Editor's note: Travel restrictions may change due to the situation.

Living in Dubai certainly has its perks and one of them is - half the world is yours to explore. The metropolitan city serves as a geographical crossroad between Europe, Asia and Africa - which means it offers the perfect opportunity for short holiday trips (beyond the low mountains of Fujairah and Ras-al-Khaimah)

We've rounded up some stunning and affordable tourist spots that are less than 5 hours away from Dubai.

Living in the UAE has many perks but the sweltering summer is definitely not one of them. If we could, we’d pass a law granting all UAE residents a cool, breezy and beachy vacation break — at least once every summer.

If you’re done looking at jaw-dropping scenic locations on Instagram alone, then it’s high time to embrace the real world and give in to your wanderlust. Below are some last-minute vacation ideas for every kind of travel goal. These exotic locations are not only ideal for summers but comparatively closer to UAE, light on the pocket and a safe bet to invest.

Just because you move and act fast doesn't mean you get more out of your daily life. We all need to slow down, take a break and experience life in slow motion.

If you are looking to take a break from your crazy, fast-paced and hectic life and pamper your mind, body and soul, Vietnam is where you need to go next.

If you still haven't made up your mind about where to travel this summer, let us help you out and tell you that Thailand is the place to be!

Why, you ask? Thanks to the summer promotion at InterContinental Samui Baan Taling Ngam Resort guests staying at in the Club Beachfront Pool Villa and Club Two-Bedroom Residence Villa get a third night complimentary when they stay for two nights.

The thought of watching the re-runs of FRIENDS in your PJs is certainly tempting but seriously, just take a scroll down your Insta-feed — people are discovering exotic islands, travel searches are skyrocketing and here you are — debating whether to go by chronological sequence or watch your favourite episodes first.

It’s high time you switch the laptop off and start planning the next non-virtual experience of your life. And you don’t have to do a lot of work — Airbnb and Pinterest have done half the work for you.

You can baulk at the idea of zodiac signs and scoff at the thought of themed hotels but that’s all going to change — as soon as you enter The Ultimo, the world’s first ever astrology-centric hotel.

Located in in the Chinatown district in Sydney, Australia, The Ultimo hotel is a project of Australian hotel group, 8Hotels, built on a heritage listed building. The building was refurbished in October 2016 with 95 rooms across seven room categories, including Ultimo Single (most affordable) to Ultimo Courtyard (most luxurious).

Life is a tough cookie. There are times when things don’t go as planned, when expectations end in disappointments and when you wake up feeling tired every morning. It’s God’s way of telling you to take a deep breath, let go and step back.

It’s time to acquaint yourself with the person you’ve become — and there is no better remedy than finding yourself when lost in nature's wonders. Travel far and wide and chances are you’ll meet yourself.

Money does not buy happiness, neither does it equate to satisfaction — sounds cliché but that’s what expatriates around the world have proven. A new international survey by InterNations, the world’s largest network of expats has confirmed that there is no exact formula to achieve happiness while living abroad.

A survey of 14,300 expats revealed that personal happiness has little to do with working hours, infrastructure or huge paychecks. But it has everything to do with the culture, friendly locals, cost of living and personal satisfaction.

With world politics taking its toll on America, Europe and the Middle East — Canada seems to be enjoying a moment right now. At almost 2000 square kilometres, the world's second-largest country is truly nature's best masterpieces.

The idea of living in a tower — isolated from the outside world seems rather depressing until you see Prague’s Tower Park Praha — a one-room luxury hotel that offers absolute privacy and a breath-taking panoramic view of Prague.

The Tower Park Praha is a reconstructed plush cabin inside the city’s television tower that offers tourists a peaceful escape from their chaotic life. Guests can experience the beauty of Prague 70-meters up in the sky. The television tower building rises dramatically above the ancient Prague skyline.