There’s something about a girls’ trip that calls for a little bit of everything. Some time by the beach, something adventurous enough to give you a story to tell, good food, a little shopping and, of course, plenty of time to catch up. Ras Al Khaimah makes a good case for a long weekend because …
There’s something about a girls’ trip that calls for a little bit of everything. Some time by the beach, something adventurous enough to give you a story to tell, good food, a little shopping and, of course, plenty of time to catch up. Ras Al Khaimah makes a good case for a long weekend because you don’t have to choose between an active holiday and a relaxing one. Its coastline, desert, heritage and mountain landscapes mean you can take each day as it comes.
Day 1: Check in, hit the beach and ease into the weekend
Start with a stay close to the coast and keep the first few hours easy. Ras Al Khaimah’s beaches are made for settling into holiday mode, whether that means a swim, some time by the pool or simply finding a spot by the water and doing absolutely nothing.
Once everyone is ready to get moving, take to the water. Depending on what the group is in the mood for, there are options ranging from kayaking and paddleboarding to jet skiing and other water sports. The emirate’s coastline offers plenty of ways to get out on the Arabian Gulf, so you can make this as relaxed or as adventurous as you like.
Come evening, swap swimwear for something a little dressier and head out for dinner. A waterfront setting makes for an easy first night — good food, a few photos and no reason to rush back.
Day 2: Bring on the adventure
This is the day to do something you wouldn’t normally squeeze into a regular weekend.
For an early start, a hot-air-balloon ride over the desert offers a completely different view of Ras Al Khaimah. As the sun comes up, the landscape stretches out below, with the dunes, camels and mountain ridges forming the backdrop. It’s adventurous without being an adrenaline rush — and definitely one for the camera roll.
If you’d rather stay closer to the ground, head out on a desert safari. Dune bashing, sandboarding, quad biking, dune buggying and camel riding can all be part of a desert experience, depending on the operator and package. You can also opt for an evening safari and time it around sunset.
After all that, the afternoon is yours. Head back to the resort, cool off in the pool or book some time at the spa. The idea is to leave enough space in the day to actually enjoy the holiday rather than spend the entire weekend ticking things off a list.
Day 3: Pearls, local finds and a little retail therapy
Take a slower start to the morning before heading north towards Al Rams for a visit to Suwaidi Pearls. Step aboard a traditional pearling boat and head out onto the water, surrounded by the mangroves and landscapes that have long been part of Ras Al Khaimah’s pearling heritage. The experience offers a glimpse into the emirate’s traditional pearl-diving practices.
And then comes the fun part: open an oyster yourself and see if you find a pearl inside. It’s a hands-on experience that gives you a little more to take away from the day than just photographs.
Afterwards, turn the afternoon into a shopping session.
For the girls who love a good mall, options include Al Hamra Mall, Manar Mall, RAK Mall and Al Naeem Mall, with a mix of fashion, dining and entertainment.
But if you’d rather come home with something that feels connected to the destination, explore Ras Al Khaimah’s traditional markets and handicrafts. Browse colourful fabrics, pottery, jewellery and other locally inspired finds, and take your time looking for a souvenir that you wouldn’t find at home.
It’s the kind of afternoon where you can browse without a plan, pick up a few keepsakes and inevitably end up buying something none of you expected to.
Day 4: One last morning by the water
Leave the final morning deliberately unplanned. Have a long breakfast, take one last swim or head out for a final walk along the coast.
The best part about a long weekend in Ras Al Khaimah is that it doesn’t have to follow a fixed formula. You can spend one morning chasing adventure, another doing absolutely nothing, go from desert dunes to the sea in the same day, and still find time to browse a souk or sit down for a long dinner.
For a girls’ getaway, that mix might just be the point!
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BO Correspondent
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