Luxury Dubai: beach & desert

Speak with your private concierge and field guide about which activities you could do today to make the most of your time in the desert. You may want to try your hand at archery, take an exhilarating 4x4 drive out among the deep-orange dunes, or ride a horse through the palmed oasis.

This morning, you could take a guided walk around the reserve to learn about the flora and fauna that thrive in this arid environment. Wildlife you might see includes camels, gazelles and Arabian oryx, which were once considered extinct but now roam the reserve in large herds. This evening, take a guided camel trek out to the crest of a dune to watch the sunset while sipping on Champagne and enjoying local snacks.

Today, you’ll be driven back through the city of Dubai and then across to the Palm Jumeirah peninsula along the coast. Here, you’ll stay for four nights at the One&Only The Palm, a lavish resort with sparkling pools and its own private stretch of beach. Spend the rest of the day relaxing and choose from one of the resort’s handful of fine restaurants for dinner, taking in views over the city’s growing skyline.

Wake up this morning and enjoy a mouth-watering alfresco breakfast. You could then relax on a daybed beside the pool, taking a dip to cool off in the sun-dappled water or stretch out on the beach to the sound of gentle waves lapping the shore. You might also like to visit the Guerlain Spa for a pampering treatment that leaves you completely rejuvenated.

Today you could venture into the city, perhaps taking a taxi or private vehicle to the historic side of Dubai, where skyscrapers are replaced with traditional low-rise stone buildings. Wander the souqs, laden with spices, textiles and gold, taste traditional Middle Eastern dishes that you won’t find on the menus of the city’s fine-dining restaurants, or take an evening dhow boat cruise along the tranquil Dubai Creek.

You might like to rise early this morning to join a yoga session on the beach. Then, enjoy the final day of your trip however you please: you could try some water sports in the marina, soak up the sights of Downtown Dubai, where you could head to the Burj Khalifa’s exclusive 148th floor, or simply enjoy further relaxation within your resort’s opulent surroundings.

You’ll be driven back to the airport today in time for your flight home. Your return flight will arrive the same day.