In Pictures: Planning a trip for this UAE National Day break? Try these travel destinations

Azerbaijan | Called the Pearl of the Caucasus, Azerbaijan is a country rich in culture, history and luxury. Capital city Baku will remind you of Dubai, with its towering skyline and its pristine beaches cradling the waters of the Caspian Sea. Unwind as you stroll across Baku Boulevard where you discover a myriad of islands with gondolas sailing through the canals and restaurants dotted across the shore. While in Azerbaijan, check out the primitive petroglyphs of Gobustan situated 60km from the capital city of Baku. Rising out of the semi-desert, Gobustan is a Unesco World Heritage site, known for its 6,000 rock engravings, which go back 40,000 years. A 4.5 hour drive from Baku is the Sheki Khan Palace, a place paying tribute Azerbaijani craftsmen famed for their ‘Shebeke’ — a mosaic of coloured glass set in wooden latticework and assembled without nails or glue.

Armenia | The most preferred destinations for UAE residents during this period are Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kenya, Jordan, the Maldives, and Egypt. Godfrey Lopez of Uranus Travel and Tours said: “People prefer destinations with less than 5 hours of travel time on an average. And that’s the reason why CIS holiday breaks remain the top choices for UAE travellers.”

Georgia | A popular weekend destination from the UAE owing to low costs of travel and a complete change of scenery, Georgian capital city Tbilisi is slightly more expensive during peak season but is still worth the visit. Scale the Caucasian mountains, visit the Black-Sea coast or explore the alleys all over the city. There are also plenty of affordable and delicious local food to be sampled.

Kenya | Airfares to Azerbaijan, Georgia and the Maldives hover around Dh1,200-Dh1,400 for a round-trip with flydubai and Air Arabia. Tourist packages inclusive of air travel, hotel accommodation, and sightseeing at tourist attractions cost Dh2,500 per person.

Maldives | Drop off the grid at this ultimate beach getaway for couples. Spend the days basking in the sunshine, or take a dip in the balmy waters of the Indian Ocean. Most resorts offer a number of water activities, including snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking and so on. While January to April used be the best time sight dolphins and whales in and around the waters of Maldives, due to the changes in the weather patterns, you now get a chance to see the playful mammals much earlier in season. Emirates flies direct to Male.

Bali | Julia Roberts may have popularised the phrase for the millennials, but Bali’s humble pleasures have long since struck the right balance between beauty and mindfulness. If the madness of Kuta’s bustling beaches, art markets and late-night parties are more your thing, then Seminyak and Legian are your best bet. But if you really want to discover the essence of the Balinese culture, then head inland to Ubud, where you can wake up to the vistas of majestic paddy fields, explore the sacred monkey forest or simply stroll through the beautiful temples that have withstood the test of time.

Egypt | Just as popular as outbound tourism is, inbound tourism in UAE is also making a strong return. “UAE remains one of the most popular destinations for travellers from Russia, France, the US and the UK.”

Jaipur and Ranthambore, India | Live like royalty in Rajasthan with a short break in a bona fide Jaipur palace. While we highly recommend a visit to the majestic Hawa Mahal and a stroll through the colourful Tripolia Bazaar, it is the 300-year-old City Palace of Jaipur that has caught our attention. And if a chance at the royal life has really tickled your fancy, then conclude the break with a visit to Ranthambore National Park, home to the Bengal tiger. If you have seen pictures of the majestic creatures roaming in the wild in India, chances are those images have been taken at Ranthambore. Opt for either a jeep and canter safari and explore the natural habitat of this endangered species. If you want the true luxury jungle experience, then tented properties such as the Oberoi Vanyavilas resort and Aman-I-Khas hotel are your best bet. Also, while there you make come across whisperings of a Bollywood wedding being planned there come December.

Seychelles | Weather in the balmy mid-twenties, sporadic showers and a cool breeze as the sun sets, this sums up a getaway to Seychelles. The archipelago attracts thousands of tourists every year due to its crystal-clear waters, especially its three main islands — Mahe, Praslin and La Digue. If your travels take you to North Mahe’s Beau Vallon district, be prepared for diving deep into the waters with plenty of scuba and snorkelling options. We also recommend spending time in Victoria, the capital of Seychelles. Take a cruise to Sainte Anne Marine National Park and explore the rich history of the city including the Natural History Museum, Victoria Botanical Gardens and more.

Zanzibar | For centuries, this Indian Ocean island off the coast of East Africa has lured explorers, traders, adventurers, and romantics of all kinds. The ultimate destination for foodies, Arabic and Indian influence (the latter from immigrants and traders who arrived on the coast) bear the strongest influence on Swahili food. The destination is also great for visitors who love beaches, azure waters and seafood.

Sri Lanka | Sure, we give credit to the tourist-friendly cities of Colombo, Kandy and Bentota. But if you truly want to explore the natural landscape of Sri Lanka, then head to Ella, a small town nestled in the hill-country of Sri Lanka, where the land is rich with tea plantations, dramatic waterfalls and stunning temples. Explore the dense countryside via the many hiking trails, including routes to Little Adam’s Peak and Ella Rock, which offer beautiful views of the lush countryside. Stay at the Ella Jungle Resort – nestled on the banks of the Kirindi Oya River and surrounded by wild jungle, where you can find your jungle feet. Choose from an Eco Jungle Chalet, Cottage or Cabin – each offering spacious, breezy rooms with balconies – and wake up to the sound of the nearby mountain stream.

India | “November and December is generally the peak season for tourism activities in UAE,” said Lopez. “With Expo, the hospitality sector is getting all the boost it required post-pandemic”

Pakistan | Dubai’s hotels too are feeling the buzz from booking activity, with four-star properties recording solid 90 per cent plus occupancy across the board.

Online travel sites like makemytrip.com, booking.com are offering a free cancellation policy and no pre-payment policy for almost all the bookings. “Waiting period for 4-star hotels are roughly around two weeks,” said a local travel agent. “The most preferred location is Downtown, and most of the tourists take the metro to the Expo venue as this is budget-friendly.”

In the 5-star category, Jumeirah Beach Hotel and InterContinental remain top picks. Rooms there are priced at an average of Dh2,500 per night.

A little tip for inbound travellers: On applying filters and after a vigorous search for a budget-friendly 4-star hotel, they can get rooms at an average Dh400 a night. Now is clearly the time to make the trip to the UAE.