Holidays from Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Winter Holiday Packages from the UAE: Snow, Christmas and School Break
For a winter holiday from the UAE, the closest snow is in Georgia, Kazakhstan and Armenia, all under four hours away. Europe's Christmas markets run from late November to about 23 December and need a Schengen visa. For sun, the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand are in season. Most families travel in the 14 December to 3 January school break.
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Packages
Trips you can book
Every package can change: dates, nights, hotel grade and tours. Prices are per person and dated.
4 to 6 nights
4 or 5 nights
5 to 7 nights
4 to 7 nights
01
The school winter break: 14 December to 3 January
For Ministry of Education schools and most Dubai and Sharjah private schools, the 2026 winter break runs from 14 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, with classes back on 4 January.
Three weeks sounds like plenty of time, but the break is not one single travel window. Flights out in the first weekend sell first, and the days around Christmas and New Year are the most expensive of the whole season. The quieter middle of the break, and the first days of January before school, often give better value.
First week
- Dates
- 14 to 20 December
- Demand
- High
- Tip
- Book early if you want to leave the day school closes
Christmas week
- Dates
- 21 to 27 December
- Demand
- Highest for Europe
- Tip
- Christmas markets close around 23 December
New Year week
- Dates
- 28 December to 3 January
- Demand
- Highest overall
- Tip
- See our new year holiday packages for this week
How the 2026 to 2027 winter break usually books. Prices for each window are dated on your quote.
| Window | Dates | Demand | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| First week | 14 to 20 December | High | Book early if you want to leave the day school closes |
| Christmas week | 21 to 27 December | Highest for Europe | Christmas markets close around 23 December |
| New Year week | 28 December to 3 January | Highest overall | See our new year holiday packages for this week |
02
Snow trips under four hours: Georgia, Kazakhstan, Armenia
You do not need to fly to the Alps to see snow.
Georgia: Gudauri and Bakuriani
The most popular snow trip with UAE families. Stay in Tbilisi and take a day trip to Gudauri, or spend two nights in the mountains for skiing and snow play.
Georgia packages from the UAE
Kazakhstan: Almaty and Shymbulak
Almaty sits at the foot of the mountains, and the Shymbulak ski area is reached by cable car from Medeu. A good choice if you want a city and snow in the same trip.
Kazakhstan tour package
Armenia: Tsaghkadzor
A small ski town about an hour from Yerevan, quieter than Gudauri. Pair it with Yerevan, Garni and Geghard.
Armenia tour package
- 01
Day 2: Tbilisi
Cable car to Narikala Fortress, the sulphur bath area and a walk along the river.
- 02
Day 5: Back to Tbilisi
Return to the city for a last evening, then the flight home the next day.
Mountain roads in Georgia can close for a few hours after heavy snow. We plan a spare half day into snow trips so a road closure does not cost you the flight home.
For young children, a day of snow play with sledges and a cable car ride is often enough. Skiing lessons take a few days to be worth the cost, so plan at least two nights at the resort if anyone in the family wants to learn. Our family holiday packages list rooms and trips that work with small children.
03
Christmas markets in Europe
Vienna, Prague, Munich and Strasbourg are the classic Christmas market cities. Most markets open from late November and close around 23 December, so a trip in the first week of the school break catches them. Cities close to each other by train, such as Vienna and Prague or Munich and Salzburg, combine well in five to seven nights.
The catch is the visa. Most UAE residents need a Schengen visa for these cities, and appointments get scarce before the winter break. Start the visa before you book anything non-refundable. We handle the Schengen visa from Abu Dhabi and Dubai with the same team that books your trip, and you can browse more routes in our Europe tour packages from UAE.
04
Warm winter escapes: Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand
Not everyone wants cold. December and January are dry, sunny months in the Maldives, on the south and west coast of Sri Lanka and in much of Thailand, which makes them a good choice for families who want beaches and pools in the winter break.
Maldives
- Good for
- Couples, resort stays, snorkelling
- Typical stay
- 4 to 5 nights
- Price from
- On request
Sri Lanka
- Good for
- Families, beaches plus tea country and wildlife
- Typical stay
- 6 to 8 nights
- Price from
- On request
Thailand
- Good for
- Families and groups, Phuket or Krabi with Bangkok
- Typical stay
- 6 to 8 nights
- Price from
- On request
Warm winter options from the UAE. Visa rules depend on your passport; we check yours first.
| Destination | Good for | Typical stay | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maldives | Couples, resort stays, snorkelling | 4 to 5 nights | On request |
| Sri Lanka | Families, beaches plus tea country and wildlife | 6 to 8 nights | On request |
| Thailand | Families and groups, Phuket or Krabi with Bangkok | 6 to 8 nights | On request |
05
What to pack and what to hire
Checklist
- Thermal base layers for every person, including children
- A waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers for snow days
- Gloves, a warm hat and a scarf or neck warmer
- Boots with good grip; trainers get wet and slippery in snow
- Sunglasses and sun cream, as snow reflects strong sun
- Lip balm and moisturiser for cold, dry air
- Copies of passports, residence visas and travel insurance
Flights from the UAE are warm and the arrival halls are heated, so you do not need to travel in full snow gear. Pack the heavy layers in your hand luggage or a small bag you can open on arrival, and change before you leave the airport.
Many families rent ski jackets, trousers, boots and skis at the resort instead of buying clothes they will wear once a year. For Europe, a warm coat and comfortable walking shoes matter more than ski gear.
06
Winter prices and when they peak
Winter prices follow the school calendar. Flights from the UAE usually cost least in late November and the first half of December, rise sharply from the day schools close, and peak over New Year. Snow resorts add their own peak around Christmas and New Year. Beach resorts in the Maldives often charge festive supplements for the same dates.
Georgia snow trip
- Early December from
- On request
- Winter break from
- On request
- Valid until
- Ask us
Kazakhstan snow trip
- Early December from
- On request
- Winter break from
- On request
- Valid until
- Ask us
Armenia snow trip
- Early December from
- On request
- Winter break from
- On request
- Valid until
- Ask us
Europe Christmas markets
- Early December from
- On request
- Winter break from
- On request
- Valid until
- Ask us
Maldives
- Early December from
- On request
- Winter break from
- On request
- Valid until
- Ask us
Winter prices per person, sharing, with flights and hotel. Dated and confirmed before you pay.
| Trip | Early December from | Winter break from | Valid until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia snow trip | On request | On request | Ask us |
| Kazakhstan snow trip | On request | On request | Ask us |
| Armenia snow trip | On request | On request | Ask us |
| Europe Christmas markets | On request | On request | Ask us |
| Maldives | On request | On request | Ask us |
To get a quote, message us on WhatsApp with your dates, the number of adults and children, and the kind of trip you want. Or visit us at Office 329A, 3rd Floor, Mushrif Mall, Abu Dhabi, Monday to Saturday 9am to 9pm and Sunday 2pm to 9pm.
Where can I see snow near the UAE in December?
Georgia is the most popular with UAE families.
When is the UAE school winter break?
For Ministry of Education and most Dubai and Sharjah private schools, the 2026 winter break runs from 14 December to 3 January, with classes back on 4 January. Indian-curriculum schools often differ, so check your school's calendar before booking.
Can I do a Christmas market trip from the UAE?
Yes. Vienna, Prague, Munich and Strasbourg are the classic Christmas market cities, open from late November to around 23 December. You need a Schengen visa, which can take several weeks, so start the application before you book.
What should I pack for a snow holiday from Dubai?
Thermal layers, a waterproof jacket, gloves, a hat and boots with grip. Many families rent ski clothes at the resort instead of buying them.
It's your smart choice
Let's plan your trip together
Send your dates and travellers on WhatsApp, or walk in at Mushrif Mall, Abu Dhabi or BurJuman, Dubai. We reply with options and today's prices.
Enquiry
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Tell us where, when and who is travelling. A consultant replies by phone, WhatsApp or email.
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- DubaiShop 1041, BurJuman
- Call us02 679 8008