About Your Journey
Get Ready To Expand Your
Horizons
With so much diversity concentrated in a relatively small geographic
area, it should come as no surprise that your journey will encompass a
wide variety of activities and experiences. As you explore the Arabian
Peninsula, you might travel by comfortable air-conditioned sedan, step
aboard a traditional wooden abra, like the ones that have been plying
these waters for generations, or set out across the desert in a 4WD
vehicle to experience authentic Bedouin ways. You’ll marvel at towering
7-star hotels, impressive mosques, ancient forts and ingeniously
constructed wind-tower homes that date to the region’s earliest days.
Come with an open mind and a spirit of adventure, and be ready to
switch gears during your stay as we show you the spectacular modern
wonders, scenic beauty and enduring cultural ways of the United Arab
Emirates.
Passports + Visas
American citizens will need to present a valid passport upon entry into
the United Arab Emirates. Passports must be valid for six (6) months
after the completion of your stay. A visa is required for American
citizens but can be easily obtained upon arrival for no fee. For stays
longer than 30 days, all travelers must obtain a visa before arrival in
the UAE. It is your sole responsibility to secure and/or pay for any
and all visas (reciprocity fees, affidavits, immunizations, etc. that
are required to be permitted entry into each destination). Visitors
from countries other than the US should check on their specific entry
requirements with the nearest UAE consular office.
Visas and entry requirements can change without notice, so it is
important that you check the U.S. State Department website well in
advance of your travel date to ensure you procure the proper
documentation for your travel. For up to date visa requirements US
citizens should visit www.travel.state.gov.
Now is a good time to assemble and check your travel documents, then
keep them together in a safe, accessible area of your home. If you keep
your passport in a bank safe deposit, retrieve it now to avoid a
last-minute rush, and double-check the expiration date!
Your Health
Recommended inoculations for travel may change and you should consult
your practitioner for current recommendations before your upcoming
journey. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet all health
entry requirements, obtain the recommended inoculations, take all
recommended medication, and follow all medical advice in relation to
your trip. Inoculation requirements can be found on the Center for
Disease Control (CDC) website at https://www.cdc.gov/. Also check the
World Health Organization (WHO) website http://www.who.int/ith/en/
before you travel internationally.
Prescription Pharmaceuticals: If you are traveling with medications, we
recommend you carry a typed list of all prescriptions and
over-the-counter medications when navigating airport security. Some
countries require visitors to provide a list of all medications as a
requirement of entry. Whenever possible, consider packing the
prescriptions and medications in their original containers. In addition
to satisfying Customs and Immigration authorities, this practice is an
invaluable precaution in the event you must refill your prescription
during travel. It’s also advisable that you carry only the amount of
prescription/medication that you’ll need for your visit plus a small
number of extras.
Persons visiting the United Arab Emirates (UAE), are required to
complete an “Issue of Permit to Import Medicines for Personal Use” if
traveling with drugs that are considered narcotics, controlled or
semi-controlled. Click on this link to access a list of medications
requiring pre-approval:
www.mohap.gov.ae/Files/MOH_Service/361/ANNEX%20TO%20TRAVELLERS%20GUIDELINES%2008-04-2019.pdf.pdf
If you are unsure if your medications require pre-approval,
consult with your physician and/or the UAE Ministry of Health and
Prevention (MOHAP) prior to travel.
Click on this link to access the UAE MOHAP website for details and
registration instructions:
https://www.mohap.gov.ae/en/services/Pages/361.aspx
You may email smartservicessupport@mohap.gov.ae if you require
assistance.
Medical supplies including CPAP machines for sleep apnea can be brought
as an additional carry-on with most airlines. If you are
traveling with a CPAP machine, please let Alexander+Roberts know in
advance and consider bringing a backup battery in case of inconsistent
electricity supply. Distilled water is available in most destinations.
Make sure you have all appropriate adaptors, although newer machines
have universal power supplies that can adapt to various voltages. Bring
extra supplies (especially cushions) and replacement parts as repairing
the machine while travelling may not be possible.
Physical Activity
Ancient sites worldwide were constructed well before building
codes or the existence of safety and accessibility standards. And in
order to maintain the architectural and historical integrity that
attracts visitors in the first place, many of the sites have been
intentionally left in their natural state. As such, you will encounter
uneven terrain, irregular steps, and a lack of handrails, barriers,
ramps and cautionary warning signs where you might expect them back
home. Therefore, it is extremely important for you to take great care
and caution when exploring these sites. Pay attention to all
instructions and do not wander away from your guide, especially off
designated paths into unmarked terrain. When exploring on your own,
heed all regulations, be extra mindful of your surroundings and note
any conditions that could increase the risks (poor visibility, wet
slippery surfaces, etc).
For travelers with mobility issues or physical challenges, be prepared
for less accessibility than we enjoy in the United States. Hotels may
be limited in the provisions made for such travelers and some do not
have elevators. Airports are not always fully equipped with modern
jetways, and ramps for wheelchairs are often absent.
We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance for guests who
need mobility assistance. Nor can we ensure that local
vehicles will be wheelchair-equipped. For these reasons, a qualified
companion must accompany guests who need such assistance.
Physical limitations requiring special attention and/or equipment must
be reported when making reservations. We will make reasonable attempts
to accommodate special needs but cannot provide individual
assistance. Should issues become apparent on tour that impact
other guests, we may require individual assistance be obtained or
require the guest to return home early at the guest’s expense.
Protecting Your Vacation
As you prepare and get excited for your upcoming journey, it’s not fun
to think about what would happen if you had to cancel or interrupt your
trip. The best way to eliminate that worry is with a good travel
protection plan. Travel protection plans can help protect you in the
event of loss of non-refundable trip deposits and payments that result
from cancellation or trip interruption (due to a covered reason such as
injury or illness before or during the trip). It also helps with
reimbursement for medical emergency costs (including very costly
medical evacuation costs), missed connections and baggage loss. There
are many good plans out there, and we’re happy to offer a very
comprehensive Travel Protection Plan - including “Cancel for Any
Reason” benefits. You can find complete information online:
alexanderroberts.com/insurance.aspx
Your International Flights
If you have not already made your international flight arrangements,
you should consider taking advantage of our excellent relationships
with outstanding international carriers including Lufthansa, British
Airways, United Airlines and Emirates. We can book your air in Economy,
Premium Economy or Business Class with advice on seat availability -
and even advance seat assignments on many carriers and routes. Booking
your international air with A+R will allow us to directly assist you
with any flight disruptions, delays or cancellations while on-tour.
Personalized Service…
Anytime you Need it!
If you have questions about your upcoming journey or wish to make any
changes such as adding extra nights, special sightseeing or transfers,
please call your travel agent. You can also contact our Concierge,
Melanie Delworth, at 800-678-7942, Ext. 154. Or reach her by email at
mdelworth@alexanderroberts.com.
For travel assistance during your journey, we’ve included our OnCall
International service… It’s complimentary 24/7! Just call
888-771-8409…. Anytime, we’re here to assist you.
A Word about Hotels
As in other parts of the world, check-in time for most hotels is around
3:00PM and check-out time is typically 11AM. Should you arrive early to
find that your room is not yet ready, the hotel will likely be more
than happy to store your luggage securely for a few hours. That leaves
you unencumbered to explore a bit at your own pace - or to relax with a
cup of tea or coffee either in the lobby or at a nearby cafe.
Similarly, if you have a late departure flight, hotels will store your
luggage after you’ve checked-out, leaving you free to explore and relax
until it’s time to go to the airport. Depending upon how busy they are,
hotels may allow you to occupy your room for another hour or two
without charge; check with the front desk to determine if this is
possible for your day of departure.
If early check-in or late check-out is required, advance arrangements
can usually be confirmed for the cost of an additional night. Please
notify us or your travel agent if you wish to confirm either.
Climate
Dubai and Abu Dhabi have an arid subtropical climate due to its
location within the northern desert belt. The skies overhead are
generally completely blue with little cloud cover resulting in weather
that is generally hot and humid. The months of June through September
are generally extremely hot and humid with maximum temperatures
averaging above 100°F. During this time, sandstorms occur
intermittently, in some cases reducing visibility to a few feet. Short
and irregular rainfall is typical for the Middle East, with most of the
rainfall in Dubai occurring between November and March. This period
also sees dense fog on some days. On average, January is the coolest
month in the year.
Money Matters
The unit of currency in the UAE is the Dirham (AED). Exchange rates can
vary widely but one US dollar roughly equals about 3.7 AED.
Credit cards are accepted at major hotels, upscale restaurants and in
the larger stores. You will find ATMs in the major tourist areas, but
we recommend that you do not depend on your ATM card or debit card for
your money. We recommend that before you travel you inform both your
bank and your credit card company which countries you will be visiting.
It is also a good idea to inquire about fees for transactions abroad.
Foreign currency and US dollar traveler’s checks can be exchanged for
local currency at your hotel, banks and money changers. In general, you
will get the best rate of exchange at banks and authorized money
changers. However, the convenience of changing money right in your
hotel may be worth the slight loss. Some banks charge a per-check
commission for currency exchange, so cash the largest denomination you
can.
Tipping
For your on-tour convenience, we have included all gratuities except
for your Trip Leaders or guides. This includes drivers, baggage porters
and restaurant staff for all included meals; certainly, if any of these
services are exceptional and go above-and-beyond, then feel free to tip
additionally.
For your Trip Leaders or guides, many of our guests find it helpful to
have some guidelines; in that spirit, we recommend tipping them $10 to
$15 per person, per day.
Although not included in your Tour Fare, please remember that these
gratuities are always at your discretion. They are appreciated as
recognition for excellent service, but whether you tip, and how much,
is entirely up to you.
When you’re out enjoying meals and activities that are not part of your
A+R itinerary, here are tipping guidelines in accordance with local
practices:
• Upscale restaurants: 10% to 15% is a
good tip
• Spa Services: Add 10% to 15 %.
• Taxis: Most people will round up their
cab fare to the nearest note and let the driver keep the change
Tourist Tax
Please be advised that the city of Dubai has imposed a tourist tax, or
“Tourism Dirham” that must be paid directly by guests to their hotel.
This tax is assessed per room per night and must be paid at time of
check out. Since it is impossible for this fee to be paid in advance,
it is not included in the cost of your program.
The fees are as follows:
• AED 20 (approx. US$5) per room or
bedroom per night for stays in 5-star hotels and Deluxe hotel apartments
• AED 15 (approx. USD $4) per room or
bedroom per night for stays in 4-star hotels, Superior hotel apartments
and Deluxe Holiday homes
About Electricity
Electric current is 220V at 50 Hz AC and outlets support two round-pin
plugs or three round- or flat-pin plugs. An adapter plug and a
converter may be necessary to charge your electronic devices, and are
usually available from the front desk. For more information on plugs
and sockets, review the information at:
www.iec.ch/worldplugs/map.htm.
Internet and Phone calls
If you plan to bring your cell phone when you travel, please check with
your carrier to ensure that your plan covers international calls and/or
mobile data from the countries you will visit on your trip and whether
there may be money saving plans available from your carrier that can be
arranged in advance. Alternatively, local prepaid SIM cards for your
phone are usually available at the airport where you arrive and can be
used to tap into local service providers. Wi-fi is available at many
hotels either complimentary or for a fee. Waiting until you have Wi-Fi
access allows you to use email and other applications without using
mobile data. Check with the front desk upon check in regarding access
details.
If you need to place an international call from your hotel
room, please check first with the Front Desk about their rates. Hotels
often contract with outside vendors to provide direct-dial service for
overseas calls – and the rates can be unexpectedly high!
The dialing code for the UAE is +971; you’ll need to prefix the local
number with this dialing code when calling from outside of the UAE.
Is the Water Safe to
Drink?
Tap water in the UAE is generally safe to drink, but we recommend
staying with bottled water to avoid any issues.
Meal Time!
The culinary traditions of the United Arab Emirates have their origins
in the limitations and opportunities imposed by geography and climate.
As befits a Bedouin culture rooted in nomadic herding, meats and dairy
products feature prominently in UAE cuisine. Vegetables don’t thrive in
the arid UAE climate, and so are used sparingly. Spices like thyme,
turmeric, saffron and cardamom are used often in Emirati cooking, and
the spicy dishes are often accompanied by cooling side dishes or
garnishes of yogurt, cucumber or mint. In many homes, meals are cooked
together in one pot as a stew. In addition to gah-wa (coffee), red tea
with mint is often served after meals to aid in digestion.
In the cosmopolitan cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, swank global chain
outposts and celebrity-chef-branded restaurants are patronized by
wealthy Emiratis and foreign visitors alike. There are also legions of
inexpensive restaurants geared toward foreign construction workers and
service industry employees from around the world, eager for a taste of
home. Alcohol is quite expensive and is only served in restaurants
attached to licensed hotels or clubs. The fact that almost every food
item must be imported to this desert state adds to the bill. People eat
late in Dubai, with few diners at the fancier establishments sitting
down before 9:00PM. The weekend falls on Friday and Saturday, so
booking in advance is essential on Thursday and Friday nights and for
Friday brunches.
Know the Customs + Traditions
We cannot overemphasize the need to respect local villagers and their
customs in our sightseeing adventures. The ability to explore freely is
a privilege that must not be misused. Some principles of etiquette are
outlined below. Please follow them carefully to avoid giving offense.
The people of the UAE offer a very warm welcome to guests. You will
find that traditional Arab greetings are still widely observed and it
is good manners to exchange greetings and handshakes when meeting.
These courtesies should be observed both in commercial dealings (e.g.
shopping in the souk) and on a personal level.
The United Arab Emirates is a Muslim country and it is important to
respect the local customs. It is highly recommended that women do not
wear strappy sundresses, short skirts or shorts, low-necked dresses or
tops in public places (e.g. offices, souks, town and shopping areas).
The most suitable wear in public is covered shoulders and skirts that
fall below the knee. Men should wear shirts and long trousers.
Beachwear should not be worn except at the beach or pool area. Shorts
are allowed (except in mosques), provided they are knee length. It is
customary for women to cover their shoulders and their heads when
visiting a mosque.
Non-Muslims are permitted to bring in four liters of alcohol by air
only. Alcohol should not be consumed in public except in licensed
hotels. Restaurants situated outside of hotels and clubs are not
permitted to serve alcohol. It is illegal to carry liquor in your car.
Liquor may not be consumed by people under the age of 21.
Do not take photographs of individuals without their permission. Women
in particular do not like being photographed. It is forbidden to take
pictures of military facilities, borders and airports.
Ramadan
Ramadan is the holy month during which the Islamic world commemorates
the revelation of the Holy Quran and all Muslims are required to fast
from dawn to dusk. In 2021 Ramadan begins at dusk on April 12th and
continues for 30 days (it begins at dusk on April 2nd in 2022). Eating,
drinking and smoking in public areas during daylight hours is strictly
prohibited throughout this month. Alcohol is not served during daylight
hours, but is available in licensed bars and restaurants after sunset
for non-Muslims. All hotels we work with make concessions for visitors
and keep a restaurant open during the day that is only available to
resident guests. During Ramadan, live entertainment, loud music and
dancing are prohibited and conservative dress is expected to be worn in
public. Many shops and stores open for a few hours in the morning and
then resume business after sunset, staying open until well after
midnight. Sunset marks the breaking of the fast when families and
friends get together to enjoy their Iftar (“breakfast” in Arabic).
Large Iftar tents, where people come together to break the fast with
water and dates, are a common sight. Most restaurants both within and
outside hotels offer Iftar specials.
Other public holidays of note (subject to change based on the moon
cycle)
New Year’s Day
January 1st
Eid Al Fitr (3 days)
June 5th
Eid Al Adha (4 days)
August 12th
Islamic New Year
September
1st
Martyr’s Day
November 30
National Day
December 2nd
Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday
December 12th
Serving of alcohol is not permitted for a period of 24 hours starting
at sunset on the eve of all religious holidays.
Local Time
The UAE is 9 hours ahead of New York and 4 hours ahead of London.
Sun -
Thurs
Friday & Saturday
Government
7:00AM-2:30PM
CLOSED
Banks
8:00AM-1:00PM
CLOSED
Shops
10:00AM-6:00PM
10:00AM-12:00AM
Some establishments may close for a time in the midday, usually between
1:00PM and 4:00PM. The weekend is celebrated on Friday and Saturday.
Conversing with the Locals
Arabic is the official language of the UAE, but English is widely
spoken and you should have little difficulty as a tourist. Menus in
restaurants are usually available in English for travelers. Even with
language difficulties, people are very friendly and will generally go
out of their way to help you.
A Note about Traveling
with Minors
Many countries currently require documentary evidence of a
relationship between minors traveling with an adult. Although UAE is
not one of them, we strongly recommend that parents traveling alone
with a minor carry a notarized letter from the absent parent
authorizing the trip, regardless of whether the parent is married or
divorced. Never-married parents, parents whose spouse has died, and
parents who have been granted sole legal custody of children are
encouraged to carry notarized proof of their status, including death
certificate where appropriate. Grandparents traveling with
grandchildren and adults traveling with children who are not their own
should carry letters of authorization from both parents of the
children. It is wise to also carry the child’s birth certificate with
the original seal. Please visit the state department’s website
travel.state.gov if you plan to travel with a minor.
Packing Advice to Get You
Started
Lightweight summer clothing is suitable for most of the year, but
sweaters or jackets may be needed for the winter months, especially in
the evenings. Comfortable footwear is a must, especially in the markets
and on excursions.
Consider an Easy-to-carry Traveling Bag
It’s good to have a small bag to carry your daytime needs with you
while traveling; a backpack is used by many travelers for this purpose.
A water bottle is always handy to have in your traveling pack.
The Essentials
Hotels are well-equipped with tissues and toilet paper; however small
packets of facial tissues and a small bottle of hand-sanitizer can be
handy. Please bring your own lotions, contact lens solutions, cosmetics
and feminine hygiene products. Bring extra prescriptions (packed
partially in your hand luggage) as well as cold medicine, aspirin and
cures for intestinal troubles. You should also bring a good sunblock
lotion with you since high temperatures can intensify the impact of the
sun. We recommend 30+ SPF. Insect repellent is also highly recommended.
Seeing + Capturing Your Experiences
Make a complete check of your camera equipment before you leave and
make sure you have replacement or rechargeable batteries and additional
memory cards.
Camera drones are not allowed for use on our tours as they can detract
from the experiences of your fellow travelers. If, however you plan to
bring a drone for use in your free time, please pay close attention to
the local aviation laws. Most historic sites and national
parks explicitly prohibit the use of personal drones, so it is your own
responsibility to acquire any necessary permission and adhere to local
laws should you plan on traveling with a drone.
On-Tour Hunger Pangs
High-protein snacks are good for both the air trip as well as for your
activities while traveling: nuts, raisins, granola bars and peanut
butter are popular with many of our travelers.
A Few Final Tips
Some handy items we recommend include: an extra pair of glasses, an
alarm clock, zip-lock plastic bags and a bottle opener.
Reminders about Your
Baggage
Baggage restrictions vary by airline, and we ask you to review the
airlines on your itinerary and review baggage restrictions on their
website to determine the maximum number of bags and weights that are
allowed. In Economy, passengers are limited to one
bag. Keep in mind that the flights that are included on your
tour are in Economy and are limited to one checked bag with weight
limits. So when packing for your trip, consider the bag and
weight restrictions on all of your flights, not just your international
arrangements.
Most airlines charge travelers for additional bags and excess weight so
we advise you to pack as lightly as possible. Most of our hotels offer
laundry services.
TSA Packing Tips
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) publishes a
comprehensive list of items that are Permitted and Prohibited in
carry-on and checked baggage. You can find the complete list online at
https://www.tsa.gov/travel.
For vacation travelers, the important thing to remember is that only
one small bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes can be in
your carry-on bag when you pass through security. Each item is limited
to 3.4 ounces (100ml) - and all containers must fit inside a clear,
1-quart sized, zip-top bag. If you have containers that are larger than
3.4 ounces, they must go inside your checked baggage.
Medications, baby formula/food and breast milk are allowed in
reasonable quantities exceeding the 3.4-ounce limit, and they do not
have to be in a zip-lock bag. You should declare these items at the
checkpoint, and keep in mind that TSA Officers may need to inspect them.
Other Recommendations:
• Jewelry, cash, tablet devices and
laptops should be in your carry-on baggage. Tape your business card to
the bottom of your laptop for easy identification if it gets separated
for inspection.
• Avoid accessories and jewelry that
contain metal as they may set off the metal detector at the check
point. This saves having to take them off and put them back on as you
pass through security.
• Wear slip-on shoes that can be easily
removed and placed on the conveyor built to be x-rayed at the security
check-point.
• If you wish to place a lock on your
checked luggage, it must be of a make and model approved by the TSA.
• Do not pack wrapped gifts and do not
bring wrap gifts to the security check point.
A Few Words about Safety
+ Security
Traveling abroad is no different than visiting a new city in the United
States: use common sense precautions to safeguard your person and your
possessions at all times. Remember to wash your hands frequently and
use hand-sanitizer. Local areas are very safe to walk any time of day
or night as the vigilance of the police and the severity of Islamic
prosecutions represent an effective deterrent. Be aware of your
environment, especially in very crowded areas.
• Do not go out and about with your
passport unless specifically instructed to do so by your local guides.
• Keep your extra cash and passport in
the in-room safe of your hotel. In the few instances where they are not
available, then store these items in the safety deposit box at the
front desk.
• Always make a copy of your passport,
credit cards and e-tickets and keep them separate from the originals so
that they can be more readily replaced if lost or stolen. Leave extra
copies with someone at home who you can reach while traveling. Or
consider scanning these documents and emailing them to an address that
you can access while abroad.
• If you don’t already own one, consider
investing in a money belt that can be concealed under your clothing.
This is a good place to keep the cash and credit cards that you need
for personal expenses while sightseeing, shopping and touring.
• Do not display large amounts of cash in
public. Carry your purse with the strap across your chest,
not dangling from your shoulder or arm.
These measures will save you countless time and trouble should your
credit cards, airline tickets or passport be lost or stolen.
Some Helpful Web Links
U.S. Department of State
www.travel.state.gov
Travel documents and tips; State Department Travel announcements;
Consular Information for countries you will visit
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
General health information for travelers and health information on
specific destinations
Transportation Security Administration
www.tsa.gov (select Traveler Information)
Tips for travelers going through security at the airport
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
www.cbp.gov (select Travel)
Helpful information for returning U.S. citizens travelling abroad
Calling the U.S. from Abroad
www.att.com/traveler
AT&T’s USADirect service offers convenient telephone access to
the U.S. from around the world
Currency Converter
www.oanda.com/currency/converter
Alexander+Roberts
www.alexanderroberts.com
For information about your tour: itinerary, customer reviews, visas,
Travel Protection Plan, payment and cancellation details