Let’s face it. Kuwait is in the middle of nowhere. It’s sandy. Dusty. Polluted and traffic stricken. Too cold and then too hot, I hear you complain. But rejoice! By being in the middle of such a barren region, one of Kuwait’s main attractions is that it’s also half way to somewhere.
Its airport is one of the easiest to travel through and its gates open to hundreds of destinations half way around the world. With over five daily connections to the international travel hubs of Doha and Dubai and from our GCC perch, the world is pretty much our oyster.
As travel addicts, one of our favorite pastimes as a family is to open a good old fashioned dusty Atlas and plot new adventures. When we return, we stick pins in a map spread on a corkboard that reminds us that we’ve kept our sanity by regularly escaping and filling our head with new sights, smells and horizons.
Living in Kuwait has meant feeling like a kiddie in a sweet shop. And these are just some of the tried and tested destinations we recommend.
Within 3 hours
Doha: Been there and done Dubai? Why not relax in the up and coming pearl of the GCC. As the country embarks on a vast program of modernization, tourism and culture is top of the agenda. Why not visit the Islamic Art museum, a sister of the pearl of a building with a breath-taking collection before sampling some of the world’s most refined Japanese cuisine at the newly opened NOBU.
Muscat: Oman is where the mountains of the Arabian peninsula start, giving the entire country a rugged and enchanting feel. The earth is redder and colors more vibrant than anywhere else in Arabia. The souk is one of the oldest and most atmospheric of the region, still bustling with African arte-facts and spices dating back to the days the Sultanate’s capital was in Zanzibar. Best months to travel are February to May.
Within 5 hours
Malaysia: Magic Malaysia truly captures the essence of this county with as many faces as its landscape. Nature and diving fans will love spending time in nearby Borneo, with some of the world’s best diving in Sipadan while city slickers will marvel at the delights of Kuala Lumpur, which boasts one of the world’s most famous Islamic museums and handbag markets. Shop till you drop and refill on Chinese street cuisine as you turn the corner on the whitewashed colonial buildings of the capital.
Turkey: Saddled between East and West, the country is fast becoming one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. The Taurus mountains offer incredible hiking opportunities, while the Bodrum coast exudes character with atmospheric small fishing villages dotted along its coast. Istambul’s Blue Mosque and souk, feet from the mysterious Bosphorus, are all time musts for anyone wanting to be captured by the city’s enchanting history and place in modern history.
Within 8 hours
Nepal and Bhutan: Getaway to one of the most mystical and peaceful regions, Nepal and Bhutan are on the summit of the world. Katmandu offers day excursions into the belly of the Himalayas if you are on a short break. The closed kingdom of Bhutan can also be explored for a short break from Nepal and is said to be one of the “happiest” and colorful places on earth.
Maldives: Escaping to Indian Ocean paradise has never been easier than from Kuwait. Stop over in Sri Lanka and make it a romantic getaway by making the most of hotels in hundreds of different atolls. Charter flights also fly from Dubai to Male, making DIY last minute holidays something to consider. If you are about to pop the question or celebrate your wedding, there is only one place to do it.
