Holidays in Ras Al Khaimah

When is a Bedouin tent not a Bedouin tent? When it’s a 5-star hotel with all the trimmings, including hot-tubs and a la carte restaurants. Expect tip-top service at The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert, with an extra helping of eco-friendliness too. Arabian Gazelles and Onyxes wander freely around the nature reserve (and camels, of course). Chill out in the spa, or take the kids to say hello to them.

All-inclusive resorts in Ras al Khaimah take care of everything (including the kids) so you can get on with enjoying yourself. Sprinkle a little extra magic on top of your break by staying at the Rixos Bab Al Bahr. Make the most of this premium hotel’s ultra all-inclusive offers, with every kind of food, drink and on-site entertainment you can think of all rolled into one.

For a touch of extra indulgence, opt for one of the 5-star hotels we have on offer. Be treated like royalty at the uber-glam Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah. With a private beachfront, you’re sure to feel like a VIP.

Ras al Khaimah resort holidays don’t get much better than a stay at The Cove Rotana Resort. Low-rise buildings in traditional style will make you feel like a local, not a tourist. A very pampered local, granted, what with the spa, wellness centre, and family-friendly facilities.

You’ll also find Ras al Khaimah hotels that partner with adventure tours - perfect for keen dune bashers and water lovers (seriously, the diving here is epic).

Ras al Khaimah holidays are a chance to go all Indiana Jones or Lara Croft, and hit the history trails. There may not be any Temples of Doom here, but there are some top spots that haven’t been trampled over by hordes of tourists. Hordes of ancient invading armies, maybe, but not tourists.

• Shimal – With tombs dating back to 2,600BC (don’t get too excited, they’ve already been raided and the shiny stuff’s all been nabbed), this ancient site gives you a glimpse into the Arabian Gulf’s past.
• Falaya Fort – the former playground of sheikhs, it’s a top spot for sunset selfies.
• A wad of Wadis – the Southern Wadis, including Asimah, Daftah, Munay’i, Shawka, Qawr, and Wadi Safarfir, are almost completely unexplored and full of ancient bits and pieces. Pack plenty of water, a bullwhip, and a treasure map.

• Diving – Ras al Khaimah is a flipper flapper’s paradise. Crystal-clear, warm water, reefs filled with fish, and great guides who’ll take you out to the best spots. If you’re new to diving then there are PADI-approved dive centres along the coast, where you can get your open water certificate.
• Dune Bashing – Back on dry land you’ve got a desert landscape to explore in a 4x4. Discover the thrills of ‘dune bashing’ and imagine you’re at the front of the pack on the Paris/Dak.
• Mountain madness – Head up into the mountains for some seriously challenging hikes and climbs.
• Fore! – If you’re a golfer then there are two clubs to choose from, both of which have excellent greens. Tower Links is an 18-hole course, while the Al Hamra Golf Club offers a shorter 9-hole course.

Grab a jeep and get ready to go exploring. You’ve got plenty of opportunity to travel around the country and even hop over into Oman if you want (just remember you’ll need to pack your passport). Or why not go on a road trip all the way down the coast, and check out Abu Dhabi while you’re here?

Car hire is plentiful throughout the Emirates. Expect to pay around 150dhs/day for a small car, and slightly more for a jeep.

Emirati food isn’t a distinct group but is more of a mash-up of several different influences from around the world. Alongside classical Arabic fare, you’ll find:

• A mix-up of mezze – Lebanese food is very hot (as in popular, although there’s quite a few spices in there too) so look out for mezze dishes, especially falafel, kebabs and mutabal.
• Asian – The large Indian population brings spicy Asian cuisine into the mix, so be sure to try some of the many excellent Indian restaurants.
• Vegetarian and Vegan – Vegetarian food is very popular (and bang on trend in the Emirates at the moment), so if you prefer your meals meat-free then you’re well catered for.
• Alcohol – In this Emirate state alcohol is freely available in nearly all resorts and hotels, and you don’t need a licence to buy it, either.

• Jog on - Fancy doing a desert marathon (well, okay, half-marathon)? The annual Ras al Khaimah Half Marathon first strapped on its running shoes in 2007, and is now one of the most popular (and hottest) trots around the block in the region. This is no fun run, either - it attracts top athletes and has a world record or two to its name.
• Get your motor running – Held in December/January, the UAE Awafi Festival pits the best dune bashers against one another in a three-week onslaught across the desert. In between watching the races, you can wander around heritage villages, take the kids camel racing, or get dragged into the occasional traditional folk dance or two.

You’ll rarely see any rain in this part of the UAE, but what you will have is wall-to-wall sunshine all year round. This is a desert country, so expect desert temperatures.

• May–September – The hottest months when the mercury can blast all the way up to 47°C, with average daytime temperatures of between 38 and 42°C.
• October–February – if you prefer things a little cooler than look for holiday options during the winter months, when temperatures are a much more manageable 23-27°C. A December average of around 20°C makes this a great destination if you want to escape the winter blues back home.
• March–April – Still bearable, with temperatures around the 23-29°C mark. This is also the rainy season, with a massive 4 days per month where you might get slightly damp.