Five Road Trips to take over the National Day Weekend

With the National Day weekend coming up, you will have plenty of time to take a long and adventurous road trip and spend some much needed time with friends and family. We may be living in the desert but there are plenty of places of interest to visit, far away from the concrete jungle. Here are five places that are just a short drive but a world away from the hectic pace of the city:

1. Al Ain (Jabel Hafeet): Practically the whole world will be visiting Jabel Hafeet, but it is still a worthwhile trip to take. The breathtaking view from the top of Jabel Hafeet and the warm springs there are well worth the trip. The Al Ain Zoo and National Park and Wadi Adventure Waterpark are also well worth a visit. Make sure you leave early enough in the morning to avoid the crowds and have enough time to enjoy the attractions.

2. Dibba: With soaring mountings on one side and the beach on the other, the scenery on the drive to Dibba is really spectacular. There are plenty of spots where you can try out your hiking and rock climbing skills. Or you can just choose to relax with a book on the beach.

3. Hatta: Hatta is about two hours away from Dubai. The Hatta heritage village alone is worth the trip. You can see the old watchtower and the restored stone buildings of the old town. Make sure you take your passports along in case you need them at the border checkpoints.

4. Liwa: Going to Liwa is the ultimate desert trip and the best test for your off-road vehicle. You can have plenty of fun on the dunes. The Emirates Auto Museum which has one Mercedes in each color of the rainbow is a must see for gearheads. The Empty Quarter has some of the most impressive dunes in the UAE including the biggest one, Tal Mireb. Liwa Oasis is also rather beautiful.

5. Ras Al Khaimah: Ras Al Khaimah is another place that is only about two hours drive away but offers a wide range of activities for the whole family. Watersports, golf, fishing, horse riding- you name it, they are all available here. The family would enjoy a visit to Iceland Waterpark with its wide range of rides and plenty of scope for fun.