Whenever December rolls around, most school children go on winter break, making it an ideal time for families to take a trip.
Essa Al Shamsi, senior vice president of terminal operations at Dubai Airports, says there’s always an uplift a few days before the break as residents look to extend their leave.
“Departures peak two to three days ahead of the [Eid Al Etihad] holiday, while arrivals are more evenly spread as residents return at their own pace or continue travelling into the festive season,” he says. “In 2024, the National Day weekend saw guest volume rise by roughly a quarter compared to the November–December average, placing it just behind the major December holiday peak.”
As temperatures cool, tropical destinations often rise to the top of the list.
Thailand, more specifically Phuket, is the most popular search for December travel on Expedia.ae, with a 165 per cent rise compared to search in the same period last year.
Bangkok is among the top five most popular travel search destinations for UAE residents this month. Photo: Ritz-Carlton
Whether it’s the scenic surrounds of Krabi or a laid-back island trip to Koh Samui, the country continues to appeal to many. Rome follows with a 145 per cent jump, while Bangkok, Tokyo and London also make the list, reflecting travellers’ interest in a mix of beach escapes, cultural capitals and big-city adventures.
Some people also use the festive period to head to Europe to visit the Christmas markets. Think twinkling trees, snow-dusted chalets and cobblestones lined with vendors selling everything from roast goose to chimney cakes.
It’s a trend I understand well. A few years ago, I went on a solo trip to Austria and Germany to experience the Christmas magic I’d always heard about. Despite the frigid climes, it lived up to expectations.
But for the ultimate winter adventure, there’s one destination that always sits near the top of many wish lists: Lapland. A vast Arctic wilderness, it offers idyllic experiences such as the northern lights and, more thematically, the Santa Claus Village in its capital, Rovaniemi.
Rovaniemi is an idyllic spot to catch the northern lights. Reuters
That said, whether it’s a day trip, road trip or staycation, there are also plenty of places to explore closer to home.
Road trips to Oman remain popular thanks to the five-hour drive, with options ranging from cultural visits to Muscat to serene stays in Jebel Akhdar and adventures in the wadis.
A quick 75-minute flight to Bahrain is also an option, as my colleague Hayley Kadrou recently found out during a culture-filled 48-hour weekend in the island country. AlUla in Saudi Arabia continues to grow in popularity, while Riyadh is another strong choice as the city is in the midst of Riyadh Season 2025, bringing a packed line-up of performances.
Bahrain is less than a two-hour flight from the UAE. Photo: Four Seasons
For those wanting to stay put in the UAE, there’s no shortage of standout hotels worth spending a couple of nights at.
One of the biggest openings this year was Ciel Dubai Marina, the world’s tallest hotel at 377 metres. Spread across 82 floors with 1,004 rooms and suites, it also breaks another record with the world’s highest infinity pool.
Manila is a great jumping-off point for travellers who want to explore the Philippines' islands. Unsplash
With new flight routes, major cultural events and a wave of hotels opening across the region and beyond, plus global trends shaping demand, 2026 is set to be a year of discovery for UAE travellers.
Europe remains popular, but tourists are exploring other corners of the continent. Asia continues to rise with its mix of affordability and culture. Closer to home, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are reinforcing the Gulf’s position as a travel hub with major cultural and hospitality investments, particularly with the Schengen-style Unified GCC Tourism Visa due to be launched soon. Katy Gillett reports more here.
The hotel is operated by Wynn Resorts. Photo: Encore Boston Harbor
When I travel home to the US for a holiday, my trips usually revolve around family and friends, not five-star hotels. But with Wynn becoming a growing presence in the UAE, I was curious to see how its Boston property, which has brought a new type of luxury to the Massachusetts city, compares.
Encore Boston Harbor is in Everett, which is a 15-minute drive from downtown. Opened in 2019, it is the most recent property from Wynn Resorts – the operator behind Wynn Al Marjan Island, which is set to open in Ras Al Khaimah in March 2027. To know more about the hotel, read here.
My colleague Farah Andrews also has a preview of the extensive art collection that is expected in Wynn Al Marjan Island. Find out more here.
Lucknow has been designated a Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy. Getty Images
At the end of October, Lucknow was designated a Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy owing to its deep-rooted culinary traditions and vibrant food ecosystem.
The city's rich history has something to do with its unique take on North Indian cuisine. From being part of the kingdom of Kosala in the sixth century BC, to being ruled from 1350 onwards by the Mughals, the Nawabs of Awadh (a former kingdom that included Lucknow) and the British East India Company, the city has myriad influences to thank for its cuisine and culture. Read more from Reem Khokhar here.
When paying abroad, always choose to pay in the local currency. It’s a small habit that can save a surprising amount over the course of a trip, as card machines often apply unfavourable conversion rates when you opt for your home currency. Selecting the local option means your bank handles the exchange instead, which is almost always cheaper. It’s a quick decision at checkout, but one that adds up, especially if travelling through countries where card payments are the norm.
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
UK’s AI plan
AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
£10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
£100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
How to apply for a drone permit
Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
Submit their request
What are the regulations?
Fly it within visual line of sight
Never over populated areas
Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book:I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
From Europe to the Middle East, economic success brings wealth - and lifestyle diseases
A rise in obesity figures and the need for more public spending is a familiar trend in the developing world as western lifestyles are adopted.
One in five deaths around the world is now caused by bad diet, with obesity the fastest growing global risk. A high body mass index is also the top cause of metabolic diseases relating to death and disability in Kuwait, Qatar and Oman – and second on the list in Bahrain.
In Britain, heart disease, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s remain among the leading causes of death, and people there are spending more time suffering from health problems.
The UK is expected to spend $421.4 billion on healthcare by 2040, up from $239.3 billion in 2014.
And development assistance for health is talking about the financial aid given to governments to support social, environmental development of developing countries.
Ruwais timeline
1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established
1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants
1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed
1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.
1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex
2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea
2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd
2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens
2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies
2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export
2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.
2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery
2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital
2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg
Real Madrid (2) v Bayern Munich (1)
Where: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
When: 10.45pm, Tuesday
Watch Live: beIN Sports HD
Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE squad
Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind
Fixtures
Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE Sunday, November 3 – UAE v Netherlands Thursday, November 7 – UAE v Oman Saturday, November 9 – Netherlands v UAE
