1. Almaty, Kazakhstan
For the adventure-seekers… With stunning scenery and fascinating architecture, the mountainous region of Almaty is the largest city in Kazakhstan and the business and cultural capital. By day, explore the great outdoors from hiking to skiing, paragliding to horse riding, and by night, see a live musical performance, go club hopping, check out the art galleries, or visit a brewery. The best time to visit is between June and September when temperatures remain moderate between 20ºC and 30ºC.
2. AlUla, Saudi Arabia
The ancient UNESCO heritage site is undoubtedly a bucket-list destination with countless experiences around some of Saudi Arabia’s most beautiful and unspoiled landscapes. This site opened to global travellers for the first time in 2020 and visitors can now explore the remarkable and rich historical and archaeological site. Despite having over 200,000 years of history to experience, AlUla is also transforming into a hub for art, wellness, culture, and entertainment.
3. Beirut, Lebanon
Often referred to as Paris of the Middle East – Lebanon’s capital, Beirut is an enchanting destination and one of the oldest cities in the world. Full of energy and character, you could spend days sightseeing, socialising, and shopping. The people in Beirut are some of the friendliest you’ll ever meet, and travelling there can be really flexible depending on the type of traveller and budget.
4. Cairo, Egypt
Check off one of the world’s oldest wonders in Cairo. Fun fact: out of the original seven wonders of the world, the iconic Pyramids of Giza, are the only ones to still exist. Set on the Nile river, Egypt’s capital is also known for its museums, medieval mosques, bustling souks, the citadel, and more. The most popular time to visit is between the months of October and April.
5. Colombo, Sri Lanka
Say ayubowan (hello) to endless green landscapes, tree plantations, wildlife, rainforests, and waterfalls. You can fill your itinerary with as many or as little day trips as you wish (taking time out to sip locally-grown tea by the infinity pool is totally acceptable and encouraged). Some of the main attractions in Sri Lanka include taking the picturesque train ride from Kandy to Ella, climbing Sigiriya Rock, and checking out some of the beautiful beaches including Dalawella.
6. Gudauri, Georgia
This Eastern European destination has become increasingly popular with UAE residents looking to make the snowy peaks their playground thanks to its affordable accommodation and close proximity to the emirates. The country’s best ski resort is Gudauri in the Greater Caucasus mountains, thanks to its high elevation and impressive snow depth reaching 2.5 metres. As well as skiing, there’s plenty to enjoy, with exhilarating experiences like snowtubing, heliskiing and free riding all on offer on the slopes.
7. Larnaca, Cyprus
Larnaca is a 600-year-old coastal city in Cyprus known for its beautiful palm tree-lined beaches, gorgeous weather, famous salt lake, and ancient gems. The island is split into Turkish and Greek halves, which means you can dip into two separate cultures in one trip. If you’re into diving, be sure to check out the Zenobia shipwreck in Larnaca – it’s said to be one of the best dive sites in the world.
