That jet set lifestyle.
As temperatures begin to climb through the 30s, we’re planning our summer travel in a serious way.
Sure, we love Dubai, but a quick summer getaway or two is extremely necessary. Better yet when it’s a new adventure.
Flydubai has just announced that as of October, it will fly direct to Helsinki, Finland.
Read:
Happy birthday Gigi Hadid! Here are 10 facts to celebrate
How some of our favourite stars of the region celebrated Earth Day
While that won’t quite do for an escape from the heat, it got us thinking. What other routes are starting this year?
Quite a few, it turns out. Keep this page bookmarked, too. We’ll update it as more direct-from-Dubai destinations are announced.
Helsinki, Finland
This compact, pedestrian-friendly city is one of the best places to base yourself if you’re keen to see the Northern Lights. It’s also a must if you love a steam – saunas are a very big deal in Finland.
Flydubai‘s route will start on October 11, with return flights going for around Dhs1,500. It’s a six hour, 45 minute journey one way.
Auckland, New Zealand, via Bali
Okay, so this isn’t a new destination as such, but for UAE-based Kiwis, a stop-off in Bali on the way home probably sounds very appealing.
For anyone else, it’s a dream holiday in itself. Enjoy the natural splendour of Bali before checking out New Zealand’s vineyards, surf beaches, mountains and glaciers. Not bad at all.
Emirates will fly the route for the first time on June 14. It will take 18 hours and 55 minutes including one hour 40 on the ground in Bali, though of course you can split that up, and will set you back anywhere upwards of Dhs6,085.
Santiago, Chile
This South American city will enter Emirates’ rotation from July 5, and is ideal spot to jet into if you’re looking to hit Machu Picu or the wilds of Patagonia.
The service will run five times a week and flights will set you back Dhs8,255 return.
Thessaloniki, Greece
This port city on the Thermaic Gulf is considered Greece’s cultural capital. While much of the city centre was destroyed by the Great Fire of 1917, there are still Byzantine, Greek and Roman buildings to explore.
Flydubai will run the five-and-a-half-hour flight three times a week from June 15, and you can expect to pay around Dhs2,540.
Aqaba, Jordan
Also a port city, Aqaba is Jordan’s second largest and is 90 minutes from Petra. It’s full of luxe resorts, and is a great spot if you’re keen to try diving in the Red Sea.
Flydubai will head there four times a week from July 16. Flights for that period are currently sitting at about Dhs1,615.
Krakow, Poland
This southern Polish city is an underrated cultural hub, rich in history — it dates back to the 7th century. If you love architecture, this is a must. It’s full of medieval, Gothic and Renaissance structures, and its entire Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Flydubai have launched their route there already, and if you time your trip will, you could get return flights for Dhs999.
Catania, Italy
Do we really need to sell you on Sicily? Set at the foot of Mt Etna, Catania is the island’s second-biggest city. Think culture, history and Italian food. Swoon.
Flydubai’s route begins on June 13, and flights start at around Dhs2,375.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
This walled city on the Dalmatian coast couldn’t be more picturesque. Think little cafes, shopping, and long walks next to the brightest blue sea you’ve ever seen.
Flydubai’s route there has started already, and if you pick your dates well, you could fly return for as little as Dhs1005.
Images: Instagram, Getty, Supplied
