AlUla, Saudi Arabia: 3 hours
For millennia, the city of AlUla in western Saudi Arabia was the crossroad of civilisation, a key stop on the ancient incense trading route from the East to West and home to great civilisations like the Nabateans (of Petra fame). This storied desert kingdom lay largely in the shadows, until recently, when as part of Vision 2030, the area embarked on a mission to establish itself as a world-leading tourism destination welcoming two new luxury hotels and hosting polo matches, art installations, and pop-ups from the likes of Annabel’s (of London’s Berkeley Square fame) and opening AlUla international airport. AlUla is one of the most exciting locations for short-haul flights from Dubai, offering peace, escapism, history and adventure, alongside an exciting cultural calendar.
How to get there
Low-cost carriers Flydubai and Flynas both fly direct from Dubai International Airport to AlUla, with Flydubai offering flights on Thursdays and Sundays (perfect for a long weekend).
Where to stay
Wellness, eco-focused resort Habitas was the first luxury resort to open in AlUla – offering accommodations in 96 traditional-meets-modern villas with a main mixed-gender swimming pool, cool coffee shop, spa and wellness centre and main Tama restaurant – the social hub of the resort. The hip hotel group also Caravan by Habitas – 22 Airstreams set away from the resort with food trucks and a more youthful vibe. Banyan Tree AlUla joined the game last year, with 79 tented private villas (most with private pools) peppered across the desert overlooking Maraya concert hall – with two restaurants, a rock pool and the Banyan Tree Spa.
Jaipur, India: 3 hours 10 minutes
India’s Pink City is one of the most enchanting places on earth: flamboyant, historical and mesmerising, it’s the gateway to the country’s royal Rajasthan state, and as a result, known for its palaces and majestic past. Wandering Jaipur’s cacophonic streets to find beautiful sites like the pastel-pink Hawa Mahaal and the terracotta City Palace – the home of the former maharajah and royal family and a fascinating and beautiful museum. These streets hide world-class restaurants and bars – like The Johri and Baradari – (just be sure to dodge the cows, swarms of motorbikes and cycle rickshaws on the way in) while the surrounding hills and lakes are home to treasures like the Jah Mahal and the fairytale Amber Fort.
How to get there
Spice Jet and Air India Express offer direct short-haul flights from Dubai to Jaipur International Airport from DXB from as little as AED310.
Where to stay
A peaceful hotel is essential to recharge between sightseeing in Jaipur – and luckily, the city is home to a plethora of stunning and serene properties. The grandest is the Rambagh Palace – operated by Taj Hotels and the former palace of the Maharajas of Jaipur – where you’ll find the Rajasthan Polo Club, ornate rooms and spacious lawns. Other top stays include the Rajmahal Palace – a pale-pink, Roaring Twenties-inspired royal retreat with manicured lawns and ornate suites named after illustrious guests from the hotel’s past, like Queen Elizabeth II and The Kennedy suite. For an intimate retreat in the heart of the Johri Bazaar, the five-suite The Johri is a design-led boutique hotel with one of the best restaurants in town.
Tbilisi, Georgia: 3 hours 30 minutes
Sitting in a green valley in the shadows of the Narikala fortress and a maze of cobbled old streets, faded art deco and brutalist Soviet buildings, Georgia’s capital of Tbilisi is one of the most striking in Europe. Its cobbled streets are lined with Eastern Orthodox churches, museums and art nouveau buildings, which sit alongside cool homegrown Georgian restaurants and trendy wine bars highlighting local wineries. While rich in history, a new wave of creatives is bringing the city to life with candle-lit bars and cool boutique shops. Disused factories are now trendy wine bars and former Soviet offices now house the city’s coolest boutique hotels.
How to get there
Emirates and flydubai fly a direct daily route to Tbilisi from DXB from AED1,020.
Where to stay
Set in a former publishing house in the cultural Vera neighbourhood, Rooms Hotel is a mix of Georgian tradition and modernism. Inside is all industrial chic – soaring ceilings, leather furnishings, wooden floorboards – a theme that carries through to the 125 rooms and suites, with suites on the top floor having terraces overlooking the Tbilisi skyline. Also set in a former publishing house is Stamba Hotel – a trendy establishment with exposed brickwork and soaring warehouse-style picture windows. Rooms are eclectic and unique – some have bookshelves, others gold and black bathtubs, on the terrace. Other highlights include a glass-bottomed pool, wellness area with gym and hairdresser, pastel-pink bar and art deco cafe with vintage booths an an open kitchen.
Baku, Azerbaijan: 3 hours
Azerbaijan’s capital and commercial hub is often described as the child of Paris and Dubai – home to a UNESCO-listed Old City and low-rise historical buildings, but with a hefty dose of futurism. The city is on the up, thanks to a second oil boom and an increase in tourism which has birthed an era of experimental architecture and glossy new buildings – though the city’s past is still tangible in Soviet and art deco sites. More classical highlights include tree-lined boulevards with stone mansions, shaded parks and the medieval walled city – home to the Palace of the Shirvanshahs – and the iconic Maiden Tower, while the Zaha Hadid–designed Heydar Aliyev Center and Flame Towers are the embodiment of new Baku.
How to get there
Flydubai, Emirates and Azerbaijan Airlines fly direct between Dubai and Baku, with daily flights from AED950.
Where to stay
Four Seasons Baku is widely regarded as the best in the city – on the shores of the Caspian Sea with a tranquil spa and hammam and elegant old-world rooms. For a contemporary stay inside the Flame Towers opt for Fairmont Baku – sitting high above Lamborghini showrooms with views over the ocean.
Cairo, Egypt: 3 hours 50 minutes
As the capital of one of mankind’s greatest civilisations, Cairo is steeped in history and wonder. The sprawling metropolis – home to nearly 10 million people – is set along the banks of the River Nile and has a mix of Roman, Ottoman, Arab and modern architecture. History and the present day collide in Cairo: the Pyramids of Giza lording over the city and other ancient monuments, but also beautiful hotels, modern shopping districts and its renowned traffic and cacophony of car horns (almost as prevalent as the call to prayer).
How to get there
EgyptAir and Emirates Airlines fly direct to Cairo from Dubai, with multiple daily flights available.
Where to stay
The St Regis Cairo is one of the city’s most impressive hotels: a lavish waterfront property with a soothing, graceful design and the brand’s signature butler service. Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza sits at the banks of the River Nile is also regarded as one of the best, with eight restaurants and lounges, grand interiors and an oasis-like swimming pool.
Tel Aviv, Israel: 3 hours 30 minutes
As far as short-haul flights from Dubai go, Israel’s beach city Tel Aviv is a solid bet for a weekend of sun and fun. The Mediterranean metropolis basks in near year-round sunshine (summer only reaches around 30 degrees celsius) and offers travellers a fantastic food scene, plenty of significant cultural sites, world-class nightlife and stunning hotels. Live the history of the vibrant coastal town in the Jaffa neighbourhood, enjoy the city’s famous Bauhaus-style architecture (designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites), unwind on 14 kilometres of clean and well-kept beaches, enjoy a foodie tour of The Carmel market and enjoy its thriving bar and nightlife scene and countless happy hours.
How to get there
Emirates, flydubai, Arkia and Israir all fly directly between Dubai and Tel Aviv – making it one of the most accessible short-haul flights from Dubai.
Where to stay
For a luxury stay in Jaffa, opt for the sophisticated The Setai Tel Aviv with its sea views and rooftop pool or The Jaffa – set in an alabaster former 19th-century convent with grand archways, plenty of marble, soaring vaulted ceilings and stained-glass windows. Opt for a stay at The Norman to be in the heart of the buzzing Rothschild Boulevard and enjoy an impressive modern art collection, panoramic greenery-filled rooftop and two non-kosher restaurants.
Amman, Jordan: 3 hours 10 minutes
Jordan’s capital Amman is a lesser-trodden option when choosing short-haul flights from Dubai. The historical and leafy city is an enchanting mix of old and new – set across a series of hilltops and home to numerous ancient ruins. A historic citadel includes the domed 8th-century Umayyad Palace complex and pillars of the Roman Temple of Hercules, while another hillside houses the ruins of a 6,000-seater Roman amphitheatre. The city is bursting with modern art galleries and trendy restaurants, and a summer streek market is Jabal Amman has pop-up cafes, street food and live performances from local bands and musicians.
How to get there
Emirates, flydubai and Royal Jordanian all fly direct from Dubai to Amman’s Queen Alia airport.
Where to stay
Marking a new era of luxury hotels in the Jordanian capital, The Ritz-Carlton Amman opened its doors last year – a glossy 20-story tower in the heart of the affluent 5th Circle neighbourhood with beautiful city views and exquisite design touches
