Middle east outside the city destinations
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middle east outside the city destinations
Escape to I t’s the bright lights, the adrenaline-fuelled dune bashing
jaw‑dropping architecture of experience; however, Platinum
the world’s tallest towers, and Heritage focuses more on
the desire to have a taste of a providing ecological and cultural
luxury lifestyle that draw many experiences. It also transports
to the cities of the Gulf. guests across the dunes in 1950s
Ensconced among the desert vintage Land Rovers.
dunes, the cities of Doha in For those wanting to stay
the country
Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Dubai overnight at its desert camps –
in the United Arab Emirates complete with the finer touches
and Muscat in Oman are each of mattresses, linen and hot
thriving, bustling, financial hubs showers – Platinum charges
where the pace is fast. However, around £167 for its Overnight
there are lots of opportunities to Safari and Bedouin Breakfast.
escape these metropolises, either Alternatively, for a night in the
Look beyond the skyscrapers of the on a day trip or overnight stays. desert check into one of Dubai’s
PICTURE: qasr al sarab resort by anantara
We explore some of the options luxurious desert resorts – either
glitzy Gulf cities, says Kerry Webb – either adventurous or relaxing – Bab Al Shams Desert Resort &
for a getaway from the big city. Spa or the adult-only Al Maha
Resort & Spa, where guests take
w Escape from Dubai up residence in a standalone pool
Just half an hour’s drive from the suite and it’s not unusual to see
mighty Burj Khalifa, guests can grazing oryx come right to the
easily find themselves among door. Prices for a five-night stay
Dubai’s desert dunes. at Al Maha, including flights, start
Numerous local excursion from £1,099 with Gold Medal for
operators offer the ever-popular travel between May 29 and
62 travelweekly.co.uk 13 October 2016 13 October 2016 travelweekly.co.uk 63
destinations outside the city middle east
left:
Rixos Bab Al
Bahr, Ras
Al Khaimah
right:
Al Boom
Diving
Below:
Desert Island
Resort & Spa
by Anantara
June 19 next year, based on a Island, a private island three miles From an island to a resort
full‑board stay in a Bedouin suite. off the coast – although it’s a hidden among the region’s
Alternatively, swap the desert Swap the desert for 150-mile drive from downtown highest sand dunes is Qasr Al
for the mountains and take the Abu Dhabi to the harbour where Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara.
winding road that cuts through
the mountains and guests meet for the boat transfer. Like something out of the
the Hajar Mountains to Dubai’s take the winding road This nature reserve is home to Arabian Nights, this luxurious
sister emirates, Fujairah or Ras Al that cuts through an eyebrow-raising array of free- oasis is a two-hour drive from the
Khaimah – each about a two-hour roaming wildlife, thanks to the city in the vast Rub’ Al Khali, the
drive. Nestled between the beach
the Hajar Mountains Abu Dhabi ruling family having largest uninterrupted sand desert
and the mountains, hotels include introduced a number of non- in the world, and feels like an
the Waldorf Astoria, The Cove indigenous breeds, giraffes and authentic Arabian fort.
Rotana and the all-inclusive Rixos cheetahs among them. Activities Western & Oriental offers
Bab Al Bahr in Ras Al Khaimah. w Escape from Abu include wildlife safaris, kayaking, a five-night stay from £1,305
As well as being popular with Dhabi horse riding and mountain biking. departing in January 2017, with
mountain bikers and trekkers, this Although just minutes from For those that want to stay Etihad flights from Heathrow and
area also draws divers. Al Boom the city centre, a few strokes overnight, check into the transfers, staying B&B in a deluxe
Diving is the dominant Padi of a paddle will see guests lose island’s Desert Island Resort & garden room.
dive school in the UAE, with a themselves amid the mangroves Spa by Anantara.
permanent centre in Le Méridien that lie just off the coast from If time is tight (and money w Escape from Muscat
Al Aqah Beach Resort in Fujairah. the Eastern Mangroves Hotel isn’t) then guests can also Muscat has a slower feel to it
One dive costs from £51. & Spa by Anantara. Join a travel to the island via seaplane. than the other Gulf capitals, but
Meanwhile, Banyan Tree offers guided kayak tour via the hotel’s Operated by Seawings, the with the cruise terminal being
guests the best of both worlds resident watersports operator, scenic flight takes 55 minutes just a short walk from the centre
with its two sister properties – Sea Hawk, and weave along the from Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island or an and the constant yet exhilarating
the desert resort of Banyan Tree labyrinth of hidden paths that cut hour and 10 minutes from Dubai chaos of the Mutrah Souk, guests
Al Wadi and, 20 minutes away through this floating carpet of Creek. Day trips include return may want to escape. They don’t
by car, Banyan Tree Ras Al dense foliage. flights, a nature drive and lunch have to look too far.
Khaimah Beach. Farther afield is Sir Bani Yas at the hotel (£560). Just a couple of miles down
PICTURE: victor romero
64 travelweekly.co.uk 13 October 2016
destinations outside the city middle east
right:
the coast is Shangri-La’s Barr
Shangri-La’s
Al Jissah, a three-hotel resort. Barr Al Jissah
Al Waha, complete with its Resort & Spa
lazy river, is the obvious family
choice; gourmands will love Al Far right:
Alila Jabal
Bandar; while those looking for Akhdar
luxury should opt for the palatial
Al Husn. The resort offers daily
dolphin-watching cruises, while
the inner sanctum of Chi, The
Spa, is the perfect haven to let
the mind and body drift away.
Travel 2 offers five nights’ B&B
in a superior pool view room at
Al Waha from £779 including
return flights and transfers, based
on travel between May 1 and
June 30, 2017.
Farther afield, about a two
and a half hour drive southwest sites – most notably Nizwa Fort, sure to have a cooling swim.
of Muscat, is eco-resort Alila Oman’s most historic monument. An Inland Sea Safari with Gulf
Jabal Akhdar near the village The rugged Indeed, the rugged landscape Adventures starts from £85.
of Nizwa. Perched some landscape is what is what distinguishes Oman In the other direction, north of
2,000m above sea level, it’s from its neighbours. To Doha, tours take in the former
the ideal base for exploring the
distinguishes Oman explore the country, local tour pearl-diving village of Al Khor,
region’s magnificent landscape, from its neighbours operator Gulf Leisure has all the Unesco World Heritage Site
surrounding villages and heritage the adventure pursuits covered, of Al Zubarah Fort, Al Jassasiya
from caving and canyoning to Carvings and birdwatching in the
desert safaris over Wahiba Sands Al Takhira Mangroves. This tour
and dolphin watching in its with Arabian Adventures Qatar
glass‑bottomed boat. costs from £75.
Nature lovers should also
make a beeline for the bay of
Ras Al Jinz, a popular stomping
ground for turtles, or head out Musandam
to sea to visit the Damaniyat
Islands, the perfect spot for
Peninsula
diving and snorkelling.
It’s part of Oman, but
w Escape from Doha Musandam is separated from
While all eyes will be on Doha the main part of Oman by
when it hosts the World Cup the eastern coastline of the
in 2022, shining a light on the UAE – so technically, it’s an
rest of the country are local easier escape from Dubai
tour operators including Qatar (just a two‑hour drive) than
International Adventures (QIA), it is Muscat. The highlight
Gulf Adventures and Arabian is undoubtedly the rugged
Adventures Qatar. All offer similar scenery viewed from a dhow as
tours, including the obligatory you cruise the fjords – normally
desert safari. But what makes accompanied by dolphins.
Qatar’s safaris so different is that The most luxurious bed
the dunes are right beside the for the night can be found
coast. Khor Al Adaid, also known at the Six Senses Zighy Bay
as the Inland Sea, is one of few Resort – renowned for guests
places in the world where the sea being able to arrive there by
encroaches deep into the desert. paraglider. Carrier offers five
The only way to take a dip in this nights with breakfast in a pool
stretch of water is to deflate the villa, with Emirates flights and
tyres and cross the monstrously private transfers, from £2,180,
high dunes in a 4WD. After sand departing May 1, 2017.
boarding and dune bashing, be
66 travelweekly.co.uk 13 October 2016
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