Baku, Azerbaijan

For the right blend of city life and history

Don’t be surprised if an aerial view from your flight over gives you a sense of deja vu. Baku looks remarkably similar to Dubai with its beachfront sprawling mansions and its spiraling skyrises such as the Flame Towers (pictured). But that’s also where the similarity ends. The historical city is the perfect marriage of old culture and modern architecture, making it an absolute delight to stroll through its alleyways. While at one end you can explore the Old City, a Unesco World Heritage Site, taking in the Juma Mosque and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, at the other end lies the Zaha Hadiddesigned Heydar Aliyev Centre, an architectural marvel that defines Azerbaijan’s independence from the Soviet rule.

Azeri cuisine is also renowned for its unique taste. Spend an evening walking down Nizami Street, and not just for the shopping, but to tuck into cheap, local fare. Azeri-style kebabs, lavash flatbreads and shashliks of beef, lamb and vegetables are a must.

Flights: Azal Air flies direct from Sharjah to Baku. Dh1,245 for round-trip flights. Flydubai also offers two options on Eid weekend, with airfare starting at Dh1,885.

Hotels: Five-star hotels from Dh860 for three nights.

Weather: The fluctuating temperatures can go to lows of 18°C and highs of 28°C.