01
Ritz-Carlton Al Wadi Desert
The highlight of the trip. A huge desert resort where bikes are the best way to get around and wildlife can appear almost anywhere among the trees and scrub.
OUR DUBAI
More than the city.
We've been to Dubai a few times, but one of our favourite trips took us beyond the city to Ras Al Khaimah. The Ritz-Carlton Al Wadi Desert felt like a completely different side of the UAE — a huge desert resort where we could slow down, explore by bike and spend time outdoors.
We bumped into animals as we cycled around the property, while the kids flew owls and birds of prey. We also headed out into the desert on quads and buggies, which gave us a very different perspective on the country.
Back in Dubai, we stayed at Atlantis, where I dived in the aquarium, and at the One&Only Royal Mirage. Together, the two sides of the trip gave us the Dubai we know alongside a quieter, more adventurous UAE beyond the city.
FROM OUR CAMERA
Dubai, as we see it.
BEST TIME
Winter months
The cooler months are ideal for enjoying Dubai and, particularly, spending time outside in the desert.
THE CITY
Bigger than life
Dubai is all scale, energy and extraordinary hotels. It's a city that can be as relaxed or as full-on as you want it to be.
GETTING OUT
Ras Al Khaimah
Heading north takes you away from the intensity of Dubai and into a quieter landscape of desert, wildlife and open space.
OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
Places we loved.
02
Atlantis
One of Dubai's most recognisable hotels and a memorable place to stay with the family. I also took the opportunity to dive in the aquarium.
03
One&Only Royal Mirage
A completely different side of Dubai — elegant, beautifully landscaped and much more relaxed in feel.
04
Birds of prey
One of the experiences the kids remember most. Flying owls and birds of prey in the desert was a great way to experience the landscape beyond the resort.
05
Quads & buggies
Getting out into the desert on quads and buggies was another highlight and a complete change of pace from the city.
06
Explore by bike
At Al Wadi, cycling around the property became part of the experience itself. It was one of the easiest ways to discover the resort and its wildlife.
FROM THE JOURNAL
Beyond the skyline.
Dubai is one of those places that can easily become about the skyline. Huge hotels, enormous shopping centres, beaches and a city that seems determined to keep getting bigger.
But our favourite part of this trip came when we left it behind.
At the Ritz-Carlton Al Wadi Desert, the pace changed. We moved around the resort on bikes, stopping to watch animals, while the kids spent time flying owls and birds of prey. Then we headed into the desert on quads and buggies.
It reminded us that there is another side to the UAE — quieter, wilder and much closer to the landscape itself.
MORE FROM OUR CAMERA
Beyond the city.
