Although travel is greatly restricted around the world, it does not mean we can’t plan for the future. With this in mind, we’re taking a look at Ras Al Khaimah in the Emirates, revealing some things you probably didn’t know about this spectacular part of the world.
Juxtaposed between the Hajar Mountains and the Arabian Gulf, Ras Al Khaimah remains a hidden gem, despite its accessible location just 45 minutes from Dubai International Airport. Unspoilt, crowd-free and full of surprises, Ras Al Khaimah, is the ultimate dream destination for a desert escape in the UAE. Check out this list of 10 things you didn’t know about Ras Al Khaimah that eager travellers can use to start planning their next trip…
1. The name Ras Al Khaimah translates as ‘top of the tent’, referring to its location in the northernmost part of the UAE
2. There are 18 historic fortifications, castles and towers still standing in Ras Al Khaimah, including the iconic 18th-century Dhayah Fort
3. The Emirate is home to the highest mountain in the UAE, Jebal Jais – standing tall at 1,910m
4. Ras Al Khaimah is an adventure capital, with adrenaline highlights including the Jebel Jais Flight – the world’s longest zipline at 2.83km long, the Jais Sky Tour – a series of zip lines ranging from 337m to just over 1km and the Jais Sky Maze – obstacles including rope swings, wobbly bridges and swinging loops positioned 10m above the ground. The Emirate is also home to an array of beach water sports and mangrove kayaking
5. The Bear Grylls Survival Academy is coming to the Emirate. Visitors can learn the tricks to Bear Grylls survival, with the Academy scheduled to open in Ras Al Khaimah at the end of 2020. The Academy on Jebel Jais will offer participants a wide selection of courses suitable for individuals of all ages and fitness levels. The courses include half-day (five to six hours), 24 and 48-hour courses designed for families and adults
6. The Emirate showcases five-star luxury at four-star prices and is home to two luxury Ritz-Carlton properties: The Ritz-Carlton Ras al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert and The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach
7. Falconry is an ancient tradition of the Bedouins and an indispensable tool for hunting in the tough conditions of the desert. Today, visitors can witness a unique falcon show at many of Ras Al Khaimah’s resorts, including The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert, which houses the region’s most diverse and interactive displays of falcons, hawks, kestrels, owls and eagles
8. The Middle East is famous for its dates, and the fruit is grown extensively all around Ras Al Khaimah. The best way to take in the Middle Eastern culture is by tasting them fresh from the farm, with Ras Al Khaimah showcasing the top 10 date farms in the UAE and offering 18 different types of dates to choose from
9. Ras Al Khaimah is known for its traditional Arabian cuisine, with travellers able to dig into local flavours at Al Fanar, known for its machboos (a casserole of meat or fish, rice and onions cooked in spicy sauce) and its seafood dishes such as saloona Samak (a stew of fish in a tomato and tamarind sauce)
10. The Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah is home to Suwaidi Pearl Farm, owned by Abdullah Al Suwaidi, the grandson of one of the UAE’s last remaining pearl divers. It is the only pearl farm in the UAE that provides locally sourced pearls to jewellers around the world. The farm tour takes you on a 6,000-year journey through the history of Arabian pearl diving, to the days when divers would wear tortoiseshell nose-clips and had heavy rocks fastened to one ankle. Tour participants can select an oyster from a tank; maybe, if you’re lucky, yours will produce a pearl.
For more information, please visit visitrasalkhaimah.com.
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