Enjoy a staycation in the emirates

Al Ain

One of the world's greatest driving roads, situated just outside Al Ain, is a must-do for anyone with petrol in their veins. This twisting, testing stretch of tarmac leads 13km from a popular park at the foot of Jebel Hafeet, all the way up to the mountain's summit.

If you're after something a little more green, head into Al Ain itself. Known as the Garden City for its abundant greenery, Al Ain was the traditional retreat for Abu Dhabi residents during the fierce summer heat.

The city boasts a famous oasis, a place of cool, green palm groves watered by a traditional falaj (waterway) irrigation system. An afternoon spent wandering around amidst the trees and greenery will do much to restore your spirits and bring back a sense of peace and calm.

Ras Al Khaimah

Jazirat Al Hamra is a little coastal village that ended up abandoned after the family that predominantly inhabited it moved en masse to Abu Dhabi in search of better jobs. That is how it remains today: old coral-walled houses with henna trees in their central courtyards, all slowly crumbling now and returning to the desert. Remnants of a community frozen in time, it's an eerie place to explore. There's a new Jazirat Al Hamra village beside the main road, the E11 coast road to Ras Al Khaimah. Turn left just before you drive through new Jazirat Al Hamra, drive towards the coast and you'll find the old village on your right.

Hatta

The local summer getaway for Dubai residents is Hatta, the inland oasis town that provides welcome respite during the hot months. Its location, high in the Hajar mountains, means it is always relatively cool, and the surrounding mountains attract significant amounts of rain in winter. Go up and have a look at the modern dam behind the town, then imagine how much rain it would take to fill it.

Hatta's main attraction, though, is not man-made water management, but natural. Find the start of the track on the southern side of the town that leads into the mountains and towards the coast, and you enter a world of rocky roads, tiny hamlets and deep pools. The main road is now tarmaced, making access easier (although less romantic), but it's worth exploring the many side tracks and wadis. Take your passport along - it's possible to drive through into Oman and return by a circular route on the far side of the mountains.

Umm Al Quwain

For a uniquely UAE experience, head for the Flamingo Beach Resort in Umm Al Quwain. To get there, turn left off E11 after Ajman, on to E55 to Umm Al Quwain city. The resort's glass-bottomed boats take groups out as darkness falls to go fishing for local crabs in the mangrove swamps, a process that involves much water and hilarity. Once you've caught your crab (or the experts on board have done so for you), take it back to the boat where it will be barbecued and served up to you for dinner. Details: 06 7650000.

Ajman Museum

Housed within Ajman Fort, this was originally the stronghold of leadership and political power in the emirate, and the first front line of defence. It was a generous gesture by His Highness Shaikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of Supreme Council and Ruler of Ajman, to give this fort to the people of the UAE. He decided to change it into a museum, which houses antique collectables, industrial artefacts and examples of traditional crafts and social life as an enduring record of life in the emirate.

The current building is thought to date back to the late 18th century. Local materials used in the construction include coral and plaster. The roof was made with Aljendel trees brought from East Africa. Today, the museum houses a fascinating and eclectic collection of artifacts that encapsulate the region's amazing history and culture.

Khasab, OmanThe Musandam Peninsula

Khasab is the small town in the Omani enclave that sits at the tip of the emirates promontory into the Straits of Hormuz. You need a passport with a stamped UAE residence visa to cross the border, or you can arrange a visa at the Omani Embassy in Dubai.

Why go to Khasab? Two reasons: the drive up, and a dhow trip at the end. The road up is magnificent, at times hugging the corrugated coastline, at others climbing steeply into the mountains. It is fast, usually well sighted and rarely busy, but be careful, as the police are also aware of how much fun it is to drive. Once there, get on a dhow to go and explore the fantastic fjords and inlets with tiny villages, only ever reached by boat. One feature is Telegraph Island, so-called because in 1886 the British established a telegraph cable link through the Gulf from Bahrain, through here and on to Mumbai (formerly called Bombay). Caretakers were stationed on the island and apparently used to go mad with boredom waiting for the six-month supply ship to arrive.

Abu Dhabi

In a country where almost everybody is passionate about cars, it is worth checking out one of our national treasures, the private car collection of Shaikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan. The museum houses around 200 vehicles with many speciality and military examples on display, and includes a number of Mercedes cars painted in the colours of the rainbow.

Outside you will find the world's largest travel trailer, another travel trailer in the form of a globe, a Lockeed L-1011 jumbo jet and a two-storey-tall Jeep replica. Inside, the star of the show is a replica of a vintage Dodge Powerwagon pick-up truck, only four times larger than the original.

The pyramid-shaped building is located in the secluded desert dunes about an hour's drive south of Abu Dhabi, on the E65 road to Liwa Oasis. Admission is free.

Sharjah

You'll find the Desert Park and Wildlife Centre 28km from the centre of Sharjah, on the E88 road to Al Dhaid. It is home to three different attractions - the Natural History Museum, Arabian Wildlife Centre and a Children's Farm. The museum provides an opportunity to learn about the flora and fauna of the Arabian desert, through a series of five themed areas. The centre is home to more than 100 species of animals, and comprises a reptile and insect house, an aviary, nocturnal houses, viewing area and a section for large predators and monkeys.

The Children's Farm gives children a chance to come into close contact with farm animals. The mostpopular residents are endangered Arabian leopards.

Open every day except Monday. For enquiries call 06 5311999.

Dubai

There's a little piece of history in the heart of Jumeirah, though not many people know where to look. The Jumeirah Archaeological Site is a place that dates back to the 6th century AD. The settlement was once a caravan stop on a route linking what is now known as Iraq and Oman, and is interesting in that it spans the pre-Islamic and Islamic eras. Most of the artifacts that were discovered during the excavation are now on display at Dubai Museum and the Heritage Village. Finds include pottery, tools and coins, and you can still see the stone outlines of early dwelling, a souq and a large stone house.

The site is in Jumeirah 2, two blocks inland away from Jumeirah Beach Park. Access is restricted, but you may apply for a pass from Dubai Museum.