Tag Archives: Dubai

Mughaibar fort hatta- The secret farmhouse!

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Mughaibar fort in Hatta, a secret farmhouse that no one tells you about! It is a secret fort cum farmhouse that is nestled in the Hajar mountains amidst lush greenery that will soothe your senses and help you unwind. In this post read everything you need to know about this secret farmhouse in Hatta that has been beautifully renovated and has now opened its doors for the public.

Mughaibar Fort Hatta
Mughaibar fort Hatta

About 2 hrs drive from Dubai International Airport Hatta is the perfect choice for anyone looking for a quick escape from the hustle-bustle of city life.

Mughaibar Fort Hatta-

Mughaibar fort in Hatta is a beautiful farmhouse that’s surrounded by rich gardens overlooking the mountains. Recent renovations mean this fort is an ideal union of royal fort vibes blended with a modern twist. There is a private pool, kitchen, dining area, barbecue pits, a small animal farm, making it the perfect choice for anyone planning an escapade or even a big family get-together. Keeping in mind that the property is pretty huge, ‘the more, the merrier.’ is the mantra for this place! 

It’s also a great pick for families with children, there’s a kid’s pool, there are animals that you can pet and there’s also plenty of place for kids to just run around! It is good for small as well as big groups, each bedroom comes with a separate washroom, there is also a kitchen with basic amenities. 

The place is impeccably clean and well maintained, few areas are still under maintenance. If you are visiting with kids, please ensure that you do not let them unsupervised.

A bit about Hatta

Hatta is a town in the United Arab Emirates that comes under the emirates of Dubai. It is located in the foothills of the Hajar Mountains. It is separated from the main part of the emirate by territory belonging to Sharjah and Oman. Hatta is best known as a heritage village. Less than a two-hour drive from Dubai, it’s the favourite pick for a weekend escape and close enough for a mini-daycation. In winter, Hatta is the go-to spot for hiking, kayaking, biking and other such adventure activities, while in summer it’s worth a visit for its cooler temperature.

Far away from the hustle-bustle of city life

How far is it?

It is roughly 2 hrs drive from Dubai, you might want to keep some water, food, etc for your drive as there are a limited number of shops, etc. on the way. The drive is beautiful and Mughaibar fort is easily reachable even by a sedan.

Things to keep in mind

  • Do not miss the terrace from Mughaibar Fort Hatta, it is an enchanting sight!
  • ThoDo not miss the terrace from Mughaibar Fort Hatta, it is an enchanting sight!
  • Though the place has a couple of grocery stores they have limited options available, so try to carry everything that you might need during your stay.
  • Mughaibar Fort provides almost all the basic amenities (toiletries, towels, cooking utensils, barbecue items but remember to carry extra coal, wood, food items, etc.)
  • The place can get a bit cold at night so prepare accordingly.
  • Carry water, snacks, etc as the nearest grocery store is around 10 min drive from the farm.
  • The place is exquisite, do not litter, do not damage the property, try to leave it better than you found it.
  • The service staff is there at the property, it would be nice to tip them if you can.
  • Be mindful of your surrounding, do not play loud music after 10 pm..
A taste of Royalty!

My experience

The place looks straight out of some fantasy land! Great attention has been paid to the details and great care has been taken to maintain the place. The fort will give you a taste of living like royalty and it is insanely peaceful. As not many people know about it yet, Mughaibar Fort Hatta should be on your list if you have a thing for hidden gems and lesser-known places. The place has an excellent team that lives right next to the property and is always ready to assist you. From serving fresh dates from the farm to getting extra water bottles, from helping us to find nearby restaurants to tell us about the story of the fort, the staff ensured that we had a memorable stay. The sunrise from the terrace is surreal and shouldn’t be missed!

How to book?

You can book or enquire by sending them a direct message on their Instagram page.

Hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it, do not miss more travel related hidden gems here, also let’s stay in touch and connect on Instagram, Twitter, Youtube and TikTok.

Top 40 things to do in Dubai

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Dubai is the United Arab Emirates’ holiday hot spot. The city of gold and high-rises and shopping malls has transformed itself into one of the best tourist spots in the world. Whether your idea of fun is jumping out of a plane or watching the city’s charismatic fountains gush 500 feet in the air, almost anything is possible in this city. I love to travel and experience new things, it has been more than 5 years since I’ve moved to this city and not even a single week has passed when I told myself there is nothing to do in here! There is so much to do and so many things to see that it is impossible to cover everything but there are a few things/places that you shouldn’t miss when you are here. Read on to know about the best things to do in this city.

Best Things to do in Dubai

There are so many marvelous things to do and places to visit in Dubai – from indoor theme parks to amazing restaurants, from desert escapes to pristine beaches that sometimes it can get a bit overwhelming while trying to decide what to do. To make sure you have a handy list whenever someone asks you about the most enjoyable things to do in Dubai in 2021, I have made a ready-to-use list for you!

Best Things to do in Dubai

Best Things to do in Dubai:

  1. Visit Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the Aquarium
  2. Go for Desert Safari
  3. Visit Burj Al Arab and Wild Wadi waterpark
  4. Souk Madinat Jumeirah
  5. Go for Sky diving 
  6. Explore Palm Jumeirah, Aquaventure waterpark and Lost Chambers
  7. Helicopter ride
  8. Sightseeing tour (Hop on and Hop-off Bus tour)
  9. Visit La Mer and Laguna waterpark
  10. Queen Elizabeth 2
  11. Jumeirah Mosque
  12. Visit JBR
  13. Dubai Marina
  14. Dhow Cruise
  15. Ski Dubai in Mall of the Emirates
  16. Gold Souk
  17. Heritage Village (Fahidi)
  18. Al Seef
  19. Take Abra Ride
  20. Spice Souk
  21. Dubai Frame
  22. Miracle Garden
  23. Butterfly Graden
  24. Kidzania
  25. Glow Garden
  26. Dolphinarium
  27. Quranic Park
  28. Museum in Al Fahidi
  29. City Walk and Green Planet
  30. Legoland
  31. Autodrome
  32. IMG world of adventure
  33. Bollywood Motiongate
  34. Wild Wadi Water Park
  35. Go for a Safari
  36. Al Qudra for camping
  37. Love Lake
  38. Expo 2020 Pavillion
  39. Hot Air Balloon Ride
  40. Global Village

Hope you enjoyed reading and do not forget to let me know if I missed out on anything!

Dubai Solar Park- The largest single-site solar park in the world

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What is it all about?

A giant step towards being more sustainable and promote the usage of clean energy in the UAE. Located deep within Dubai’s desert interior, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park or Dubai Solar Park has been built to improve the sustainable advancement of Dubai and strengthen the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 to make Dubai a global hub for clean energy and green economy. The strategy aims to provide 75% of Dubai’s total power output from clean energy by 2050. Once finished, the 50 billion-dirham ($13.6 billion) investment could power as many as 1.3 million homes, reducing carbon emissions by 6.5 million tons annually.
After breaking ground in March 2018, the base is now complete and it is the tallest concentrated solar power (CSP) tower in the world. It uses mirrors called heliostats to focus sunlight at the top of the tower, to heat a flow of molten salts. The heat is used to power steam turbines, producing electricity.

Facts about Dubai Solar Park:

Dubai Solar Park is a technological and architectural marvel. Here are some interesting facts about it-

  • The Dubai Solar Plant is the largest single-site solar energy project in the world.
  • It is expected to reduce 6.5 million tons of carbon emissions annually when complete. 
  • Dubai Solar Park has a 3D-printed lab which is one of its kind in the world.
  • It is the world’s tallest solar power tower at 262.44 meters.
  • It has set the world record by obtaining the lowest cost for photovoltaic solar power.
  • It has a water desalination plant, as well as a Research and Development Centre.
  • It aims to provide clean energy for 320,000 residences and reduce 1.6 million tons of carbon emissions a year.

Planning your visit:

Opening hours–

The Centre is open from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm Sunday to Thursday, and closed during Fridays and Saturdays. You are advised to be there at the centre 15 minutes before the show. Visiting the park is free for everyone, however, you need to book by visiting this link.

Tour Agenda–

1. Auditorium – Introduction 

2. Tour in the Exhibition area, that includes:

  • History Zone – Learn about the history of electricity with hands-on experiments.
  • Light Zone – Learn the characteristics of light with interactive exhibits.
  • Solar Zone – Learn how the Centre harnesses the energy from the Sun and convert it to electrical energy using different methods.
  • Future Zone – You get to experience a future with clean energy.

If you are looking for more such offbeat places in Dubai then don’t forget to visit this link here.

Why Should You go for A Luxury Yacht Charter in Dubai?

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Are you living or visiting Dubai? And getting tired of visiting crowded places? Then, there is something different you can do! Read on to know why you need to go for a Luxury yacht charter in Dubai which this city is globally famous for, and you cannot take a risk missing it! From delicate dining to cosy seating, sailing over Dubai’s blue waters can surely be a once-in-a-lifetime undergo you will enjoy immensely. After all, billionaires getting crazy after extravagant yachts is not just-like-that!

Luxury yacht Charter in Dubai

Have You Ever Probed What is The Best Way To See Dubai?

Luxury Yacht Charter in Dubai is the best way to see this enchanting city that has an impressive coastline. Dubai is one of the most affluent and beautiful places globally. Also, it is a vacation hotspot for visitors of all backgrounds. When you’re only there for a short-run-trip, it cannot be easy to fit in all of the unbelievable attractions that the city has to offer. Besides, dozens of gorgeous mosques, sandy beaches, culture-rich walks, and of course the incredible Burj Khalifa that dominates the Dubai skyline. If you want to get an enchanted view of everything, you should get on a sumptuous yacht tour.

A Luxury yacht charter will allow you to explore Dubai in style with family, friends, spouse, or colleagues, etc. After all, one of the highlighted benefits of visiting the City of Gold’ is its blowing sands and the Arabian Sea’s crystal clear waters. Now, I’m going to explain why you should experience a luxury yacht charter when you are in Dubai.

Luxury Yacht Charter- Why Should You Experience it?

There are a plethora of activities to do in Dubai. If you are in the City of Gold for a short-run-tour, you will have difficulty shortlisting your preferences. Whatever your concerns are, yachting is a not-to-be-missed venture. Dubai’s government has already planned to promote new luxury yacht clubs as cruise tourists are expected to cross last years record of 1.5 million. Just have a look at these reasons to understand why yachting is more of a luxury deal:

Explore The City-

Cruising the city of gold on a yacht will bring you a unique perspective and experience to the table. Sailing across Dubai and explore this magical city and commit to a fantastic excursion experience.

A Relaxing Ride-

Sailing is a peaceful experience. The peace and tranquility of sailing can increase calm a restless body and disturbed mind. Taking some time off from the anxious and busy life can amount to the much-needed quality time you need. Going out on a luxury yacht ride with your friends and family can also help you strengthen the relationship you experience with them.

Capture Marvelous Memories-

Getting together for a beautiful yacht charter in Dubai will help you make and capture some marvelous memories with your friends or family. The excursion and spending of quality time together can positively bring you closer to your loved ones. Capture this beautiful city and make memories for a lifetime.

Luxury yacht Charter in Dubai

Is Luxury Yacht Charter in Dubai safe In Covid-19 Pandemic?

Away from the crowd-

Most yacht charter itineraries around Dubai include plenty of natural attractions and events instead of beach clubs, restaurants, or other social venues. The versatility of a luxury yacht charter in Dubai is that you can see all the important tourist attractions while avoiding the crowd.

Restricted Exposure to people-

With the Dubai Luxury charter, you are always assured of not having to interact with the crowd. You won’t be much in connection with the public while seeing the tourist attractions. Apart from this, all the protocols as laid down by the government are always followed to ensure the safety of our clients.

Good Connections For Private Yachts-

A selection of small yachts makes private sailing candid and straightforward. Dubai is the best place that caters to private yachts and offers an array of activities for people who wish to see the city without being exposed to the crowd.

You can check and book yachts in Dubai here.

Don’t forget to read more travel related posts here.

Secret beaches in the UAE- you need to know about!

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With an estimated 700km of coastline and keeping in mind the weather, there’s never a perfect time to head to the beach but with most beaches being overpopulated, we’re all looking for secret beaches in the UAE that are less crowded. So, in this post, I will be revealing about some secret beaches that not many people know about- yet!

I have a special corner in my heart for hidden gems, secluded and abandoned places (check some of them out here!) and as I am a beach-baby so I decided to bring you guys a list of secret beaches in the UAE. These beaches will be more or less empty all year round and are perfect for those who want to be away from the crowd! I have tried to include Google Coordinates for as many as possible but please do cross-check! Before you start reading and sharing, I hope (and pray) that each one of you will promise to be responsible and leave these places better than you found them. Let’s please take a pledge and preserve the environment.

Heart Beach- Khorfakkan

The town of Khorfakkan, approximately 25km outside Fujairah, is a treasure box of natural beauty and has its own quiet stretch of beach. Turquoise blue water, magnificent beaches and breathtaking view! Unleash the inner discoverer in you and head to Heart Beach, which gets its name from the graffiti on the hills around it. It’s accessible via small steps behind a petrol station after the north end of Khorfakkan beach. A 15-minute trek to reach this gem but it is totally worth it! A scenic little slice of the beach where the sand is white and the ocean a stunning blue-green. 

Drive: Follow signs to Masafi, turn left towards Dibba. Follow the road nestled among the hills along the coast until Khorfakkan. Google Maps Here.

Shark Island- Khorfakkan

Check out this on Instagram

Another gem in the list of secret beaches in the UAE, that will enchant you! A heaven for people who like to snorkel, the marine life at this island is straight out of the discovery channel! Read everything about this place and how to get there here.

Luluyah Beach- Khorfakkan

Luluyah Beach is a serene beach where you can enjoy a relaxing day, a swim, chilling all by yourself or a picnic with your family/friends. This exceptional beach needs a special mention in the list of secret beaches in the UAE, and will leave you in awe for sure! The rocky backdrop of Luluyah Beach sets it apart from the other beaches. The Black Rock is a camping site at the beach. The opportunity to witness a mesmerising sunrise at dawn and the picture-perfect sunsets make Luluyah Beach worth visiting!

Location: Khorfakkan, Google Coordinates: https://www.google.com/maps/place/25.2934682,56.372196725.383236, 56.359761

Black Palace Beach- Dubai

Another gem in the list of secret beaches in the UAE, that is perfect to relax and enjoy the sunset, unlike other beaches, this one is pretty empty and you would hardly find it crowded- Ever! This quiet beach offers a breath-taking view, with the Burj Al Arab on the right, and The Palm Jumeirah in front of you. To find this secret beach in the UAE, look out for a right-hand turn on King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street, just after the Madinat and the palaces, as you head towards the Marina. Follow a rocky track down onto the sand, and soon you’ll be able to see an empty beach, with pristine water and tenderly alternating waves. Make sure you bring your own food and water, as there are no facilities nearby. 

Location: King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street, just after the Madinat. Google Coordinates: 25.1265024, 55.371366

Empty Beach- Dubai

The name speaks for itself, a secluded beach in Dubai that is still away from the prying eyes. Honestly, the place is (still!) so hidden that many people debate whether its location should be openly shared or not! The water is always utterly clear and calm. You can spend some alone time here or maybe chill with friends, the place is perfect for both.

Location: Off Jumeirah Beach Road; take the first right turning after Umm Suqeim Library. Google Coordinates: 25.1265024, 55.3713664

Shuweiyat Island- Abu Dhabi

When talking about the secret beaches in the UAE, you cannot miss this one! However, there is a catch! This one really does take some commitment, but the awards to anyone who makes the grand journey (from practically anywhere else in the UAE) to this stunning location are multitudinous. If you’re familiar with the colour of sandstone the ancient city of Petra in Jordan is famous for, you’ll know what to expect from the low-lying cliffs and caves that look like nothing else you’ll have seen in this country. You won’t believe your eyes – it’s that beautiful down there. To know everything about this place in detail, read this.

Shuweiyat Island

Mangrove Beach- Umm Al Quwain

A beautiful beach that is bejewelled by the mangroves at Khor Al Yeefrah, in Umm Al Quwain, roughly a 60-minute drive from Dubai. This newly opened beach has all the public-friendly facilities, some are still under construction though. The Mangrove Beach at Umm Al Quwain is the second mangrove area open to the public in the UAE. Check out the stunning images to see its beauty yourself.

Mangrove Beach- Umm Al Quwain

Qidfa Beach- Fujairah

The Qidfa Beach is in Fujairah and is still (luckily!) a secret beach for most people! Once you reach the spot, you are welcomed by mild waves, astonishing designs of seashells, and of course the bewitching wilderness. It is one of the less crowded beaches in the city, perfect for a walk, yoga session, an early morning workout or perhaps some me-time!

Location: Fujairah, Google Coordinates: https://www.google.com/maps/place/25.2934682,56.3721967

Murbah Beach- Fujairah

Located along the same stretch as Qidfa Beach, Murbah Beach is a tranquil spot that visitors can relish. One of the small beaches in Fujairah, Murbah beach is a good option for anyone who wishes for a calm day by the calm, relaxed, blue-green waters.

Location: Murbah Beach Street, Fujairah

Dadna Beach- Fujairah

Dadna beach in Dibba al Fujairah is a charming spot with clear water, fascinating marine life and a peaceful atmosphere away from the crowd. One can enjoy the landscape of the mountains and the sea while taking a stroll down the beach and for the adventure seekers, you can go diving, rock climbing, etc. The time from November to January is most suited for a visit to this place as the weather is relatively mild and cooler during this time.

Important:

  1. Do not leave anything behind, leave the place better than you found it. Carry the trash that you find with you and throw it properly once you reach the mainland. A little act of kindness goes a long way. Remember, even organic waste can take a lot of time to biodegrade also, it will attract animals and insects and will make the place dirty.
  2. Leave natural and items of archaeological or historical value where you find them. Don’t move them or take them with you.
  3. Minimize cooking over the campfire, use the stove instead – as less impact on the wilderness.
  4. You are very likely to encounter wild animals/reptiles in such secluded spots, do not disturb them.
  5. Follow the basic camping guidelines as laid down by the government at all times.
  6. Follow the signs, etc.
  7. Lastly, remember to be kind towards everything around you.