Bahrain, Dubai And Abu Dhabi: The Secret Holiday Fun You Could Be Missing Out On

We'd forgive you for overlooking the Arab Gulf States as a first choice holiday destination.

But seriously, you could be making a BIG mistake.

Over the last few years, images of glittering mega-yachts and WAGS with armfuls of designer shopping have made it look like a Dubai getaway is the reserve of the filthy rich and the culturally ambivalent.

Sure, there are lots of incredibly glamorous things to do there. Who wouldn’t want to spend a week yacht-hopping?

However, there’s so, SO much more.

As someone that spent nearly two years investigating Dubai, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi, for all that they had to offer a curious expat, I am delighted to tell you, there's some genuinely awesome, and sometimes really quite unexpected stuff to do in all three of these places.

And very little of it involves hanging around in a shopping mall, staring at a Prada dress you'll never be able to afford.

So, here's my alternative guide to the region:

BRUNCH

Thought New Yorkers had perfected the art of brunching?

Think again.

You haven’t done brunch until you’ve spent 12 hours in Muju, on Amwaj Island in Bahrain, staring out at a lagoon, drinking bottomless champers and eating a constantly rotating menu of six different desserts.

Decadent?

You betcha, but not actually particularly expensive. Pay a set price and hit the buffet (and bar) as many times as you please!

Pretty much every big hotel will put on a big Friday brunch, as will many lunch spots and cafes. Try Bubbalicious at the Westin in Dubai.

FESTIVALS

Bet you didn’t know there was a “Creamfields Abu Dhabi”.

Whether it’s Katy B and Deadmau5 at Creamfields on Yas Island, or Example and The Verve at Sandance in Dubai, festivals in the Middle East are just as good, if not better than in the UK.

Big names follow the money, so you needn’t worry about the calibre of the headline acts, the crowds are less packed and there’s absolutely no risk of having to don your wellies or wear a fetching plastic poncho.

PLUS, you get to experience the weird on-stage thoughts of artists such as Richard Ashcroft, who said out loud to the crowd that he didn’t realise people would be able to speak enough English to be able to sing his lyrics back to him.

Hmm.

SOUKS

Why hit up Prada, when you could buy something genuinely authentic to the area? All three of these places have spice, gold and old markets, otherwise known as souks.

BEACH CLUBS

By all means, head to Mahiki, Dubai or Boudoir nightclub, if you’re a fan of “you can only get in if you’re wearing high heels” policies.

But what you really need to do, is spend all day at one of the many beach clubs.

Swim up bars, beautiful views, sunshine, cocktails, good music and relatively acceptable banter too.

Barasti is the dive club in Dubai that everyone secretly loves. Blue Marlin is a more upmarket choice, found between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. And honourable mention goes to Coral Bay, in Bahrain, where two of my good friends (who are now married with a beautiful baby) met for the first time.

SECRET ESCAPES

Leave Jumeirah beach to the tourists. If you want some peace and quiet – the Arab Gulf States have a monopoly on truly luxurious pampering.

If you’re in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, head to beautiful out-of-the-way treats like Hilton's Ras Al Khaimah Resort and Spa.

Here's where you'll find yourself in an idyllic, quiet, picturesque spot, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Insider tip: try one of the traditional hammam spa treatments that are performed on a marble slab. You'll be treated like an Arabian princess.

Shh, I shouldn’t tell you this, but you can totally sneak onto the Sofitel, Bahrain beach to watch the sunset from one of their big cabanas…though obviously you really should book a room.

But if you really like your privacy, rent a chalet on the Hawar islands and chill for the whole weekend.

UNEXPECTED TREATS

Like your pampering with a side of adventure? Yeah, me too.

You’re in luck.

In most of these places, you can pay a camping team to take you into the desert and set you up with an air conditioned tent – some even have televisions – in order to watch the stars from the middle of nowhere.

If you want culture, there are the remnants of some amazing stately homes in Bahrain's old capital of Muharraq.

But my all time favourite activity – and my friends are not going to thank me for spilling the beans on this one – is a day trip to Jarada.

People call Jarada an island. It’s not, it’s a sand bank, in the middle of the Gulf, with nothing else for MILES, about an hour’s speed boat ride away from Bahrain.

Locals and their friends take it in turns to ferry everyone out, in a boat filled to the brim with pringles and jagermeister.

And then it’s anchors down. Deck chairs out. Speakers turned up. GREAT weekend.

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Have you found any secret delights in the Middle East? Let us know in the comments below!