Here is a summary of my recent UAE itinerary with 1 day layover in Istanbul. Turkish Airlines has affordable and convenient options from the United States. The long layover in Istanbul allowed me to revisit the city after a previous visit 16 years ago. I planned a brief
"highlights" walking route, with a few sites not visited in 2007. While our travel 'style' includes other interests outside of world heritage pursuits, we visited UAE's only WHS and 4 TWHS.
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Saturday 11/18Depart LAX: 12:45 PMâ–ªï¸
Sunday 11/19Accommodation: Hotel SultaniaArrive IST: 12:50 PMWalking Route from Hotel (1 hour)
1st Sultan Ahmet Tomb
*closes at 6pm2nd Blue Mosque (1 hour)
*closes 6:45pm3rd Little Hagia Sophia (formerly Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus)
*closes 8:30pm4th Hagia Sophia (1 hour)
*closes at 10pmâ–ªï¸
Monday 11/20Accommodation: Al Seef Heritage Hotel Dubai, Curio Collection by HiltonArrive at Dubai: 1:10 pmKhor Dubai Creek (TWHS)
- Walking Dubai Creek: Al Shindagha District and Al Fahidi District
- The Al Shindagha Museum ($30 for 2 - closes at 8pm)
- Al Fahidi Fort (Dubai Museum)
*closed for renovation-view exterior onlyâ–ªï¸
Tuesday 11/21Morning into Lunch (via metro)
- Burj Khalifa (Sky Views Observatory) $45 for 2
Mleiha Desert Day Trip (pick-up at 2pm)
- Mleiha Archaeological Centre (2 TWHS)
*Tour(s)- The Valley of the Caves (Faya) (4-5pm)
- Archaeology Tour (5:30-6:30pm)
- Panorama Lounge (Sunset until 9pm)
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Wednesday 11/22 Dubai - ½ Day trip to SharjahTransportation: Local Bus from Abu Hail Metro Station to Al Jubail Bus Station (E307A) < than 30 minutes
Sharjah (TWHS)
- Al Noor Island (fee)
- Al Mahatta Airport Terminal Museum ($3 per person)
- Sharjah Fort (exterior only)
- Sharjah Art Museum (free)
Late Afternoon/Evening (4pm to 9pm)
- Alserkal Avenue (Al Quoz)
*7pm closing- Dubai Marina
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Thursday 11/23Accommodation: Al Ain RotanaMorning (8am to 10am)
- XVA Gallery and Cafe
*opens at 7am- Walking Dubai Creek: Water Taxi to Deira Old Souk Marine Transport Station
- Museum of the Poet Al Oqaili
Hotel Check-out: Bus to Al Ain
- Al Ghubaiba Bus Station
- Arrive to Al Ain (around 2pm)
Cultural Sites of Al Ain (WHS)- Hili Oasis (Bin Hadi House Ruin)
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Friday 11/24Cultural Sites of Al Ain (WHS)- Morning (via walk - 8:45am)
- Al Jahili Fort (free)
- Al Ain Oasis (Bike ride - 1hr)
- Al Ain Palace Museum (free)
Afternoon
- Al Rotana Pool & Jacuzzi
Al Qattara & Al Jimi (via taxi and walking)
- Zoi Cafe Qattara
- Al Qattara Art Center & Souk (adjacent to Al Qattara Oasis)
- Al Wajidi Fort (exterior)
- Al Jimi Oasis
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Saturday 11/25Accommodation: The Eclipse Boutique SuitesDepart for Abu Dhabi: 7:30 amAbu Dhabi Highlights- Sheikh Zayed Mosque (reservation 11am)
- Louvre Abu Dhabi (about 3 hours)
Evening
- Corniche Seaside
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Sunday 11/26Depart Abu Dhabi at 7:35 AMArrive back to LA at 4:45 PM