Ras Al Khaimah

The rippling dunes of Ras Al Khaimah’s heart are a classic Arabian landscape, conjuring visions of Lawrence of Arabia, nomadic Bedouin travellers and desert oases shimmering on the horizon. Staying in the middle of this sandy landscape is a true desert adventure and if you stay at the Ritz Carlton Al Wadi Desert, then you’ll be able to do it in style. Each villa has been inspired by its surroundings, either as a stone structure or in the style of a billowing Bedouin tent – with a luxury twist. Daily falconry shows allow you a glimpse of the UAE’s heritage and love for its national bird, while camel riding means you can traverse the dunes in traditional fashion.

Few golf courses can offer as spectacular setting as those found in Ras Al Khaimah, each framed by the magnificent Hajar Mountains and barren desertscapes. With a stay at the Waldorf Astoria, two fine championship courses are on your doorstep in Al Hamra Golf Club and Tower Links Golf Club. With a pair of excellent courses, it would be rude not to pack your clubs!

For a rejuvenating oasis, The Rainforest spa at the Ritz Carlton Al Wadi Desert helps completely refresh you in the middle of the Arabian desert. Combining European hydrothermal culture with bathing rituals from Javanese, Egyptian and Thai traditions, you can really cleanse your body. Each treatment has its surrounding desert landscape in mind, so you can really feel at one with nature.

If Dubai is the UAE’s futuristic heart then Ras Al Khaimah is its centre of adventure. There’s no limit to the ways you can explore the rugged beauty of the Hajar Mountains, with guided walks and cycle routes making the most of the stony paths which web its otherworldly terrain. For those who want something a little more extreme, a via ferrata route navigates the slopes of the country’s highest peak, Jebel Jais, while the mountains zip-line, the world’s longest at nearly two miles, offers a thrilling perspective over the entire range. For family holidays to Ras Al Khaimah, you can go go-karting on the excellent RAK Track or try one of the many water sports you can enjoy on its coastline, including sailing, jet-skiing and wakeboarding.

By car, Ras Al Khaimah is only 90 minutes to the centre of Dubai, so it’s easy to combine the two. Swap the beaches of Ras Al Khaimah for the futuristic skyscrapers of Dubai for an afternoon, taking in the eye-popping views from atop the cloud-baiting Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. You can go shopping or treat the children to the many entertainment options in The Dubai Mall and spend your evenings in one of the many bars and restaurants, before enjoying the spectacular fountain show in Downtown Dubai. Whether it’s just a day or splitting a week between the two, you can easily twin Dubai with Ras Al Khaimah on your holiday.

No vaccinations are currently recommended for Ras Al Khaimah. For current travel health advice, you should seek guidance from your GP at least four to six weeks prior to travel.

The time difference is GMT +3 hours.

There are no direct flights from the UK to Ras Al Khaimah. However, it’s easily reachable via a direct flight to Dubai from London (seven hours) and then a short road transfer, around 90 minutes.

The currency is the United Arab Emirates dirham.

British passport holders need a visa to visit the United Arab Emirates and this is issued free of charge upon arrival.