Amman, Jordan
As well as plenty of ancient ruins including the Temple of Hercules and the Umayyad Palace, there’s also an abundance of modern flavours to keep your interest, like the Darat Al Funun art gallery. Hungry? Don’t miss Sufra restaurant for homemade dishes in a traditional setting, or Cantalope for a high-end international menu and rooftop views.
Flight time: Three hours, 30 mins.
Bahrain
Bahrain is just an hour and 15 minutes away by plane, but the smallest Gulf state is worlds away from the fast-paced glitz and glamour of Dubai. If you’re after a cultural holiday, look no further: the Kingdom has a rich history, dating back to 3000 BCE, and you’ll be able to visit sites ranging from Dilmun burial mounds to Portuguese forts. Bahrain also has an amazing home-grown music scene, with incredible DJs and jazz musicians. Visit timeoutbahrain.com for all the best places to go and must-know news and information.
Flight time: One hour 15 minutes.
Baku, Azerbaijan
Baku is just beginning to be explored and with high peaks, lush greenery and stunning modern architecture it’s easy to see why. Azerbaijan Airlines and flydubai run daily flights from Dubai to Baku Heydar Aliyev Airport, while Etihad Airways put on a few flights a week. Don’t miss the Flame Towers– a trio of buildings mimicking fire.
Flight time: Two hours, 55 minutes.
Cairo, Egypt
Less than four hours from the UAE lies Cairo, and if you’re after history and culture then there’s really no better spot for a short break. You can get to Cairo from Abu Dhabi and Dubai with Egypt Air (AUH and DXB), Eithad and Gulf Air (both AUH) and Emirates (DXB). Don’t even think about visiting Cairo without heading to the 4,500 year-old Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx of Giza down the road.
Flight time: Three hours 45 minutes.
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is just a few short hours away, yet when you touch down you’ll step out into another world. If you want to explore you don’t need to spend much time in the capital, and instead venture out to lush mountainous regions such as Kandy, or idyllic beach-side towns like Mirissa. Before you vacate the city, make time for a meal at Bu Ba, or Ministry of Crab if you’re a crustacean fan.
Flight time: Four hours.
Mumbai, India
It’s called the Maximum City for a reason, but if you’re ready for the crowds then there’s no place more vibrant than Mumbai. Whether you’re rubbing shoulders with a Bollywood star or touring the slums, your guaranteed to see every facet of Indian life – and it’s brilliant. There are loads of flights from the UAE with Air Arabia, Emirates, Eihad, Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet flying out from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah from around Dhs1,200 return. Jai ho!
Flight time: Three hours five minutes.
Muscat, Oman
Muscat is so close to the UAE that you can even get a bus there from Dubai, but make the short journey and you’ll be rewarded with perhaps the most beautiful Arabian escape that you can imagine. As well as centuries old forts nestled into beautiful hillsides, you’ll also find top restaurants, huge malls and stunning architecture. Be sure to check out timeoutmuscat.com before you go.
Flight time: One hour five minutes.
