It’s strange to return to the UK after a year’s absence. This is our longest stretch without our feet in a rain puddle.

But this July, things are different. It’s a beautiful summer’s day and I’m sitting in a coffee shop in London. That’s right. I’ve chosen to sit inside. Despite living in one of the hottest places on the planet, where temperatures in Dubai are 48C, the UK is enjoying it’s own little heat wave and it’s actually too hot to sit in the sun. It’s fantastic.

Returning to the UK this time, with the distance of 12 months since our last visit, has meant that I’m able to view life almost as a tourist. I don’t want to feel like a stranger in my home country but it’s refreshing to see things from a different angle, viewing warts and all.

Let’s start at the airport. With a three year old grabbing an area of her anatomy that isn’t entirely welcomed by polite society, my first job on touchdown was to find the ladies’ room. Now, I’m happy to get sweaty running up a mountain, or muddy while camping in a field in the UK, but I’m fastidious about cleanliness when it comes to human dirt. The toilets in the UK aren’t great. I won’t go into details, but here’s my advice for what it’s worth: cleaners, please do your job properly. Users, please be respectful of others and wash your hands. Rant over.

Now moving on to the passport control. This is usually another subject that brings forth a litany of complaints, starting with why there isn’t a queue for British passport holders when other countries put their nationals first. But I have to say the staff on this occasion where brilliant. They were firm but friendly, engaged and polite. Top marks when this is for most visitors their first impression of the country.

No assessment of the UK would be complete without mentioning the weather, several times. However, given the country is in the middle of a heat wave, it’s hard to do anything but match the sunny skies with a sunny disposition. I accept that when you’re packed into a train with sweat trickling down your back is not a pleasant experience, but we just need to accept that the UK isn’t set up for hot weather because it doesn’t happen often enough. There isn’t enough air conditioning, because it isn’t worth the investment. But forget the down sides (it isn’t environmentally friendly anyway). You can’t beat sitting in the garden surrounded by English roses with a glass of chilled white wine in your hand. Hold that thought.

And then there is the countryside itself. Flat plains, rocky mountains or dairy farms and hedgerows. The UK has it all. I love pulling on my trainers and running into the woods to explore the ancient paths and meandering tracks.

So, to wrap up a few more observations, I’d like to praise the courtesy of most drivers who stop the traffic to let me cross with my young children; I’d like reassess our national sense of style when the weather warms up, revealing naked skin and tattoos; I’d like to say thank you to the nun walking along with a mobile phone, who made me smile, and to the man who asked if I needed directions.

And finally, I’d like people to take pride in their heritage and homeland. Try viewing your surroundings through the eyes of a tourist. Revel in the positives. Try to improve the negatives. We’ve shown how good we are at celebrating and raising the flag; whether it’s winning the Tour de France or the birth of a Royal baby. Can’t we take pride in everyday life too?

And if you’re still wondering what it’s like to be British, this article might make you smile.  Click here to read Flying the British flag in the face of confusion.

Travelling with a young family in tow means that you have to think more dynamically about your trips, whether it’s the destination, the accommodation or just simply the weather and whether you can buy nappies.

And of course, all parents know that it’s more expensive too. You’re limited to school holidays when prices rocket, and of course there are more people to cater for.

So it’s hardly surprising that sometimes, even though you love to explore new horizons, travel can be too overwhelming, too expensive, and too tiring.

Even the most intrepid traveller has to admit that they need a rest sometimes.

So with the holidays on the horizons, why not consider a staycation? With a little creative thinking you can discover, learn and most importantly rest, all while saving money.

Here are our top ten ideas:

1.     Act the part: Before you do anything, you have to act like you’re on holiday. Tell people you’re away, change the message on your mobile phone, put an “out of office” message on your email, and ignore the post and news for the length of your holiday. If it helps pack a suitcase (or a symbolic toothbrush and a pair of knickers) and leave the house, locking the door behind you. Go for a walk and come in to the house via the back door. Of course it’s contrived, but this is all about setting your frame of mind and expectations. It goes without saying – picking up the duster, or plugging in the vacuum cleaner, is not allowed – unless perhaps your staycation is more than a week!

2.     Choose a destination: Fish out all of the takeaway menus from the bottom of the kitchen drawer and spread them on the floor. Get the children involved and create a world map depending on where different cuisines come from. Each day a member of the family chooses a destination, and within a week you can virtually fly around the world. Eat the cuisine from the chosen country and encourage the children to decorate a small area of the house. I know one friend with a play park in their house complete with loungers and fake grass.

3.     Get educated: Add in some research projects for the children. If Italy is the destination of the day ask them to compile a list of facts or claims to fame for that country.

4.     Become a tourist where you live: You might not consider it a tourist destination, but there will be tourist organisations based there or somewhere near. Have a look at tours on offer or buy a ticket for a hop on and off bus. It’s a great way to get a different perspective. Click here for a review of the Dubai Big Bus.

5.     Get a deal: use Groupon or LastMinute for some inspiration, and you could save a couple of notes too.

6.     Remember to relax: Consider getting a day pass to an upmarket hotel, which will allow you to use the pool and kids’ club facilities.

7.     Dress the part: Part 1. Forget the hairdryer, go natural. It really does help you get in the right frame of mind. Grab a blanket, a book and a picnic and go to the park, or simply put up a tent in your back garden. If it’s too hot (hello to my Middle East friends) or wet (hello to my British friends) camp under the dining room table. Travel is all about seeing the world from a different perspective, and you’ll certainly get a different view of your house from there.

8.     Dress the part: Part 2. Put on your glad rags and tour the museums before taking afternoon tea in the most luxurious surroundings you can find.

9.     Feel different: Think about what makes you feel like you’re on holiday. It might be the chance to read your book, so find a corner of the garden, or a room you don’t usually sit in. It might be trying new wines and cheeses, sitting under the stars in the evening. If you feel different about your location you’re less likely to feel guilty about not doing chores, or ticking things off on your to-do list.

10.  Think family: holidays are about being together, so plan cycling trip, walks, a trip to the beach to fly a kite or shell-seek. Just because you’re not somewhere exotic, it doesn’t mean you can’t create the memories and photographs for the future.

And if you still feel the need to escape for the weekend check out our UAE and Oman ideas by clicking here.

Have a tip to share? We’d love to hear from you. Like us on www.facebook.com/expatexplorers and drop us a line.

I have soared like a bird. I have swum like a fish. And then I have returned to my human form to enjoy a nice cold beer at the end of the day, while sitting in a swimming pool.

Sometimes you need to escape the steamy urban swell of the city and ground yourself in nature. In little under three hours from Dubai we were in the mountains, drinking in the views and marvelling at the fresh air.

The Six Senses resort at Zighy Bay has been on my list of places to experience since we moved to the UAE two years ago. Just to tease myself I’d take a peek at the website and imagine a relaxing weekend, walking through the foam being throw on the beach by the waves. And then realised that it’s not really possible with a young family.

But it is and the reality didn’t quite match the imagination. It was better. It’s as simple as that. The prices are steep, but you’re not paying for a hotel room. You’re paying for an experience, and before you accuse me of being trite, let me explain.

Location: The approach and location of Zighy Bay is exhilarating. We left behind the coffee shops and market stalls of Dibba, weaved our way through the village of Daba and then tackled the dusty, sandy track that weaves into the Al Hajar Mountains. The rocky road to the resort clings to the hillside, and after several switchbacks you’re rewarded with your first glimpse of paradise. Accessible only by 4x4 or boat, and nestled in a little cove, you know this is a place to relax.

Accommodation: This is not a hotel. You don’t book a room. You book a villa. The rooms are large and there is attention to detail; whether you want to relax in your villa and play chess, watch TV or a DVD, lounge in an over-sized bathtub or simply relax in your private pool, it’s all here.

Service: You feel looked after, while at the same time as having your privacy respected. Your personal butler is at your service at the touch of a button. Having one person to look after you makes you feel respected and relaxed. It makes communication easier when someone understands your requests and knows your schedule.

Activities: You could spend your entire visit in your villa, chilling out in the pool, or on the beach, absorbing your surroundings, or in the spa having your worries rubbed away. Or you could jump off a mountain in a paraglider and sail and snorkel around the coast - we did both. Our girls loved the dhow cruise. Our guide, Humaid, was fun and informative, encouraging the children to swim and learn about the rocky caves and underwater life. And the children aren’t forgotten on land either. There is a children’s club and a teenagers’ club, with scheduled activities. Try archery, tennis, the jungle gym, mountain trekking, kayaking…shall I go on?!

I’ve make managed to tick Zighy Bay on my list. But I’m not taking it off my list – I want to go back for more.

For more photographs please click here.

The practical bit:
The border: Non-UAE and Omani nationals have to cross at the Corniche border post, but please don't just turn up or you'll get sent back. You need a hotel reservation and the hotel needs to add your name to a list at the crossing. 

Accommodation: Each of the 82 villas has a private pool. The resort is laid out to resemble a rustic Omani village. You can wander the sandy street or pedal your way around.

Sustainability: The resort prides itself on being sympathetic with its environment. There is a 2,500 square metre organic garden, which provides vegetables, fruits and herbs, and the grounds are home to more than 130 fig trees and 1,000 date palm trees which are harvested annually.

A touch of class: Six Senses Zighy Bay has a library where guests can relax, read a book and surf the internet. The library also houses the resorts many awards for Best Destination Spa – Oman (World Luxury Spa Awards), Oman’s Leading Resort and Oman’s Leading Spa Resort (World Travel Awards) and Best Sustainable Initiative and Best Hotel (Middle East Hotel Awards) to name a few.

For the resort’s website click here.