52Best's Annual Trip to India and Dubai - Days 1 to 7

                 Day 1 - October 4, 2011 - Tuesday:  New York (D)  We meet together in New York where we leave on Emirates Airlines from JFK Airport at 11:00 p.m. on nonstop flight EK202 on the luxurious new Airbus 380 (video for Airbus380). Emirates Airlines has an excellent flight history and rewards program called Skywards which we can join by clicking here.

       . . . Day 2 - October 5, 2011  - Wednesday:  Dubai (B,L,D)  We arrive in Dubai at 8:30 pm to the Dubai International Airport that at 12,000,000 sq ft is the biggest buildinig in the world (video for 10 biggest buildings). and are met by our private tour representative. We then proceed to the Crowne Plaza Sheikh Zayed (above left) a 5-star luxury hotel is in the center of Dubai. All 568 rooms have breath-taking views overlooking Sheikh Zayad Road and the City and are exceptionally well appointed and spacious, mini-bar refrigerator, high speed internet, and in room safe. There is an olympic sized pool (above center) as well as the Fitness Centre, sauna, and steam rooms and squash courts. An excellent selection of restaurants are in the hotel including Trader Vic's (above right) plus ones serving Japanese, fish, Indian, Italian, and Middle Eastern foods. For late night, party into the wee hours at the Zinc Nightclub To subscribe to Dubai's official weekly newsletter click here.

      . . . Day 3 - October 6, 2011  - Thursday:  Dubai (BB,D)  Morning: Buffet breakfast in our hotel. We begin our city tour - first video - and second video - to the picturesque Bastakia heritage area and the Dubai Museum housed in the 18th century Al Fahidi Fort . We visit the world’s tallest tower – Burj Khalifa ( click here for video of the official unveiling of the tower) and watch Dubai from the observatory which is located on the 124th floor (above left photo). The Burj Khalifa Tower entrance is located in the Dubai Mall, the largest mall in the world, (video for World's tallest building and largest mall) which is across the highway from our hotel. We will have an opportunity briefly to see it on our tour but can return and shop, shop, shop during our free day. Afternoon: We will have lunch at the Madinat Jumeirah where we can chose any one of 40 restaurants to dine and then continue to the Burj Al Arab Hotel (above right) for a photo opportunity in front of Dubai’s exclusive 7 star hotel. This is followed by a visit to the aromatic Spice Souq (market) and the extensive Gold Souq (above center) where we can buy exquisite gold jewelry at prices lower than anywhere else in the world (click here for 28 reviews - some plus, some minus). Evening: We will cruise Dubai’s waterways onboard a traditionally decorated wooden dhow seeing Dubai’s illuminated skyline, old trading dhows, luxury yachts and modern architecture like the National Bank of Dubai, Commerce & Industry building, Sheikh Saeed's House, and the Heritage Village. As we cruise we will enjoy a beautiful blend of Arabic and International music and dine on a sumptuous buffet dinner with an array of Continental, Arabic, and Oriental dishes.

    . . . . Day 4 - October 7, 2011  - Friday: Dubai (BB,D) Our day begins with a buffet breakfast in the hotel with the morning to explore the City such as go snow skiing at Dubai ski park. (above left) (video for skiing in Dubai) or visit one of the world's truly exciting residential developments The Palm Islands buildt by Dubai World (above center) Afternoon: Depart for a thrilling desert drive over the golden sand dunes, deep into the heart of the desert. A fabulous view of the sun setting over the desert dunes are some of the memories we will cherish from the desert drive. Evening: Arrive at the desert camp, where a traditional Arabian welcome awaits each of us. Enjoy the true Arabian ambiance, at this typical Bedouin campsite, with traditional Arabian carpets, low tables and cushions for comfortable seating. At the desert camp, we experience the camel ride, henna painting or simply enjoy the aromatic Sheesha. Enjoy the sumptuous buffet dinner (above right - which these four Americans definitely did) with a wide variety of barbecue meats, salads, main-course and deserts. The climax of the evening is the stunning performance by the exotic belly dancers under the star-lit sky.

       . . Day 5 - October 8, 2011  - Saturday: Dubai to New Delhi (BB,L)  We have an early buffet breakfast bidding adeiu to the Crown Plaza and progress to the Dubai International Airport. Our Emirates flight ED516 departs at 10:10 am and we arrive in New Delhi at 2:50 pm where we are met by our specially chosen tour guide outside customs. Afternoon: We travel from the airport by luxury bus to the 5 star Taj Palace Hotel (above left) "This hotel truly defines 5 star service. From the time we checked in, everyone from the front desk, restaurant staff, housekeeping was friendly and helpful. The rooms were very clean and modern with flatscreens. The fitness center, swimming pool, and spa are very nice." next to lively shopping, colorful streets, and cultural centers. The exceptionally large rooms have elegant décor and full amenities. Not only are there fine dining restaurants offered within the hotel but there is a most friendly Bar, Business Centre, foreign exchange desk, heated pool, futuristic gymnasium, and the Jiva Spa (above center) offering massage therapy, yoga, Ayurvedic, herbal therapies, colour healing, and grooming experts. Evening: Free to dine and meet the people.(see above right)

. Day 6 - October 9, 2011 - Sunday:  New Delhi (B,L) After a bountiful breakfast at our Lalit Hotel, we proceed on a city tour of Old and New Delhi visiting the opulent Red Fort (above right).Visit Jama Masjid - the biggest mosque of Asia, Rajghat - memorial site of Mahatma Gandhi and then enjoy a rickshaw ride through the busy streets of Chandni Chowk which is totally dedicated to shopping, trading and eating in Old Delhi. We will also visit Asia’s largest wholesale spice market Khari Baoli. (above center) Afternoon: We have lunch at the sumptuous Park Balluchi at Deer Park popluar for its lush green ambience then visit Swaminarayan Akshardham (above right - lengthy but good video) a Hindu temple complex in New Delhi which reflects 10,000 years of Indian culture in all its breathtaking grandeur, beauty, wisdom and timeless spirituality. It brilliantly showcases the essence of India’s ancient architecture and traditions. The Akshardham experience is an enlightening journey through India’s glorious art, values and contributions for the progress, happiness and harmony of mankind. Evening: Open to explore on our own the dining delicacies and night life of the City.

          .    . Day 7 - October 10, 2011 - Monday:  New Delhi to Agra (B)  We have breakfast, pack and load onto the bus where we take a further tour of New Delhi and visit Humayun's Tomb which is the mausoleum of Emperor Humayun and is a Unesco World Heritage site . After this we visit the National Craft Museum showcasing centuries of skills that have evolved in India. We continue our drive this morning to Agra and en route stop at Sikandra to visit the tomb of Emperor Akbar. Afternoon: Later we have our first visit to the Taj Mahal (above left and right - short video) and enjoy the magnificent monument of love in the warm glow of sunset. We proceed to the 4.5 star Gateway Hotel "Room was clean and well appointed, and the hotel had good facilities - in particular the swimming pool which was very welcome after a hard day's sightseeing." Jess from London (check out 175 reviews) which is set amidst six acres of professionally landscaped gardens. It is known as a tranquil retreat with gracious interiors, personalized service and its unique style compliments Agra's monument to love, the Taj Mahal.. Evening: Free time to dine and explore.

Days 8 to 13 - Click Here