SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2012
It’s never too late to
plan your
H
ave you been extremely busy all year to even think of your New Year’s trip? Well, it’s never too late with plenty of seats still available. Here are three hot destinations for New Year holidays recommended to you by Jazeera Airways. Whether you are travelling alone or with family and friends, choose one of the Middle East’s most favored destinations of Luxor, Dubai or Beirut and enjoy an exciting and refreshing break. Let’s take you on a quick tour through the three cities and help you make up your mind. LUXOR: Flight time: 2.5 hours Recommended dates: Depart Friday, 28 December, and return on Thursday, 3 January If you want to start the New Year in the heart of one of the world’s oldest civilizations, then the Egyptian city of Luxor is your place. Known as the world’s greatest open air museum, Luxor contains 70 percent of Egypt’s monuments, and is one of the top touristic destinations in the winter season. Whether you are travelling with your family, friends, or alone, the city promises you a fantastic journey through 7,000 years of civilization, on the banks of the Nile. You will
New Year’s trip! 3 New Year destinations waiting for you
Luxor
Because the area gets crowded at least three hours before midnight, the ideal location to stay would be the Address Hotel, right in the heart of the Burj Khalifa and the shopping hotspot Dubai Mall area. Jazeera Airways’ Boghdady says the airline offers a wide range of daily flights to and from Dubai. If you are planning to stay beyond January 3, 2013, and extend it to the next weekend, then don’t miss the Dubai Shopping Festival which kicks off on January 3 and lasts until February 3, 2013.
Burj Khalifa - Dubai
Things you can do! December 31: Sandance NYE and Snoop Dogg concerts January 1, 12 am: Citywide fireworks show January 3 - February 3: Dubai Shopping Festival
Snow in Lebanon want to spend around five days in this city, which is located about 700 kilometers south of the country’s capital, Cairo. Your day starts with a visit to one of the Pharaonic temples, which is normally done early in the morning to avoid the heat in the afternoon. You can also stop at the bazaars all over the city, and get loved ones souvenirs. Before sunset, you can take a “felucca” (traditional Nile wooden boat) and enjoy a magical ride along the banks of the blue waters of the Nile, which tourists prefer to do every day during their stay. Several nightlife activities are also available including restaurants, and Nile cruises. As for flights, Rafiq Boghdady, VP Sales at Jazeera Airways, tells us that “Jazeera Airways flies direct three flights from Kuwait to Luxor. You could plan to travel on Friday, 28 December, and be back on Tuesday, 1 January, or stay a couple of days more and come back on Thursday, 3 January”.
Must see in Luxor: Valley of the Kings: This valley is home to 63 Pharaonic tombs and chambers, and was the main burial place of major noble and royal figures in Pharaonic dynasties. Each tomb has its own entrance in the mountains. Karnak Temple: This temple is the world’s most ancient religious site, a great open air museum. The Karnak Temple is the second most popular place for tourists in Egypt, after the Giza Pyramids. This temple can also be visited in the evening. Temple of Hatshepsut: Hatshepsut - meaning the Foremost of Noble Ladies - was one of the most successful Pharaohs. Luxor Temple: One of the biggest temples in the city. Instead of buying a postcard from Luxor, go yourself and take pictures of the magnificent structure. Luxor Museum: One of the few indoor activities that you can do in the city. The Luxor Museum contains more precious artifacts and monuments than the ones present at the renowned Museum of Antiquities in Cairo. DUBAI Flight time: 1.5 hours Recommended dates: Depart Sunday, 30 December, and return on Thursday, 3 January
This lively Gulf city of the United Arab Emirates is just an hour away from Kuwait, and one of the favorite destinations for many travelers in the region. Spending New Year’s in Dubai for sure has a different taste, especially this year. For concerts enthusiasts, two main concerts will be held in Dubai on New Year’s Eve. The Atlantis Hotel, Palm, will be the host of one of the longest concerts ever in the Middle East with the 12 hour Sandance NYE with Ellie Goulding, Rita Ora, Paul Van Dyk, Roger Sanchez and Zane Lowe - playing continuously from 3 pm on December 31, to 3 am on January 1, 2013. If this is too much for you to handle, Snoop Dogg will also be in town for New Year’s, performing at the famous Meydan Racecourse at Nad AlSheba. If you are travelling with your family, then Dubai is also an ideal destination for you. New Year’s traditional fireworks in this Gulf city have not been beaten anywhere else in the region. People start lining up in their cars and on foot several hours before midnight to secure the best view of Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower, where they could see an astonishing fireworks show celebrating the arrival of the new year. The show is also synchronized with other fireworks shows around the renowned 7-star Burj Al Arab Hotel, and other shows along the Arabian Gulf.
BEIRUT Flight time: 2.75 hours Recommended dates: Depart Sunday, 30 December, and return on Wednesday, 2 January Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, is another breathtaking destination that’s about two and a half hours away from Kuwait. It is an ideal destination for families and friends planning for a fabulous start to the New Year. It is a city for all ages indeed. From the wide range of shopping hot spots like Hamra Street and malls, to gatherings at the famous Solidere Downtown area and Al-Raouche, to touristic visits of sites of the ancient Phoenician civilization, Beirut is a city that never fails to astonish its visitors. If you are a skiing enthusiast, you have to take a trip to the mountains to the Middle East’s biggest skiing resort of Faraya, and on your way to the mountains don’t miss out on the must see ancient district of Jbeil where you can have lunch at any restaurant of your choice while enjoying a view of the Phoenician and Roman ruins in the city. “Jazeera Airways provides up to two flights per day from Kuwait to Beirut, so book the time that better suits your schedule and have a lovely break,” Boghdady said. Things you can do! December 31, 9.30 pm: NYE Gala dinner with Assi El Hellani and Haifa Wehbe Bon voyage!