Ajman Hotel & Villas by Blazon Hotels, Ajman, UAE

It would be easy to spend all of your time within the luxurious surroundings of your opulent resort, but there’s a great opportunity at hand to see a different side to the United Arab Emirates. Explore the lesser-known emirates of Ajman and Sharjah, which sit side by side facing onto the glittering Arabian Gulf. Ajman has a sweeping corniche lined with traditional shops and restaurants, while outside the city there is a camel racetrack, unspoiled beaches, nature reserves and wetlands areas – perfect for bird watching.

The small but well-connected emirate of Sharjah is a delight: visit the city’s cultural museums, take a stroll along the creek to see the working harbour, shop for gold or souvenirs in the bustling souks, and discover the heritage district to understand life in the third most-populous city in the UAE. You could also make a trip into the desert to explore the mountains and sand dunes on a quad bike or buggy.

For bright lights and a big city feel, Dubai is just 30 minutes’ drive away where there are malls, water parks and exhibitions aplenty, or head to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, which can be reached in under two hours.