{"id":7080,"date":"2021-02-18T15:59:53","date_gmt":"2021-02-18T14:59:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/?p=7080"},"modified":"2024-06-26T10:59:26","modified_gmt":"2024-06-26T08:59:26","slug":"uae-differently","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/uae-differently\/","title":{"rendered":"The Persian Gulf: 1,001 landscapes"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=\u201d1\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.7.7\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d custom_padding=\u201d0px||0px||false|false\u201d][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u201d4.7.7\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d max_width=\u201d900px\u201d custom_padding=\u201d0px||0px||true|false\u201d][et_pb_column type=\u201d4_4\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.7.4\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.9.2\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d header_2_font=\u201d|300|||||||\u201d header_2_text_color=\u201d#334556\u2033 header_2_font_size=\u201d38px\u201d header_2_line_height=\u201d1.4em\u201d header_3_font=\u201d|600|||||||\u201d header_3_text_color=\u201d#307f90\u2033 header_3_font_size=\u201d26px\u201d custom_padding=\u201d40px||40px||true|\u201d hover_enabled=\u201d0\u2033 sticky_enabled=\u201d0\u2033]<\/p>\n

Between dreamlike deserts, oases and fjords<\/h2>\n
\n

Never-ending skyscrapers, luxury shopping centres and skiing resorts in the middle of the desert\u2026 The\u00a0<\/span>taste for excess in the biggest cities of the Persian Gulf<\/strong>\u00a0needs no introduction. But few travellers know that they can\u00a0<\/span>visit this region differently<\/strong>, where magical moments off the beaten track in the heart of still-untouched natural settings, far from the thronging crowds, await. From Abu Dhabi to the Sultanate of Oman, explore these richly contrasting lands.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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When water springs forth in the desert<\/h3>\n

Located a two-hour drive from the urban centre of Abu Dhabi,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>the Al Ain oasis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site,<\/strong>\u00a0offers an astonishing\u00a0<\/span>immersive experience of ancient Arabia.<\/strong>\u00a0Sprawling over 1,200 hectares, it features a remarkable still-operational traditional irrigation system that makes it possible to cultivate abundance in the middle of the desert. Take a gentle stroll through a forest of 147,000 palm trees, breathe in the scent of fig and orange trees and savour the best dates you will ever taste. Here, people still know how to take their time and honour natural rhythms\u2026 An eco-centre located at the entrance of the oasis explains how everything works to visitors.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Stargazing<\/h3>\n

Located on the edge of the Rub\u2019 al Khali,\u00a0<\/span>the largest desert in the Arabian Peninsula<\/strong>, the\u00a0<\/span>Sharqiya Sands<\/strong>\u00a0in<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Oman<\/strong>\u00a0offer the unparalleled spectacle of a succession of golden dunes extending to infinity. We strongly recommend spending a night here, admiring the colours at twilight and the reflections of the moon on this huge sandy mirror. Many camps offer tents for this purpose, but Desert Night Camp is undoubtedly the most comfortable choice. After a trip in a four-wheel drive vehicle, settle down beneath the huge sky, listen to the silence of the dunes and wait for the stars to appear\u2026 Magical.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Noah\u2019s Ark<\/h3>\n

Established in 1971 by Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the\u00a0<\/span>United Arab Emirates<\/strong>, the\u00a0<\/span>Sir Bani Yas island nature reserve is a protected natural paradise<\/strong>\u00a0that provides refuge for many endangered species. With a surface area of 100 km\u00b2, it offers visitors an unforgettable spectacle watching herds of Arabian oryxes or ostriches spilling over the dunes and frolicking in the shade of palm groves. The many activities on offer include safaris in four-wheel drive vehicles, mountain biking, and even snorkelling among turtles and barracudas. A unique environment for a truly special moment.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Norway of the Middle East<\/h3>\n
\n
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The Norwegian word \u2018fjord\u2019 is perfectly suited to the<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Musandam Peninsula<\/strong>, a spit of land featuring deep coves at the northern tip of the<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Sultanate of Oman<\/strong>. With rocky cliffs and hills, crystal-clear waters and an abundance of marine life originating in the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea, the contrast between the severity of the desert and the welcoming splendour of this turquoise sea is striking. A cruise is still the best way to make the most of this enchanting spectacle.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Storming lunar mountains<\/h3>\n

The contours of the\u00a0<\/span>Arabian Peninsula<\/strong>\u00a0feature some spectacular highlands that are very popular with high-altitude hiking enthusiasts. Trek along the region\u2019s many marked trails, exploring landscapes that are both balmy and austere. The best routes are along the\u00a0<\/span>Al-Hajar Mountains<\/strong>, in\u00a0<\/span>Wadi Monay<\/strong>\u00a0(Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah), or along the border between\u00a0<\/span>Al Ain<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Oman<\/strong>. If you\u2019d prefer a motorised excursion, you can embark on a safari in a four-wheel drive vehicle exploring\u00a0<\/span>the mystical reliefs of Jebel al Harim<\/strong>\u00a0in the north of Oman.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Along the water\u2019s edge<\/h3>\n

The<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Arabian coastline<\/strong>\u00a0offers a host of opportunities for kayaking trips to explore mangroves. Whether in the\u00a0<\/span>Emirates of Ajman<\/strong>\u00a0or Ras Al Khaimah, Dubai, or on the Qatari shores of\u00a0<\/span>Al Thakhira<\/strong>, wildlife enthusiasts will love journeying to the heart of these preserved ecosystems. Keep your eyes peeled for sightings of herons, flamingos, and even the occasional stingray hiding amongst the roots.<\/span><\/p>\n

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A story about the sea\u2026<\/h3>\n

Up until the mid-20th century, the\u00a0<\/span>Arabian Peninsula<\/strong>\u00a0was nothing like today\u2019s futuristic region where skyscrapers jostle with polders. Most of its inhabitants lived modestly from fishing. To discover the traces of this not-so-distant past, the\u00a0<\/span>charming town of Sur<\/strong>\u00a0has an open-air maritime museum where some superb dhows (traditional sailing vessels) are on display. Visiting a pearl farm in\u00a0<\/span>Al Rams<\/strong>, near Abu Dhabi, is also worth the trip. Proof that the maritime traditions of the Arab world are still alive and well in this land of contrasts.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Dreamlike oases<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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The region also features other spectacular oases, including the one in Bahla, which features an ancient fortress and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the one in Liwa with its huge sand dunes, and the one in Al Jahili with its 19th-century buildings.<\/span><\/p>\n

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<\/h3>\n

Photo credit: \u00a9iStock<\/em><\/p>\n

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View cruises<\/p>\n

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Be enchanted by the captivating shores of the Arabian Desert on a PONANT cruise.<\/p>\n

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Never-ending skyscrapers, luxury shopping centres and skiing resorts in the middle of the desert… The taste for excess in the biggest cities of the Persian Gulf needs no introduction. But few travellers know that they can visit this region differently, where magical moments off the beaten track in the heart of still-untouched natural settings, far from the thronging crowds, await. From Abu Dhabi to the Sultanate of Oman, explore these richly contrasting lands.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7083,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"thematique":[1407,1438],"class_list":["post-7080","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-get-inspired","thematique-africa","thematique-natural-wonders"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nTrip to the United Arab Emirates: Exploring The Arabian Peninsula Differently | PONANT Magazine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Explore the Arabian Peninsula differently, far from the usual clich\u00e9s and excess: from Al Ain or the fjords of Musandam to the Sharqiya Sands, Wadi Monay, Ajman and Sur.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/uae-differently\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Trip to the United Arab Emirates: Exploring The Arabian Peninsula Differently | PONANT Magazine\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Explore the Arabian Peninsula differently, far from the usual clich\u00e9s and excess: from Al Ain or the fjords of Musandam to the Sharqiya Sands, Wadi Monay, Ajman and Sur.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/en\/uae-differently\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Magazine de voyage Escales : interviews, inspirations et conseils | Magazine PONANT\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" 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