یک آخر هفته در راس‌الخیمه

An hour north of Dubai the coastline empties out. The beaches are wider, the lagoons stay warm into December, and a Friday night costs what a Tuesday costs on the Palm.

Al Marjan Island is the obvious base — a chain of reclaimed islands with resorts wrapped around swimmable lagoons. Al Hamra, ten minutes south, is quieter still: courtyard hotels, a marina, and villages of villas among date palms.

Go inland on the second morning. Jebel Jais climbs to nearly two thousand metres and the temperature drops with every hairpin; the road itself is the attraction. Be back at the coast by four.

It is a two-night emirate. Any longer and you will start wishing for a city.