Emirates road trip: Sleep like a sheikh and shine like Dubai

Abu Dhabi's calling! The name alone fills you with wanderlust. You're chilling in your seat, headphones on, playlist all set, and while the plane glides gracefully towards the Arabian Peninsula, in your mind, you're already by the pool, on a desert adventure or exploring the city vibes in the country's capital! If you're curious what the next few days will bring, here's a hint: pure magic!  

Touchdown! You open your eyes, the plane lands smoothly and – boom – reality sets in. You're really here! As you walk through the airport, warm desert air wafts towards you and your excitement totally grows.  You've barely just walked through arrivals, and the keys to your hire car are already jingling in your hand. You wind the windows down, slide your sunglasses on and step on the accelerator – Abu Dhabi, let's go!  It's hard to believe how quickly you're immersed in a completely different world. First, you head to your accommodation, where the greeting is extra warm and the welcome drink is ice cold. And you're already prepped with your camera in hand, ready for your first little round of exploring. Just a few steps later, you wonder whether this is still real life – the skyscrapers are so high, you almost fall over backwards trying to spot the top! Luxury cars cruise past you like something out of a music video, and everything, absolutely everything, glitters. You start off easy with a chilled stroll along The Walk to get your bearings, accompanied by sea views and swaying palm trees. Your senses are totally flooded, but no worries, you've got plenty of time to take it all in. And trust us, you'll want to! 

There's no need for your alarm clock here! The sun's beating down through the window, the skyline's calling and you're totally hyped for a day in Abu Dhabi! So you quickly slip into your fave fit, grab your sunglasses and hit the streets. With a rumbling stomach, you scope out some brekkie – the stylish % Arabica Corniche is a good spot to try – and enjoy an iced latte, classic croissant and endless sea views. Then it's off to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, where you're suddenly face-to-face with masses of white marble and huge domes – 'wow' moment guaranteed! You slip your shoes off, cover your head and simply marvel at the sight. Next up, you head to the fine sand and turquoise water of Corniche Beach. Here, you've got tons of options: chill out, soak up the sun or even spontaneously hire a jet ski (payable on site). And when evening rolls around, why not head up to the Observation Deck at 300 for a perfect view across the city at sunset (it costs a bit, but a drink's included)! Golden hour happens here too, so get snapping! 

Rise and shine! Even if you prefer snoozing to the sunrise, you're suddenly awake today because a real hidden gem awaits among the dunes of the Rub' al Khali desert. So you hop behind the wheel and cruise through the vastness of the world's largest sandy desert, with sky so blue and grains so golden, you feel like you're in a fairytale. Suddenly, you spot a huge fortress in the middle of nowhere. Welcome to your hotel – no filter needed! And of course, it’s got five stars. With shiny stone floors, Arabic art vibes on every corner and a jaw-dropping view from your room, it's simply unreal! But hold on, because the real magic moment truly comes when you're standing barefoot on the dunes, soaking up a sunset that dips the desert in liquid gold. This isn't just a holiday, it's a cinematic desert dream!