Ras al-Khaimah, Middle East

We think the lesser known emirate of Ras al-Khaimah is an undiscovered gem; enjoy the warm climate, beautiful beaches and desert panoramas of the region, but without the Dubai price-tag. It's the perfect backdrop for a relaxing break in the sun and most visitors to tend to stay in resort, lured by the incredibly good rates, top-class acccommodation and the fact that the emirate's best cafes and restaurants are almost all hotel-based. Not surprisingly you can expect the kind of service which includes service to your sunlounger, giving you every excuse to lie back and re-charge those batteries. For a little extra pampering, most hotels feature fabulous spas, with many tempting treatments. 

Families appreciate the multiple dining options, free kids clubs and the inevitable string of swimming pools, whether you\'re travelling with tots who just want a bit of a splash around to club swimmers looking to get in some laps.

For a dose of culture or adventure, there are many tours available, including desert immersion and adventure - camel safari anyone?, quad-biking, dune bashing, falconry shows and an array of watersports to please even the most demanding aficionado.