9 Beautiful Travel Destinations That Dubai Residents Should Visit This Summer

School holidays kick off this weekend and that means that travel season for most officially starts in less than 48 hours.

To help you navigate through the many stunning holiday destinations that the world has to offer, we’ve shortlisted nine great holidays that are well worth paying a visit.

Zagreb, Croatia

Known for its Austro-Hungarian architecture, permanently full street cafes, and museums, Zagreb is the perfect destination for aspiring architects, coffee connoisseurs, and culture vultures. If contemporary and historic art isn’t your thing, head down to the Museum of Broken Relationships.

Founded by Croatian film producer Olinka Vištica and sculptor Dražen Grubišić in 2010, the museum tells the tale of true failed relationships by exhibiting the personal belongings of ex-lovers. Each item is donated anonymously and is accompanied by a brief description or message. The concept proved so successful that a branch of the museum opened in Los Angeles, US in 2016.
Flight time: 6.20 hrs

Cebu, Philippines

Often referred to as mini-Manila, Cebu offers travelers the best of both worlds. Its pristine white sand beaches are perfect for those looking to unwind and relax, while the markets make it an ideal location for shopping enthusiasts. Spots like the Sirao Garden and the Tops Lookout are well worth a visit.
Flight time: 8.50 hrs

Baku, Azerbaijan

Although thousands of years old, Baku city center has been busy rebranding itself as a mini version of Dubai in recent years, with five-star hotels popping up (530 in total), designer stores, modern shopping malls, and a skyline of futuristic architecture.

Take a walking tour through the old town’s maze of narrow crumbling lanes via the Maiden Tower (Giz Galasi) built in the 12th century and Baku’s Mini Book Museum, which houses a private collection of 3,600 miniature tomes in languages from Russian to Vietnamese – you can feel big and clever all at the same time. The Nizami Museum of Literature offers a walk-through of history via the works of local poets and scribes.
Flight time: 2.30 hrs

Hanoi, Vietnam

Located on the banks of the Red River, this destination is incredibly popular with beach lovers and avid fishermen. It has an entire theatre dedicated to nothing but puppets – the Water Puppet Theatre pays homage to one of the nation’s famed past-times. Aside from temples – the Perfume Pagoda is a must-see – the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long are two sights that you to visit.
Flight time: 6.35 hrs

Phuket, Thailand

There isn’t much that Phuket doesn’t have. Rainforests, mountains, and the Andaman Sea pull in masses of tourists every year. It’s so large that you’d easily forget that it’s an island, meaning that there are plenty of bars and restaurants to explore. Our top tip is to pick a luxury resort away from the crowds if you fancy some r&r.
Flight time: 6 hrs