5 great holiday destinations that are less than five hours away from Dubai

1. Almaty, Kazakhstan
With the backdrop of the snow-capped Tian Shan mountains, Almaty is one of the most charming Russian creations in Central Asia. You can spend your entire day hiking in the wilderness and still make it back for dinner and drinks in Almaty’s city centre. For hiking, head to Lake Almaty or take a city bus to the world’s highest ice skating rink in Medeu, where several great hiking trails begin. If you love shopping, head to the Green Bazaar, which sells literally everything under the sun.
Tip: Just 25 kilometres from the city lies the Shymbulak ski resort. You can take the cable cars up to escape the city for mountain views and lunch at one of Shymbulak’s popular cafes.
Flight time: Just over four hours
Price: From AED1,776 on 2. Colombo, Sri Lanka
Colombo is the country’s prime cultural and commercial hub and offers a fantastic range of things to do. Culture lovers should jump at the chance to explore some of Sri Lanka’s finest temples and historic sites including the unique Gangaramaya Temple, a mixture of ancient and modern architecture. Galle Face Green Promenade is one of the most beautiful spots in the city to watch the sunset and gaze over the Indian Ocean. If you’re interested in exploring Sri Lanka’s heritage, be sure to check out the National Museum of Colombo and The Dutch Period Museum.
Tip: Treat yourself to an Ayurveda treatment, a common health practice in Sri Lanka. It’s a great way to rejuvenate the mind, body and soul.
Flight time: Just over four hours
Price: From AED1,243 on 3. Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul is a feast for the senses and a great place to visit for an exciting, culture-filled break. No trip to Istanbul is complete without a visit to the stunning Hagia Sophia. Often referred to as the eighth wonder of the world, the impressive structure was built as a Christian Church before being converted into a Mosque. It now serves as a museum. A stone’s throw away from the Hagia Sophia is the Blue Mosque (officially the Sultan Ahmed Mosque), which gets its name from the 20,000 16th century blue-coloured tiles that adorn its interior walls. Other top spots include the Grand Bazaar market, the banks of the Bosphorus, the Basilica Cistern and the Hippodrome of Constantinople, an ancient chariot race circuit.
Tip:  Buffets are the cheapest and quickest way to sample some of the many culinary delights that Turkey has to offer.
Flight time: Just under five hours
Price: From AED1,128 on