ROMANTIC RIDES
FACT’s Favourites: Romantic Road Trips For a unique treat for your significant other, why not organise a romantic road trip to somewhere scenic? There are a surprising number of options in the UAE, so here are three of our favourites…
At this time of year, when the weather is beautiful, there are few better experiences to be had in the UAE than a laid-back road trip with a loved one. The Gulf has some of the most spectacular coastline and starkly beautiful desert landscapes in the world. The following are three of our picks for romantic road trips this February…
A Desert Journey to Qasr Al Sarab
If you’ve ever questioned the fact that a desert can be beautiful, then Liwa is something that you need to experience at least once in your life. A drive through the desert to the Anantara Qasr Al Sarab will take you through some of the most spectacular desert scenery in the world. Towering orange dunes up to 100m high roll off into the distance as far as the eye can see, and if you’re driving in the afternoon, you can watch the many different hues of copper and red change colour on the sand as the sun moves across the sky. The hotel itself is a hugely romantic spot, with every room and venue in the resort looking across a beautiful desert valley, and many places to take a stroll under the stars at night before a nice al fresco dinner in the cool desert breeze.
A Sunset Drive up Jebel Hafeet
Head out towards Al Ain, and there’s a spectacular surprise in store for you. Touted by many as one of the best driving roads in the world, the Jebel Hafeet road snakes its way through sixty tight bends along an 11.3km 82
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route rises, no less than, 4000ft up the mountain range. At the summit there’s a scenic public viewing area with almost 360-degree views of Al Ain on one side, and the desert on the other. However, before the sun sets, you might want to check out the hotel nearby. The Mercure Grand at the summit of the mountain is a decent four star… from the 1980s! While the resort looks pretty dated in comparison to the many stunning hotels to be found in other parts of the UAE these days, there is a café on a lookout point near the pool area which is a spectacular place to sit and watch the sunset a thousand feet above the desert - beautiful!
A Coastal Cruise to Musandam
The closest thing you’ll get to the Pacific Coast Highway, the stunning Khasab road winds its way along the northern coast of Musandam between the towering mountains and cliffs on one side, and the azure waters of the Arabian Gulf on the other. Bear in mind, you will be crossing into Omani territory, so bring your passport and necessary travel documents. You will also need to insure your car for Oman, but this can be done at the border for a minimal cost. Once out there, we recommend staying at the Atana Musandam Resort – it’s rustic, but clean and comfortable, and a number of excellent excursions can be arranged from there. Highly recommended is a dhow cruise around Musandam’s fjords – it’s some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the whole region.