Having a whale of a time

Put on your straw hat, slather on the sun cream and head out with our list of things to do over the summer.

Whether it's a day at the water park, a walk in the museum or a trip to the mall, you won't be stuck for ways to keep the family happy this summer.

Most people's fondest memories come from the summer. Whether it be recollections of a lazy afternoon eating ice cream by the pool, or a family holiday in a faraway land, there is something about the summer months that makes people unwind, recuperate and, in turn, experience their happiest times.

The uncomfortable UAE heat causes even the bustling cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai to slow down, as many choose to escape the sun and take a break abroad, with the rest retreating to the great indoors doing everything possible to stay cool.

The fantastic part of living in the UAE is that the summer months are suitably catered for, with a wide range of activities on offer to keep the whole family happy.

Hit the water parks

The summer is the perfect time to head to one of the UAE's water parks. "During the summer periods, not everyone wants to stay outdoors," says Jihane El Fadl, Marketing Manager at Wild Wadi in Dubai. "However Wild Wadi offers the best cool outdoor option, as water throughout the park is temperature controlled, there are a lot of shaded areas and sprinkling fans around the park."

The park offers an abundance of rides that cater to the whole family. Older guests can enjoy the tallest and fastest free-fall speed slide outside America, the Jumeirah Sceirah, while the whole family can try the family ride.

The little ones can play in the Juha's Dhow, which features 100 water games. If you visit Wild Wadi this month and next, you can also enjoy a movie at CineStar for free by adding Dh5 to the regular admission price at the water park. General admission is Dh195, while for children under 1.1 metres it is Dh165.

Dreamland Aqua Park in Umm Al Quwain is also open during the summer. The park features an interactive children's pool with 19 game options for toddlers and children, bumper boats, a wave pool and a family raft ride.

There are also a number of dry attractions, including go karts and a mini pet land. General admission is Dh100, Dh70 for children between four and 11-years-old) and Dh50 for seniors (65 +). Infants under three get in free.

Museum-hopping

The summer months also provide a good opportunity to discover the many museums in the UAE. Sharjah has an abundance of interesting museums, which come under the patronage of the Sharjah Museums Department. These sites cover the arts, Islamic culture and history, heritage and history of Sharjah and the region, archaeology, science, children's learning and natural history.

"Sharjah Museums offer the opportunity for its audience to have fun and learn at the same time," says Fatima Musharbak, Education Officer, Sharjah Museums Department. "Our museums provide exciting activities, located in a different museum each week, which allows the visitor to experience a variety of subjects."

There are 17 museums in total, which offer plenty to explore over the summer. At the Al Mahatta museum you can discover the history of flight at the site of what used to be Sharjah's first airport.

Visitors can see four of the original propeller planes and stand guard in the hangar alongside the original refuelling tanker. Alternatively, you can uncover the stories of Sharjah's very early history at the Sharjah Archaeology Museum through displays of artifacts, coins, pottery and ancient weapons. Visitors can also investigate a dig in process, models of burials, houses and tombs and the first forms of writing in the area.

Science enthusiasts should visit the Sharjah Science Museum, which features an array of exhibits and interactive displays designed to stimulate and inspire the visitor. There are a number of hands-on experiments and illusions exploring colour, aerodynamics, cryogenics and physiology.

At Bait Khalid Bin Ibrahim, visitors can follow the life of an esteemed pearl merchant and his family, who made their home in the heart of Sharjah more than 100 years ago. See a traditional kitchen, typical living areas, rich bridal attire, ornate swords and daggers, baskets made from palm, rosewater containers and a decorative pearl chest.

At all the museums visitors can enjoy a free guided tour on request. There are also weekend family workshops every Saturday during the summer. This Saturday, Hunting at the Stone Age is on at the Archeology Museum. For more information visit www.sharjahmuseums.ae.

The Dubai Museum is also worth a visit this summer. Housed within the restored Al Fahidi fort, the museum offers a diverse collection of exhibits that provide an insight into the rich history and cultural heritage of Dubai and the UAE. Its colourful life-size dioramas vividly depict everyday life in the days before the discovery of oil, while the galleries recreate scenes from the Creek, a traditional Arab house, mosques, date farms, the desert and marine life.

Exploring the UAE

For families who wish to escape the city and explore the UAE, it is worth considering one of the organised tours that are on offer. For Dh185 per person (50 per cent discount for children between 2 and 12), take a tour through the multi-hued desert to the oasis town of Dhaid, and then onto the Hajar mountain range. The tour stops at a traditional marketplace selling local crafts, pottery and carpet, before travelling on through dramatic canyons and wadis. From here, the next stop is Bidiyah mosque, before following the coast through to the town of Khor Fakkan. The last stop is the Bithnah oasis. Lunch by the Indian Ocean in Fujairah is included in the package. The tour is offered by Arabian Adventures.

Alternatively, try the Hatta Trek for Dh355 (Dh285 for children between 3 and 12). The tour starts with a short ride across sandy dunes, which takes you to a Bedouin campsite in the region of Hatta. Here, visitors can enjoy camel riding or simply relax by the Hatta pools.

The tour then continues through the long-winding roads, flanked by stretches of greenery and stops at the heritage village and old fort. A lunch at the scenic Hatta Fort Hotel wraps up a day of fun and adventure. The tour is offered by Net Tours and Travels.

Fun at the malls

It's not only shopping that is on offer at the UAE's malls during the summer, with most offering a fun-packed programme of family activities to keep everyone entertained.

For those with small children it is worth taking a visit to Mercato mall. Here they can enjoy the Fun at the Fair themed decorations, indoor fairgrounds, candy floss and popcorn stands. Tomorrow and Friday, there will be a balloon fiesta at the mall, with a balloon grotto, walk-about balloon characters, balloon sculptures, displays and give-aways, while next Saturday, July 26, Ronald MacDonald will be entertaining the little ones with educational shows.

Until next Wednesday, July 23, youngsters wanting to explore their ability to produce melodic tunes will get a chance at Deira City Centre, where a large, interactive stage is going to be installed to allow them to discover the wonder of music. From July 24 to July 30, elder children can go along to the mall to watch the UAE's top dancers entertain the crowds with their hip-hop freestyle choreography, while photography enthusiasts should drop in from August 12-18 to see an exhibition of the work of some of Dubai's top photojournalists and photographers.

The Mall of the Emirates is also laying out a programme of entertainment this summer.

Those who enjoy a bit of slapstick comedy should catch the airborne antics of the trampolining troupe, Crazy Tramps, who will be at the mall from today until July 25.

From August 10-23, the interactive exhibition It's Just an Illusion will be at the mall. Expect to enter a topsy turvey world that has been set up to play tricks on perception. The interactive exhibition will distort reality and reveal more of how our minds try to interpret the world.

Those living in Ajman can take the children along to City Centre to enjoy a summer workshop on arts and crafts, offering 23 varied activities every Monday and Tuesday from 11am to 3am. From mask and mug-painting, to balloon-twisting and a magical workshop, these activities will help children unleash their creativity.

Take a break: Easy getaways

For those who are thinking about escaping the hustle and bustle of the city for a break, it is not too late to consider packing your passport and traveller's cheques for an impromptu adventure abroad. There is an abundance of last-minute holiday offers to chose from at most major travel agents, from long weekend breaks to two-week getaways.

"Last minute summer getaways are very popular in the UAE,"
says John Felix, Senior Vice-President, Emirates Holidays.

"As the temperatures increase over the summer months people look to cooler climates to escape the heat. Holidays are also an excellent way for families to spend time together because they allow them to share experiences away from the distractions of their everyday lives."

The UAE's prime location means that Africa, Asia and Europe are within easy reach. According to Felix, Malaysia and Thailand are popular with Emirates customers, while other hot locations include India, Greece, Egypt and Sri Lanka.
The following are a selection of some of the current best offers.

Muscat, Oman
Company: Emirates
Price per person on a twin-sharing basis: starting from Dh3,066 per person. Includes four nights stay at the five-star Grand Hyatt and return flights. Daily breakfast, meet and assist on arrival and private car transfers.

Athens, Greece
Company: Emirates
Price per person on a twin-sharing basis: starting from Dh5,015 per person. Includes four nights stay at the five-star Hilton hotel and return flights. Daily breakfast, transfers from the airport to the hotel and vice versa.

Cairo, Egypt
Company: Dnata
Price per person on a double sharing basis: starting from Dh4,040 per person. Includes a four-night stay at the Sofitel Gezirah and return flights. Daily breakfast and return airport transfers.

If you can't get away right now, why not treat yourself to a weekend in a hotel in Dubai?

Stay for three nights or more at Jumeirah Emirates Towers and you can take advantage of great benefits including breakfast at Mosaico or the Club Executive Lounge (depending on room type), complimentary broadband internet, and a day's complimentary beach access at Madinat Jumeirah, including return shuttle transfers, as well as complimentary access to Wild Wadi Water Park as often as you like. The offer is valid until the end of September.

Emaar Hospitality Group in association with Visa International has launched its four-for-three summer offer. Between June 1 and September 30, whether it is a meal, a round of golf, a spa treatment, gym membership or a charter cruise, wherever customers pay with Visa, their fourth guest goes free.

Book a stay of four nights and pay for just three at The Palace, The Old Town; Al Manzil Hotel; Qamardeen Hotel; Nuran Marina Serviced Residences; Nuran Greens Serviced Residences; Arabian Ranches Golf Club and The Montgomerie, Dubai.

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