DUBAI: Crowds across Europe, monsoons in Asia and the Americas just too far away — it’s hard to know where to turn for a long weekend away from the Gulf this summer. So why not consider one of these five alternative Eid escapes?
Valletta, Malta: A Mediterranean island with an eclectic vibe
It’s Europe, but not as you know it. The scenic island nation is part of the European Union but sits so far south that it is below Tunis on the map — with a very comparable climate. It is a little misleading to single out the capital city when the main island is just 27km long, but most of the fancy hotels, fine-dining restaurants and retail options are centered around Valletta. Families looking for peace and quiet could take a trip to Gozo for immaculate views and more room to explore as the city streets are a little compact on the mainland.
Pro tip: Watch the movies. You will get more out of Malta’s cinematic scenery if you catch up on the Hollywood hits filmed there in recent years — “Gladiator,” “Alexander,” “Troy” and “Assassin’s Creed” to name just a few.
Flight time from the GCC: 8 hours and 15 minutes, usually via Rome or Cyprus.
Lisbon, Portugal: Affordable chic on the cool Atlantic coast
Portugal’s capital city has all the glamor and charm of Rome, Barcelona and the French Riviera, but at a fraction of the price. If you can find a well-priced flight, enjoy traditional cuisine (the egg tarts are a must-try), epic castles and spectacular seafood for rates that may make the rest of Europe look like a rip-off. This destination is perfect for millennials who want to pair daytime cultural activities with an eclectic and vibrant nightlife.
Pro tips: The City of Spies guided walking tour will allow you to explore the murky world of World War II espionage and the intimate Hot Clube de Portugal is one of the best jazz venues in Europe.
Flight time from the GCC: 8 hours and 10 minutes direct
Maasai Mara, Kenya: Catch the big five on safari
Sick of shopping? Is every hotel room giving you déjà vu? It might be time to reconnect with your wild side in one of East Africa’s best and most accessible reserves, with a host of cozy tented camps to choose from. Connected to Serengeti National Park across the border in Tanzania, “The Mara” is renowned for its abundance of lions, leopards, cheetahs and the world famous Great Migration when millions of zebra, Thomson’s gazelles and wildebeests travel across the plains.
Pro tip: Want to snap photos of the wildlife? Don’t come without a zoom lens for your SLR camera — 300mm should give you some great close-ups. If you don’t have one, borrowing or renting are both options.
Flight time from the GCC: 5 hours and 5 minutes to Nairobi, followed by a brief internal flight or 4x4 transfer
Agadir, Morocco: Surf, spa and shop in a surprising North African city
Despite being named after a 16th century hilltop fortress, the coastal city boasts relatively new architecture due to a severe earthquake in the 1960s. If you can deal with the travel time, you might want to use the long weekend to enjoy perpetual warm sunshine and the beautiful 10km of clean beach. The destination is home to excellent surfing spots and Agadir’s Marina d’Agadir, which is designed to resemble a Berber village and is lined with boutique shops and some lovely restaurants.
Pro tip: Surf enthusiasts should keep an eye on the swell forecasts as there are plenty of options to catch a break along the coast.
Flight time from the GCC: 12 hours and 45 minutes via Casablanca
Spiti Valley, India: A hidden gem in India’s north
First things first, if you cannot handle chilly temperatures plunging into the realm of single digits (and below zero degrees at night) then this one’s not for you. The cold desert mountain valley is high in the Himalayas and lies between Tibet and India. A six-day hiking trail with all the trimmings could cost less than $500 and will be sure to fill your Instagram account with scenery and architecture straight from a fantasy movie.
Pro tip: Pack warm clothes and carry cash — there may be a functioning ATM in the town of Kaza but do not depend on it. Also, make sure to visit the spectacular Kye Gompa monastery.
Flight time from the GCC: 6 hours and 30 minutes to Kullu–Manali Airport
