Whenever December rolls around, most school children go on winter break, making it an ideal time for families to take a trip.
Essa Al Shamsi, senior vice president of terminal operations at Dubai Airports, says there’s always an uplift a few days before the break as residents look to extend their leave.
“Departures peak two to three days ahead of the [Eid Al Etihad] holiday, while arrivals are more evenly spread as residents return at their own pace or continue travelling into the festive season,” he says. “In 2024, the National Day weekend saw guest volume rise by roughly a quarter compared to the November–December average, placing it just behind the major December holiday peak.”
As temperatures cool, tropical destinations often rise to the top of the list.
Thailand, more specifically Phuket, is the most popular search for December travel on Expedia.ae, with a 165 per cent rise compared to search in the same period last year.
Bangkok is among the top five most popular travel search destinations for UAE residents this month. Photo: Ritz-Carlton
Whether it’s the scenic surrounds of Krabi or a laid-back island trip to Koh Samui, the country continues to appeal to many. Rome follows with a 145 per cent jump, while Bangkok, Tokyo and London also make the list, reflecting travellers’ interest in a mix of beach escapes, cultural capitals and big-city adventures.
Some people also use the festive period to head to Europe to visit the Christmas markets. Think twinkling trees, snow-dusted chalets and cobblestones lined with vendors selling everything from roast goose to chimney cakes.
It’s a trend I understand well. A few years ago, I went on a solo trip to Austria and Germany to experience the Christmas magic I’d always heard about. Despite the frigid climes, it lived up to expectations.
But for the ultimate winter adventure, there’s one destination that always sits near the top of many wish lists: Lapland. A vast Arctic wilderness, it offers idyllic experiences such as the northern lights and, more thematically, the Santa Claus Village in its capital, Rovaniemi.
Rovaniemi is an idyllic spot to catch the northern lights. Reuters
That said, whether it’s a day trip, road trip or staycation, there are also plenty of places to explore closer to home.
Road trips to Oman remain popular thanks to the five-hour drive, with options ranging from cultural visits to Muscat to serene stays in Jebel Akhdar and adventures in the wadis.
A quick 75-minute flight to Bahrain is also an option, as my colleague Hayley Kadrou recently found out during a culture-filled 48-hour weekend in the island country. AlUla in Saudi Arabia continues to grow in popularity, while Riyadh is another strong choice as the city is in the midst of Riyadh Season 2025, bringing a packed line-up of performances.
Bahrain is less than a two-hour flight from the UAE. Photo: Four Seasons
For those wanting to stay put in the UAE, there’s no shortage of standout hotels worth spending a couple of nights at.
One of the biggest openings this year was Ciel Dubai Marina, the world’s tallest hotel at 377 metres. Spread across 82 floors with 1,004 rooms and suites, it also breaks another record with the world’s highest infinity pool.
Manila is a great jumping-off point for travellers who want to explore the Philippines' islands. Unsplash
With new flight routes, major cultural events and a wave of hotels opening across the region and beyond, plus global trends shaping demand, 2026 is set to be a year of discovery for UAE travellers.
Europe remains popular, but tourists are exploring other corners of the continent. Asia continues to rise with its mix of affordability and culture. Closer to home, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are reinforcing the Gulf’s position as a travel hub with major cultural and hospitality investments, particularly with the Schengen-style Unified GCC Tourism Visa due to be launched soon. Katy Gillett reports more here.
The hotel is operated by Wynn Resorts. Photo: Encore Boston Harbor
When I travel home to the US for a holiday, my trips usually revolve around family and friends, not five-star hotels. But with Wynn becoming a growing presence in the UAE, I was curious to see how its Boston property, which has brought a new type of luxury to the Massachusetts city, compares.
Encore Boston Harbor is in Everett, which is a 15-minute drive from downtown. Opened in 2019, it is the most recent property from Wynn Resorts – the operator behind Wynn Al Marjan Island, which is set to open in Ras Al Khaimah in March 2027. To know more about the hotel, read here.
My colleague Farah Andrews also has a preview of the extensive art collection that is expected in Wynn Al Marjan Island. Find out more here.
Lucknow has been designated a Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy. Getty Images
At the end of October, Lucknow was designated a Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy owing to its deep-rooted culinary traditions and vibrant food ecosystem.
The city's rich history has something to do with its unique take on North Indian cuisine. From being part of the kingdom of Kosala in the sixth century BC, to being ruled from 1350 onwards by the Mughals, the Nawabs of Awadh (a former kingdom that included Lucknow) and the British East India Company, the city has myriad influences to thank for its cuisine and culture. Read more from Reem Khokhar here.
When paying abroad, always choose to pay in the local currency. It’s a small habit that can save a surprising amount over the course of a trip, as card machines often apply unfavourable conversion rates when you opt for your home currency. Selecting the local option means your bank handles the exchange instead, which is almost always cheaper. It’s a quick decision at checkout, but one that adds up, especially if travelling through countries where card payments are the norm.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
2) Smishing
The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
3) Vishing
The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
4) SIM swap
Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
5) Identity theft
Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
6) Prize scams
Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
Total fights: 32 Wins: 28 Wins by KO: 26 Losses: 4
England Test squad
Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Alastair Cook, Sam Curran, Keaton Jennings, Dawid Malan, Jamie Porter, Adil Rashid, Ben Stokes.
Defined benefit and defined contribution schemes explained
Defined Benefit Plan (DB)
A defined benefit plan is where the benefit is defined by a formula, typically length of service to and salary at date of leaving.
Defined Contribution Plan (DC)
A defined contribution plan is where the benefit depends on the amount of money put into the plan for an employee, and how much investment return is earned on those contributions.
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)
Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm
ENGLAND TEAM
England (15-1)
George Furbank; Jonny May, Manu Tuilagi, Owen Farrell (capt), Elliot Daly; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Tom Curry, Sam Underhill, Courtney Lawes; Charlie Ewels, Maro Itoje; Kyle Sinckler, Jamie George, Joe Marler Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, George Kruis, Lewis Ludlam, Willi Heinz, Ollie Devoto, Jonathan Joseph
COMPANY PROFILE
Name:Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder:Areej Selmi
Based:Gaza
Sectors:Internet, e-commerce
Investments:Grants/private funding
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
