TOUR TO UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 8 TH - 19 TH MARCH 2019 UAE has more to offer than the popular image of sand, camels, modern buildings reaching up to the sky, (there is a lift up the tallest building in the world for those with a head for heights) and oil producing wells. Agriculture is limited due to large areas of sand but there are irrigation set-ups going back to the time of the Romans, modern methods and research into irrigation systems, aquaponics (fish) and hydroponics (crops) producing valuable food resources for the local population and for export. There are large dairy units, dates grown in the oasis, herds of camels reared for milk (very healthy) and stables of camels for racing! Visit one of the famous Arabian studs and everyone knows how the Arabs love their racing will be included, to get an idea of the fascinating world of the Arabian horses. The hotels are 4* and 5* rated surrounded by gardens with pools and areas to relax - please note, that to rest in the afternoon is usual in the UAE when the temperature is at its highest. Your tour manager will be Fiona Sloan and she hopes you will join her on this tour to the United Arab Emirates.
United Arab Emirates Country Information The Country The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven states located in the eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula and extending along part of the Gulf of Oman. Before oil was discovered in the 1950 s the UAE s economy was dependent on fishing and a declining pearl industry. But since oil exports began in 1962, the country s society and economy have been transformed. The Agriculture The total number of farms in the UAE is around 38000, of which 60% is in Abu Dhabi, 16% is in the Central and Eastern zones and the remainder in the Northern zone. The UAE has 1000 greenhouses and 469000 acres of organic farms. Primarily, farms produce date palms, fodder and vegetable crops. UAE s farming community is fairly small and seasonally dependent which is why they rely of imports for up to 85% of its food requirements. They are now increasing the use of hydroponic technology which relies on nutrient rich water to produce plants with very little of no soil. The Weather The weather in United Arab Emirates is very mild in winter and very hot in summers where the humidity can sometimes be unbearable in this desert climate. The cooler months are November - April. For this tour in March, the average temperature is 25 C - 28 C with moderate heat and humidity. The People The United Arab Emirates has a population of around 8.1 million people with twice as many men as women. The official language is Arabic, the religion is Islam and currency is Dirham. Time United Arab Emirates is four hours ahead of GMT/UTC to UTC + 04.00 Web reference: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14703998 Www.fao.org
TOUR ITINERARY Day 1 Friday 8 th March Meals in flight Assemble at Terminal 3, London Heathrow Airport for an evening departure and overnight flight direct to Dubai. Day 2 Saturday 9 th March Morning arrival in Dubai. Meet your English speaking guide and transfer by private coach into the city. Coffee and sandwich followed by a city orientation tour by coach and foot in the old part of the city. A short walking tour through the Bastakia, a part that has been left as an island in the middle of the more modern parts. Here you will see the old merchants houses and even a few examples of the straw houses that were still in use until the end of the 1950 s in Dubai. A visit to Dubai Museum is included, to understand how fast development has been. Then you will take a small Abra (water taxi) for a ride over to the other side of The Creek which is still the old port for small boats, to visit the exotic and aromatic Spice Souk and one of the best known Gold Bazaars in the world. Early afternoon, check into your hotel with time to rest. Lunch at own expense. Assemble in the foyer for a dinner cruise on a typical dhow, the traditional boat that transported goods to and from neighboring countries until the early 1970 s. The cruise takes you along The Creek with a mix of traditional and modern buildings. Return to the hotel. (--D) Day 3 Sunday 10 th March (BLD) A morning tour of modern Dubai, starting in the Marina, followed by a tour on the Yellow boats to see the impressive shoreline with some of its remarkable buildings. The boat ride will be approx. 75 minutes and will slow down to allow you to take photo s of the artificial Palm Islands, Atlantis, the famous Burj Al Arab hotel the Sail and many more. Afterwards, visit the Miracle Garden the world s biggest flower garden with over 45 million blooming flowers across 72,000 sqm. Return to downtown Dubai for a thrilling elevator ride up 124 floors (out of 160) to enjoy the breathtaking views, from the panorama floor in the highest building in the world, Burg Al Khalifa at 828m. Lunch included. Return to the hotel for dinner and a second night. Day 4 Monday 11 th March Depart from the hotel and drive to Sharjar for a visit to an Arabian horse stud to see the thoroughbreds and learn the history of the ancient breed. Lunch in Sharjar town and the chance to look around the Blue Souq with the opportunity to buy local handicrafts. Continue through the beautiful Hajar Mountains to Fujeirah and check into your hotel on the beach for a two night stay. Dinner in the hotel. Day 5 Tuesday 12 th March Early morning visit to the fish market in Fujeirah and continue to Fujeirah s National Dairy Farm with 600 head of Holstein-Friesian and 1000 goats, producing over 3000 litres of milk. Lunch own arrangements. Continue for a visit to one of the countries prize winning Boer goat farmers. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 6 Wednesday 13 th March (BLD) The first visit of the day is to a camel dairy farm where Camelicious products are made using camel milk. View the camel herd and see the processing from milk to the end products which include chocolate. Continue to Al Ain for lunch and a walk through the narrow lanes/paths of the oasis with a guide to hear about the old desert farming methods and the old systems to bring water off the mountains. You will also visit the vegetable / date / fish markets. Dinner and a one night stay in Al Ain. Day 7 Thursday 14 th March Morning visit to a camel market to try to judge which are the best animals and their best attributes! In addition, goats, sheep and occasionally cattle are sold. A small stop at a mall for a snack (own cost) before continuing to Abu Dhabi. On arrival, check into your hotel by the cornice with a private beach on the other side of the road. Dinner in the hotel. Day 8 Friday 15 th March Full day at leisure in your beach hotel including breakfast and dinner. Lunch own arrangement Day 9 Saturday 16 th March Full day at leisure in your beach hotel including breakfast and dinner. Lunch own arrangement. Day 10 Sunday 17th March (BLD) Morning visit to Emirates Hydroponics Farms to learn about growing plants commercially using mineral nutrient solutions, in water and without soil. Continue to a Falcon Hospital to learn how more than 6000 falcons are taken in for examination and treatment. Return to Abu Dhabi for a short city tour passing the Royal Palaces, the Hotel Emirates Palace, where is everything is made of gold or gold coloured, and a drive along the impressive shoreline. The tour will include a visit to Grand Mosque, the 4 th largest in the world. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. Day 11 Monday 18 th March Check out and depart towards Dubai. Visit to the Zayed Agricultural Centre which specialises in aquaponics (fish breeding) with a work force of more than 20 people with special needs. Continue to Dubai and check into your hotel for one night. Final dinner in Dubai will include a fantastic view of the dancing musical fountains in front of Burj Khalifa tower fountain show every half an hour. Day 12 Tuesday 19 th March (B ) Free time until transfer to the airport for the return flight back to London Heathrow, arriving mid/late afternoon. End of Tour Arrangements. (Meal basis: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
Tour Cost: Based on a minimum of 10 travellers. 2490.00 per person (sharing a twin/double room) PLUS Airport taxes 320.01 (subject to change at time of ticket issue) 630.00 Single Supplement Tour Includes: Economy International flight - London to Dubai, return 4* and 5* hotels (10 nights) Meals as indicated with water B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner. Private Coach Transportation English speaking guide Tips for guide and driver 1 small bottle of water per day on coach Fully escorted by Field Farm Tours manager, Fiona Sloan Technical & touristic visits as stated, subject to local conditions at the time of travel (weather, crops etc) Travel to/from airport Airport taxes Upgrade flights. Meals other than stated Travel Insurance - you need to be insured to travel with Field Farm Tours Ltd. Other drinks / Personal items Other Info: A visa is required upon arrival into Dubai but this is free of charge. No compulsory health requirements, but consult your doctor or health centre for professional advice Passport needs to be valid for 6 months after your return date. Tour Excludes: To secure a place on this tour, please complete a booking form enclosed and return with your deposit of 350.00 per person. Notes: The itinerary is subject to change without notice (local conditions, availability of visits at the time of travel, etc) and to terms and conditions as per the Company s booking conditions. The air holiday package in this brochure is ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is ATOL 10350. Please see our booking conditions for more information.
OTHER FORTHCOMING TOURS ECUADOR - JANUARY 2019 TANZANIA - JANUARY 2019 CHILE & ARGENTINA - JANUARY 2019 NEW ZEALAND - JAN/FEB 2019 FIELD FARM TOURS LTD FIELD HOUSE, 3 STEPHENSON COURT, STEPHENSON WAY, NEWARK, NOTTS, NG24 2TQ Tel no: 01636 616060 Fax no: 01636 640282 Email: info@fieldfarmtours.co.uk The air holiday package in this brochure is ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is ATOL 10350. Please see our booking conditions for more information.