If it’s adventure you are looking for, the UAE is definitely the place to be. The UAE is situated in the desert so many people think, what on earth is there to do in the desert? Well all I can say to that is you’d be surprised as to what this desert has to offer!

Dune Riding
If you are new to this I would recommend going with an expert the first few times just so you don’t end up turning turtle out there or getting stuck in the sand. Tour guides normally offer a thrilling dune riding experience with the option to sandboard or quad your way through the sand. If you want to be more at one with the desert, you could always opt for trekking along the dunes on a camel or horse. And once you’ve used up the last of your adrenaline you are taken to a secluded Arabian tent where you feast away on barbeque galore while belly dancers sway to classic Arabian tunes.  It’s an evening fit for kings and queens.

Learn to Fly
That’s right! Become another John Travolta or Angelina Jolie by heading to Umm Al Quwain and signing up for flying lessons. After a full lesson with the pros you get to take over and fly over the emirate for an hour in the cockpit of a Cessna 172. And if flying doesn’t really get your heart racing why not let someone else do the piloting while you prepare to jump out of the plane at 10,000 ft! Yes, the Umm Al Quwain Aeroclub also offers skydiving lessons. So whether you want to fly a plane or jump out of one (tandem and solo jumps available) give the Aeroclub a call and book yourself a lesson. It’s definitely a story for the books. Consider yourself faint hearted? Another way to get a bird’s eye view of the UAE is to hop into a chopper (don’t worry, you won’t be hopping back out without land below your feet). If you opt for a helicopter ride in Dubai, you’ll get to fly over the creek, past the world, get a 360° view of the Burj Al Arab and cruise over Sheikh Zayed road. It truly is a mind-blowing way to put your view of Dubai back in perspective.

Cool Off
There is no question about it, the UAE has some close to unbearable summers. Luckily there are ways to get around the heat without having to flee the country. One way to do it is to engulf yourself in water for as long as possible. The calm waters of the Arabian Gulf make the UAE a water sports central. The country offers diving, waterskiing, kite surfing, scuba diving, jet skiing, and wake boarding among many others. And if you don’t feel like picking up a new sport head to Wild Wadi. It offers over 30 water rides to keep your body cool in the blazing heat. And the best part about all this is most of the waterpark is one big lazy river where all you have to do is pop a squat on a donut float and situated lifeguards will push you in the direction of which ever scary ride you want to enjoy! If it’s a waterpark you want but feel like venturing outside of Dubai, Umm Al Quwain offers a waterpark even larger than Dubai’s Wild Wadi; and as a little tip, it’s even cheaper. So pack your car with friends and roadtrip your way to Umm Al Quwain. Looking for a more mellow way to cool off on the weekend? Try hiring yourself a fishing boat and touching up your fisherman skills a bit. The Gulf offers a variety of fish including hammour, barracuda, kingfish, jackfish, and red snapper. Even if you aren’t interested in catching anything, the four hour sailing trip is quite a good way to soak up the sun, just don’t forget to take some sunscreen. Another way to beat the heat is to head to Ski Dubai. Snow in the desert? Who would have imagined, right? Whether you’re a pro or a newbie, a snowboarder or skier, snowman master or adrenaline junkie, Ski Dubai has it all. Just clear out a day from you schedule and land yourself there for by far the most ‘chilled’ way to cool down in the summer.

Tee Time
Golfing is a sport that has become increasingly popular in Dubai. If ever a celebrity has passed through the UAE be sure that they had definitely hit the course for at least one round. By 2015 the UAE will have over 20 golf courses to choose from and; trust me, if you decide to give it a try here, be prepared to be treated like a celebrity. You will receive star treatment from the moment you roll up to the bag drop until the last putt hits the bottom of the cup. So don’t forget to pack your clubs and see what it’s like to tee off with the best of them.

Rock Climbing
The UAE may seem relatively flat geographically, however, it boasts over 200 phenomenal climbing routes for beginners and experienced climbers to explore. If you’re a beginner your best bet is to get some outdoor lessons so that you can get a chance to try something new and at the same time experience the hidden beauties the UAE has to offer. But if you find yourself a little too hesitant about trying it for the first time outdoors, head to Wafi City’s Pharaoh Club and book yourself some lessons at their indoor climbing wall. It allows for a more controlled environment. That way you can get a feel for rock climbing without the fear of making mistakes. Either way you decide to go, make sure you experience this at least once in Dubai. It’s more than worth it.