Ras Al-Khaimah: Not your typical Emirate, not your typical weekend

Ras Al-Khaimah, one of the UAE seven emirates, has always been keen on positioning itself differently from the country’s tourism magnet, Dubai. Shopping might not be the reason why you are here, but certainly there are a whole lot of other reasons why you should not miss out on Ras Al-Khaimah, even if it is just for the weekend. Ras Al-Khaimah, or RAK as it is often nicknamed, comes with a diverse array of attractions that leaves its visitors, regardless of their interests, satisfied. It is the northern most emirate of the UAE and it has some of the country’s most fertile lands. No wonder human settlement in RAK goes as back as the third millennium BC. For a glimpse of how of our ancestors lived back then and the tools they used in their day-to-day affairs, visit the National Museum of Ras Al-Khaimah located in RAK City. Next in line, and located just a stone’s throw away from RAK City, is the Dhayah Fort. Sitting on a hilltop, Dhayah Fort was built for pure militaristic purposes. It had witnessed the last chapter of hostilities that took place between 1797 and 1819, which saw colonial Britain and the local tribes fiercely fighting over control of the Arabian Gulf. The fort you see today was built sometime during the 19th century on the ruins of a 16th century structure. The fort was painstakingly restored in 2001. There is a staircase that takes you all the way to the top where you will be rewarded by panoramic views of the coast. The cost, as well as the hinterland, is peppered with a number of lookout towers. They mostly date back to the 19th century when they were used for protection against foreign invasions as well as in inter-tribal warfare. With all the hostilities long gone, the lookout towers are rather redundant now. Nonetheless, they have turned into a local symbol that has been adapted by the authorities in various fields — even the local car plates have a lookout tower on them. If you are not that into history and prefer a more relaxing type of vacation, RAK comes with some of the region’s most beautiful beaches where stretches of white sand make up for some perfect lounging grounds. Spend the day chilling out with an icy cocktail in hand followed by a late afternoon smooth catamaran sail. Sailing is not the only water activity available, however, as windsurfing, snorkeling and diving are also available. Your visit to RAK is deemed incomplete, however, until you venture out into the desert, and there is no better way to experience the desert but with Banyan Tree Al Wadi. The over the top resort inspired its theme from the surrounding local environment, adapting light beige colors, Arabic style decorations and tent-shaped villas. Banyan Tree offers no rooms, but rather a limited number of villas that come in four different categories. Al Sahari Tented Pool Villa is the ultimate choice if you are looking for a personified romantic experience where each villa has its own private pool and comes surrounded by sand dunes. Sand dunes replace walls, giving the villa, and its residents, the seclusion they are looking for while still blending in with nature. Privacy is a key component in Banyan Tree Al Wadi’s philosophy and they continuously strive to add new and different aspects to it. In addition, a new private butler service has been recently launched. Banyan Tree Al Wadi is a destination on its own with a number of recreational experiences to enjoy. Go for a horseback riding experience at dusk, or sit back and watch the falconry show. Book a Rainforest experience where you can give your body a well-deserved treat while enjoying the various types of shower, steam and sauna offered. The Rainforest also comes with a state-of-the-art vitality pool. The cherry on top is the Asian-inspired hydrotherapy spa facilities the Banyan Tree chain is famous for. Indulge in any of a wide variety of head to toe treatments and holistic therapies that range from anti-aging facial treatments to Hawaiian Lomi Lomi full body messages. Whether you are into history and culture, looking for a beach vacation or up for an unprecedented luxurious experience right in the heart of the desert, RAK has it all. Enjoy your unexpected weekend in unexpected Ras Al-Khaimah.          How to get there? No need to worry about connection flights, as RAK Airways has a direct flight (four times a week) connecting Ras Al-Khaimah to Jeddah: www.rakairways.com Where to stay? Banyan Tree Al Wadi is your ultimate choice for a sensational desert experience. It also has a rather limited beach facility should you feel like taking a plunge into the blue water of the Arabian Gulf. Shuttle bus service is provided. Banyan Tree Al Wadi: www.banyantree.com/en/al_wadi, Tel: +971 7 206 7777