Fujairah (Dubai), United Arab Emirates

Mountains, beaches & golden dunes

The UAE is a federation of seven separate emirates, each with its own sheikh, and an incredibly diverse population, only 20% of whom are true Emiratis.

Fujairah’s mountainous landscape is a strong contrast to the other emirates, which are primarily blanketed by desert. But distances are short, and rolling golden sand dunes are close enough for an exhilarating off-road journey.

If cliffs and canyons are more your style, travel by 4WD to the Hajar range, along steep and rugged winding tracks, past deep gorges, and along terraced hillsides. Another option? The beaches on Fujairah’s Gulf of Oman coast are among the UAE’s best.