Just a few hours’ drive from Dubai, the little-visited Musandam Peninsula is a stunningly peaceful escape from hectic Arab city life. Expect pristine seas with some of the best coral reefs in the region; ancient fishing villages with lively markets and boat trips; rugged mountains with dizzying roads; and of course the year-round sunshine that we all crave. Whether you want to chill by the sea or to lose yourself in snorkelling, paragliding and kayaking, it's a fantastic antidote to the stresses of life in Dubai, or anywhere else for that matter.