Long- and short-haul inspiration for your dream, or last-minute, January getaway
The GCC is the envy of tourist boards the world over for its year-round good weather, making it the perfect destination for sun-seekers. But, after the sticky summer heat and the welcome return of the cooler autumnal months, booking a trip in the New Year can be a real treat for locals and ex-pats alike. Whether you’re seeking a short hop for a culturally rich stay or a slightly longer jaunt for an ancient city break, here’s where to travel in January
Where to travel in January
St Tropez, France
Flight time: 7 hours to Nice from Dubai, followed by 1hour 45 minute drive
Temperature: Highs of 16°C, lows of 4°C
Think of St. Tropez and think of golden summer nights. Or glamorous beach hangouts, yachts and jet-set sunseekers. But the winter is actually one of the best times to visit, and until the 1950s, actually the peak time to visit the area. One hotel putting the traditional Tropiezenne vacation on its head is the Pan Deï Palais, with the historic hideaway re-opening on 20 December to offer a chic winter escape. Guests can now experience the beloved summertime retreat in a different light, stepping into its discreet ochre facade and secret oasis for a festive escape. With temperates around 16°C and seven hours of sunshine a day, it’s possible to enjoy the Pan Deï Palais’ stunning gardens and beautiful mosaic pool.
airelles.com, @airellespandei
Muscat, Oman
Flight time: 1 hour 10 minutes from Dubai, 2 hours 5 minutes from Riyadh
Temperature: Highs of 25°C, lows of 17°C
A blink-and-you-miss-it 70-minute flight or a comfortable car journey from Dubai, Muscat is the perfect January getaway from the GCC. Still a relatively under-the-radar destination, the enchanting Omani Capital is rich in history and boasts a wealth of incredible places offering a truly authentic experience to lay your head after a culturally rich day of exploration. Found between the Al Hajar mountains and the Arabian Sea, Muscat is a wondrous blend of the old – in fact, Oman is the oldest Arab state in the world – and the new.
Offering unparalleled historical and cultural attractions, in addition to beautiful beach resorts and countless city sights, there’s something for everyone in Muscat – and January is a great time to visit with pleasant temperatures. During your stay, we recommend visiting the National Museum of Oman and browsing the shops of Mutrah Souk. When choosing your hotel, Shangri-La Al Husn is the perfect choice for those exploring Oman for the first time due to its proximity to the city centre and its enviable position amongst the country’s remarkable scenery. Kempinski Hotel Muscat is another excellent option for a short weekend break, boasting some of the widest variety in choice and price points, it also perfects the symbiosis of modernity and tradition, which Muscat does so well.
Courchevel, France
Weather: Highs of 1°C lows of -6°C
Flight time from UAE: 7 hours to Geneva, followed by 2 hours 30 minutes drive
When it comes to French ski resorts, Courchevel is as chi-chi as it gets, specifically Courchevel 1850 – the highest point in the Alpine resort. Elevated in altitude and stature, Courchevel 1850 is a favourite with celebrities and royals – including the Dubai Royal family, who frequent the resort – and welcomes guests into a charming snowglobe with rustic-chic chalets, fondue bars and chocolate box Gucci, Moncler, Fusalp and Dior stores to match – selling their chicest winter wares, of course. Gondola lifts are branded with Gucci, and keen skiers are able to traverse the entire Les Trois Vallées through the network of ski lifts and pistes – the largest ski area in the world. The resort opened on 6th December with buckets of powder fresh snow, and January will see even better conditions. Stay at one of its fairytale-like resorts, including Airelles, Cheval Blanc and Aman Le Melezin – worth every single penny.
Bahrain
Flight time: 1 hour 20 minutes from Dubai, 1 hour 15 minutes from Riyadh
Temperature: Highs of 21°C, lows of 15°C
Famed for its laid-back lifestyle, beautiful coastline and welcoming communities, the archipelago of Bahrain has long been a popular choice for travellers and ex-pats. Now, you can add the Kingdom of Bahrain’s exceptional hotel scene and burgeoning dining scene to your list of reasons to visit. From Arabian beach resorts to design-led boltholes nestled in Bahrain’s old souqs, there are dozens of incredible places to stay, socialise and dine in the smallest Gulf nation.
Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain is one of our top choices. Nestled on the Island of One Million Palm Trees, the newly renovated villa-only property brings a whole new level of luxury hospitality to the country. For a stylish and boutique alternative, we recommend Nuzul Al Salam located in the charming old streets of Muharraq on the UNESCO-protected Bahrain Pearling trail. Here, you can wake up surrounded by a dazzlingly white central courtyard filled with the scent of fresh oranges and lemons from the fruit trees where you can dine on Bahraini cuisine in the hotel’s wonderful contemporary bistro.
When it comes to other places to dine during your visit, one of the kingdom’s oldest restaurants, Haji’s Cafe, provides the perfect cultural immersion. On the other end of the culinary spectrum, you can take in the magnificent Manama skyline from the sweeping outdoor terrace at the Four Seasons Bahrain Bay’s CUT by Wolfgang Puck. Here, you can feast on a delicious selection of prime cuts, shellfish, and fresh whole fish from the world-renowned chef.
Petra, Jordan
Flight time: 3 hours 30 minutes from Dubai, 2 hours 35 minutes from Riyadh
Temperature: Highs of 15°C, lows of 3°C
January is a great time to visit Petra. Typically the coolest month of the year, with decidedly low temperatures of 3°C at night, January offers you the opportunity to gleefully lose yourself in the ancient city’s history that stretches back millennia away from the throngs of the summer crowds. What’s more, there’s every chance you will see the world-famous desert city beneath a smattering of snow which is simply magical.
Temperature aside, few places on earth boast richer historical, cultural, and architectural experiences than Petra. The culinary scene is also intoxicating, with Bedouin and Jordanian influences at every turn. Freshly brewed tea wafts from local stalls, while traditional lamb dish aromas dance to the vibrant cacophony of sounds that fill seemingly every corner of the bustling ancient city. From unique cave experiences to luxurious hotel stays, Petra is a remarkable must-visit destination.
AlUla, Saudi Arabia
Flight time: 3 hours 15 minutes from Dubai, 1 hour 55 minutes from Riyadh
Temperature: Highs of 23°C, lows of 11°C
Relatively unknown to any travellers until tourism e-visas were launched in 2019, the ancient desert city of AlUla in western Saudi Arabia has increasingly become a cultural destination and luxury hotel haven, giving the likes of Petra a run for its money. With two remarkable desert hotels from big-name brands Habitas and Banyan Tree to its name, plus a growing number of chic Airbnbs, there’s never been a better time to board one of the many direct flights that run from Dubai, Riyadh, Jeddah and Damman to the once-forgotten desert kingdom.
During your stay at one of these incredible hotels, there are myriad excursions and sights to behold, including a visit to the ancient tombs of Hegra, a stroll through the streets of AlUla Old Town, a concert at Maraya – the giant, mirrored, purpose-built concert hall and events space in the desert canyon of the Ashar Valley – taking in the sunset at Elephant Rock or an exploration of the tombs of Dadan. There is also a growing fine dining and casual-cool dining scene in AlUla that will satiate you after a full day of soaking in the majesty of this ancient Arabian desert city in the cooler month of January.
The Maldives
Flight time: 4 hours 10 minutes from Dubai, 5 hours 10 minutes from Riyadh
Temperature: Highs of 31°C, lows of 24°C
January is one of the best times to visit the GCC’s perennial favourite destination, the Maldives, when the chance of sunshine is at its highest and rain showers are at a minimum. Synonymous with romantic beach proposals and the first getaway as husband and wife, the South Asian archipelago is also the ultimate getaway for families. After a short four-hour flight from Dubai, you can call any of the Maldives’ stylish all-inclusive resorts and fine family resorts home.
From a relaxing massage at one of the world’s finest spas to walks along the achingly beautiful soft-white beaches and swims in the gloriously turquoise waters among the vast coral reefs and exquisitely coloured marine life, few places deliver the picture-postcard luxury experience as well as this Indian Ocean idyll.
Cape Town, South Africa
Flight time: 9 hours 40 minutes from Dubai, 11 hours 5 minutes + from Riyadh
Temperature: Highs of 29°C, lows of 18°C
Just a nine-hour flight from the GCC, with temperatures in the high twenties (celsius), Cape Town is a must-visit destination all year round but especially so in January. Superlative stays at the likes of Ellerman House – a former private residence nestled on the rocks of Bantry Bay boasting its own private art collection – and period heritage properties such as the inimitable Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel await. Both rated 10/10 by our team, these are unquestionably two of the finest hotels in the world.
The stunning beach city is also home to some beautiful and unique private rentals courtesy of In Residence and its sister Art House Collection. There aren’t enough superlatives in the world to begin to cover the culinary scene in Cape Town – suffice it to say you needn’t worry about eating or drinking well during your stay.
New York, United States
Flight time: 14 hours 50 minutes from Dubai, 14 hours 10 minutes + from Riyadh
Temperature: Highs of 4°C, lows of -3°C
The winter months are our favourite time of year to visit New York. There’s something truly magical about being in the frenetic city when you need to bundle up from the biting cold and dip in and out of the many attractions the Big Apple boasts. After the ball drops in Times Square on December 31st – marking the end of another year and the busy holiday season of Thanksgiving and Christmas – the city returns to its everyday bustle. For the newcomer – and returning visitor – endless sightseeing stops, designer shops, and gallery visits await. With 71 Michelin-starred restaurants (at last count) and incredible street vendors and world-class drinking establishments never further than a stone’s throw away, New York can more than adequately refuel you after a busy day of exploration.
During your time amongst the yellow cabs and bright Broadway lights, why not visit Aman’s ultra-stylish first outpost in the US? Dubbed the world’s most expensive city hotel and named one of the best hotels by World’s 50 Best, Aman New York is sublime in every way more than justifying its price tag. Somewhat ironically, the city that never sleeps is chockful of incredible hotels, from excellent boutique names to the world’s finest institutions. For all these reasons and more, you can always rely on New York’s timeless charisma to warm the cockles if the mercury does drop below zero.
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