UAE'S MOST GLAMOROUS STAYCATION

Emirati photographer Ghalia Abbas took to the skies with Lightfoot Travel for a staycation with a difference. She flew by private jet to an island in the Gulf, which is home to an array of luxury beachside villas that you can claim as your own for the weekend.

Sir Bani Yas island near Abu Dhabi was once the home of Sheikh Zayed Bin Nahyan, and it was here that he created a nature reserve to help protect the UAE’s most endangered animals. This means that when you wake at Al Yamm Villa Resort by Anantara, you have the chance to see turtles, dolphins and dugongs making a splash along the shoreline.

When you’re not busy watching the marine life, you can take out a 4WD, and drive through the Arabian Wildlife Park and spy Arabian oryx and Arabian Rock Hyrax. The park covers half the island and now includes ostriches, cheetahs and giraffes.

Abbas shares some of her snaps and shows us how the UAE has taken staycations to the next level once more. For Abbas, the highlight of her trip was an afternoon tea with a difference: “For me it was the afternoon tea in the bush. The African inspired set-up was absolutely beautiful. Hats off to the chef for the delectable assortment of afternoon tea treats.”

To book this VIP staycation yourself, speak to your Lightfoot Travel Designer