One of the best things about living in Dubai is its central location and easy access to some wonderful holiday destinations that you may not have had the opportunity to visit had you stayed in your home country. The following holiday hotspots are just some of the amazing places that you can visit with ease from Dubai.

Jordan is packed with religious and historical sites, incredible architecture, and friendly, welcoming people. You can brush up on your history by visiting the Bronze Age Citadel of Amman and a city hewn out of bare rock at Petra. If it’s sun and luxury you’re after, Jordan boasts an excellent choice of five-star hotels and resorts. And with Emirates, Air Arabia and Royal Jordanian Airlines all offering direct flights, it’s ideal for a quick getaway.

Flight time: 3 hours

Time difference: 2 hours behind

Best time to visit: Oct–Apr

This natural paradise, spread over hundreds of little islands, is a unique and beautiful place to visit. It has plenty of almost-untouched little villages and jungles, full of interesting communities and exotic wildlife. It also has one of the world’s most progressive cities: Kuala Lumpur is bustling and attracts expats and visitors from around the globe. Emirates operates a codeshare with Malaysian Airlines, and there is a daily flight from Dubai.

Flight time: 7 hours

Time difference: 4 hours ahead

Best time to visit: Apr–Oct

Enjoying balmy weather throughout the year, the islands of the Seychelles are a perennially attractive holiday destination. The 115 islands that make up the Archipelago of the Seychelles feature beautiful white sands and vivid turquoise waters. Because it is a natural haven for wildlife, there is an emphasis on eco-tourism. Accommodation ranges from acceptable three-star hotels to luxurious five-star beach resorts.

Flight time: 4.5 hours

Time difference: None

Best time to visit: Year round

The Maldives is undoubtedly a destination best suited to those who are looking for a relaxing beach holiday rather than an action-packed adventure. That said, many of the luxurious beach resorts offer a range of exciting watersports that will keep adrenaline junkies happy, and this one of the premier dive locations in the world. Resorts tend to be tailored, remains either to families or couples only.

Flight time: 4 hours

Time difference: 1 hour ahead

Best time to visit:

Dec–Apr for good weather; Nov–Apr for diving

Since Emirates started offering direct flights four times a week, Mauritius has become hugely popular. It is not a massive island, but it has enough variety for you to explore something different each day. From the endless white beaches to the clear blue seas rich with marine life, and from the hustle and bustle of Port Louis (and some great shopping), to the lush, tropical greenery of the inner countryside, Mauritius is an island of contrasts.

Flight time: 6 hours

Time difference: None

Best time to visit: Nov–Apr

Postcard-perfect vistas of whitewashed chalets against a backdrop of azure skies and sea are what you can expect from Greece. A wide variety of accommodation options means you can either settle in a beach hotel or be a bit more adventurous and island hop for a couple of weeks between Corfu, Crete, and Mykonos among others.

Flight time: 4 hours

Time difference: 2 hours behind

Best time to visit: Apr–Jun; Sep–Oct

For so long it was firmly hidden behind the iron curtain and off limits for visitors, but now it is one of the most up-and-coming tourist destinations for the curious traveller. Culturally, Moscow is a powerful city with a history of artistic and literary achievement. Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of Russia is the fusion of the staid, old-fashioned, way of life, with the young, vibrant lifestyle that was ushered in following the demise of the Soviet Union in 1991. Emirates offers daily flights from Dubai to Moscow.

Flight time: 5 hours

Time difference: 1 hour behind

Best time to visit: Jun–Aug

Perfectly placed between contrasting cultures of east and west, Turkey is an extremely popular holiday destination – and one of the most reasonably priced. Istanbul is an amazing city, with an impressive cultural heritage. Alternatively, visit the bazaar and the mosques in Bursa, and the Bodrum at Halicarnassus where Herodotus, the ‘father of history’ was born. Turkey also offers beautiful landscapes, great weather, sun, sea and mountains.

Flight time: 4 hours

Time difference: 2 hours behind

Best time to visit: Apr–Jun; Sep–Oct

It’s hard to believe that this idyllic Mediterranean island is such a short flight from Dubai. Three main towns, Larnaca, Limassol and Paphos, each offer unique accommodation and leisure options, and capital city Nicosia is great for shopping and nightlife. Whether you choose to rent a self-catering apartment or stay in a luxurious hotel with full-board, a holiday in Cyprus is a huge change from Dubai. You can drive up mountains for crisp, cool air and some awesome views, and explore quiet local villages off the beaten track.

Flight time: 3 hours

Time difference: 2 hours behind

Best time to visit: Apr-May; Sep-Oct

Malta is a country rich in history, with its oldest temple dating back to 3600BC. The medieval city of Madina (which you tour by horse and carriage), and the beautifully preserved 16th century city of Valletta are the historical highlights. There are many excellent beach resorts and hotels, as well as a lively offering of bars, restaurants and nightlife. Emirates flies direct to Malta daily.

Flight time: 8 hours

Time difference: 3 hours behind

Best time to visit: Feb-Jun; Sep-Oct

Lebanon’s blossoming development as a vibrant tourist destination was tragically set back when Israel invaded in July 2006. Fortunately, the conflict ended after 34 days, and Qatar Airways resumed flights into Beirut by early September of the same year, followed by other airlines. Never a nation to take knock-backs lying down, Lebanon is doing everything possible to rebuild itself, but it’s probably still best to check the current national safety situation before picking it for your next holiday.

Flight time: 3.5 hours

Time difference: 2 hours behind

Best time to visit: Oct–Apr

Egypt is undoubtedly an ideal trip for history fans. It’s one of the oldest civilisations in the world and home to famous historical sites such as the pyramids and sphinx. It also has some amazing scenery: there is the White Desert in the west, the Red Sea in the east, and, of course, the Nile. Cairo is a busy city with an active nightlife, and the resort town of Sharm El Sheikh is a popular spot for diving holidays at luxurious beach resorts.

Flight time: 4 hours

Time difference: 2 hours ahead

Best time to visit: Oct–Apr

Whether you visit Casablanca, Marrakesh, Tangier or Rabat, the cities of Morocco have a similar thread running through them – a perfect balance of African and Middle Eastern cultures, with some great shopping (both traditional and modern), excellent nightlife, and superb cuisine. Marrakesh is known for its traditional Berber villages, markets and festivals while Casablanca is busy and industrialised. Emirates operates a daily flight to Casablanca.

Flight time: 7 hours

Time difference: 4 hours behind

Best time to visit: Oct–Apr

Whether you choose the vibrant, cosmopolitan city of Johannesburg, the tropical, coastal beauty of Durban or the stylish, Mediterranean-influenced Cape Town, South Africa is a fantastic holiday destination and often referred to as ‘a world in one country’. The list of things to see and do here is almost endless: whale watching, surfing, spotting some big game on a wildlife safari or wine tasting through the Cape. Emirates has two direct flights to Johannesburg each day and also flies to Cape Town, and Etihad has recently started a Johannesburg route from Abu Dhabi. Qatar Airways also flies to South Africa from Dubai.

Flight time: 8.5hours

Time difference: 2 hours behind

Best time to visit: Year round

The epic beauty of Africa and the opportunity to spot the big five on a wildlife safari is just a five-hour flight away. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, head there between August and October to witness the annual migration, when you can observe over two million wildebeest moving over the great plains of the Masai Mara – a sight best seen from above in a hot air balloon. Both Emirates and Kenyan Airlines operate a daily flight to Nairobi.

Flight time: 5 hours

Time difference: 1 hour behind

Best time to visit: Aug-Mar

India is a land of contrasts, from the beautiful beaches of Goa, to the vibrant city of Mumbai, to the imposing mountains of Kashmir. Goa is probably the top holiday spot, thanks to its palm-fringed white beaches and luxurious hotels. Alternatively, travel to Agra for architecture, handicrafts and jewellery, as well as to visit the legendary Taj Mahal, or the rose pink city of Jaipur. Daily flights are operated by Emirates, Air India and Air Arabia.

Flight time: 3 hours

Time difference: 2 hours ahead

Best time to visit: Oct–Feb

It used to be big with backpackers but now Thailand is a popular holiday destination for all. It is blessed with beautiful beaches and numerous luxury resorts in areas such as Phuket and Koh Samui, while Bangkok is a bustling city with a dynamic population and a vibrant nightlife. Emirates operates several daily flights direct to Bangkok, from where you can catch a connecting flight to Phuket and Koh Samui.

Flight time: 6 hours

Time difference: 3 hours ahead

Best time to visit: Aug–Feb

The beauty of Sri Lanka, apart from the short flight time and negligible time difference, is that you can either have a fantastic holiday on a small budget, or a luxurious holiday of a lifetime. Capital city Colombo has its attractions, although most holiday makers head for the beautiful beach resorts. Emirates offers direct flights to Sri Lanka on a daily basis, and low-cost airline Air Arabia offers return flights for under Dhs.1000.

Flight time: 4 hours

Time difference: 2 hours ahead

Best time to visit: Oct–Mar