If you have recently relocated to Dubai you will soon realize holiday planning is a full time occupation for some residents.

From Dubai the choice of destinations seems endless so for the spring break the team at Expat Echo Dubai have come up with a few ideas to help you choose that ideal holiday destination.

The Golden Triangle of India

This covers the three historic northern cities of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. Visiting this area one will delight in seeing the famous Taj Mahal in Agra, the Pink City of Jaipur and the capital of India – Delhi both New & Old.  Every stop a photographers dream.

From Dubai the flight is a short 3 hours to Indira Gandhi International Airport. April is an ideal time to visit this area as the cold weather will have disappeared and it is before the torrential monsoons arrive. The ideal way to tour this area is by private transport with a guide.  This will help you to appreciate and understand  this historically rich area. Spend a couple of days in Delhi to explore the Red Fort, Raj Ghat (Mahatma Gandhi’s Memorial), the beautiful parks and India Gate.

Just over 200 KM away is the city of Agra. This famously is the city of the Taj Mahal, a grieving emperor’s extravagant tribute to love, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Once the capital of India (under the Mughal emperors), Agra is full of magnificent monuments dating back to the 16th and 17th century, including the great Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site. 40 km west of Agra, is the perfectly preserved phantom city of Fatehpur Sikri, also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Next stop Jaipur the capital of the state of Rajasthan. This again is a 200 KM drive. Surrounded by hills topped with rugged fortresses this pink city is filled with camels casually wandering and brightly dressed locals all reflecting Jaipur’s desert heritage, while the shoppers amongst you will enjoy the markets filled with color from a profusion of handlooms and crafts.

Airlines
Emirates, Air India, Indigo Airlines, Air India Express, Air Arabia
Temperatures in April
20c to 36c
Rainfall
Average 8mm
Tourist Board of India

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London, UK

Weather wise this is an ideal time to visit. There is so much to see in London and believe it or not Summer can sometimes just be too hot and stuffy to really appreciate all the great sites.

Hotels like any other major city can be expensive but try out the budget hotels such as Premier Inn County Hall which offers good, clean, affordable accommodation with a superb location just next to the London Eye. Start your sightseeing here to get your bearings (book on-line to avoid the queues). If you don’t like heights take one of the many Thames River cruises to see all the great sites from the water such as Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and the Tower of London.

Spend a day learning and being fascinated at the cities museums many of which offer free admission such as The Science Museum & The Natural History Museum. In the evening stroll out into London’s West End to catch a show in the capitals theater land.

Unbelievable after living in Dubai shopping will still be on some visitors must do lists but why not avoid the high street shops and hit the alternative shopping area of Carnaby Street with it’s selection of eclectic fashion boutiques, or browse the London markets – Portobello Market with its fashion & Antique sections & Camden Markets with everything from crafts to household goods.

Moving away from the markets but a shop definitely on the tourist route is the world famous Harrods. A shop just oozing with opulence. Visitors can drop in here for afternoon tea at The Terrace Bar and relax and take it all in! The list is endless for sightseeing in London so give yourself a week to really enjoy, all the sites, parks and restaurants.

Airlines
Emirates, British Airways, KLM, Air France, Virgin Atlantic
Temperature in April
6c to 13c
Rainfall
Average 37mm
London Tourist Information Centre

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Phuket, Thailand

Situated of the west coast of Thailand this is the countries largest island and has always been a popular destination for Dubai residents with it’s great beaches, shopping and food.

Accommodation is plentiful throughout the island ranging from back-packing accommodation, secluded villas through to five star deluxe hotel accommodation.  Resorts such as Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort are an ideal family resort with  a secluded beach, and an abundance of recreational and water sports facilities allowing you to relax during the day poolside or beachside without being hassled by beach venders but being near enough  the town that in the evening you can easily make a trip  and experience the night markets and local restaurants. Step outside any hotel from 13^th to 15^th April and you won’t escape the water pistols, the water balloons and buckets of water as the Thais celebrate Songkran, the Thai New Year – kids just love it!

Even if you do choose to go five star make sure you venture out of the hotels to sample the sumptuous food Thailand has to offer such as satays dripping in peanut sauce, tiny scrumptious Thai fish cakes and coconut flavored curries.

Day trips worth taking include a visit by speedboat through the jaw dropping beautiful Phi Phi Islands where you can snorkel & swim in some of the clearest waters in the world. And a sea Kayaking trip through the Phang Nga Bay National Park which lets you experience the park to its full potential as the kayaks get you near the islands and great rock formations.

Airlines
Emirates, Thai Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Malaysian Airlines, Qatar Airways
Temperatures in April
27c to 36c
Rainfall 150mm average
Phuket Tourist Association