And just like that January is done and dusted and half-term is fast approaching – which means it’s time to get planning which one of the half-term holiday destinations you and the family can go to. From cities to coasts to the countryside, blow-the-budget breaks to more thrifty trips, we’ve rounded up the best family-friendly half-term hot spots, each of them less than six hours flight from the UAE.
For the adventurous of spirit: Salalah, Oman
For a holiday escape that feels a world away from the UAE but is actually only a two-hour flight from home (and comes with a no-time-difference bonus), the coastal town of Salalah in the gorgeously green south of Oman ticks all the right boxes, and then some.
Rich with culture, vegetation and staggering natural beauty, seemingly untouched by time and brimming with things to see and sites to explore, Salalah is an absolute gem of a place for kids and adults alike.
If your family enjoy nothing more than an al fresco adventure, the famous blowholes on Mughsail Beach should be top of your to-do list. They send explosive jets of water high into the air soaking and delighting bystanders in equal measure.
After that, there are rugged tree-topped mountains and verdant grassy hills ripe for hiking, gushing waterfalls and deep wadis to explore, vibrant local markets to navigate and much more.
Should you fancy scoring serious brownie points with the kids, a night spent camping under the stars out in the Empty Quarter is the sort of experience that will be talked about for years to come.
Salalah’s hotel resorts are well known for the warm welcome they give to families. Amongst them, the Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara stands out for its fabulous location (nestled between a gorgeous beach and fresh water lagoon and bordering the World Heritage-listed ruins of Al Baleed), its five-star feel and range of activities. There’s a huge infinity pool, opportunity to hire push bikes and kayaks, play beach volleyball or tennis and go scuba diving or deep-sea fishing. The well-equipped kids’ and teens’ clubs are also worth checking out.
Distance from the UAE: Flights from Dubai to Salalah International Airport take two hours. The Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara is a 15-minute drive from the airport.
anantara.com
For everything you need in one place: Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas, Qatar
If you’re looking for the sort of holiday break that sees you and the fam rock up at your destination and then have no reason to leave until check out, the Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas will do the job nicely.
The sprawling luxury hotel complex on the southwestern tip of Qatar opened in 2021 and is a mega resort if there ever was one. Built around a sizable harbour and surrounded by two lengthy beaches, accommodation options include two, three and four-bedroom luxury beach villas with private pools, an array of Arabian village villas and nearly 250 rooms and suites in the main hotel.
No matter how picky your little eaters are we reckon they’ll find something to devour with gusto here. There are 20 global-inspired food and beverage outlets and choices include everything from dim sum to gastro pub fare, gourmet ice cream and afternoon tea.
In terms of entertainment, it’s all going on: swimming pools, sports courts, a spa with VIP suites, kilometres (3.5 in total) of pristine white sand and beach activities and water sports galore. Thanks to its 18 attractions and 56(!) rides, it is officially Qatar’s largest theme park. All guests are given complimentary daily access.
Distance from the UAE: The flight from Dubai to Doha takes approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. Do note there is a 100km onward journey from the airport to reach the hotel.
hilton.com
For dreamy beachside feels: the Seychelles
Staggeringly beautiful beaches resplendent with pristine white sand; world-class scuba diving and snorkelling; dramatic, bedrock-strewn landscapes, verdant forests and UNESCO heritage sites to explore – there’s no hard sell needed when it comes to explaining why a holiday in the Seychelles is a good idea. That said, the island archipelago is better known as a destination for honeymooners than families with school-aged kids in tow.
The Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa on Silhouette Island makes a strong case for altering that opinion though. Here you’ll find all the luxury high-end spoils you’d expect from a Seychelles resort, with a family-friendly atmosphere running throughout.
The shallow lagoon waters are ideal for paddling and shell collecting, children’s menus are available in all the restaurants and there are plenty of kid-friendly activities (watersports, jungle hikes, fishing expeditions, introduction to diving packages included).
The on-site kids’ club, Labriz’s Island Academy, is open to children from five to 12 years old, and it sets the bar high. Activities are inspired by Creole culture and focus on exploration, adventure and education: Think nature walks, tortoise feeding and reef manta ray spotting. They offer babysitting services on request, too.
Distance from the UAE: Flights from Dubai to the island of Mahe take four and a half hours. From Mahe, you can travel to Silhouette Island by helicopter (a 15-minute journey) or by boat from Bel Ombre Jetty (a 45-minute journey).
hiltonseychelleslabriz.com
For all your wants, needs and whims catered for: the Maldives
The palm trees sway, the ocean water twinkles, the white sand gleams, the weather is pretty much perfect (occasional rainstorm withstanding) and a sense of tropical paradise reigns supreme.
While much like the Seychelles, the Maldives might not be the obvious destination for a young family, if you pick your resort wisely you too can live the half-term holiday dream. By that we mean give the boutique, uber-exclusive resorts a miss and opt instead for a larger, more inclusive (or even all-inclusive) destination such as Club Med Kani.
Set on its own private atoll, this place is capable of delivering the holiday of a lifetime for every single member of the squad: the beach is as flawless as you’d expect, the staff are relentlessly happy and helpful (yep, even when the kids throw a tantrum and the dinner table looks like as disaster zone), the opportunities for adventures are endless – sailing, surfing, snorkelling and more and the kids’ club is pretty exceptional. We’re talking trapeze lessons, cooking classes, pool games and kayaking.
Accommodation options include beachside villas with adjoining rooms (the dream!), while a team nap in the late afternoon sun is actively encouraged. Need we tempt you further?
Distance from the UAE: Flights from Dubai to Male, the capital of the Maldives, take four hours. From there you can travel by speedboat transfer to Club Med Kani (this can be organised by the resort).
clubmed.co.uk/r/kani/y
For cultural cool: Athens, Greece
Greece has a huge amount to offer come half-term. Should you not be fussed about the beach, hop on a direct flight to Athens (five and half hours in the air) and stay put. There’s an exciting energy about the city that combines contemporary cool with old-town charm thanks to local art exhibitions and pop-ups, great fashion, funky boutique hotels and experimental fine dining outlets. It gives families the chance to explore something different.
That said, history still reigns supreme. No visit to the Greek capital would be complete without venturing to the top of the Acropolis (go early to beat the crowds) and exploring the Acropolis Museum is another must. The National Museum of Contemporary Art is well worth a visit. If you happen to be around on a Sunday, a trip to the always bustling Monastiraki Flea Market should be added to the itinerary.
There is accommodation for every taste and budget here (including a number of keenly placed Airbnb offerings, many with terraces boasting Acropolis views).
If you really want to impress your teens, Ergon House in downtown Athens oozes on-trend chic. As well as achingly tasteful, just the right side of minimalist bedrooms, the light-filled, open plan ground floor is home to a deli, fishmongers, coffee roastery, bakery and greengrocers with a vertical hydroponic growing field on one side and a graffiti wall on the on the other.
Distance from the UAE: Direct flights from Dubai to Athens take just over 5 hours.
house.ergonfoods.com
For a bit of everything: relaxation, culture and al fresco adventure: Cyprus
Offering a lovely change of both scenery and pace of life, a half-term holiday spent on Cyprus is pretty much guaranteed to leave all members of the clan feeling refreshed and reenergised. It rather helps that the Mediterranean island is renowned for its family-friendly feel, from the warmth and approachability of the locals to the calm Mediterranean waters, beautiful beaches, pretty coastal towns, plethora of excursions and day trip options and numerous hotels where excellent kids’ clubs feature as a matter of course.
While the desire to spend endless hours lazing on the beach will no doubt be strong and should of course be indulged for a day or two at least (or as long as the littles ones allow), there’s also masses to do.
Many would argue that Cyprus’ marvellous landscape is best appreciated from two wheels and as such, designated cycle tracks spanning towns and villages, heritage sites and the rolling countryside feature across the island.
Horse-riding is popular, too: if you’re staying on the coast the opportunity to saddle up and gallop (or more likely trot) along acres of deserted beach is not to be missed. Of course, it almost goes without saying that the water sports are great: whether you (or your offspring) are keen to try wakeboarding, water-skiing, parasailing, banana boating, kayaking or canoeing, it’s all up for grabs here.
Amidst stiff competition, the Amathus Beach Hotel in Limassol comes recommended time and time for offering top family-friendly amenities and a cozy feel without losing its sense of luxury. Facilities include a swimming pool with waterslides, spa, gym, range of restaurants, a designated family beach and restaurant, outdoor playground and well-equipped kids’ club with video and games room for older children. Wandering performers and clowns meanwhile keep little people entertained at every turn.
Distance from the UAE: Direct flights from Dubai to Cyprus take just over five hours.
amathuslimassol.com
