Dubai & Oman Convention Tour - Go Ahead Tours & Oman Convention Tour JANUARY 19–28, 2018 Revel in the incredible contrasts of one diverse region. The United Arab Emirates is often

Dubai & Oman Convention TourJ A N UA R Y 19 – 28 , 2 018

Revel in the incredible contrasts of one diverse region.

The United Arab Emirates is often associated with glamour and opulence, and Dubai lives up to the reputation. Join other Group Coordinators to explore this cosmopolitan city, a mecca of culture, finance, and innovation. Then, set off into the deserts of Oman to discover how civilizations lived for centuries, long before skyscrapers rose to reach the clouds.

10D A Y S

Start planning today 1.800.438.7672 | goaheadtours.com/cae© 2016 EF Education First International Ltd.

Overview

Expert Tour Director

Localcuisine

Handpicked hotels

Sightseeing with local guides

Private transportation

Personalized flight options

Let us handle the details

Where you’ll go

Your tour includes Your tour highlights

• 8 nights in handpicked hotels

• Breakfast daily, 5 lunch, 6 three-course dinners with beer or wine

• Multilingual Tour Director

• Private deluxe motor coach

• Guided sightseeing and select entrance fees

• Marveling at the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower

• Exploring the bustling souks of Sharjah

• Sharing ideas and travel stories with fellow Group Coordinators

• Exploring the lush Al Ain oasis

• Traveling over sand dunes and desert oases

• The desert castles of Oman

OVERNIGHT STAYS

4 nights • Dubai1 night • Al Ain3 nights • Muscat

D U B A I & O M A N C O N V E N T I O N T O U R

ABOUT YOUR HOTELS

Our 3- and 4-diamond accommodations are handpicked to ensure quality and comfort. See sample hotels for this tour at goaheadtours.com/cae

“My Convention Tour gave me the best possible example of life on a tour and helped me think about what I should be discussing with my group members

to provide them with the best travel experience possible.”—LURLINE ARMSTRONG, GROUP COORDINATOR

Tortuguero

San José C O S TA R I C A

O M A N

U N I T E D A R A B E M I R AT E S

Arenal Region

Monteverde

+ Manuel Antonio & San José Extension

Dubai

MuscatAl Ain


Itinerary

Overnight flight | 1 night

Day 1 (Friday, January 19): Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Dubai today.

Dubai | 4 nights

Day 2 (Saturday, January 20): Arrival in Dubai

Welcome to the United Arab Emirates! Take tonight to get settled in to your hotel.

Day 3 (Sunday, January 21): Sightseeing tour of Dubai

Included meals: breakfast, lunch, welcome dinner

Discover both Dubai’s traditional and ultramodern sides on today’s guided sightseeing tour. • Drive down Sheikh Zayed Road to New Dubai and admire the Burj Khalifa, the

tallest tower in the world • Travel along the coastline, stopping to snap photos at Burj Al Arab, the iconic sail-

shaped hotel, and the man-made island of Palm Jumeirah• Hop aboard an abra, a traditional water taxi, for a cruise along Dubai Creek • Enter Al Fahidi Fort, the oldest building in the city, and peer into the past at the

Dubai Museum inside the fort • Get a taste of Emirati cuisine during lunch at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for

Cultural UnderstandingTonight, gather with your fellow Group Coordinators at a welcome dinner.

Day 4 (Monday, January 22): Sightseeing tour of Sharjah

Included meals: breakfast, dinner

Travel to the neighboring Emirate of Sharjah, the UNESCO-named “cultural capital of the Arab world.”• Pass Sharjah University City, the region’s education district that is home to eight

different college campuses • Visit the Sharjah Heritage Museum in the neighborhood of Old Sharjah • View the Faisal Mosque, the largest of 600 mosques in the emirate • Enjoy free time to explore the stalls of the Souk al Markazi, called the “Blue Souk”

Later, get an unparalleled look at the city of Dubai from the top of the Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world. Soak in the view from observation decks on the 125th and 148th stories, and learn about the engineering and architectural prowess it took to build the Burj Khalifa. Then, head back to ground level to enjoy a walk along the Dubai Mall to view the dancing fountains before dinner.

Day 5 (Tuesday, January 23): Desert Safari & Bedouin Camp Dinner

Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, join your group for the convention meeting, a series of presentations and discussions designed with Group Coordinators’ questions, experience, and interests in mind.• Begin with a keynote address by senior members of Go Ahead staff, followed by an

inisder’s view of the company and tours• Discuss tour planning and recruiting best practices with Go Ahead staff and your

fellow Group Coordinators• Get an overview of the many benefits available to you as a Go Ahead Group

Coordinator and learn about new program updates

This evening, explore the deserts around Dubai, spotting exotic wildlife as you travel over the dunes in a Land Rover 4x4. Then, learn about traditional desert transportation on a camel trek. You’ll end your day with group of modern Bedouins. Taste Arabic coffee and dates, then relax and enjoy activities such as henna painting or hookah, a multi-stemmed tobacco pipe. Sit down to a barbecue dinner with the group at a desert retreat and take in a belly dancing performance after your meal.

Al Ain | 1 night

Day 6 (Wednesday, January 24): Transfer to Al Ain

Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Travel through the desert to serene Al Ain. When you arrive, get to know the “Garden City” on a guided sightseeing tour. • Stop at the Al Ain Oasis to enjoy the lush greenery of the surrounding date palm

plantations and farms • Get a glimpse of how locals lived and worked for centuries at a camel market• See the Sheikh Zayed Palace Museum and enter Al Jahili Fort, which was built to

protect the city in 1891

Oman | 3 nights

Day 7 (Thursday, January 25): Transfer to Muscat

Included meals: breakfast, dinner

Travel through the desert to Muscat, the capital of Oman. When you arrive, enjoy a late-afternoon guided sightseeing tour. • Take a panoramic drive through the city, stopping at Fort Al Jalali, Fort Al Mirani,

and the Al Alam Palace, the ceremonial palace of the Sultan of Oman • Stop at the Muttrah Souk and spend free time exploring the traditional market’s

varied stalls

Day 8 (Friday, January 26): Wahiba Sands

Included meals: breakfast, lunch

Discover the incredible landscapes and ancient cultures of Oman. Set out over the Western Hajar Mountains in a 4x4 vehicle, admiring rock formations that are colored green and red by iron ore. Stop in the town of Al Mudhaireb to see the ruins of ancient watchtowers and villages, then visit Wadi Bani Khalid to enjoy a picnic lunch in the oasis-like valley. Continue on to a dune drive in the stark and stunning Wahiba Sands, where you’ll meet a group of Bedouins living as their ancestors have for centuries.

Day 9 (Saturday, January 27): Nizwa & Desert Forts

Included meals: breakfast, lunch, farewell dinner

This morning, pay a visit to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat. Then, set out into the desert for a full-day excursion. • Explore the souks in the center of Nizwa, the oldest city in Oman• Enjoy a lunch of local specialties • Admire the UNESCO-recognized Bahla Fort and visit Jabrin Castle, once an

important academic center for students of astronomy, medicine and Islamic law

Tonight, celebrate your trip with fellow travelers at a farewell dinner.

Day 10 (Sunday, January 28): Departure

Included meals: breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the Muscat airport for your flight home.

D U B A I & O M A N C O N V E N T I O N T O U R


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Passport & visa requirements• This tour visits the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

In order to enter these countries, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.

• We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.

• There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens to enter the United Arab Emirates.

• U.S. and Canadian citizens will need a visa to enter Oman on the tour extension. You may choose to obtain your individual visa by applying directly to the Omani consulate or by using a visa provider, such as our partner company, VisaCentral.

• If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Tour pace• You will walk for about 2 hours daily across moderately

uneven terrain, including unpaved roads and desert paths, with some hills and stairs.

• Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.

• You should feel comfortable managing your own luggage at times, as well as getting in and out of boats and small vehicles.

• If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Transportation & arrival information• Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead arrive

in Dubai and depart Muscat, Oman. A Go Ahead representative will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.

• Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead for an additional cost.

• All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Baggage allowance• Airlines have varying weight restrictions on baggage.

Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage; be advised that you are responsible for any such costs.

• Contact your airline for detailed information regarding baggage size and weight restrictions for your flight, but please note that Go Ahead travelers are restricted to one checked bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers.

• One carry-on bag is also permitted, provided that it does not exceed 45 total inches (length + width + height).

• Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication and documents in your carry-on bag.

Clothing & packing tips• While Dubai is considered to be more liberal than

some neighboring countries, local customs concerning dress are strict and should be respected. Bare shoulders and knees are considered inappropriate in public places, though swimwear at beaches and pools is acceptable.

• Loose-fitting, breathable clothing can help keep you cooler in desert heat. Cotton, linen, or a quick-dry material is best for hot days outside, though a light scarf or extra layer may be needed for chillier evenings and early mornings.

• You may want supportive walking sandals to keep cool on city sightseeing. Comfortable closed-toes shoes, such as sneakers or lightweight hiking boots, are best for activities in the desert.

• Sun protection is very important. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a broad-brimmed hat to protect your face and the back of your neck from the sun.

• You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.

• It is preferable not to visit mosques or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Health• There are no major health risks associated with

traveling to any of the countries on this tour. • At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your

doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.

• If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.

• Temperatures in this region often exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius), especially during the summer months. Drinking plenty of water, limiting your alcohol intake, and using proper sun protection is extremely important in order to prevent the effects of dehydration and heat stroke.

• Be sure to take proper care for sun exposure by regularly applying sunscreen or covering up with long, loose-fitting layers.

• If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to My Account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.

Local laws • The United Arab Emirates and Oman are Islamic

countries that follows Sharia law. While Dubai is considered more liberal than some neighboring countries, it’s important to note that very conservative laws governing public behavior are strictly enforced.

• Among these laws are prohibitions against public displays of affection. Hand-holding is permissible, but kissing and other affectionate displays are expressly forbidden, even between married couples.

• Obscenity laws are also upheld throughout the country. Offenses for using foul language and making indecent gestures are punishable by jail time.

Cuisine • At the crossroads of many cultures, the United Arab

Emirates reflects its diverse history in its cuisine. Asian, Moroccan and Levantine influences feature heavily, as do spices brought through the country by trade routes. Saffron, cardamom and turmeric flavor many meals.

• One-pot dishes like fareeth, a stew made with vegetables and bread, and al harees, a porridge of barley and meat are popular recipes. Seafood is a staple—if you’re feeling adventurous, you might try jisheed, a soup made with shark meat.

• In Oman, you’ll find African and Indian cuisine reflected in many traditional recipes. Coconut, berries, and nutmeg are ingredients not often found in Middle Eastern dishes, but which play a big role in Omani kitchens. Don’t miss madrouba, a slow-cooked dish made with rice, chicken and dried Persian limes.

• At very traditional meals, diners eat with their hands, sometimes using pieces of flatbread to scoop up portions of food. Don’t be afraid to dig in!

• Consumption of alcohol is strictly regulated throughout the country. Alcoholic beverages may only be served to non-Muslim visitors at certain licensed hotels and restaurants.

Electricity & air conditioning• The United Arab Emirates operates on the European

standard 220-240 volts and uses a Type G plug with three pins.

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Dubai & Oman Convention Tour P R E- D E PA R T U R E I N F O R M AT I O N F O R YO U R TO U R


• Oman operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and uses a Type C or G plug with two or three pins, respectively.

• We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other electrical device without a built-in converter.

• Air conditioning in Emirati hotels may be much cooler than what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.

• Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Connectivity• Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges

may apply.• There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches • Please contact your mobile service provider for

information on roaming charges.

Time zones• The United Arab Emirates and Oman are four hours

ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and eight hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST).

• When it’s noon in New York City, it’s 8pm on tour.

Currency• You will use the United Arab Emirates dirham in

Dubai and the Omani rial in Oman.• Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas,

although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.

• We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks, as needed.

• You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.

• Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.

• International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

United Arab Emirates: Dubai & Abu Dhabi P R E- D E PA R T U R E I N F O R M AT I O N F O R YO U R TO U R

Tipping• At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer

your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.

• We recommend tipping the equivalent of $7USD/CAD to $10USD/CAD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD/CAD per person per day for your driver.

• If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD/CAD per local guide.

• Tips can only be paid in cash.

International travel is, by its very nature, unpredictable. We must therefore reserve the right to change this itinerary, without advance notice, to meet with local conditions at the time of travel. We appreciate your understanding. Please refer to our website for Terms & Conditions, dates and prices.

Start planning today 1.800.597.0350 | goaheadtours.ca/cae© 2016 EF Education First International Ltd.

Dubai & Oman Convention Tour - Go Ahead Tours & Oman Convention Tour JANUARY 19–28, 2018 Revel in the incredible contrasts of one diverse region. The United Arab Emirates is often

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