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Persian Gulf UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman

Al Ain

Al Ain is undoubtedly the greenest and the most unique of all cities in the UAE, in terms of its intriguing mix of lush gardens and historical and traditional attractions.

Al Ain Palace Museum

Also known as Sheikh Zayed Palace Museum, it was once the residence of the UAE’s first president, Sheik Zayed and the birthplace of the current Sheikh Khalifa.

Al Ain Museum

Al Ain Museum adjacent to the old fortress contains fascinating archeological exhibits like gold pendant as well as coin collections, tracing its origin back to the Iron Age and Bronze Age. There is also a restored Grand Hili tomb excavated from Hili Archaeological Park, and an ethnographic section which provides a glance into the region’s traditional lifestyle.

Al Ain Oasis

Mainly a Palm grove we saw the three-tiered agriculture that included ground crops and orchards as well. The Al Shari’a is an open cistern where members of the community took water for themselves and animals whilst socialising with other members of the community.

Al Jahili Fort

Al Jahili is one of the largest forts in the UAE and was built in the 1890s on orders from Zayed The First as the home to members of the Al Nahyan ruling family.

Hot Springs

We made a relaxing halt at therapeutic hot springs at the base of Jebel Hafeet Mountain Jebel Hafeet Mountain We drove up Jebel Hafeet Mountain, which shares its border with Oman to a height of approximately 1220m and enjoyed unequalled views of the Arabian landscape. On the north and east front of the mountain there are 317 tombs dating between 3200 to 2700 BC. There are many circular tombs dating from 3000 BC.