(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Just one hour?s drive away dreamland water park is the place to go for a budget getaway
some may call it charming other’s will think it is the definition of hell on earth. however you view umm al quwain’s premier attraction dreamland its nostalgic charm is inescapable. yes it’s essentially a water park complete with slides a rubber ring run and an overcrowded wave machine pool. and no it’s not as fancy as wild wadi or aquaventure but what dreamland lacks in finesse it makes up for with an innocent “naff-ness.”
it was a very last-minute decision to head north from dubai one lazy friday afternoon. that is the beauty of the uae though - it only takes a few hours to get from one end of the country to the other. benefitting from the use of a luxury bmw x5 for the weekend the decision to enjoy it on any road other than sheikh zayed was an easy one to make so come 1pm we were off.
navigating our way through a few less-visited emirates it took around 55 minutes to reach the gates. signposted from over 30 kilometres away you can’t really miss it. everyone on the way also knows it such is the park’s almost institutional importance as a place families have been having fun for decades.
when purchasing the entrance tickets at dhs135 per person make sure to hand over an emirates nbd card to get half off the second admission price.
when inside grab a locker when you get changed then head out and enjoy. we felt a sun lounger wasn’t wholly necessary but could be a good base camp if there’s a big group of you. then it’s up to you. spend the rest of the day queuing sliding and getting wet. relax at the bar with a shisha or in the shade of the trees where more families tend to rest.
when it’s time to go home… don’t. dreamland offers an overnight camping facility in one of its many on-site chalets or tents. when opting to camp guests get access to tennis courts a bonfire with free marshmallows complete camping gear two days access to the park and full board (bbq dinner breakfast and lunch). all this costs from as little as dhs550 for a couple.
it’s certainly not the ritz but why not try something adventurous for a change? www.dreamlanduae.com
further afield
a few other deals for the season
roc on
this summer guests at the hotel eden roc in ascona switzerland can take advantage of the package to surprise a loved one with something special or simply make a dream come true. a helicopter will shuttle guests from locarno-magadino airport to the training centre at the former military airfield in san vittore where they will be given a tour of the hanger before a professional pilot teaches them everything they need to know about the theory and practice of flying a helicopter. this will be followed by a 60-minute round trip during which the guests will have the chance to pilot the helicopter themselves for 30 minutes. after completing their maiden flight pilots will be awarded a certificate before toasting their success with a glass of champagne. the offer can be booked until october 31 and costs 2200 swiss francs for one or two participants or 2600 swiss francs for three or four participants. call: +41 (0)91 785 71 71
tree of a kind
the luxury resorts of banyan tree al wadi and banyan tree ras al khaimah beach have created a special summer indulgence package offering fine dining an array of unique activities and special experiences to keep cool this summer in a stunning nature reserve or on the private beachfront of al hamra.
the two banyan tree resorts offer stunning views and refreshing shelter from the summer heat. each villa includes a chilled personal pool ensuring guests will never be far from water perfect for a refreshing dip anytime whilst the bellowing canopies on the sundecks offer a shady refuge.
the summer indulgence package is valid for stays at banyan tree al wadi and banyan tree ras al khaimah beach until september 30. prices start from dhs1870. call: 07 206 7777
thailand update
given the current political situation this is the latest on what it means for tourists visiting thailand in the next few days. the announcement by the national council for peace and order (ncpo) on the change in curfew time to midnight to 4am as of may 28 means that tourists will have more time to enjoy the kingdom’s wide variety of tourist attractions ranging from unique culture abundant natural beauty and remarkable variety of activities. in pattaya phuket and ko samui the curfew has been lifted. visit: www.tatnews.org
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