It is the sunset camel ride from my luxury Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) hotel that changes my mind about the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a Gulf nation that I had long dismissed as a place of opulence and extravagance.
Having taken advantage of Dubai’s vast gastronomy scene – onto my camel, Omar, he makes not a murmur of complaint. But perhaps that should come as no surprise for camels aren’t quitters and are known for their ability to survive for over a week without water and up to several months without food.
“Yalla” – Arabic for ‘Let’s go’ – shouts the camel guide and Omar rises to his feet in a graceful lurch to start our trek through the Al Wadi desert.
Setting off slowly through the dunes, passing Arabian Oryx and baby gazelle grazing on native ghaf trees, we pause every so often for photographs with a gorgeous Lawrence of Arabia panorama sunset behind – and to sip on cups of steaming qahwa (Arabic coffee), that our guide hands out.
We may only be an hour’s drive away from Dubai, with its sci-fi skyscrapers and super-sized shopping malls, but it seems like a world away in looks and feel. If you like, ‘Real Arabia’.
Show off your skills
Of the seven emirates – Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), Fujairah, and Dubai – it’s the latter that dominates the headlines thanks to its propensity to do things on a grand scale (the record-breaking buildings, designer cars, manmade islands and colossal amusement and
water playgrounds).
But each emirate tells its own story and sometimes a single destination just isn’t enough and there are rewards when combining two.
“A twin-centre trip to the UAE is not only of benefit to customers but also for operators,” says James Golding, Director of Sales at Hayes and Jarvis.
He continues: “Guests get to experience the bustling atmosphere of Dubai before moving on to a more authentic emirate so as to truly get under the skin of the UAE.
“For operators and travel agents, selling twin-centre holidays gives us all a chance to highlight our expertise and service.
“A twin-destination trip is always more complicated for guests than a single-destination package, which means they are less likely to attempt to arrange the trip themselves. This translates into less competition from DIY online bookings, and potentially the opportunity to increase the overall volume of the sale.”
Travel Counsellors’ agent Dean McMackin adds: “The beauty of combining Dubai with another emirate is that it’s so easy for operators and agents to do so, thanks to short distances and excellent transport links.”
Dubai with Fujairah: The laidback emirate
Dubai, or ‘The City of Gold’, invariably tops the itineraries of most visitors to the UAE but if anywhere really demands your clients’ time, it’s Fujairah, a manageable two-hour road trip away.
Situated between the soaring Hajar Mountains and sandy beaches, sleepy Fujairah – the only emirate to be located on the east coast (with its coastline therefore on the Indian Ocean rather than the Gulf) – offers a more relaxed and natural alternative to its brash, bling-bedecked neighbour.
Days can be spent unwinding on golden-white sand, snorkelling, diving, sailing, or fishing. Other highlights of a holiday to Fujairah include a visit to the 16th-century Fujairah Fort, the oldest in the UAE.
Sell it: Tropical Sky has a seven-night Dubai and Fujairah package with two nights at the JA Ocean View Hotel on a B&B-basis and five at the all-inclusive Miramar Al Aqah Beach Resort. It is priced from £1,399pp including flights. Tropicalsky.co.uk
Dubai with Ras Al-Khaimah: The adventurer’s emirate
Tucked away at the northern tip of the UAE lies Ras Al Khaimah, or “RAK” as locals affectionately call it.
Despite being an easy 45-minute drive from Dubai, you won’t find any ultra-modern skyscrapers and malls but you will be struck by RAK’s natural beauty: in a single day, it’s possible to experience mangrove swamps, rugged mountain ranges, expansive desert and beaches.
Adventurous sorts can hike, climb, zipline or abseil the imposing Hajar or Jebel Jais Mountains, or sign up to Bear Grylls Explorers Camp, followed by a camel trek in the desert. Elsewhere, down in the mangrove swamps, kayaking expeditions are on offer and, on the coast, all manner of water-sports await.
Sell it: Best At Travel offers a 10-night Dubai and Desert itinerary. Spend five nights in the UAE’s most famous city staying at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, before escaping to the secluded Ritz Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, both half-board. From £3,199pp including flights. bestattravel.co.uk
Dubai with Sharjah: The cultural emirate
If your clients aren’t sure whether the bright lights of Dubai are for them, suggest twinning the dynamic desert city with the cultural powerhouse of Sharjah.
Just 39km (and less than a 30-minute drive) apart, these adjacent emirates contrast and complement each other perfectly.
If Dubai is obsessed with building the biggest, brashest, fastest, tallest – you get the gist – Sharjah is concentrating on art and culture.
Clients will fall under Sharjah‘s spell when they discover the Rain Room, an innovative immersive artwork where visitors experience a downpour without actually getting wet, restored heritage area, and world-class museums such as the Museum of Islamic Civilization and Sharjah Heritage Museum, which narrate the story of the emirate’s rich history.
Top tip: The third-largest city in the UAE can serve as an understated cultural counterbalance to the hustle and bustle of Dubai. It is a lesser-known emirate that pleasantly surprises, but visitors should keep in mind that Sharjah is stricter than other emirates. For one thing, it’s ‘dry’ – alcohol isn’t available – and both sexes must “cover up” on public beaches.
Dubai with Ajman: The secret emirate
At 260 square kilometres, Ajman is the smallest of the seven emirates, but it still manages to pack a hefty punch.
Tracy Martin, Senior Product Executive at Kuoni, explains: “Ajman has 10 miles of unspoilt white sand coastline, mangroves and turquoise lagoons, an attractive corniche, A spectacular 18-hole golf course and the fantastic Ajman Museum.
“Housed in an 18th-century fort, it’s the oldest building in Ajman and was home, until 1970, to the emirate’s royal family.”
The fact that Ajman is little-known – “most of my clients have never heard of the emirate,” shares McMackin – means that it’s more affordable too. Case in point? A six or seven-night stay in a big-name luxury hotel costs around the same as three or four nights in the emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Top tip: If clients are visiting Ajman during the cooler months (December – March) – which coincides with the camel racing season – treat them to a trip to Al Tallah camel racing course. Watching these ships of the desert race at speeds of up to 60km/h is an exhilarating way to spend a day, while simultaneously tapping into Bedouin Arab culture.
