A long weekend in Bahrain has served as a very good reminder that we don't need to board a long-haul flight for the most fulfilling trips.
I stayed at the Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain hotel, but spent much of my weekend enjoying the sights in Manama.
Wandering along the Pearling Path was my highlight. The Unesco Heritage site officially opened in 2024 and consists of a 3.5km track that takes you through 17 buildings in Muharraq, each detailing parts of Bahrain's fascinating pearling history.
I was also lucky enough to visit the RAK Art Collection, an art space run by the RAK Art Foundation that opened in January. Founded by Sheikh Rashid bin Khalifa, the new museum houses works from his personal collection, featuring pieces by some of the region's most significant artists, such as Safwan Dahoul, Huguette Caland, Samia Halaby and Dia Al Azzawi.
Since returning to the UAE, many people have told me the island country is on their list of places to visit, but they have either not got around to it, or not returned in years.
So consider this a prompt to plan a trip to Bahrain this year. It is less than an hour's flight from the UAE and affordable airline tickets can often be found, with Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, Air Arabia and Gulf Air all serving the route. We have two Eid breaks on the horizon, the first for Eid Al Fitr in March and then Eid Al Adha in late May, so now is the time to get planning!
If you're looking for some Bahrain trip inspiration, Hayley Kadrou devised a two-day itinerary here.
If you're staying in the UAE for the holidays, a visit to some of the most popular tourist destinations may be in store. Last week, it was reported that the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre had about 6.85 million guests last year, which is a four per cent increase on 2024 and its highest annual figure, according to state news agency Wam.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre is also a global tourist attraction. According to the travel and tourism platform Tripadvisor, it ranks eighth among the top 25 attractions worldwide and first in the Middle East.
In the coming weeks, we'll have plenty of travel ideas for the coming long weekends, so stay tuned for staycation and short trip round-ups.
Until next time, safe travels.
Farah Andrews
The National Travel desk
Hotels where you can holiday like royalty
It’s called the “White Lotus effect” for a reason. The popular HBO television series, set in hotels around the world, has been credited with boosting tourism at its filming locations.
It has recently been announced that season four is being filmed at Chateau de La Messardiere, a palace hotel in Saint-Tropez on the Cote d’Azur that offers rooms and gardens steeped in culture and history.
For those looking to add a royal flavour to their holiday, we have taken a leaf out of the White Lotus book, and rounded up five former palaces, including La Messardiere, that are now five-star hotels.
Read more here.
The prizes and the pitfalls of travelling with a newborn
New parents are often advised to travel while they can with small babies, but doing so comes with pros and cons, as writer Tom Norton discovered on his first family trip with a little one in tow.
In a bid to cut through the mixed messages, and even more mixed advice people share, Tom has shared his top tips here.
From accepting that holidays have changed completely, to the baggage to leave at home and the language to learn, his advice is likely to be very relatable for many parents.
In the spotlight: Hands-on holidays
Travellers are rethinking what a holiday is for. Instead of simply ticking off landmarks or shopping for souvenirs, a growing number are choosing “skillcations” – hands-on trips centred on learning something new.
From glassblowing in Vienna and cheesemaking in Swiss monasteries to cooking, weaving and pottery across Asia and Australia, these experiences prioritise immersion over observation.
The appeal is simple: slowing down, working with your hands and returning home not just rested, but changed – carrying skills, stories and a deeper connection to a place.
Read more about Teja Lele's experiences and learnings here.
Travel news this week
Top travel tip
Get creative with your airline bookings. Gone are the days when a round-trip was the default cheapest way to travel. Look into booking single tickets on different airlines – it could end up saving you a good amount.
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