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Gallery: The best road trips to take in the UAE
Explore some of the UAE’s hidden gems as the cooler months are just around the corner
1. Sharjah: New leisure destination Al Noor Island, located on the Khalid Lagoon in Sharjah, overlooks the city’s skyline. it features lush landscaping with exotic butterflies, artistic sculptures, maze gardens and literary treasures. Built by the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), the island is a unique addition to your regular weekend options. While in Sharjah, visit Souq Al Arsah, one of the UAE’s oldest markets and gathering place for generations of traders.
2. Ajman: Spend some time admiring wildlife at the Al Zorah Nature Reserve, one of the most popular attractions in Ajman, where visitors can appreciate pink flamingos and the mangroves. For food, try the Turkish-influenced cuisine of Sultan Saray, a popular choice among visitors. Ajman’s hidden gem, however, is the inland enclave of Al Manama, where residents and tourists can enjoy a grand mountain backdrop and historic fortresses.
3. Ras Al Khaimah: Visit the UAE’s highest mountain, Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah, for an adrenaline rush while trying out the world’s longest zipline. The attraction is putting the quiet emirate on the global map of active adventure tourism. While you’re there, make sure to stop by Al Fanar Restaurant, an Arabic restaurant serving traditional Emirati cuisine for lunch or dinner. Later, drive to the bay of Dhayah, a fertile area where the people of RAK has once settled. It is the only hillside fort still existing in the UAE, and offers a view of the sea and lush palm gardens.
4. Abu Dhabi: The UAE capital has much to offer, but its must-see destination is the majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, housing white marble walls decorated with colourful stones. Regarded as an architectural wonder of the modern world, it is a key place of worship, but also tourism. The mosque is visible from both bridges that connect Abu Dhabi island to the mainland.
