This fascinating tour provides an insight in to the UAE's historical and cultural heritage. Our first visit is to Majlis Ghorfat Um-Al-Sheef in jumeira, built as a summer resort for the late


Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum and features a traditional palm, almond and fig garden with a "falaj" or irrigation system.}



Drive to Shindhagha, where 32 traditional homes are being rebuilt, and visit the late Sheikh SaeedAl-Maktoum's House. Dating back to 1896 and now meticulously restored,

it stands on the banks of Dubai Creek and, with its wind-towers and layers of rooms built around a central courtyard, is a fine example of local architecture and Islamic design.

We also visit the Heritage and Diving Villages, featuring working potters and weavers as well as
exhibits demonstrating the art of pearl diving.

From here we travel to Sharjah, selected by UNESCO as the cultural capital of the Middle East for 1998. At the archaeological museum, superb displays include pieces from the Stone, Bronze and
Iron ages; precious stones, necklaces and pottery from the Al Ubaid period when trade with


Mesopotamia flourished; and a rich collection dating from 611 to 300 BC- which includes southern Musnad calligraphy, the horse found in Mleiha and some Aramaic writings.

We return to Dubai's Bastakia district for a visit to the Majlis Gallery, housed in a traditional wind-
towered house, which specialises in the sale of art and artefacts of an international standard.

 

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