A powerhouse of superlatives, Fujairah welcomes with the U.A.E’s oldest fort, its second-largest mosque and the only Emirati capital on the Gulf of Oman. Lounging between broad beach and rugged foothills of the Al Hajar Mountains, Fujairah strikes a fine balance between culture and history in a lesser-known locale. Hike, bike, or go off-road in a wadi with wetlands so wondrous they are protected by UNESCO. Dive into cobalt waters, where the Gulf of Oman twists its way into the Persian Gulf, for sustainable fishing, epic scuba diving and dhow sails. Then ponder the watchtowers left behind by pioneering Portuguese once upon a time.