Straddling the Omani border with the town of Buraimi, Al Ain springs up from the desert in a burst of verdant greenery, easily confirming its ‘Garden City’ epithet, and them some. In fact, so startling is this town’s position on the very cusp of the great Rub' al Khali Desert, that it has earned it a UNESCO tag as well as plenty of attention from local investors and international travellers alike.

Today, Al Ain boasts one of the best zoos in the country, with exhibitions that encompass more than 2,000 separate species of mammals, along with a dedicated conservation program aimed at sustaining the wildlife of the Arabian Peninsula. Close by, the looming figure of Jebel Hafeet signifies the country’s second tallest peak, and Al Ain tour guides often recommend taking the hair-raising drive to the top, if only to relax in the bubbling springs of the Green Mubazara Park. And amidst the town’s districts, visitors can explore bustling Arab souks laden with livestock and local textile productions, the city’s historic fort-come-museum complex, and seemingly endless swathes of date palms that offer shady avenues around the Oasis.