By Chris Leadbeater
With its sail-shaped hotels and super-sized malls, Dubai has come to dominate tourism to the Middle East. But, there's so much more to the region. The other United Arab Emirates have cottoned on to tourism, while neighbouring Oman is also an appealing option. But what exactly is on offer? And where?
ABU DHABI
Despite the fact that its main city (also Abu Dhabi) is the capital of the United Arab Emirates, there is a definite perception that Abu Dhabi sits in Dubai's shadow. But there are clear signs that the most southerly Emirate is catching up. It has the beaches, such as Al Raha and the malls too. The Marina Mall, with its musical fountains and rainstorms that burst from the ceiling, could have been transposed from Las Vegas, while the Al Wahda Mall is luxury heaven for those who want to stretch the budget. Then there is the grand ambition, notably the under-construction Saadiyat Island - an offshore slice of reclaimed land that will boast outposts of two famous art institutions, the Louvre and the Guggenheim, by 2012. Dubai should be looking over its shoulder.
Stay:The five-star Shangri-La
Qaryat Al Beri sits on a kilometre-long private beach, has four restaurants,
four swimming pools - and even its own 'replica' souk.
RAS AL KHAIMAH
If you want a calmer take on the Gulf experience, the most northerly of the Emirates, Ras Al Khaimah (its name translates roughly as 'The Top Of The Tent', in reference to its position towards the upper tip of the peninsula), feels a very different place to starry-eyed Dubai. Trapped between the Hajar Mountains to the east and the sea to the west, it comes equipped with endless pristine sand dunes which can be explored by camel or four-wheel-drive. But the biggest appeal is its miles of unspoilt beaches.
Stay: The freshly opened Hilton
Ras Al Khaimah Resort & Spa does five-star luxury, as well as three swimming
pools and an enviable position directly on the waterfront.
FUJAIRAH
Huddled away on the eastern edge of the peninsula, on the far side of the spiny ridge of the Hajar Mountains, Fujairah feels almost a world away from glitzy Dubai - even though the distance is little more than 60 miles. This is a small, somewhat isolated enclave (you cannot currently fly into it), also blessed with acre upon acre of sand dunes, where the key attraction is its 50 or so miles of coastline on the Gulf Of Oman. This is not a place to come if you are keen to give your credit card an extensive work-out, although discerning tourists, ideally those prepared to haggle, are advised to try the weekly Friday Market at the inland town of Masafi. It is, though, a little holiday haven for those who want to scuba dive in warm waters, or simply relax on the beach.
Stay: Pitched on the beachfront, the Le
Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort offers PADI open-water diving and even deep-sea
fishing, as well as the usual five-star amenities.
OMAN
Oman is not part of the United Arab Emirates, but its nearest neighbour - and a rising tourist destination in its own right. Twenty years ago this would have been an unthinkable description of a vast country where desert makes up much of the terrain, but Oman has a secret weapon in the form of its 1700 miles of coastline (mainly on the Arabian Sea), and European travellers have begun to pay attention. There are fabulous sheltered coves in Musandam (a triangle of Omani territory cut off from the rest of the country by the UAE) and at the eastern elbow of the shoreline including those around Ras Al Hadd, where turtles lay their eggs. And there are also excellent sandy strips near the capital Muscat - a thriving, surprisingly cosmopolitan city of museums, mosques, markets and inviting eateries that should prove enjoyable for visitors prepared to stray from the comfort of the sun-lounger.
Stay: Try the Chedi
Muscat, a 5V Platinum Collection boutique hotel with a spa and two swimming
pools that sits close enough to Muscat to facilitate evening (or daytime) exploration.
Fancy something more than Dubai? Check out our latest
UAE and Oman offers
Chris Leadbeater is a freelance travel journalist. He writes regularly for the Daily Mail. His favourite destinations are Cuba, the USA and Paris.