traveltime

Illustration by Shenuka Corea

Where’s Your Next Stop for Spring Break?

If your wanderlust is taking over, plan a visit to one of these five places for spring break.

Spring break is just around the corner and it’s about time to book flights and look for new places to visit. You probably don’t want to waste your days on flights and transits or spending everything you’ve tried saving up the whole year. The problem is that, when faced with these limitations, most people end up going to the same places every year.
So here are five unusual Spring Break options that will make you feel well travelled.
Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
If you’re looking to go to a place rich in history and culture, Ho Chi Minh should be on your list. You could dedicate a day to visiting some of the country’s most important museums: The War Remnants Museums and the FITO Museum will reveal some of the country’s journeys in history and its unique art. Around this time of the year, the weather in the city is great for day trips around the Mekong Delta where you can enjoy fresh coconut drinks on a small kayak that takes you around the river. After you spend three days touring the city you can take a 40-minute flight to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where you can traverse the country’s beautiful capital and enjoy some of the most important contemporary art hubs. Although the flight could be a little pricey, you’ll be able to enjoy both these cities even on the lowest of budgets. On average, you spend around 35 AED on food per day, and if you stay at a hostel slightly further away from the city, room prices can go as low as 45 AED a night. A budget of 750 AED should be enough for you to explore the city.
Luxor and Aswan, Egypt
You’ve probably heard about Cairo, but if you wanted to trend a less travelled path, Luxor and Aswan are two of the most historically rich cities in the world. If you’re interested in going underground and seeing some of the oldest tombs in the world, these cities are for you. Not only that they are packed with history — taking a cruise along the Nile river is one of the most stunning experiences you can have in Egypt, but they’re also cheap – four nights including meals go up to 470 AED. You will be able to enjoy great weather as the sun sets and rises in the middle of the river, and get to see some of the best dance shows by the locals at night. If you still want to experience Egypt’s city life in Cairo, jump on a 45-minute flight from Luxor to Cairo.
Andorra La Vella, Andorra
You don’t get much rain in Abu Dhabi, let alone snow. Andorra is a small country between Spain and France known for its unique ski resorts and hiking trails. The country is often overlooked when people are planning their trips around Europe despite its gorgeous snow-filled mountains and incredible food. You can spend a couple of days in Andorra learning to ski or improving your skiing skills for a more chill spring break. You can book a room at a ski resort for about 440 AED, which includes ski equipment and access to most slopes. There are always small restaurants in the city to eat at, but eating at the resort won’t break your budget either. If you have a couple of friends you want to visit in Paris or Madrid, you can spend a couple of days in Andorra and take a bus to its neighboring countries. A bus ticket from Andorra to Barcelona ranges from 90 to 130 AED; however, if you are travelling in a big group, it’s cheaper to rent a whole bus. Sometimes all you need in life is to make some snow angels and drink hot chocolate in the mountains and Andorra seems to be the perfect place for that.
Shiraz, Iran
Iran is one of the most prominent countries in the world when it comes to architecture and history. Shiraz is known for its art, poetry, and colorful gardens. You can visit the Tomb of Hafez, where some of the most important poets of Iran are buried, and follow through to any of the nearby gardens. If you’re concerned about safety, the country is now much better equipped for incoming tourists. Life in Shiraz is pretty cheap — you can spend as little as 90 AED a day on food and hostel. Entrance fees for the different tourist attractions are about 20-30 AED each, a reasonable price for the remarkable experience offered. If you’re looking to decorate your room or buy some souvenirs for your family, the bazaars in the country have some of the most beautiful handicrafts you can buy for as much or as little as you’re willing to spend on them. You could also travel to Tehran— a flight is around 180 AED, and you can even take a night bus for a much cheaper price. Iran is known for the kindness of its people and their outstanding hospitality, so you’d rather make some friends along the way.
Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah and Umm al-Quwain, United Arab Emirates
When breaks come around, we’re always eager to leave the country and travel anywhere else. But have you considered visiting an emirate in the UAE other than Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah? The UAE is much more than its three famous emirates. Fujairah and Ras al- Khaimah have some of the most relaxing beaches in the country and even going on a day cruise in any of the beach resorts there can be a real treat. In Ajman and Umm al-Quwain, you get a sense of the history and traditions of the UAE, and you’ll feel much more familiar with the culture of the place you live in. If you can drive or you’re travelling with someone who can, you can always rent a car for a reasonable price and drive around the emirates. You don’t have to spend the nights if you’re running on a low budget, but if you do, you can book a hotel for 90-100 AED a night in any of the emirates. Give yourself a challenge and take a picture in every Emirate this spring break.
Malak AbdelGhaffar is a staff writer. Email her at feedback@thegazelle.org.
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