DESTINATIONS RAS AL KHAIMAH | MIDDLE EAST TRIED & TESTED
Mövenpick Resort
AL MARJAN ISLAND
The Mövenpick has plenty of standout features – 300 metres of white-sand beach, the only rooftop bar in RAK, a chocolate fountain and, during Ramadan, a nightly iftar buffet (fast- breaking meal) accompanied by traditional music. There are 305 standard
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Falconry show; Ras Al Khaimah has 40 miles of beachfront; Jais Ropes Course; boat trip with Suwaidi Pearls PICTURE: Nicolas Dumont
Mountains,” says our pilot, Kevin Pilgrim of local operator Action Flight, before releasing another blast of fiery gas. He points out Al Marjan and The Ritz-Carlton’s nature reserve, and after an hour peacefully floating across the expanse of desert below, we come to a smooth stop on the sand. “Up on that hill, you’ll see a
group of camels have come to say ‘hello’,” quips Kevin. Nature, it seems, is never far away in RAK.
PEARLY GREATS While thrill-seeking activities are part of the appeal, there’s also a cultural legacy to discover. Before oil was discovered, the pearl trade was a prime source of income, and some of the world’s most-prized pearls were discovered here. Nowadays, those roots
are championed by Abdulla Al Suwaidi, a charismatic pearl
diver who runs Suwaidi Pearls – a shop, educational centre and pearl farm near state capital RAK City. Guests can take a trip on a
traditional dhow boat through mangroves and past flocks of flamingos to a pontoon where they learn about the global history of pearls, how farming methods have developed and how oysters are crucial for the environment. “Strong ethics and community work have led to this industry surviving for so long,” Abdulla tells us, after demonstrating the traditional diving technique that uses nothing more than rocks, rope and a turtleshell nose clip. “We believe the pearl can be the gem of the future. But we also need to change our attitudes, as we are destroying our oceans. We need oysters, because they were created to help the environment – they clean the water.”
ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS Oysters aren’t the only species to be seen here. The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert, organises game drives from its wildlife reserve to spot oryx, antelopes, camels and lizards. There are also falconry
demonstrations, where expert handlers explain the role of these majestic birds in Emirati culture – nomadic people have used them to hunt for centuries – and how birds of prey are important in maintaining the balance of the region’s ecosystems. That concept of balance
runs through Ras Al Khaimah – whether lazing on a white-sand beach, looking at the ocean after learning about its pearly riches, hiking in the mountains or settling down with a well-earned drink after hurtling Superman-style through the sky.
TW
rooms with sea or pool views, 78 family rooms sleeping up to four, 21 suites and 14 beachside chalets with private pools. Dining options include the Beach House (Tex-Mex cuisine), Ula (Mediterranean), Boons (brasserie) and The Market buffet restaurant. For families, there is a kids’
club and a range of watersports (charges apply). RAK City is a 30-minute drive, while central Dubai is just over an hour away.
BOOK IT
Gold Medal offers seven nights’ half-board in a Deluxe Island Sea View Room at the Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island from £1,239 per person. The price includes Emirates flights from Stansted to Dubai, flying on January 16, 2024.
goldmedal.co.uk
travelweekly.co.uk 7 DECEMBER 2023 49
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