First stop: Ras Al Khaimah
We kicked things off with 2 nights at the stunning Cove Rotana Resort – a tranquil spot with breathtaking views over the water. With a comfy and spacious room to call home, we had lots of fun activities planned during our stay.
One of the main highlights of our time in Ras Al Khaimah was our thrilling ride on the world’s longest zipline. 2.8 km in length & 1,680 metres above the Arabian Gulf, you can see why this particular experience had us a bit dubious. However, ready to face our fears, we headed to The Jebel Jais Flyer at Jebel Jais Mountain. What an unforgettable experience it was too! We each took a turn to soar through the rugged landscape with steep slopes, deep valleys, and dramatic ridges. If you want to experience the closest thing to being able to fly, we couldn’t recommend doing this more.
Another notable moment of our time in Ras Al Khaimah was a fascinating boat ride with Suwaidi Pearls, the first and only Pearl Farm in the Gulf. Here, we learnt about the area’s pearl diving heritage while gliding through the serene mangroves. We were taught how oysters create pearls and the difference between natural pearls and cultivated (farmed pearls). We learned how the divers lived on board the boats for 4 months at a time and the perils of the industry.
Next up: Dubai
We stayed at The First Collection Waterfront and packed a lot into just 2 days! The location was perfect for us to go and see the iconic 124th and 125th floors of the Burj Khalifa – even with the haze, the views were amazing. We saw the sun set over the horizon and then stayed to see streetlights and buildings light up one by one until the city was glowing with nightlife.
Of course, our next stop was the Dubai Mall. A humongous extravagant shopping experience with giant water sculptures and an aquarium. Yes… An aquarium with sharks, sting rays and everything in between. We were ready to shop until we dropped as the Dubai Mall had every shop you could possibly think of.
The next day we spent our time exploring more of Dubai, starting with a visit to The Palm Jumeirah. We headed to Soluna Beach Club – the private beach club linked to the city hotel we’re staying in. The hotel runs a free shuttle to the beach club and a few other key spots, which makes getting around really easy. Although it was still a bit hazy, we enjoyed lovely views of Atlantis The Palm, Atlantis The Royal, and the iconic Burj Al Arab – often called the world’s first and only ‘7-star’ hotel (even though hotel rankings officially only go up to 5 stars!).
In the evening, we took a taxi over to the Jumeirah Beach area and visited the Madinat Souk – a modern take on a traditional Arabian market, created for guests staying at the Al Qasr, Mina A’Salam, and Dar Al Masyaf hotels. It’s a great place to wander, with a fantastic mix of local crafts, souvenirs, and a brilliant choice of restaurants and bars, many of which are included in the hotels’ Dine Around packages.
Final stop: Abu Dhabi
Our final stop consisted of 2 serene nights at Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas. Think utter beachfront bliss. After such a jam-packed few days, we were ready just to soak in some sunshine, have a few drinks and take in this dreamy resort. We were in total agreement that this was the perfect last stop location as the hotel had everything you could possibly need. Soft sands, delicious food, and total relaxation.
We are still feeling incredibly lucky to have experienced such a mix of adventure and serenity – the UAE really delivered on every level. Already counting the days until we can go back!
If you want to hear more about the best places to visit in the UAE or quiz Maria and Heather on the other amazing places they’ve had the chance to visit you can find their numbers here.
Heather – 01489355100 Maria – 07818431445