UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

RAS AL-KHAIMAH
Hotels
●Banyan Tree al Wadi – Al Mazraa; 011-971-07-206-7777; banyantree.com/en/al_adi; luxurious, secluded dune-facing rooms; spa.
Sights & Sites
●Dhayah Fort – 5 kms from town; gulfheritage.me/emirates/ras_al_khaimah/dhayah_fort.html; 19^th Century fortress built on 16^th Century foundations; served military purposes; situated on hill top, reached by concrete, winding stairway; wonderful views over coast, date palm gardens, and mountains.
●National Museum of Ras al-Khaimah – Al-Hisn Road; 011-971-07-233-3411; set in imposing, 18^th Century gypsum and stone building, with wonderful wind tower; former Qawassim rulers’ residence (until 1970s); thoughtfully curated collection includes exhibits on archaeology, ethnography, natural history, and Qawassim tribe; highlights include intricately patterned Iron-Age softstone vessels, 18^th Century terracotta urns, and other splendid artefacts from Julfar, UAE’s biggest port from 13-18^th Centuries, and Shamal.
●Sheikh Zayed Mosque – Juma Sheikh Zayed Mosque Street(at Al Nahdah Street); ocean7.com/rak.