Where the skies kiss the mountains

And the winds whisper to desert sands

Where the sea hugs golden beaches

There lies an exotic land……

(pl give me variations on this…fast and slow…normal and sexy…)

Half way between Europe and the Orient, at the northern most tip of the Arabian

peninsula lies one of the finest kept secrets of the United Arab Emirates,

Voice over

Sunny all year round,  the mountains on one side and the sea on the other makes

Voice over much cooler than other areas in the region during the hot summer

months and delightfully pleasant from October to March.  

Accessible by air through the Voice over International Airport or by road from

Dubai, it is a getaway that is just 40 minutes away

There are hotels and resorts to suit varying budgets fully equipped with modern

amenities. 

You even have the choice of owning your holiday home or becoming a member of

time-share schemes which are proving very popular.

Visitors to Voice over have a wide choice of activities to choose from..

.

For lovers of the sun, sand and sea, Voice over offers some of the finest

beaches and water sports facilities in the region. The calm azure waters are warm

and inviting. It is sunny almost 360 days of the year and modern beach resorts such

 as these  offer a choice of sporting opportunities within extraordinarily tranquil

lagoons.

The Ski Club, is situated at the far end of the creek at Kozham. It is a popular

choice for national and international competitions and the club is a preferred venue

 for both professionals and beginners alike.

(**Kho- zam)

Fishing has been and still is a way of life for many.

Modern fishing enthusiasts find the area particularly exciting

Just a few miles to the north are the fjords of Musandam. Dhow trips offer the

opportunity for snorkelling, to soak in the rugged beauty of the area with even the

chance of swimming with the dolphins!

Driving on sandy dunes is akin to an exciting roller coaster ride which demands good driving skills …. Courses in sand driving are available, with four-wheel-drive vehicles provided, along with expert instruction.

Or you can go as a passenger in one of the many desert safari tours.

 Riding an Arabian thoroughbred is a dream come true for many. Voice over

has one of the finest riding schools in the region with stunning scenery to match!

For those wishing to go higher and deeper into the mountains there are helicopter

flights that offer breathtaking views of the Hajjar mountain range.)

There are also micro lites and other small planes available for sight seeing flights

over Voice over city and its surrounding areas.

The stark beauty of the mountains of Voice over attracts campers, eco-

tourists and sports enthusiasts. From adventure sports to hiking and trekking, the

mountains always offer an exhilarating experience. 

Voice over boasts one of the best 18 hole Golf Courses offering day and night

time enjoyment. Set amidst serene wild life reserves, the course attracts tourists

and residents from all over the UAE.

For the shopping enthusiasts there are modern shopping malls selling international

 brands with prices as competitive as found elsewhere.

However, no visit to Arabia is complete without a visit to the traditional souks selling anything from gold jewellery to perfumes and textiles some of which are real bargains!

For food lovers there is a wide variety of cuisines to choose from at restaurants that

 entice both the palette and the soul in exotic settings such as this floating dhow.

There are also food outlets with names that are familiar to many from different parts

 of the world.

Several hotels offer fine dining where one could experience art forms from other

parts of the middle east that has blended in with the local scene.

And there are modern discotheques with the trendiest music.

Blending with the trendy and modern are traditions  that have evolved from a

spectacular past …….   

Evidence of early civilisations abound in the Emirate. Some of these tombs date

back to over 4000 years!

Abundance of sweet water transformed the plains into a fertile oasis dotted with

date palms and date farming is an occupation practiced even today

The Watch towers of Voice over stand proud as the sentinels of its glorious

 past. A wealthy place with date palms, farms and pearl merchants, it attracted

raiders through history. These towers formed an early warning system.

Old stone villages are to be found in the mountains where inhabitants lived rearing

goats and using falcons to hunt.  

At the foothills of the mountains are the ruins of the Queen of Sheba’s palace

Situated in the Shimal* area this was a medieval castle which  stands watch over the

 palm gardens and modern Voice over.

(*she-maal)

This is Dayah* Fort which has a history dating back to more than 5000 years.

A strategic military castle  which protected the huge and fertile palm plantations of

the area, it is also historically important as the last bastion of resistance against the

 British in 1819.  ]

(*daa – yah)

The Al Falayah* was the summer residence of the Rulers of Voice over. It was

 here that the peace treaty between the Sheikhs, including those from Bahrain, and

 the British Government was signed.

(*al fa-laa-yah)

This was once a prosperous fishing and pearling village. Although deserted today,

the ruins still display some fine examples of early architecture where coral stones

and wind-towers combined to provide a comfortable environment indoors.

At the National Museum of Voice over you can get a glimpse of its rich heritage.

Housed in what was the Ruler’s residence, the Museum is also a good example of classic traditional architecture.

Voice over is a rapidly growing Emirate.

From education to healthcare, communications to industries, Voice over

compares with the best, the world has to offer.

Under its dynamic Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler the Emirate is attracting

increasing international investments in various sectors of the economy and with the

 accompanying growth in tourism many projects are underway catering to the

emerging demand. 

(Alternate: Under its dynamic Crown Prince & Deputy Ruler Sheik Saud bin Saqr Al Qasmi………)

shake soud ( a bit like south) bin saker al khasmi

The tourism industry here is growing rapidly and increasingly attracting tourists and

 even fashion photographers  and film filmmakers  from all over the world

Destination Voice over where the old meets the new, where traditions blend with the modern, an oasis for business and pleasure.