Burj Khalifa
Museum of the Future
Qasr Al Watan
Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque
Our week-long adventure exploring the architecture and cultural gems of Dubai and Abu Dhabi last October was truly unforgettable. From modern architecture to serene religious sites, every day was packed with unique experiences, most of which we had booked from home well in advance.
It’s important to keep in mind that neither Dubai nor Abu Dhabi have city centers like those in European countries, where museums and tourist sites are often within easy walking distance. In the UAE, distances between attractions tend to be much greater, and more often than not, we learned that taking a taxi is the most practical way to get around. We were able to pay by credit card almost everywhere in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, including in all taxis. In terms of weather, daily temperatures were still hovering around 35°C. However, with air conditioning being nearly everywhere, the heat was quite manageable and didn’t pose much of an issue.
Day 1: Traveling from Geneva to Dubai
Our journey began with a layover in Munich, where we enjoyed the luxurious Emirates Lounge. It was a unique setup, as nearly everyone there was waiting for the same flight, departing at the same time and heading to the same gate. Boarding the Emirates A380 was another highlight - we couldn't resist visiting the iconic onboard bar after takeoff before getting settled for our overnight journey. With sleep as a top priority, we made full use of our seats, which converted into fully flat beds to which the many flight attendants even added mattress pads, ensuring a restful flight.
Emirates Lounge Munich
A380 bar
Day 2: First Taste of Dubai’s Luxury
We touched down in Dubai just after 6AM and were amazed at how quickly we breezed through the airport. For a first-time passenger arriving at Dubai International Airport, the “silent airport” concept, where nearly all PA announcements are replaced by digital displays, is immediately noticeable. The absence of constant overhead announcements creates a more serene and relaxed environment, quite different from the typically bustling and loud atmosphere in most airports.
A short taxi ride brought us to the Ritz-Carlton Dubai, where, despite arriving before the usual check-in time, we were welcomed warmly. The club lounge became our first stop, where we enjoyed a delicious breakfast on the terrace, taking in our first views of the Arabian Gulf.
Ritz-Carlton main entrance
lobby
one of the many pools and the sea
Our room was ready shortly, so after a brief stroll through the gardens - where we encountered up close a bird of prey with its falconer - and a walk along the beach, where we were pleasantly surprised to find complimentary sunscreen provided by the Ritz-Carlton, we returned for a much-needed nap. The bedside control panel not only managed the lights but also operated both the day and night curtains, allowing us to easily darken the room even in broad daylight. A quick lunch in the lounge and we headed to Downtown Dubai. Another great convenience at the Ritz-Carlton was the constant availability of taxis, with the attentive doorman always providing our destination details to the driver, creating a well-cared-for and seamless experience. The traffic was intense, but it was worth it for our tour of the Dubai Opera, which ended up being a private tour.
Dubai Opera
Burj Khalifa
We ended the day with dinner at the Emirati restaurant Ana at the Dubai Mall, enjoying a spot on the terrace with a stunning view of the Dubai Fountain show and the towering Burj Khalifa. After the meal, we joined the line for a taxi at the Mall exit. Though the line looked dauntingly long, the endless supply of taxis meant we were on our way in under 10 minutes. Surprisingly, even late at night, the traffic around Dubai was just as lively as during the day! Once back in our room, we found a delightful surprise, a beautifully arranged dessert plate courtesy of the turndown service, which we couldn’t resist indulging in to wrap up our first day in Dubai.
Day 3: Burj Khalifa and Museum of the Future
After breakfast, we made our way back to the Dubai Mall for our morning visit to Burj Khalifa. Arriving early paid off: we practically had the observation deck to ourselves, and the morning views were spectacular. Dubai is built as groups of highrises literally growing from the desert! As we left, the crowds grew, but our timing couldn’t have been better.
views from Burj Khalifa
Next, we headed to the Museum of the Future, a futuristic architectural masterpiece. Despite traffic delays due to a nearby conference, the experience was mind-blowing. The museum takes the visitors to a futuristic journey, outlining the important things in life: life itself, spirituality, and helping others.
Museum of the Future - entrance
Museum of the Future - lifts
After our visit, with no taxis available nearby, we opted to use the metro and tram to return to the hotel, which ended up being an interesting adventure. Opened in 2009, the Dubai Metro was the first urban train system in the Arabian Peninsula and its over 50km longer Red Line is the world's longest driverless metro line. The section of the Red Line we took ran on an elevated viaduct parallel to Dubai's main highway, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, allowing for some scenic views of the city.
Since we had not eaten lunch, the afternoon tea at the hotel lounge was a highlight, with the scones being particularly memorable. We ended the day with a refreshing sunset swim and a surprise fireworks display right from our room's balcony!
Day 4: Exploring Dubai’s Mosques
We dedicated this day to exploring the history and rich religious architecture of Dubai, beginning with the beautiful Jumeirah Mosque, The guided visit started at the Jumeirah Mosque Majlis, a two-story cultural center where we were offered traditional Arabic coffee and dates. We then had some time to explore the Once Upon a Time museum’s collection of cultural artifacts and admired the Mosques of the World photo exhibition. Once our group was complete, we entered the Jumeirah Mosque itself, where our guide explained the mosque’s architectural elements and shared insights into the customs surrounding daily prayers and worship.
From there, we made our way on foot to the nearby Imam Hussein Mosque, also known as the Iranian Mosque. We weren’t sure if we would be able to view its interior, as we couldn’t find clear information online. Upon arrival, we took photos of the intricate exterior and struck up a conversation with someone leaving the mosque, who graciously gave us a brief but fascinating tour inside.
Jumeirah Mosque
Imam Hussein Mosque
We continued our walk to the Etihad Museum, where we immersed ourselves in the nation’s history before having lunch. Next, we visited the impressive Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque. With no taxis available afterward, a kind local offered us a ride to the subway station, a thoughtful gesture that added to our memorable day.
Etihad Museum
Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque
We wrapped up the afternoon with a serene sunset swim and were thrilled to receive confirmation of our upcoming hot air balloon adventure.
Day 5: Hot Air Balloon Adventure and Burj Al Arab
The day began early - 3:30 AM, to be precise - as we were picked up for our hot air balloon ride. Although we’d flown in hot air balloons several times in Switzerland and Canada, this experience stood out immediately: for the first time, we were secured to the basket with seatbelts. As we lifted off, rising above the dunes, we watched the sun slowly illuminate the landscape. Floating at various altitudes and seeing several groups of oryxes (gazelles) moving in the desert below us was an absolutely magical start to the day.
sunrise hot air balloon
sunrise hot air balloon
Back at the Ritz by 9 AM, we had breakfast and squeezed in a nap to recharge. We then went to visit the Palm Observatory and did some souvenir shopping at a nearby mall, assuming we had plenty of time before our next stop. Unfortunately, this turned out to be a miscalculation. Unlike Dubai Mall, finding a taxi here on a Friday afternoon proved difficult. With no taxis in sight and not wanting to miss our scheduled Burj Al Arab tour, we ultimately had no choice but to opt for a pricey limousine ride.
The Inside Burj Al Arab tour began with a relatively large group and many visitors eagerly snapping selfies in the showcased suite. However, we found that lingering a bit and engaging with the staff transformed the experience; they were genuinely enthusiastic and eager to share fascinating details about the iconic hotel.
Burj Al Arab
Burj Al Arab
Unfortunately, this was already our last evening in Dubai.
Day 6: A first glimpse at Abu Dhabi
After a restful night, a walk on the beach and one last encounter and photos with the hotel's bird of prey, it was time to checkout. The taxi drive to Abu Dhabi took slightly longer than one hour and our room at the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi was ready for us right away. We explored the hotel grounds with its private beach and large swimming pool, then had lunch. As in Dubai, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi provided complimentary sunscreen.
Ritz-Carlton Abu-Dhabi lobby
swimming pool
As in Dubai, taxis were always available at the hotel entrance and we could start our trip to the majestic Qasr Al Watan, the Presidential Palace, followed by the Emirates Palace hotel.
Qasr Al Watan - library
Emirates Palace dome
From there, we headed to the Boomah Owl Café for a drink and lots of pictures. Our search for a local dining spot near the Ritz-Carlton and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque brought us to the Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant. On our way, we were surprised to discover that the mosque features its own underground shopping center, the Souq Al Jami, which houses visitor facilities, including security checkpoints and shops offering appropriate clothing for mosque visits. Our meal at Al Khayma was fantastic, with generous portions that fueled us as we started to explore the mosque grounds, preparing for our special night photography session, authorized through the Spaces of Light photography competition, and scheduled to start at 10:30 PM.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in the early evening
We headed back to the hotel for a relaxing swim, only to notice a small issue with our room’s AC. Impressively, the front desk responded immediately, moving us to a new room even at 10 PM. By the time we had packed, someone was already at our door to help transfer our luggage.
We then returned to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, went through security, and received our photographer badges, granting us full access to this extraordinary site. The photo session was spectacular, and we were also fascinated to witness the behind-the-scenes maintenance work, with numerous staff members ensuring everything remained immaculate. We finally returned to the hotel shortly after midnight, exhausted but exhilarated by the experience.
Day 7: A Day of Culture and Art
After a short night, we were up before dawn for our second photo session at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque starting at 6AM. The sunrise and early morning light cast a stunning glow on the mosque, making for breathtaking photos. Since we submitted some of these photos to the Spaces of Light Award, which remains open until December 31, 2024, we’re unfortunately unable to share them here at this time.
After breakfast, we visited the Abrahamic Family House, a beautiful space symbolizing peaceful religious coexistence featuring a Mosque, a Synagogue and a Church, all within the same ground. We then visited the Louvre Abu Dhabi, an architectural and artistic masterpiece. Lucky enough, the temporary exhibition was on post-impressionism - what a treat!
Abrahamic Family House
Louvre Abu Dhabi
We had a memorable final dinner at the hotel, with view on the Grand Mosque, reflecting on the week’s adventures.
Day 8: Departure and Reflections
Our time in the UAE concluded with a peaceful walk along the beach, followed by a taxi ride to the airport. Check-in for business and first-class passengers is in a dedicated section of the terminal, with a team of agents ready to assist and virtually no wait time. After check-in, we took a small train to reach the A gates, where we were once again impressed by the “silent airport” concept, which replaces frequent announcements with a calm and quiet atmosphere throughout.
The Emirates Lounge was an impressive experience in itself, occupying the entire upper floor of the terminal and offering expansive, comfortable seating areas. By the time we had explored the lounge, followed by a delicious lunch at the buffet, it was already time to board our flight. Each gate is actually directly accessible from the lounge, so we were quickly settled in our seats on a newly refurbished Boeing 777 for the flight back to Geneva
The journey home was the perfect opportunity to start editing our (many) photos !
Emirates Lounge Dubai
