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Destination for 5-6 days leaving from Dubai

Looks like I will be in Dubai for a month in February, but I am looking to take 2 short trips of 5-6 days each during that month.

Jordan (Petra in particular, with maybe a night in Wadi Rum) is definitely one of the two - and it is even possible I will consider the entire time there (then would include Jerash). However, I may need to break the time up into 2 trips - with the decision made somewhat last minute. Israel is close, I know, but I wouldn’t try it in the length of time I have.

So I am looking for an interesting destination no more than about a 5 hour direct flight, with relatively inexpensive flights. In playing with Google Flights, I have come up with some possibilities that I have done no research on yet (I haven’t even yet researched entry requirements). Some I know more about than others.

So thought I would take the first easy way out and ask who has been, thoughts, & comparisons. If it makes a difference, I would be traveling alone, with 2 days allotted for travel and 3-4 days in the city - and it will be February. Possibilities for a first round of consideration are: Istanbul, Tbilisi, Bucharest, Baku, Kyiv, and Sofia.

Thoughts?

Posted by
10188 posts

First thought is you would need to pack winter clothes for any of those destinations. Why not go east instead, COVID willing: Oman, India, etc.

Posted by
4074 posts

Good thought on clothes, Bets. For a short trip, though, I might not need much warm stuff. I will take a look at Oman. I am not sure about India…. it has never been on my list - but neither have any of these other places (except Istanbul), so I will look more. :)

Posted by
7661 posts

I have been to several Middle East countries as well as Dubai. Oman is a very interesting country. India would require several days to make it worth your effort. You want to visit India in the Winter. I went in April and it was already close to 100 degrees F.

Istanbul is amazing, recommend 5 days there. Loved Ukraine, we did four days there. Also, enjoyed Odessa. Israel is wonderful.

Posted by
2948 posts

I flew into Dubai and spent the night before taking a direct flight to Nepal. Where are you flying home from?

Posted by
4074 posts

All good thoughts, geovagriffith. Thanks!

Mary Pat, I will be based in Dubai so looking at a round trip in and out of Dubai. I will take a look at Nepal as well.

Posted by
2948 posts

Nepal is a lot like India but safer. I booked an early morning plane ride to see the Himalayan Mountain range that included a sight of Mount Everest. What made this day trip spectacular was climbing into normal altitude at around 30,000 feet and looking out the window and being eye level with the Himalayan Mountains.
I suggest staying closer to Dubai and visiting Tbilisi, Baku or Jordan over European destinations.

Posted by
32740 posts

more spam from the hen - queued up for zappage

Posted by
27104 posts

For what it's worth, I've been to four of the cities on your original list--Istanbul, Bucharest, Kyiv and Sofia--and think Istanbul and Kyiv are much more interesting than the other two. I found other cities in Romania and Bulgaria to be more attractive than Bucharest and Sofia.

Posted by
4074 posts

Thanks, acraven. I think it will probably come down to one of those two cities - and I am leaning toward Istanbul. But it will have to be a decision made without a lot of lead time - so it may come down to practical matters like who is open and how much and can I get back in to Dubai.