The day tours, and who each is for

Abu Dhabi city tour. The one everybody should do. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the largest and most photographed in the Gulf; the Corniche; Emirates Palace and the Presidential Palace at Qasr Al Watan; Heritage Village; and either the Louvre Abu Dhabi or a stop at Yas Island. Ten hours. Suits everyone.

Musandam dhow cruise. Two hours' drive to Dibba on the Omani border, then a full day on a wooden dhow through the fjords of the Musandam peninsula: sheer cliffs, dolphins most days, swimming and snorkelling stops, lunch on board, a banana-boat ride if you want it. Twelve hours. For people who love the sea; a long day for small children.

Hatta mountain tour. Ninety minutes to the Hajar mountains: Hatta Dam with kayaking on the turquoise lake, the heritage village, the honey-bee garden, a wadi drive, and in winter the mountain air is ten degrees cooler than Dubai. Eight hours. Great for families and anyone tired of the city.

Al Ain garden city. The oasis with its falaj irrigation, Jebel Hafeet with the hairpin road and the view over Oman, Al Jahili fort, the camel market. Ten hours. For history and landscape rather than thrills.

East Coast. Fujairah's Al Bidyah mosque, Khor Fakkan beach, Snoopy Island snorkelling. Nine hours. A beach day with a mountain drive.