‘Staycation’ is THE word of 2020, except for Covid of course. With travel being so limited right now, going on holiday in our home countries is the new norm. We always forget that there are new places to be found right on our doorsteps. The UAE is ever-expanding with dreamy resorts in the desert, honeymoon worthy hotels along the coast and endless 5-star luxury in the big cities.
Whether you fancy drinking cocktails by the Burj Khalifa or if eating Greek food on the beach is your thing - Dubai has it all. The list of restaurants is endless! I always say that I will go back to the same place but that never happens - every week I end up finding somewhere new.
I’ve narrowed the list down to 15 - damn it, I think I need to stay at home more… Enjoy!
Whether you have a trip booked or you’re planning to travel to Dubai, this ultimate guide will provide you with all the information you need. Dubai is the busiest and most exciting city in the United Arab Emirates. The UAE is conservative, however, it’s not as strict as most Middle Eastern countries.
Avo with scrambled eggies and a caramel latte, please…
Oh, I’d rather have a breakfast date than a dinner date, especially in Dubai as they know how to start their mornings right. I’ve been to a lot of breakfasts spots in the city, but there’s still so many more to see. Dubai has the advantage of being a city on the coast, which means you can enjoy both restaurants on the beach and at the top of skyscrapers.
London is a hotspot at Christmas time, with endless markets, pantomimes, shopping and of course, Winter Wonderland. There is nothing better than walking down Carnaby Street with a hot coffee warming your hands. Going into the shops, hearing the Christmas music and seeing the lights turn on. If you’re lucky, you may even see some snow!
Are you wanting to visit Petra and not sure where to stay? Instead of booking one of the many over-priced hotels, why not add a little adventure to your trip. For only around £20 a night, I have the perfect solution for you! The Hakuna Matata Cave in Little Petra is a 15-minute drive away from Petra’s main entrance.
I’m not going to lie, I didn’t know Jordan existed until a couple of years ago. But now it’s one of the most incredible places I’ve ever visited! I spent 4 nights in Jordan with my partner at the end of November 2019, staying in a different place each night - The Dead Sea, Wadi Rum, Petra and Amman. Our trip consisted of staying in a bubble tent in the middle of the desert, walking 25,000 steps around Petra, floating at the lowest point on earth covered in mud and staying in a 4000-year-old cave.
Have you ever wondered where the movies Martian, Transformers and Lawrence of Arabia were filmed? Wadi Rum is the answer - a Mars-like valley in southern Jordan. The whole landscape makes you feel like you’ve been transported to another planet. The red sand, giant rocks and the crisp starry skies are the stuff of dreams. To get the full experience of Wadi Rum, you can stay at glamping sites tucked away in the extensive desert - managed by Bedouins.
Dubai is known for being the perfect holiday destination with the beaches being the number one attraction. The city boasts a beautiful coastline with white sand, turquoise waters and calm waves. Swimming in the sea is ideal in the months of April, May, October and November. December to March are the cooler months of the year which is when the sea temperature is also colder. However, there aren’t many days of the year where I wouldn’t go to the beach!
I never thought in a million years I would ever scuba dive, let alone think my first experience would be in Egypt. We dived with Mirage Divers in Dahab, which are known for being one of the best diving companies in the country. Dahab is a small, laid-back, beach town on the southeast coast of the Sinai Peninsula and only an hours drive from Sharm el-Sheikh. It’s the perfect place to relax for a few days and to ‘get happy’.
On everyone’s bucket list - right? I studied Ancient Egypt in primary school and remember being completely obsessed with the subject. Pharaohs, Pyramids, Hieroglyphics, all of it. I was intrigued that artefacts and mummies are constantly being discovered and the Pyramids are still standing after 4,500 years.
This was a totally spontaneous trip that turned into one of my all-time favourites. My sister and I were enjoying an all-inclusive holiday in Croatia when we decided we wanted more than just the beach, pool and cocktails. We had already discussed a day trip to the Krka National Park and knew we needed a car to get there. So, we arranged a hire car from the hotel, for two days and thought why not travel to another country? As you do. This is when Europe has its perks.
One of the most instagrammable spots on the planet - Krka National Park. If it’s not on your bucket list yet, add it now! In recent years, Croatia has been firmly placed on the map after revealing its natural beauty to the world. Endless waterfalls, mountains, lakes, rivers and beaches. Krka is now one of Europe’s most sought after destinations and attracts thousands of visitors every year.
I must have visited Berlin over 10 times in my life. As I mentioned in my bio, I’m a quarter German and have a Great Auntie who lives in the city. It kind of feels like a second home.
Berlin is a vibrant, quirky, historical and exciting place to visit. I love the abstract buildings, graffiti and underground stations. You can’t go very far without seeing one of these three things.
I’m 31 & a British expat, currently living the dream in Dubai. I have a huge passion for travel, photography & have over 45 countries ticked off my bucket list. I used the 2020 lockdown to produce runawaysoph.com, which is now home to 50+ posts of my favourite experiences. Stay tuned to see where I travel to next…
