Residents of the UAE are all too familiar with hectic lifestyles. Living in this glitzy, glamorous metropolis seems to have an unwritten rule: you’ll work hard, putting in long hours and feeling under pressure; and you’ll play hard too, with your free time full of socialising, keeping active, and making the most of all the fantastic outdoor opportunities that come with living in this part of the world.
Every now and again, it can all get too much, and no amount of sumptuous spa treatments can relieve the feeling of needing to get away from it all, even if only for a little while. Fortunately, the UAE is in the ideal location for heading off and spending a few days exploring somewhere completely different, culturally and geographically. It takes approximately the same amount of time to fly to Thailand as it does to fly to the UK, and there are ample places to explore between these two destinations. Moreover, the number of public holidays that are often tagged on to UAE weekends mean that on some occasions you don’t even have to use your hard earned vacation days. It is more than possible to visit a number of destinations over just a four-day weekend, arriving back in Dubai feeling revived, fresh and ready to give one hundred percent again.
There are, however, some tricks to making the most of short breaks from Dubai, in order to ensure that you manage to explore and relax before landing back in the sandpit.
Do your research before booking anything
Whilst spontaneous travel can be exhilarating, this is more suited to trips longer in duration. The idea of a short break is to maximise your time whilst not spending too much money or coming back feeling like you need another holiday. For example, flights to the Maldives from Dubai can often seem reasonably priced, and at under five hours long, the trip is manageable. However (and this is a big however), what one must consider is that this initial flight will merely get you to the capital, and not the island paradise you may have been dreaming of. To do this requires further transport, which can be costly and time consuming. Some islands may not serve alcohol, meaning no sundowners on the beach unless you travel to a resort elsewhere. Who really wants to spend their relaxing island get away constantly thinking of boat timings and prices? This is just one example and a reason why beach short breaks can often be more difficult than city breaks, even if the flight time may at first appear to be shorter.
Look carefully at flight times
Flight times can often be the biggest factor in deciding where to go for a short break. It goes without saying that you need to be back in time for work, but you also need to make sure that you arrive at your destination relatively refreshed. If you can sleep on a night flight, it’s best to maximise your time by flying late in the evening after work. Do check (particularly if you’re travelling alone) that you won’t land somewhere completely random at 3am the following morning.
If, however, you’re not a fan of night flights, it’s best to wait until early the following morning to make your trip. That way, you can enjoy a good night’s sleep and not arrive feeling irritable due to being up all night. The time you miss will not be wasted and will allow you to really make the most of the time you do have, rather than sightseeing whilst feeling exhausted.
Decide what type of break you want
After you’ve done some initial research and looked at flight times, you should have come up with a list of potential destinations, all with their own benefits and disadvantages. One of the most common dilemmas is whether to opt for a beach holiday or a city break. Cities can be more easily accessible, but may not be the most soothing of places. On the other hand, if you want to experience some culture, then a city may present more opportunities than a beach. This decision really is up to you, and the good news is that the options will still be available to you on future trips.
Check visa and passport requirements
The importance of checking these can not be underestimated, and can make the difference between enjoying your trip or not even being allowed to fly in the first place. Some countries do not give visa on arrival to all nationalities, and if this is the case you will need to visit the embassy beforehand. Also check that your passport does not expire within the next six months and that it has plenty of space for stamps and visas – some of them take up a whole page!
Investigate local transport options and links
How you’re going to get around during your short break is something that you must consider as it can make or break the trip. Ensure that the airport you are arriving at is either close to your ultimate destination or has good links for getting to where you want to go. Not all airports are as conveniently placed as Dubai International, and some may actually be quite far away. Destinations such as Amsterdam and Hong Kong have excellent train links that take you to the city swiftly and directly.
Similarly, have a think about how you will get around once you are there. Do you plan on hiring a bike? Walking? If so, is where you are going friendly to cyclists and pedestrians? Or perhaps you aim to use public transport; if this is what you intend to do, see if you can get day or multiple day passes to give you unlimited journeys and save money. Ensure that public transport is frequent if you have your heart set on doing a lot of exploring, as this will save you precious time.
Decide where to stay
Whether you’re staying on a picturesque beach or in a vibrant city, hotels can be expensive. Look into other options such as Air BnB or a small beach villa, and choose your location wisely, making sure it is in the same vicinity as the things that you are interested in seeing and doing. Make sure there are places to eat that are within your budget nearby, and that the all important transport options are readily available to you.
So…what are you waiting for?
We are so privileged to live in the UAE, not only because of the year round sunshine and warm sea, but because of its proximity to so many unique destinations. By following this advice, you can arrange a short break which is exactly that: a break from the routines and stresses which we are all bound by. However, by failing to plan and consider some of the pitfalls you may face, you may come back from your ‘break’ feeling even more exhausted and on edge than you were before you left.
Words + Photos by: Rachael Bruford
