Sir Baniyas Island, Abu Dhabi

After a couple of hours drive and a 20 minute boat ride from Abu Dhabi, you will find my favorite island, Sir Baniyas Island. The entire island is a nature reserve where over 15,000 wild animals live. There aren't directly any roads and you will never see any traffic lights, skyscrapers or escalators. However, there are 30 villas that you can rent as well as a hotel with restaurants and spa. I mostly enjoy in the villas, which are design in somewhat traditional style right on the beach. Close to the villas is an Italian restaurant.

You can do safari, archery, horseback riding, snorkeling and many other activities. I tried the mentioned activities as well as the spa and pleased with all of it. If I could only choose one thing, I would do the safari.