Dubai

If there is one thing you cannot miss it's an Arabian Adventures desert safari. Take a back seat (unless, of course, you prefer to sit at the front of your 4x4), strap in and hold on tight as an experienced driver takes on the rolling dunes, teetering on the edge of seemingly sheer drops, before dipping down sandy slopes and back up again. There are a couple of stops for photos before you're safely whisked away to a traditional-style Bedouin camp, where a sumptuous Arabic buffet awaits.

Some of Dubai's most luxurious hotels are located in the desert. Get a taste of old Arabia at Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa, just half an hour from the city centre. Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve takes glamping to another level, with luxury tented-style villas that feature private infinity pools. Desert stays offer activities like safaris through the dunes, archery, wildlife experiences and more.

There are a few cities in the world that have both the desert and beach right on their doorstep. To Dubai's advantage, the azure coastline and sun-burnt dunes are only about an hour's drive apart, meaning you can surf in the morning and sand board in the afternoon. The most common desert activity is a safari, which often includes off-roading, camel rides and a taste of Emirati cuisine. Other activities include stargazing, falconry experiences, sandboarding and camping or glamping.

Head out to the Al Marmoom Camel Race Track for a modern-day take on the traditional Emirati sport of camel racing. The excitement is contagious and something you must see to believe as the camels race down the track towards the finish line. The season runs from October to April, with weekend races taking place early in the morning from 6:30am to 9am.

There are many ways to dine in the desert. Heritage dinner safaris teach you how to cook a local dish, while desert safaris offer off-roading followed by a barbecue meal at a desert camp. For comfy views of the desert, upscale resorts feature live cooking stations, wood-fired ovens and traditional majlis-style seating. Try luxurious Bedouin camping and spend the night with dinner, a hot breakfast and a drive to see the local wildlife at dawn.

Covering 225 square kilometres, the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR) is one of the largest areas to be declared as a protected nature reserve in the country. Guided wildlife tours are available, but all activities are carefully organised to ensure that local flora and fauna continue to thrive. The unfenced Al Marmoom Conservation Reserve, which spans 10 percent of the emirate’s total area, is another exciting endeavour.