Ajman: The New IT Place in UAE

The smallest of the seven Emirates is the hidden jewel of Ajman, covering a mere 100 square miles. Less well-known than Dubai and Abu Dhabi, it is one of the most up-and-coming places to visit. With a beautiful Corniche, it is a favourite evening and weekend destination for locals who come to eat and be seen along the stylish waterfront.

So what does Ajman have to offer you?
Aside from the beautiful beaches and luxury hotels, Ajman offers a step back in time at the Museum where you can see life as it used to be lived in the desert, as well as modern day shopping malls and traditional bustling markets. The Ajman fish market is the best known of these – it's run by local fishermen and you can see the fishing boats sailing in behind the market as you watch the auction taking place. When dinner is served, you'll have a good idea of how it arrived!

Food for thought

If you've got the taste-buds for adventure why not try out some of the Emirate's traditional local dishes? Khuzi is the UAE's national dish and it consists of a whole-roasted lamb served on top of a bed of spiced rice, vegetables and nuts. For those with a sweet tooth, why not savour Luqaimat, a deep-fried dumpling which is often served as a dessert and is guaranteed to make an appearance on any special occasion! Luqaimats are crunchy on the outside and soft inside. They are usually served soaked in honey or a sweet, sticky date syrup known as "dibbs" – Sounds good to us! If this doesn't cater to your taste then there are plenty of surrounding restaurants from seafood to Turkish and beyond, all washed down with a tasty tipple of course!

Take the scenic route

Not only is the food amazing, but so is the scenery! Ajman offers a wide range of landscapes to suit all tastes – you can enjoy the stunning sandy beaches, drive through the desert dunes, lose yourself in the mangrove forests or take a trek in the craggy mountains. If you're the adventerous type then there are lenty of watersport on offer, from paddle board to kayaking your way through tranquil waterfalls amongst the mangroves, if water isn't your thing then you can walk or cycle along wooden walkways to see the same views.

Desert Dunes

From wildlife spotting to camel rides, a desert safari is an essential Arabian experience. Being down among the dunes is the ideal way to explore the Arabian Desert. As the desert is only accessible by 4WD you'll get a real sense of adventure as you drive into the dunes and hear the silence. There will be a range of surfaces as you do a little gentle off-roading before some more vigorous dune-bashing. Also available are falconry displays and possibly even sand-boarding.

Don't miss Dubai

Don't forget that although you're not in Dubai – you're not far away! It's only 30 minutes to reach Dubai Airport, so trips to Dubai can be arranged – try the unique way of travelling by crossing the creek on a Abra boat, it's one of the most authentic experiences in the Emirates, from there you can roam around magnificent malls, some boast ice rinks and underwater zoos! This could also be an opportunity to visit the famous Burj Khalifa!