An Extended Journey Of Arabian Landscapes, Cultures & Architectural Legends

Seek out a sun-soaked city of luxurious excess, thrilling innovation and impressive landmarks. So cosmopolitan it hurts. Ski through snow, watch choreographed waterworks, listen to ship-shape opera, behold another Lamborghini, sail an abra and gasp at the floral universe. Delve into Old Dubai's forgotten past, get the picture at the lofty Dubai Frame and head downtown to the iconic Burj Khalifa and uber-extravagant Mall. Rotate on the cosmical wheel and fine dine in the sky. Like a shimmering mirage, Dubai's diversity lights up Arabian skies with its ability to evolve and astound.

With more time to reflect, rejuvenate, and embrace the Ocean State of Mind, days at sea with Explora Journeys invite moments of unhurried exploration. Against a backdrop of endless blue, indulge in a varied programme of wellness, dining and entertainment, enriching the mind and indulging the senses, designed to satisfy even the most curious of minds. These moments at sea offer a rare chance to disconnect from the outside world and reconnect with yourself and your loved ones. With so many onboard experiences, each day at sea is unique and memorable.

On the shores of the Persian Gulf, the capital of Saudi Arabia's eastern province may be strikingly modern, but seek pockets of tradition in the spice and incense-filled alleyways of the Souq al Hob (or Love Market) and discover Dammam history at the museum, filled with artefacts from local excavations, and on Tarut Island, where the historic fortress was built around the remains of a Phoenician temple. As the desert climate cools at dusk, join the locals as they stroll the cafes and parks on Murjan Island, along the Corniche and in King Abdullah Park, its fountains, extravagant flowerbeds and waterfront walkways the hub of this bustling oil boomtown.

Delve into a progressive Qatari capital where age-old souks meet sparkling city skyscrapers. Discover how the hallmarks of glamour have replaced pearl diving with a peek around The Pearl and Lusail for pricey real estate and haute couture. Acquire added luxury with a float around the mall or at Banana Island. Delve into one of Doha's biggest draws at I.M. Pei's designer gem - The Museum of Islamic Art. Consume insane cuisine, drop into mind-blowing mosques, dune surf with a Persian Gulf backdrop and play Qatar Master standard golf. Friendly Doha delivers an intriguing mix of wonders with ancient traditions.

Frolic in a beguiling modern playground, twinkling with ancient cultural colossus, art and sun-baked sandscapes. Attend enthralling events and cool workshops on Saadiyat Island, jet ski over sparkling seas and journey through impressive collections at the Louvre. Take a desert safari; sandboard, burn up dunes on a quad or live the Liwa culture. Learn Bedouin tribe traditions and watch camels race. Try Emirati cookery, beckon falconry, shoot archery and paddle through peaceful mangrove forests to glimpse indigenous wildlife. Make travelling tales a reality in a region where nothing is beyond reach.

Ras Al Khaimah blends ancient heritage with dramatic natural beauty. Golden deserts meet the rugged Hajar Mountains, their peaks rising above sweeping valleys and timeless landscapes. Along the coast, white-sand beaches give way to calm, turquoise seas, while centuries-old forts and the atmospheric Dhayah Fort speak of a proud history. Al Jazirah Al Hamra, an abandoned pearl-diving village, whispers of life before oil, and bustling souks and luxury resorts bring the emirate's vibrant present to life.

Seek out a sun-soaked city of luxurious excess, thrilling innovation and impressive landmarks. So cosmopolitan it hurts. Ski through snow, watch choreographed waterworks, listen to ship-shape opera, behold another Lamborghini, sail an abra and gasp at the floral universe. Delve into Old Dubai's forgotten past, get the picture at the lofty Dubai Frame and head downtown to the iconic Burj Khalifa and uber-extravagant Mall. Rotate on the cosmical wheel and fine dine in the sky. Like a shimmering mirage, Dubai's diversity lights up Arabian skies with its ability to evolve and astound.

Moored in the tranquil waters of the Arabian Gulf, Dubai's surreal cityscape mesmerises as we cheer new beginnings and timeless traditions during this unforgettable celebration. Indulge in an evening of enchanted elegance before the skies erupt in the world's greatest fireworks display. A thousand shards of light shimmer overhead as Champagne corks pop and sands pour through time's eternal hourglass.

Discover magic in the Arabian desert on land, by air or in an oasis of water. Take on towering sand dunes; crash through on a buggy, master sand surfing or soar above sands to hit the skies for a bird's eye view of the Wahiba Sands desert. Linger at one of the many Oman wadies; Wadi Bani Khalid's palm-dotted valley escape of pools and caves, Wadi Shab's deep sandstone gorge lined with turquoise lagoons and at meteor-formed Bimmah Sinkhole for the most luminous waters you ever did see.

Witness turtle homes at Ras Al Jinz Reserve, wander the corniche and visit a traditional Omani dhow yard or the domed Lighthouse for sweeping city views. Or simply slope off to where spotless sands meet the Arabian Sea and gently snorkel through turtles, rays and the occasional whale. With its cultural riches, wondrous waters and adventurous surrounds, Sur has a broad appeal.

Ease yourself in authentic Arabia with spirit-lifting adventures. Snorkel alongside turtles and rays, come alive at souks bearing gold and silver gifts and enjoy the arid desert on land, by air or in an oasis of water. Browse Omani art and cultural curios and track down the fragrant headquarters of the world's most expensive perfumery. Learn to cook, rock climb and cliff dive. Submerge in sinkholes and soothe at holistic Arabic-style spas. Hike up terraced trails to cliff-hanging fertile farms in the Al Hajar Mountains to zip off-road to ancient Sabatyn. This lavish capital swirls in twinkling souks, thrilling terrain, and smouldering oud scents.

Set on the bay of Khor Fakkan is a little Emirate gem known as the creek of two jaws and for its dramatic Hajar Mountains. Check out archaeological sites which include ancient graves and a ruined Portuguese fort, then head west to biodiverse Wadi Wurayah's waterfalls and pools. Cruise the rugged coast by dhow, dine Bedouin-style on mountain-cradled beaches and scuba dive through coral reefs. Up your game to canyon in rocky wadis, paraglide off cliffs and mountain bike through craggy goat paths.

Further afield, visit the ancient village of Sabatyn and Musandam's fjords, aka Norway of Arabia, known for its spectacular iridescent waters. Exploit senses at spice markets before soothing them at hammams using delicious homegrown ingredients. This is spirit lifting stuff on the northernmost tip of the Arabian Peninsula.

Arrive in a remote Omani peninsula at its filigreed fingertip pointing at the Strait of Hormuz. Burn up rocky peaks on bikes and off-road vehicles, cruise through spectacular inlets on converted dhows to explore the landscape and flit beneath warm waves with schools of dolphins and tuna of Telegraph Island. Look into Old Town forts, laid-back souks and whitewashed mosques. Pass hidden Bedouin houses, mosques and goats to reach a vast green oasis, then swing up to the summit for cooler climes, fossilised fish and views to behold. Blink and you might miss the richness of this discreet legend.

Seek out a sun-soaked city of luxurious excess, thrilling innovation and impressive landmarks. So cosmopolitan it hurts. Ski through snow, watch choreographed waterworks, listen to ship-shape opera, behold another Lamborghini, sail an abra and gasp at the floral universe. Delve into Old Dubai's forgotten past, get the picture at the lofty Dubai Frame and head downtown to the iconic Burj Khalifa and uber-extravagant Mall. Rotate on the cosmical wheel and fine dine in the sky. Like a shimmering mirage, Dubai's diversity lights up Arabian skies with its ability to evolve and astound.