It's sizzling out there and so it will be for the next couple of months. Make the most of the summer and escape to one of the easily accessible destinations via low-cost airlines. Explore gives you the low-down on affordable getaways with refreshing landscapes.
Salalah, Oman
Salalah has white sand beaches and mountains, which receive the mists of the monsoon, creating a lush green country.
Time to destination: One hour (connecting in Muscat), and one hour 40 minutes
Flights from: Dh1,815 (round trip)
What to see: Beaches on the road to Mughsail and Al Balid ruins.
Affordable stay: Al Jabal Hotel (www.aljabalhotel.com), Sultan Qaboos Hospital Road. Haffa House (www.haffahousesalalah.com/haffa_house.htm), Salalah airport, for a traditional Omani stay.
Cheap eats: Udupi Restaurant, July 23 Street, for Indian vegetarian; Baalbek Restaurant, July 23 Street (near the Nawras building) for Lebanese cuisine and seafood.
Amman, Jordan
Amman is a city of contrasts: Eastern Amman is much older than Western Amman, a world apart, with leafy residential districts, trendy cafés and art galleries.
Time to destination: Three hours ten minutes
Flights from: Dh1,285 (round trip)
What to see and do: Citadel, Archaeological Museum, King Abdullah Mosque, Roman amphitheatre.
Affordable stay: Mansour Hotel, an old Arabic school-turned-hostel, King Faisal Street, Downtown; Palace Hotel, Downtown (www.palacehotel.com.jo), is also a great mid-range option.
Cheap eats: Hashem, off Al Amir Mohammad Street, for falafel; Reem's Cafeteria, Second Circle, Jabal Amman, stays open 24 hours.
Chandigarh, India
Considered the best-planned city in India, Chandigarh is known for its greenery and quality of life.
Time to destination: Three hours (connecting in Delhi), and one hour
Flights from: Dh1,835 (round trip)
What to see and do: Rock Garden, Rose Garden, Kansal Forest, Capitol Complex set against the Shivalik peaks, Bhakra Nangal Dam, Bougainvillea Garden.
Affordable stay: Hotel Gravity, Sector 34, City Centre, offers value for money; City Heart 18 (www.cityhearthotels.com), Sector 18, City Centre, a small hotel.
Cheap eats: Hot Millions Restaurant (www.hotmillions.biz), Sector 17, for tandoori specialities; Mandarin Restaurant, Sector 17, great for sweet-and-sour chicken or crispy fried noodles.
Beirut, Lebanon
Beirut is a cultural hub, known for its nightlife. It also has scenic views and hiking trails.
Time to destination: Three hours 30 minutes
Flights from: Dh1,270 (round trip)
What to see and do: Corniche, National Museum of Beirut, Souk Al Barghout, a day trip to Baalbeck
Affordable stay: Lord's Hotel, Manara (www.bookinn.com/homepage/lord); Al Shahbaa Hotel, Downtown, a low-cost hostel.
Cheap eats: Abdul Wahab, for Lebanese food; Barbar, Hamra Street, for sandwiches and manaeesh.
Damascus, Syria
A living museum spanning thousands of years, Damascus is full of bazaars and fountain courtyards.
Time to destination: Three hours 20 minutes
Flights from: Dh1,125 (round trip)
What to see and do: Umayyad Mosque, Souk Al Hamidiya, Azm Palace, Al Takia Al Sulaimaniya.
Affordable stay: Afamia Hotel (www.afamiahotel.com), Furat Street; Al Haramain Hotel, is a backpackers' favourite.
Cheap eats: Beit Jabri (www.jabrihouse.com), Old City, for meze and salads; Abu Al Azz, Souk Al Hamidiya is also popular with tourists.
Alexandria, Egypt
Founded in 331BC and occupying a 20-kilometre strip along the Mediterranean coast, this city is cosmopolitan with colonial-style architecture, beaches and restaurants.
Time to destination: Three hours 55 minutes
Flights from: Dh1,575 (round trip)
What to see and do: Alexandria National Museum, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Ramses Day tour, Attarine Souk, Citadel of Qait Bey, and Montazah Gardens and Palace.
Affordable stay: New Capri Hotel, Midan Ramla area.
Cheap eats: Zapyrion in Abu Qir, a Greek-owned café known for its seafood; Fishmarket Restaurant, Corniche, for a splendid view over the Mediterranean.
Baku, Azerbaijan
The Azeri capital is home to century-old architecture near a piazza known as the Fountain Square.
Time to destination: Two hours 55 minutes
Flights from: Dh906 (round trip)
What to see and do: The Unesco-listed Old City, Maiden's Tower, Palace of the Shirvanshahs and Qobustan (Stone Age petroglyphs).
Affordable stay: Old City Inn, Old City (www.oldcityinn.com); 1000 Camels Hostel (www.thousandcamels.com) for backpackers, Old City.
Cheap eats: Bah Bah Club (www.bah-bahclub.com) plays live music; Karvansara Restaurant, Old City, is set in 14th century caravanserais.
Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul is blessed with the Bosphorus River, the straits separating Europe and Asia and providing an alternative to exploring the city.
Time to destination: Four hours 55 minutes
Flights from: Dh960 (round trip)
What to see and do: Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, a trip on the Bosphorus, Topkapi Palace and Grand Bazaar.
Affordable stay: Chill Out (www.chillouthostelcafe.com) is a hostel in Taksim, Beyoglu; Grand Hotel de Londres (www.londrahotel.net/index.html) is a historical hotel.
Cheap eats: Kızılkayalar Taksim (www.kizilkayalar.com.tr/) for fast food; Hamdi Restaurant (www.hamdi.com.tr/sayfa.php?s=urunler&lang=en) for kebabs, with views over the Bosphorus.
Kathmandu, Nepal
While the bustling city of Kathmandu can be a bit overwhelming, its Himalayan surroundings are refreshing — a trekkers' paradise.
Time to destination: Four hours 15 minutes
Flights from: Dh990
What to see: Old Town, Durbar Square and Pashupatinath Temple.
Affordable stay: Kathmandu Guest House (www.ktmgh.com/kgh/default.php), Thamel, has a rooftop terrace; Kantipur Temple House (www.kantipurtemplehouse.com), Jyatha Tol, is a favourite with backpackers and is full of carvings.
Cheap eats: Skala, Thamel, for vegetarian food; Laskus Restaurant, Kathmandu Guest House (www.ktmgh.com/kgh/dining.php), Thamel, is known for Tibetan dishes.
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Once you've appreciated Colombo's colonial heritage, go explore the surroundings and wildlife.
Time to destination: Four hours 30 minutes
Flights from: Dh970
What to see and do: Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo Fort, Pinawalla elephant orphanage, Gangaramaya Temple and surfing in Negombo.
Affordable stay: Ranveli Beach Resort, Mt Lavinia (www.ranvelibeachresortcolombo.com); Shanti Guest House (www.shanthi-guesthouse.de).
Cheap eats: Seafish Restaurant, the Fort, for seafood; Raja Bojun, Galle Road. It serves halal food.
— Flight information courtesy: Dnata
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