Hatta, an enclave of Dubai nestled in the Hajar Mountains, is a great weekend getaway. Some 120 kilometers to the east, Hatta is an extremely attractive location. Adjacent to a lake reservoir, the Hatta Fort Hotel is set in extensive parkland and provides a perfect base for exploring the nearby wadis and mountains, which extend into Omani territory.

The main attractions are its relatively cool, dry climate, the mountain scenery, excellent 4WD options and the magnificent Hatta rock pools. It's an amazing experience to swim through the narrow rock corridors of this miniature canyon, roaring year-round with plunging waterfalls.