United Arab EmiratesFrom Dubai's skyline to the alleys of the Old Quarter

On the second day of your trip, an experience awaits that will show Dubai in a whole new light. After a relaxed breakfast at the Mandarin Oriental, your private chauffeur will pick you up and take you to the helicopter pad on The Palm Jumeirah. You'll feel the excitement as soon as you take off – then the helicopter lifts gently into the air and the city unfolds below you in all its elegance. The palm island lies like a pattern on the sea, the Burj Al Arab glitters in the sunlight, and the Burj Khalifa towers into the sky on the horizon.

From up here, you can see how boldly this metropolis has been built—and how harmoniously everything fits together: desert, sea, architecture, movement. When you land again, you are left with the feeling of having experienced something extraordinary. Back at the Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah, an afternoon of tranquil balance awaits you – perhaps lunch with a view of the lagoon, a visit to the spa, or a quiet moment by the pool while the city glitters in the distance. The day comes to a gentle close – filled with very special impressions.

After a free morning at the resort, where you can enjoy the beach or the spa, your chauffeur will take you to the heart of Downtown Dubai in the afternoon. Here, an unforgettable experience awaits you: The Lounge in the Burj Khalifa, on floors 152 to 154—higher than any other place in the world. Light shimmers like liquid gold through the glass fronts, and the horizon stretches all the way to the desert.

You enjoy fine teas, a glass of sparkling wine, and small canapés while the city below you slowly transitions into evening. When you return to the hotel later, the skyline glows in the twilight. The day comes to a quiet end—filled with unforgettable images and the feeling of having seen Dubai from every possible perspective.

After exploring the modern side of the city over the last few days, today your journey takes you back to the city's roots – to where it all began. Your private guide will pick you up at your hotel and accompany you to the historic Al Fahidi district, a labyrinth of narrow alleys, sand-colored walls, and quiet courtyards. Here, the wind still blows through old wind towers and the air carries the scent of spices. In the Dubai Museum, housed in the city's oldest building, you will immerse yourself in a time when traders, pearl divers, and sailors set the rhythm of Dubai. Afterwards, you will cross Dubai Creek in a traditional abra, a wooden water taxi.

The water glistens, boats glide by, seagulls circle above the rooftops. On the other side of the river, a lively feast for the senses begins: in the gold and spice souqs, jewelry sparkles in the sun, cardamom, saffron, and cinnamon fill the air. Your guide will show you small tea rooms where life still flows slowly. You will taste sweet karak tea, try fresh dates, and hear stories that have never been written down. In the afternoon, you will return to the hotel – filled with impressions, scents, and encounters that will show you today's Dubai in a new light.

Your last full day in Dubai begins with the sound of the sea and the morning sun on your skin. Breakfast on the terrace smells of oranges and warm bread, and the water sparkles in the distance. There is no rush, no hurry. Perhaps you will treat yourself to a treatment at the Mandarin Oriental spa, where rose oil, warm light, and gentle hands make the world stand still for a moment.

Or you can ask your driver to take you to Alserkal Avenue—a quiet, creative neighborhood with galleries, coffee roasters, and concept stores, where the city speaks a completely different language. Back at the resort, the afternoon casts a golden glow over the pool. The sea glitters, the skyline is reflected in the water, and the air carries this moment between day and dream. A feeling of perfection – as if Dubai were smiling quietly once more before you leave.