REVENGE TRAVEL: There’s a whole new world out there waiting to be re-discovered. The UAE is already seeing a spike in holiday travel. Dubai’s holiday homes are up for a busy December and New Year's Eve — as rates reportedly zoom to record highs. | A section of the Trans-Siberian Railway from Irkutsk to Chita. (The Trans-Siberian Railway is the longest railway in the world. Its length is 9288 km. The entire journey non-stop will take you more than 152 hours to complete).
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DESTINATIONS: The rules are not the same yet for all destinations. But there are many destinations now offering quarantine-free travel. We list those awesome destinations from the UAE you can visit right now to satisfy the travel cravings that had been building. | A scene in rural Italy.
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TRAVEL SECTOR SPRINGS BACK: The travel sector is itching for a comeback. Now, Dubai International Airport (DXB) is set for full operations. Etihad Airways CEO Tony Douglas has likened the pent-up travel demand to a "fire hydrant” waiting to go off.
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BALI, INDONESIA: Capture plenty of eye-catching pictures at the marvelous Kelingking Beach, in Nusa Penida. Enjoy picturesque natural wonders in Bali. Rules: from October 14, Indonesia opened its borders to international tourists from “green” countries — [Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, New Zealand, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Liechtenstein, Italy, France, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Poland, Hungary and Norway]. Tourists may only enter Indonesia via Bali or Riau Islands. To enter Indonesia, they are required to have the following: Rules: health insurance required, hotel reservation and payment, PCR test 72 hours before flight. The Asian country has shown a drop in coronavirus cases, prompting the EU Council to add Indonesia to its list of epidemiologically safe third countries.
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BULGARIA: Sofia, the capital, is just 5-1/2 hours away by plane from the UAE. The rules are simple: fully-vaxxed flyers must have received their second jab at least 14 days before the flight. Unvaccinated visitors, in the other hand, must carry a printed copy of a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 72 hours prior to the flight. Those who recovered from COVID-19, must present proof they recovered no more than six months ago. Bulgaria accepts those who were inoculated with Sinopharm. | Young people hanging out in the City Garden, Sofia, Bulgaria.
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EGYPT: Egypt now welcomes visitors from around the globe. Rules to remember: passengers older than six years must get a negative PCR test, which must done within 72 hours of arrival in the country. Those flying directly to Hurghada, Marsa Alam, Sharm El Sheikh or Taba can take the PCR test upon arrival (for $30), with a mandatory hotel quarantine until negative results are issued.
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GREECE: In May 2021, the UAE has established a travel corridors with Greece, allowing fully vaccinated travellers to move between the two countries. Some rules to remember: fill in the passenger locator form (PLF) prior to landing. Those who have a certificate of vaccination completed at least 14 days before their arrival in Greece need not take a PCR test.
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ITALY: In June, the Italian and UAE authorities have decided to safely re-open the bilateral travel corridor for all categories of passengers between the two nations. Vaccinated UAE residents, with a negative PCR test taken no longer than 48 hours before travel, can enter Italy. The EU Digital Passenger Locator Form must also be filled. When the form is submitted, a QR code will be issued, which must then be presented during check in. On arrival in Italy, all passengers must undergo a at their own expense. Children under age 2 are exempt from Rapid Antigen Swab Test taken upon arrival in Italy (it costs €20 / $25), and must be pre-booked online [https://bit.ly/30GbTUY
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KENYA: Kenya has lifted dawn-to dusk curfew, which are seen as a positive move to the Kenyan tourism. Single-entry permits allow a visitor to stay in the country for a maximum of 90-days at a time. Rules: Travelers are required to have mandatory yellow fever vaccination and COVID-19 PCR tests, which must have been done at least 96 hours before travel and a certificate issued. For a relatively hassle-free visa processing, visit iVisa.com. Return ticket on Emirates from Dubai to Dubai-Nairobi now costs Dh1,455.
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MALDIVES: Upon arrival in the island nation, UAE-based travellers are given 30-day tourist visa free of charge. No minimum stay will be required but all tourists are required to have a confirmed accommodation before flight. Rules: Upon arrival at Male International Airport, visitors must show a negative PCR test result taken 96 hours prior the flight.
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MALTA: Vaccinated UAE residents can now travel to Malta without the need to quarantine on arrival. On 14 July, Emirates resumed its Dubai to Malta via Larnaca service. Rule: get fully vaxxed with European Medicines Authority-approved vaccine – Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca-Oxford or Janssen (Johnson & Johnson); vaccination card must be presented with details of both doses.
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MONTENEGRO: Tourists are lured by Montenegro’s beaches, historic places and dining options. It was was one of the hottest tourist spots in Europe pre-pandemic. Now, it has included the UAE on its “green” list (alongside 50 or so countries). Rules: Get fully vaxxed and have negative PCR test issued by a registered lab no more than 72 hours old upon arrival; a positive result for IgG antibodies not older than 30 days. For updated tourism, information visit https://bit.ly/3DxBNZF.
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OMAN: Oman reopened for travel on September 1, 2021. Rules: visitors should have a medical certificate – also known as a COVID passport – with a QR code that demonstrates they’re fully-vaccinated with a locally approved vaccine at least 14 days prior. They should also carry a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours if they’re arriving on a short-haul flight, or 96 hours if the flight is longer than 8 hours. Visitors must also register on the country’s Tarassud+ app. | A scene is Salalah, Oman.
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SAUDI ARABIA: Fully-vaccinated citizens from 49 countries that are eligible for e-visas can now travel quarantine-free to Saudi Arabia. Rules: The vaccines currently recognised in the Kingdom are Astrazeneca, Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, though those who have completed two doses of the Sinopharm or Sinovac vaccines will be accepted if they have received an additional dose of one of the four Saudi-approved vaccines. Prior to travelling, visitors should first obtain their e-visa [https://bit.ly/3oKpcMd], then register their vaccination status on the muqeem.sa portal.
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SEYCHELLES: Quarantine-free travel is now possible for those who wish to snorkel and dive in Seycehlle’s pristine waters, play a game in its stunning golf courses or go on fishing trips. Rules: travellers must provide a negative PCR test prior to departure taken 72 hours prior to departure, which must submitted electronically before boarding your flight (which also applies to children and infants); all travellers must also have a valid health insurance. There more than 200 hotels, resorts, villas and apartments certified safe by authorities.
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BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA:
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PHILIPPINES: Explore the allure of the tropics, white-sand beaches, diverse culture and eclectic dining experiences in the Asian country. Rules: Quarantine-free travel to the Philippines is now possible (new rules expected before the end-of November. The UAE is on the Philippines’ green list, and vice versa. | Unspoilt landscape of Coron, Busuanga Island, Palawan, Philippines.
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SERBIA: Belgrade, the capital, is a stunning winter spot, which has opened to UAE-based visitors since August 16, 2021. Rules: travellers don’t need a COVID-negative certificate; quarantine rules had also been lifted; face masks are mandatory in public spaces and bars and restaurants. Travellers can explore in country rich history, binge on local delicacies, and unwind in its majestic mountains.
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TBILISI, GEORGIA: Its cobblestoned old town reflects a long history. Its diverse architecture encompasses Eastern Orthodox churches, ornate art nouveau buildings and Soviet Modernist structures. Looming over it all are Narikala, a reconstructed 4th-century fortress, and Kartlis Deda, an iconic statue of the “Mother of Georgia”.
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UNITED KINGDOM: On September 17, the UK removed the UAE from its travel “red list”. The move does away with the quarantine mandate for travelers coming from the UAE. This came as a relief to many in the Emirates, home to an estimated 150,000 British citizens. The UK is also a popular travel destination for many UAE citizens and residents. Emirates now offers a return ticket from Dubai to London Heathrow for Dh2,495 ($679). | A scene in rural Scotland.
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YEREVAN, ARMENIA: The country’s millennia of history and culture is matched with sumptuous mountain and lake scenery, where you can discover Byzantine monasteries, 7th century ruins, hot springs. Armenia is on the UAE’s tree list. Rules: present your vaccination certificate (second dose must be taken at least 14 days before flight); negative PCR test certificate taken within the previous 72 hours (negative PCR result or a vaccination certificate not required for children up to 1-year-old). Travellers registered in the ARMED system can get their vaccination certificate via ArmedeHealth mobile application. The traveller can present the vaccination certificate via mobile application or present the printed version of the certificate with a QR code.
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