Compare Dubai & The Maldives by Great Value Vacations vs United Arab Emirates & Maldives in 8 days - Emirate City & All-Inclusive Paradise - LUXURY by Exoticca

Day 1 Welcome to Dubai, United Arab Emirates!

Arrive at Dubai Airport and enjoy a transfer to your city center hotel. Once settled in, celebrate your first night in the United Arab Emirates by sampling a staple dish; indulge in a serving of iconic shawarma or perhaps something more exotic like some stuffed camel!

Day 2 Dubai

Embark on your city tour today!

Day 3 Dubai

Today, take a trip to some of Dubai's famous souks. At the Gold Souk, ogle the glittering gold jewelry and make sure you use your best haggling skills if you want the best price! You can also visit the fragrant Spice Souk where you can find a wide range of spices, herbs, incense and traditional medicinal products.

Before nightfall, head to the Burj Khalifa - also known as the world's tallest building - and ascend to the top. At the foot of this incredible skyscraper is Dubai Fountain with nightly shows.

Day 4 Dubai - Male, Maldives

Say goodbye to Dubai as you transfer to the airport and fly approximately five hours to Male, the capital of the Maldives! Upon arrival, take a 30-minute speedboat from Male to your resort on North Male Atoll. Meet the friendly staff, check into your room, then spend the rest of the day acclimating to island life. 

Day 5 North Male Atoll

Spend your first full day exploring your resort and its many features. Lay out on pristine white sand beaches, enjoy a refreshing swim in the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean or relax by the outdoor pool. The Maldives has a sunny, warm climate year round with little rain, so spend your time outside! 

Day 6 North Male Atoll

The Maldives has some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving anywhere in the world, due to warm water, high visibility and diverse marine life. Take advantage of its superb waters by renting snorkeling gear from your resort or get your scuba certification! 

While you're snorkeling or diving, watch out for manta rays, turtles, schools of surgeon fish, and spotted whale sharks which can grow to nearly 40 feet long! 

Day 7 North Male Atoll

Consider spending the day in the Maldives' capital city, Male! Start your sightseeing at the National Museum which contains precious relics from the Sultanate era. The museum is located at the scenic Sultan’s Park, an elegant landscaped garden displaying a diverse array of flora and fauna.

Since the Maldives is a Muslim country, you could pay a visit to Grand Friday Mosque, built by Sultan Ibrahim Iskandhar in the 17th century and the primary place of worship for Maldivians. Before heading back to your resort, catch a glimpse of the Maldivians' daily life at the Maldives Fish Market. 

Day 8 North Male Atoll

Surfing is a major draw to the Maldives, with islands along the atoll's eastern edge enjoying access to some of the best sites in the country from May to October. Whether you're a beginner or a pro, you'll find the warm, gentle waters of the Indian Ocean perfect for catching waves. 

If surfing isn't your cup of tea, you can also go paddle boarding, kayaking, catamaran sailing or jet skiing. These activities are all available at your resort!

Day 9 Depart Maldives

Your Dubai and Maldives getaway ends today. At the appropriate time, take a speedboat transfer to Male International Airport for your flight home. 

Day 1: US - Night on board

Arrive at your US departure airport ready to check-in for a flight* to the luxurious city of Dubai. Night on board. * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Day 2: Dubai

Arrive in Dubai and transfer to the hotel.* The remainder of the day is free to discover this modern Emirati metropolis at your leisure. We recommend visiting the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world and a symbol of the city of 828 meters and 160 floors. Since its inauguration in 2010, it offers the best views of the desert and the city. Underneath is the largest shopping center in the world, the Dubai Mall where 1200 stores of all kinds are located. A shopping paradise! Overnight stay in Dubai. * You will have the option to add early check-in on arrival in Dubai (before 3:00 p.m.) in the next step of the booking process.

Day 3: Dubai

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy the morning at your leisure, exploring the old town or sunning yourself on Dubai's idyllic beaches. We recommend an optional excursion to explore the older parts of the city.* At dusk, take an exciting 4x4 excursion to the desert. Pass through camel farms and spectacular desert landscapes, as the sand dunes are illuminated at sunset until arriving at a traditional camp. Here, enjoy a delicious barbeque dinner under the stars with traditional entertainment including Belly Dancing,* waterpipes and camel rides. Return to the hotel and overnight stay in Dubai. * Optional Half-Day Classic Dubai Tour: Visit the Bastakia neighbourhood, home to old merchant houses and cafes, and learn about Dubai's history with included entrance to the Dubai Museum. Take a traditional river taxi, known as an 'Abra' across Dubai Creek to the aromatic souks of Old Dubai, filled with stalls selling exotic spices and golden wares. Please note: this optional excursion operates on Friday afternoons and Monday, Wednesday, and Sunday mornings only.

Day 4: Dubai

Breakfast at the hotel. Spend the day at your leisure, enjoying a shopping spree in Dubai's fabulous malls or relaxing at your leisure on the beach. We recommend an optional tour of the city's modern attractions.* Overnight stay in Dubai. * Optional Half-Day Modern Dubai Tour: Visit the most emblematic sights in the city including the Jumeirah Mosque and the Burj Al Arab, the world's most luxurious hotel. Travel to the man-made palm-shaped island of Palm Jumeirah to see the amazing Atlantis Hotel before heading back to the city on the monorail. Afterwards, explore glittering Dubai Marina, the Mall of Emirates, to see the impressive Ski Dubai, and the jaw-dropping Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. Please note: this optional excursion operates on Mondays and Fridays only.

Day 5: Dubai - Maldives

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy the day exploring the city at your leisure. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport to board your flight to Malé, the capital of the Maldives. Touch down in Malé, the capital of the Maldives. From here, take an exciting speedboat transfer to your resort, situated on an island in the pristine Indian Ocean. Arrive, get settled in and begin your All-inclusive stay. Overnight stay in the Maldives. * You will have the option to add late check-out in Dubai in the next step of the booking process.

Day 6: Maldives

All-inclusive. Enjoy a day at your leisure in the Maldives, soaking up the breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean from the comforts of a white-sand beach or exploring the abundant sea life on a snorkeling excursion. The facilities at the resort are there to make your stay as blissful as possible, so make the most of them as you begin to unwind from the stresses of daily life. Overnight stay in the Maldives.

Day 7: Maldives

All-inclusive. Enjoy the day at your leisure. We recommend a diving excursion, whether you're a first-timer or already accustomed to the underwater world. The Maldives is considered one of the world's best diving destinations as the waters surrounding its atolls are inhabited by thousands of species of whales, dolphins, turtles and fish, so don't miss out on the opportunity to explore for yourself. Overnight stay in the Maldives.

Day 8: Maldives

All-inclusive. Enjoy your final day in the Maldives at your leisure. Make the most of your last moments in paradise by exploring the island and finding the most perfect stretch of beach in which to contemplate the picture-perfect ocean views. Arrange a romantic meal or enjoy the resort entertainment to bring a memorable close to your idyllic escape. Overnight stay in the Maldives.

Day 9: Maldives - Night on board

Breakfast* at the hotel. Sadly, it's time to bid farewell to the paradise shores of the Maldives. At the indicated time, take a speedboat transfer to Malé to catch a flight back to the US. Night on board. * Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.

Day 10: US

Arrive in the US and end your trip.