Spring break is around the corner, with most private schools in the UAE scheduled to close from March 27 to April 10.
Pupils will have the two-week break at the beginning of Ramadan, which is expected to begin in the UAE on March 23 — although the official date will be determined by the country's moon-sighting committee closer to the time.
There are plenty of deals to be had for travellers looking to escape on a budget. From exploring ancient history in Egypt's Alexandria to sun-seeking in the Maldives, these last-minute getaways are still available.
1. Underrated Albania
Albania has been growing in popularity as travellers increasingly discover how diverse and affordable the European destination can be. Known for its Adriatic and Ionian coastlines, plus its mountain peaks, Albania can be reached via a six-hour flight from Dubai.
Holiday Factory’s Albanian winter deal is still valid for departures before the end of March. It includes flights to Tirana with flydubai and four nights accommodation, including a hotel stay in the bustling capital and a stint in Korce, the country's cultural and economic centre. Also included are transfers to and from the airport, and between the cities.
From Dh2,999; including flights and hotels; www.holiday-factory.com
2. Georgia in the spring
Georgia still ranks highly when it comes to budget getaways and since it is only a three-and-a-half-hour flight from the UAE, it is ideal for a short break. Air Arabia Holidays is offering a five-night visit to Tbilisi, Georgia’s picturesque capital, departing from Abu Dhabi.
Travellers can stay at the colourful three-star Boutique Hotel Mojo, which is 600 metres from a mall, 6km from Tbilisi Zoo and 9km from Tbilisi Opera and Freedom Square. Visit the sulphur baths of Old Tbilisi, go shopping in the Meidan Bazar, tuck into Georgian cuisine and enjoy the springtime weather in this underrated destination. Transfers to and from the airport are included.
From Dh2,373 per person; including flights and hotel; www.airarabiaholidays.com
3. Self-drive adventures in Oman
For those craving a change of scenery but who don’t fancy flying, Trekkup Dubai’s trip to Oman for spring break is well worth considering.
Departing on March 31, it’s a two-night venture at a time when the country is welcoming its spring blooms. A five-hour drive to Oman takes travellers to their hotel, where an early night is recommended in preparation for an early start the following day. Heading to Jebel Akhdar — Oman’s green mountain — there's a group hike into a wadi, where banana and papaya plantations lead the way to the famed black pools of Maraibis for the chance of a quick dip. Post-hike, the sunset from Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort, the highest point on the mountain, is recommended.
A hike through rose plantations takes place the next day. From mid-March until May, farms in these highlands turn pink as rosebuds flourish. Trekking to the Omani village of Al Ain, guests can see the process of rosewater making first-hand, before starting the drive back to Dubai with a few stops along the way.
Dh980 including hotel, hiking and all meals; www.meetup.com
4. Exploring Egypt's Alexandria
Alexandria on the north coast of Egypt is a striking city surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea. One of the great cities of the ancient world, there's plenty for travellers to see and do, and the weather in March is particularly pleasant.
Flydubai Holidays offers a three-night trip to Alexandria, departing from Dubai, with accommodation at the five-star Hilton Alexandria Green Plaza. This Art Deco-style hotel has a spa, two outdoor swimming pools and a well-equipped fitness centre, making it a good base.
Must-see sights include Pompey’s Pillar, the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, the Citadel of Qaitbay and a drive along the corniche to visit the Alexandria National Museum and Bibliotheca Alexandrina. And for anyone that's not yet visited Egypt’s Great Pyramid, the Giza Plateau is reachable via an easy day trip from Alexandria.
Dh1,979.65 per person; including flights and hotel; www.bookholidays.flydubai.com
5. The Maldives on a budget
Wizz Air's new direct flights from Abu Dhabi mean a budget holiday to the Maldives is now possible, and there's availability for the spring break. The Indian Ocean destination is a four-hour flight from the UAE and offers golden shorelines, overwater villas and some of the world’s best sunsets.
The Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is arguably the most beautiful Holiday Inn in the world. Set on Kandooma Fushi South Male Atoll, it is reached by a 45-minute speedboat transfer. There’s a sprawling outdoor swimming pool, surrounded by palm trees, three on-site restaurants and several bars, a fully-equipped health and fitness suite and a garden spa. Little ones can enjoy playing in the Kandoo Kids Club and children up to the age of 12 stay and eat for free.
Three nights from $1,172 (Dh4,304) www.ihg.com; and flights from Dh1,178; www.wizzair.com
6. A city break in Amman
The Jordanian capital has plenty of sightseeing opportunities with the option to visit the Dead Sea for the day. Etihad Holidays is offering a three-day package, giving visitors enough time to familiarise themselves with the city.
The offer includes accommodation at the five-star Kempinski Hotel Amman, which is in the heart of the city and has a spa, swimming pool and entertainment centre. Rainbow Street, about a 10-minute drive from the hotel, is popular for having great places to eat, drink and people-watch. The city's myriad ancient monuments, including the Citadel and the Roman Amphitheatre, can be explored the Dead Sea is merely an hour from the capital.
Dh3,595 per person, including flights and hotel; www.etihadholidays.com
The biog
Family: He is the youngest of five brothers, of whom two are dentists.
Celebrities he worked on: Fabio Canavaro, Lojain Omran, RedOne, Saber Al Rabai.
Where he works: Liberty Dental Clinic
EXPATS
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
RESULTS
Catchweight 82kg
Piotr Kuberski (POL) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ) by decision.
Women’s bantamweight
Corinne Laframboise (CAN) beat Cornelia Holm (SWE) by unanimous decision.
Welterweight
Omar Hussein (PAL) beat Vitalii Stoian (UKR) by unanimous decision.
Welterweight
Josh Togo (LEB) beat Ali Dyusenov (UZB) by unanimous decision.
Flyweight
Isaac Pimentel (BRA) beat Delfin Nawen (PHI) TKO round-3.
Catchweight 80kg
Seb Eubank (GBR) beat Emad Hanbali (SYR) KO round 1.
Lightweight
Mohammad Yahya (UAE) beat Ramadan Noaman (EGY) TKO round 2.
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) beat Reydon Romero (PHI) submission 1.
Welterweight
Juho Valamaa (FIN) beat Ahmed Labban (LEB) by unanimous decision.
Featherweight
Elias Boudegzdame (ALG) beat Austin Arnett (USA) by unanimous decision.
Super heavyweight
Maciej Sosnowski (POL) beat Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) by submission round 1.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
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'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
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Scoreline
Ireland 16 (Tries: Stockdale Cons: Sexton Pens: Sexton 3)
New Zealand 9 (Pens: Barrett 2 Drop Goal: Barrett)
Bob Honey Who Just Do Stuff
By Sean Penn
Simon & Schuster
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Swiss fly direct from the UAE to Zurich from Dh2,855 return, including taxes.
The chalet
Chalet N is currently open in winter only, between now and April 21. During the ski season, starting on December 11, a week’s rental costs from €210,000 (Dh898,431) per week for the whole property, which has 22 beds in total, across six suites, three double rooms and a children’s suite. The price includes all scheduled meals, a week’s ski pass, Wi-Fi, parking, transfers between Munich, Innsbruck or Zurich airports and one 50-minute massage per person. Private ski lessons cost from €360 (Dh1,541) per day. Halal food is available on request.
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UAE squad v Australia
Rohan Mustafa (C), Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Rameez Shahzad, Fahad Nawaz, Amjed Gul, Shaiman Anwar, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Muhammad Naveed, Amir Hayat, Ghulam Shabir (WK), Qadeer Ahmed, Tahir Latif, Zahoor Khan
What are NFTs?
Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.
You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”
However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.
This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”
This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Results
4pm: Maiden; Dh165,000 (Dirt); 1,400m
Winner: Solar Shower; William Lee (jockey); Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
4.35pm: Handicap; Dh165,000 (D); 2,000m
Winner: Thaaqib; Antonio Fresu; Erwan Charpy.
5.10pm: Maiden; Dh165,000 (Turf); 1,800m
Winner: Bila Shak; Adrie de Vries; Fawzi Nass
5.45pm: Handicap; Dh175,000 (D); 1,200m
Winner: Beachcomber Bay; Richard Mullen; Satish Seemar
6.20pm: Handicap; Dh205,000 (T); 1,800m
Winner: Muzdawaj; Jim Crowley; Musabah Al Muhairi
6.55pm: Handicap; Dh185,000 (D); 1,600m
Winner: Mazeed; Tadhg O’Shea; Satish Seemar
7.30pm: Handicap; Dh205,000 (T); 1,200m
Winner: Riflescope; Tadhg O’Shea; Satish Seemar.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
match info
Southampton 2 (Ings 32' & pen 89') Tottenham Hotspur 5 (Son 45', 47', 64', & 73', Kane 82')
Man of the match Son Heung-min (Tottenham)
Hot%20Seat
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T20 WORLD CUP QUALIFIER
Results
UAE beat Nigeria by five wickets
Hong Kong beat Canada by 32 runs
Friday fixtures
10am, Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi – Ireland v Jersey
7.30pm, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Canada v Oman
if you go
