Access The Emirates

After checking-in to the beachfront Ajman Saray hotel, take some time to explore the hotel and drink in the sea views from your private balcony, a welcome feature of all rooms.

For scenic sundowners, make a beeline for Bab Al Bahr Beach Bar & Grill, then take a table at Safi, the hotel’s seafood spot. Starters and desserts are ordered à la carte, while the mains comprise fresh seafood, priced by weight.

If you’re after a nightcap, return to the terrace at Bab Al Bahr and chill out to the soundtrack of DJ tunes mingled with the sounds of the ocean.

Treat yourself to a leisurely breakfast, before setting off to Ajman Museum. Housed in an 18th-century fort, exhibits range from centuries-old manuscripts and weaponry to funeral jewellery and wooden dhows. 

The trendy Ligma & Yighma café near Ajman University is a great spot for lunch. It serves Emirati dishes and sharing plates, along with wraps, smoothies, coffee, pastries and cakes. 

Next, take a City Sightseeing bus tour around Ajman and neighbouring Sharjah, taking in sights such as the Corniche and Fish Market and Sharjah’s Central Souq. Your ticket is valid for 24 hours and you can hop-on and hop-off as much as you like.

As the sun starts to disappear, take a taxi to the stunning Sheikh Rashed Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi Mosque on Al Zahir Street to photograph one of the city’s most prominent landmarks.

Finish your day with dinner in your hotel or at one of family-friendly restaurants lining the Corniche.

Today, you’re off to Dubai, the record-breaking emirate that lies 40 kilometres southwest of Ajman. Many hotels offer a free shuttle bus service, or there’s a shuttle included with the 48-hour City Sightseeing ticket that departs from Sharjah.

Home to more than 1,200 stores, you could easily spend days in The Dubai Mall. Plan ahead and consult the maps so you know what you want to buy and where to find it.

For an unforgettable experience, book a table for afternoon tea at SkyView on the top floor of the iconic Burj Al Arab. Choose from 50 types of teas, or plump for a glass of bubbles on the side, and indulge in a seemingly endless supply of sandwiches, pastries and cakes.

Then take a taxi to Souk Al Bahar, the waterfront dining and entertainment complex overlooking the Dubai Fountain at the foot of the Burj Khalifa. The spectacle takes place every half hour from 6pm until 11pm. Most restaurant terraces offer great views but the food at Thiptara and Rivington Grill stands out.

Climb aboard the shuttle bus for the short journey back to Ajman, where you’re bound to sleep well after such as busy day.

The seaside capital of Abu Dhabi is today’s destination, located around 200 kilometres southwest of Ajman.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the emirate’s most popular tourist attraction, is your first stop. Completed in 2007 and named for the late founder of the UAE, the majestic mosque blends Arabic, Mughal and Moorish architecture and can accommodate up to 41,000 worshippers.

Jump in a taxi to Etihad Towers at the west end of the Corniche and take an elevator to the 74th floor, where the Observation Deck at 300 is the highest vantage point in Abu Dhabi. On the menu are salads, sandwiches, quiches and cakes. 

Cross the Corniche and take a moment to marvel at Emirates Palace, the landmark luxury hotel. Wander up the grand entrance and spend an hour or so exploring the lavish interiors and landscaped gardens.

End your evening with dinner at one of the 25 restaurants on Saadiyat Island, a seven-minute cab ride from downtown Abu Dhabi, before making your way back to Ajman.

Located in the plains at the foothills of the Hajar Mountains an hour's drive east of Ajman city, Manama makes a pleasant day trip.

Make Al Manama Museum your first stop. Housed in a converted 20^th-century fort, it has a collection of weaponry, Bedouin jewellery and handicrafts. History buffs should seek out the Hassa Buweid Castle and Red Fort too.

Then take the Dibba-Masafi Road, or alternatively the E18/E87, to the coast of Fujairah. Pull up a beachfront table at Grand Bleu at Radisson Blu Resort and feast on fresh seafood or gourmet burgers.

Head 20-kilometres down the coast to Snoopy Island, a rocky outcrop a few hundred metres offshore from Sandy Beach Hotel. Hire snorkeling gear from the hotel and spend an hour or so exploring the reef, which is home to colourful fish, rays and turtles. 

Drive back to Ajman and have a light dinner or snack in your hotel, before heading to bed.

It’s nearly time to head home, but you can still make the most of your last day in Ajman by sunbathing by the pool before you check-out.