THE DUBAI LITERARY FESTIVAL With a recommended extension to Oman March 7 13, 2016 OVERVIEW In a very short time Dubai has been transformed from an outlandish idea to an economic powerhouse of the Middle East. The instant global metropolis with a skyline on crack captivated the world with record-setting skyscrapers, indoor ski slopes and a stunningly diverse population. Together with all the glam and glitz is a cultural and cosmopolitan vibrancy that can only be found in a young and optimistic society. This city is making big business of the arts and seemingly doing so with energy, excitement, and a refreshing lack of cynicism. Our focus will be 8th annual Emirates Festival of Literature. The festival attracts more than 30,000 people enjoying 200+ events from 170 authors, writers and thinkers from 35 countries and is widely considered to be the Middle East s largest celebration of the written and spoken word as well as one of the world s foremost international literary events. We ll attend the Opening Ceremonies of the Literary Festival and a selection of Festival seminars over the week. We ll also get to know more about Dubai itself in guided walks and visits, including a visit to neighbouring Abu Dhabi and to the heritage and art areas of Sharjah. Part two of our trip will continue in the Sultanate of Oman, a part of the Arab world that remains largely undistorted by the excessive wealth that characterizes its neighbours. Here we will find a rich heritage and a strong sense of identity that draws equally from its ancient past and its well-educated future. Our week in Oman is divided between time in the capital Muscat, based in an elegant seaside hotel and an exploration of the desert forts amidst the Wahiba Sands. TOUR LEADER Ann Kirkland is the founder of Toronto s famed summer camp for enquiring adults Toronto Pursuits. She also leads literary adventures around the world breathing life into literature and art and taking readers beyond the surface to understand both the people and the culture. PRESENTED BY:
A WORD ABOUT CLASSICAL PURSUITS What is a Classical Pursuits Literary Adventure? Ann Kirkland founded Classical Pursuits in 1999 to provide thoughtful vacations for inquiring adults, with the world s best literature, art and music as our guides. By exploring and celebrating the particular visions of writers and artists in the location in which their works were created, we paradoxically discover the timeless truths that make these works great. Classical Pursuits Literary Adventures are a collaborative effort. Classical Pursuits develops the themes and selects the leaders. Worldwide Quest is in charge of production, expertly looking after all the logistical arrangements. Most important, with a Classical Pursuits Literary Adventure you will not lose the spontaneity, flexibility, and sense of personal discovery you seek in your own private travels only the logistical hassles. WHAT MAKES OUR ADVENTURES SPECIAL IS A BALANCE OF: in-depth discussion of important literature; guided walks to immerse ourselves in the cultural and natural history of a place; informal talks with local people to provide background and context to our inquiry; generous unscheduled time; exceedingly convivial company; and of course, lingering conversation over great meals! What s involved? The only prerequisites are to read before you arrive and to come with an open mind.
SIGNATURE MOMENTS Attend the Opening Ceremonies of the Literary Festival Taste Old Dubai specialties on a foodie walk Visiting the world s most luxurious mosque in Abu Dhabi Taking part in a discussion with a local architect Meeting with young Emirati artists THE DUBAI LITERARY FESTIVAL March 7 13, 2016 DAILY ITINERARY Monday, March 7: Arrive Dubai All participants are met on arrival and transferred to our hotel. Activities during the day will depend on flight arrival times. We ll meet this evening for a welcome briefing over cocktails followed by dinner on a dhow cruise. We ll get a sense of the great trade centre of Dubai as our cruise chugs slowly along the creek, swinging around in the harbour mouth where the creek meets the Persian Gulf. Meals: Dinner Persian Gulf Dubai Abu Dhabi Gulf of Oman UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Tuesday, March 8: Dubai The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature starts today. The Festival offers a rich and diverse array of panel discussions, in-depth interviews, poetry readings, debates, workshops and masterclasses featuring authors from all over the world. Once the programme schedule is published, we will select our events. Read more > Muscat Nizwa OMAN
We ll have lunch today at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding where we take part in a discovery session. We ll continue our visit with a look at the modern landmarks of the city. A local architect will introduce some of the grandiose construction projects of recent years including Palm Island, the Dubai Marina and Sky Dubai. Tonight we attend the Opening Evening of the Festival. Wednesday, March 9: Dubai Choose from events at the Literary Festival today. We ll meet this evening to visit Tashkeel, Dubai s latest art initiative, a state of the art space for exhibition galleries, painting, printmaking and silk screen studios, photography darkroom, and a film studio. Here we ll meet young Emirati artists and gain an understanding of how they articulate issues of identity and anxiety. We ll have dinner together to compare notes on our experiences. Thursday, March 10: Excursion to Abu Dhabi Today we travel along the Emirates Road to Abu Dhabi. Less ostentatious than its glitzy neighbour, Abu Dhabi is intent on preserving its traditional heritage as it becomes one of the most promising cultural hubs in the Middle East. We ll touch on both these aspects of the emirate; we ll visit the magnificent Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the world s most expensive mosque, adorned with marble, the world s largest Persian carpet and seven gold and Swarovski-crystal chandeliers under an 85 metre white marble dome, and then visit a selection of contemporary art galleries. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Sheikh Zayed Mosque Friday, March 11: Dubai We ll attend selected events at the Literary Festival today. This evening, we hit the streets of Old Dubai for a three-course Arabian menu featuring popular Middle Eastern foods. We might begin with sesame-studded falafels dunked in creamy scalloped pools of hummus. We wander into traditional tents and eat like bedouins around communal plates of Emirati lamb and stocksimmered rice. For dessert, we dip crumbly pistachio cookies into cloudy swirls of cream Later, we ll travel by water taxi to the Gold Souq; street after street glitters with gold; it s a maze of paths, wall-to-wall shops selling yellow and white gold, silver pearls and gems in traditional and modern designs. Palm Jumeirah Saturday, March 12: Dubai, Sharjah This morning we attend events at the Literary Festival. In the afternoon, we ll travel to Sharjah, one of the more conservative Emirates. Here we ll enjoy an interaction at a local mosque, talking about religion and culture in its different Emirati manifestations. This evening we ll take a ride on the Palm Monorail from the Gateway station to Atlantis giving you a glimpse of the upcoming structures around Dubai Marina, the world s biggest waterfront development and Palm Jumeirah which looks like a stylised palm tree from above. Sunday, March 13: Depart Dubai The day is at leisure prior to your transfer to the airport for homeward-bound flights. Meals: Breakfast
OMAN March 13 20, 2016 DAILY ITINERARY RECOMMENDED EXTENSION Sunday, March 13: Fly to Muscat This morning is at leisure to explore Dubai. We have an afternoon flight from Dubai to Muscat (about one hour). We will be met on arrival and transferred to our hotel set in a stunning bay looking over the Gulf of Oman, located against a backdrop of rugged mountains. We ll begin our discovery of Muscat at the absorbing labyrinth of the Muttrah Souq; narrow alleyways jam packed with colourful small shops filled with exotic items from tubs of frankincense to gold and silver jewellery and intricately woven fabrics. Overnight: Muscat Monday, March 14: Muscat Muscat is reputed to be the friendliest and safest city in the Middle East; a place where hospitality comes before luxury. Muscat s architectural wonders include the enormous Sutan Qaboos Grand Mosque, built over an area of 416,000 square metres and accommodating up to 20,000 worshippers. We ll visit the Mosque this morning, then continue to the 16 th century Al Jalali Fort, set on an outcrop of the bay. This evening we ll be welcomed by an Omani family for dinner. Omanis are incredibly hospitable and we ll enjoy this insight into local traditions. Overnight: Muscat Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Old Fortress in Muscat Tuesday, March 15: Wadi Bani Auf, Nizwa Today we exchange our bus for sturdy 4x4 jeeps and set out into the desert. We re driving through the spectacular Wadi Bani Auf over the Western Hajar Mountains, stopping in the village of Balad Sayt. This traditional village has a Shangri-La-like feel; it s a picturesque pile of small houses crowned with a tiny fort, overlooking green terraced fields. The most impressive fort in the country is at Jabrin; intended as a summer palace, the labyrinthine fort was the first restoration project in Oman, situated in a pictureperfect setting amidst palm trees. We stay for two nights in Nizwa. Overnight: Golden Tulip, Nizwa Wednesday, March 16: Nizwa Nizwa is one of the oldest cities in Oman; we ll enjoy exploring the magnificent fort, fine souks and the famous goat market. We ll also drive out along the flank of Jebel Shams, Oman s highest mountain, the drive offering continuously spectacular scenery and the Saiq Plateau s dramatic hanging villages. Overnight: Golden Tulip, Nizwa Thursday, March 17: Wahiba Sands We set off this morning for the pretty village of Birkat Al Mauz. The ruined village stands as a testament to the traditional style of Omani houses. Then we re off through the Wahiba Sands, a series of incredible dunes stretching for 100 miles, north to south and 50 miles, east to west and reaching up to 300 feet high. The ever-changing patterns of the dunes are a photographer s delight. We stay overnight at a fully equipped desert camp and enjoy a traditional BBQ dinner this evening. Overnight: 1000 Nites Camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Friday, March 18: Sur, Ras Al Jinz We ll continue through spectacular desert scenery to the seaside town of Sur, once a major trading port with East Africa. We ll watch traditional dhows being built in the shipyard and explore the pretty fishing village of Ayjah. This evening we ll visit the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Sanctuary, home to Oman s most important turtle-nesting beach. Walking across the sands in the darkness to the edge of the water, we ll observe the ancient rite of turtles coming out of the sea, digging themselves into the beach and laying eggs into the holes. Overnight: Turtle Resort, Ras Al Jinz Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Saturday March 19: Muscat Our route back to Muscat today takes us through Wadi Tiwi, another spectacularly deep and narrow gorge carved out of the mountains, running between towering cliffs right down to the sea. We arrive back in Muscat with time at leisure to continue exploring the city. Overnight: Muscat Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Sunday, March 20: Depart Muscat Today we are transferred to the airport for homewardbound flights. Meals: Breakfast Note: The itinerary and accommodation described here are subject to change due to logistical arrangements and to take advantage of local events. EXTENSION DETAILS Tour Cost (per person): US$3495 Taxes and Gratuities (per person): US$175 Tour Cost for Guaranteed Single Accommodation: US$4545 If you are travelling on your own and would like to share accommodation, we would be happy to try to match you with a suitable roommate. If we are unable to do so, the single cost applies. What s Included: Accommodation in double occupancy, based on hotels listed or similar Meals as indicated in the itinerary All activities as indicated in the itinerary All entrance fees Gratuities for local guides, drivers, hotel and group meals (as indicated above) Taxes (as indicated above) Fully escorted by Ann Kirkland Not Included: Roundtrip airfare from your home Internal flight (Dubai to Muscat) to be purchased in conjunction with your international ticket Meals other than those mentioned above Beverages with meals Items of a personal nature Travel insurance Any item not mentioned in included features above Payment Details A non-refundable deposit of US$500 per person is required to reserve a space on this tour. A second deposit of US$1000 is required on September 8, 2015. Final payment is due December 7, 2015. Group Size: 10-16 participants
TOUR DETAILS Tour Cost (per person): US$2595 Taxes and Gratuities (per person): US$175 Tour Cost for Guaranteed Single Accommodation: US$3420 If you are travelling on your own and would like to share accommodation, we would be happy to try to match you with a suitable roommate. If we are unable to do so, the single cost applies. Group Size: 10 16 participants What s Included: Accommodation in double occupancy, based on hotels listed or similar Meals as indicated in the itinerary All activities as indicated in the itinerary A selection of Festival of Literature events All entrance fees Readings Gratuities for local guides, drivers, hotel and group meals (as indicated above) Taxes (as indicated above) Fully escorted by Ann Kirkland Payment Details: A non-refundable deposit of US$500 per person is required to reserve a space on this tour. A second deposit of US$1000 is required on September 8, 2015. Final payment is due December 7, 2015. Note: The Emirates Festival of Literature offers a range of ticketed and free events. We have included a selection of these events in our program to be confirmed as soon as the programme schedule is available. Additional event tickets are available on an individual basis. READINGS The Dog, by Joseph O Neill Earth Weeps, Saturn Laughs, by Abdulaziz Al Farsi (trans. Nancy Roberts) Not Included: Roundtrip airfare from your home Items of a personal nature Meals other than those mentioned above Beverages with meals Travel insurance Any item not mentioned in included features above
WHAT TO EXPECT ADDITIONAL INFO Level of Activity: Easy to Moderate Our activities in Dubai are easy; we will be attending Festival events and enjoying walking tours of approximately three hours. In Oman, we will be busier and a good level of fitness is required. Walking is over uneven terrain at many sites including uphill walks to visit forts. Accommodation We are staying in comfortable four and five star hotels in Dubai and Oman. We are staying for one night in a permanent desert camp in individual tents with private facilities. Transportation We will be travelling by private coach. In Oman there are some long journeys by 4x4 vehicles. Weather We will enjoy warm temperatures on this trip. Daily highs will be from 27 C to 31 C during the day, falling to 19 C to 23 C overnight. We will experience both high humidity when we are by the sea and very dry air in the desert. Travel Documents You will require a passport for this trip. Please ensure it is valid for at least 6 months beyond your scheduled return home. No visa is currently required for Dubai. Visas are required for Oman these will be obtained on arrival. Terms and Conditions For additional information about our terms and conditions, please refer to your booking form, the current brochure or our website. All participants booking with Worldwide Quest are covered by the terms of the Ontario Travel Industry Act (Worldwide Quest International, Ontario - License # 2667946). Cancellation Policy All deposits are non-refundable, however you may transfer your deposit to another trip 90 days or more prior to your scheduled departure date. If you cancel within 90 days prior to trip departure, all associated trip costs are non-refundable. The tour price is quoted as a package. No partial refunds or credits will be given for services not used. In the event of a cancellation, you must notify Worldwide Quest immediately and in writing. Travel Insurance We urge you to ensure that you have adequate cancellation and medical insurance in place, should an unexpected event cause you to cancel or interrupt your trip or should the tour not be operable per our terms and conditions. We will offer you Manulife insurance coverage. Medical insurance including emergency medical evacuation coverage is mandatory on all our tours. HOW TO BOOK Please contact Amanda at the Worldwide Quest Office for more information and to secure your booking. 1-800-387-1483 416-633-5666 Amanda@worldwidequest.com TICO #2667946