Hop on a plane for the long weekend and enjoy an international holiday less than four hours away.
The UAE is gearing up for its UAE National Day where residents are treated to a 3-day weekend – so why not take advantage of the extra day off and explore some international locations which are literally on the doorstep of the UAE?
We’ve got Commemoration Day on Thursday Nov 30th and the public holiday for the private sector is on Friday December 1st, so the National Day holiday will be the day after on the 3rd, with a normal day off on Sunday.
Team Insider have decided the best way to get the most out of your days off is to hop on a short flight, and we’ve rounded up our five favourite destinations for you. Read on to find out…
Goa, India
The smallest state in India, Goa is blessed with beautiful beaches, a vibrant local community with a hippy vibe, and stunning South Indian cuisine. There are also some highly recommended mud baths at Chorãa and some guided tours around The Figueiredo Mansion (which was built before even the Taj Mahal in 1950). Or if you want to spend your days mooching around the local markets, cracking open a beer, and reclining on the beach, there are plenty of other people doing the same.
Distance from Dubai: 3.5 hour flight time.
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
One of the oldest societies in the Gulf, Jeddah is more Westernised than Riyadh, and sightseeing includes the Al Rahma Mosque and check King Fahd Mountain, and a giant LED ‘Jeddah’ sign that makes for cool Instagram pictures. There’s a pretty beachfront with sculptures along the Corniche, and dining spots including famed Italian San Carlo Cicchetti and Restaurant of the Year Winner Myazu.
Distance from Dubai: 3 hours and 5-mins flight time.
Muscat, Oman
Famed for its stunning rocky outcrops towering over crystal blue waters, the shores of Muscat in Oman are perfect for diving, snorkelling, and any small vessel sailing trips. There is an abundance of Marine life including an almost-guaranteed sighting of dolphins. With a charming architectural mix of ancient Portuguese and Arabic buildings in the bustling city centre. Omani people are also exceedingly friendly to tourists.
Distance from Dubai: 1 hour and 10-mins flight time.
Yerevan, Armenia
Away from the hustle of developed city life and towering skyscrapers, Yerevan offers a quaint visit which feels like a step back in time. You can also visit an opera, Monastery of Geghard, the ballet, or some of the city’s epic jazz clubs. The city is steeped in history and older even than Rome, and one of the oldest inhabited cities.
Distance from Dubai: 3 hours and 10-minutes flight time.
Tbilisi, Georgia
Full of greenery and quaint buildings, there is beautiful charming architecture and brightly painted houses situated on cobblestone streets, and there are hole-in-the-wall restaurants with local delicacies (if you can find them). Sight-seeing includes the 4th-century fortress Narikala and the Fabrika Courtyard, while the Bridge of Peace makes for great photographs. Founded in the 5th century AD, the city is straight out of a gothic fairytale, and is the perfect antithesis to contemporary desert cities such as Dubai or Riyadh.
Distance from Dubai: 3 hours.
