far end of the island.

Continue to a photo stop at the iconic Burj Al Arab, Dubai’s sail-shaped luxury hotel. Travel along Sheikh Zayed Road to the Burj Khalifa, ascending to Level 124 where a guide will offer insight into the world’s tallest building.

The evening is yours to enjoy, or join the optional Dubai Marina Glass Boat Dinner Cruise featuring a full international buffet, premium beverages, and spectacular skyline views.
Optional: Dubai Marina Glass Boat Dinner Cruise
Overnight: Dubai
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5 – Tuesday

Full Day at Leisure or Optional Tours

Spend the day as you wish, or choose one of the following optional experiences:

• Optional AM: Sharjah Cultural Tour – Visit the Cultural Square, Islamic Museum, and Heritage Museum.

• Optional PM: Desert Safari with Dinner – Ride through dramatic sand dunes in a 4x4, enjoy camel rides, a BBQ dinner, and a Tanoura dance performance at a Bedouin-style camp.

Overnight: Dubai
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6 – Wednesday

Abu Dhabi Tour + Louvre Abu Dhabi + Farewell Dinner

Travel to Abu Dhabi, capital of the UAE. Visit the breathtaking Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a masterpiece of modern Islamic architecture.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then explore the vibrant date market, sampling regional varieties. Continue to the world-renowned Louvre Abu Dhabi, the first universal museum in the Arab world. Check into your hotel and enjoy a farewell dinner.
Overnight: Abu Dhabi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7 – Thursday

Qasr Al Hosn + Day at Leisure

Visit Qasr Al Hosn, Abu Dhabi’s oldest stone structure, dating back to the 1790s. Explore historical artifacts and displays showcasing local culture and craftsmanship.

Enjoy the afternoon at leisure—relax at your hotel, explore the Corniche, or indulge in optional experiences.
Overnight: Abu Dhabi
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8 – Friday

Depart the United Arab Emirates

Transfer to Dubai Airport for your departure flight.
Note: Some flights depart shortly after midnight, requiring a late-night transfer on Day 7. Transfers are scheduled approximately 5 hours before flight time.
Meals: Breakfast

Terms & Conditions / Cancellation Policy / Visa / Passport Information:

Any cancellations, changes or modifications including name corrections, passenger details, occupancy changes, travel dates or room category changes will result in a re-price situation at current day pricing. Prices and availability are subject to change. You will be notified prior to  processing of payment  of any changes other than specified.  Deposits are non-refundable. If needing to change trip there is a $50 per person Amendment Fee and this is prior to Final Payment.

Booking with airfare at this time will guarantee your Air & Land price from the departure city below. When flights become available within 11 months of travel, you will have the opportunity to review included options. Alternate flight schedules based on convenience or preferred airline may incur additional cost. You will also have the opportunity to browse available options and prices from your preferred alternate departure city. Should you decide to decline airfare, you may remove this service from your reservation.

IMPORTANT: You are responsible for obtaining the proper travel documents for the destinations on your itinerary.

Passports: Your U.S. passport should be valid at least 6 months or longer beyond the dates of travel. Passport applications are available at most U.S. Post Offices, as well as at regional Passport Agencies. To learn how to apply for a U.S. Passport including expedited services, click here. Travelers requiring visas, whether obtained in advance or locally upon arrival, should ensure that their passport has unstamped visa pages.

TSA PreCheck: U.S. citizens, nationals, and permanent residents may opt to join the TSA PreCheck Program. This will allow travelers to save time and avoid lines when going through security at U.S. airports and not having to remove certain items from their luggage or person, such as shoes, belts, laptops, and liquids. Membership is valid for five years. The initial enrollment fee is $85, and the renewal fee is $70. For more information and to apply, please click here.

CBP Global Entry Program: U.S. citizens, nationals, permanent residents, and some foreign nationals who travel abroad often may opt to join the CBP Global Entry Program. In addition to gaining access to TSA PreCheck lines, program members will also gain access to Global Entry kiosks. This will save time and avoid lines when returning to the U.S. Membership is valid for five years, and the enrollment and renewal fee is $100. For more information and to apply, please click here.

International Entry & Visa Requirements for U.S. Passport Holders: For arrivals beginning in May 2025, a European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) travel authorization will be required to enter any of the 29 member countries that compose the Schengen Zone. The ETIAS travel authorization will be valid for stays up to 90 days and once issued, valid for multiple entries over 3 years or until passport expiration, whichever comes first. The cost of an ETIAS is $7.35. The EU has not yet released its ETIAS application form so please check back closer to your travel date for this form and cost. For more information click here. Countries that will require an ETIAS: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland. Countries that will NOT require an ETIAS: Ireland. A visa is required for U.S. and Canadian passport holders. The visa is obtained upon arrival at the airport and is free.  All travelers are required to have a passport that will not expire within six months of arrival and airline tickets showing their date of departure.  Additionally, the UAE highly regulates prescription drugs, leading to some common medications in the US being labeled as controlled substances. Some medications may need to be registered prior to entry. For more information, click here.  

IMPORTANT HEALTH INFORMATION: The information provided on this page should not replace the advice of a trained medical professional. After reviewing the information presented here, it is highly recommends you consult with your primary care physician. All travelers are responsible to ensure they meet the entry requirements for the countries they visit and are physically prepared for the activity level of their itinerary.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): The United States CDC is the national public health agency tasked with protecting the public health of Americans. They provide information to the public about disease outbreaks, vaccine information, and prevention and treatment recommendations. Among these tasks, the CDC also regularly issues health advisories to travelers. Click here for more information.

U.N. World Health Organization (WHO): The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that provides information and guidance for all nations to protect international public health. This can be a helpful resource for understanding the public health situation of a country you plan to visit. Click here for more information.