Top getaways to create lasting memories beyond the holiday hype

Now that the festive season is winding down, it's the ideal time to plan a short escape and prioritise lasting memories over fleeting material things. Here are some of the best suggestions for spectacular places that create truly unforgettable and enduring experiences.

Seychelles: For the one who finds freedom in nature

There are gifts you wear, and then there are gifts you feel. Seychelles belongs firmly to the latter. A mosaic of islands, floating in the Indian Ocean, where sky, sea and land meet in perfect harmony. Mornings unfold along forested trails and hidden waterfalls, afternoons drift into quiet lagoons, and evenings glow in the soft light of granite peaks. It is where barefoot beaches meet mountain paths, and stillness finds rhythm in nature’s pulse.

Kenya: A safari that stays with you forever

A wildlife safari in Kenya will transport you to a completely different world. Picture dawn in the Masai Mara: mist rising off golden grass, the soft rumble of a jeep, a lion stretching in the distance. One can spend a day tracing the wild heart of Africa, elephants grazing by your camp, evenings by firelight with stories carried by the wind.

Ras Al Khaimah: The gift of stillness

In Ras Al Khaimah, mornings begin with a slow boat ride through the mangroves at Suwaidi Pearls, tracing the heritage of pearl diving over cups of fragrant qahwa. Enjoy the noon with the adventure shifts to the Jebel Jais Viewing Deck, where crisp mountain air and sweeping views make time feel suspended. In the dawn, the sky glows in shades of ember and gold at Camp 1770, where a campfire crackles on the UAE’s highest point. In the evening, return to the resort where unhurried cocktails and dinners await.

Tokyo Skytree: Where autumn touches the sky

High above Tokyo, autumn takes on a new dimension, where the skyline glows in hues of gold and amber. At 350 meters, the observation deck at Tokyo Skytree transforms into a “Harvest Festival in the Sky,” with ginkgo-inspired installations and sweeping views that stretch to Mount Fuji.

Qatar: The art of escape at Hilton Salwa

Some gifts are meant to be lived, not unwrapped. Nestled along Qatar’s serene southwestern coastline, Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas offers a luxurious escape. With its sun-kissed shores, elegant Mediterranean-inspired design and the biggest waterpark, this resort offers endless fun that will give you memories worth a lifetime. It is a perfect mix of leisure and excitement, from lazy mornings on the sand to thrilling afternoons and serene evenings by candlelight.

Israel: Serenity by the Dead Sea

One of the World's original wellness destination, the Dead Sea in Israel float effortlessly on the mineral-rich waters, feeling nature’s deep healing power. Surrounded by plush spa resorts where one can get the therapy, indulge in mud wraps and salt scrubs. Adding the deep silence of the Negev desert or the ancient calm of Jerusalem turns this into a journey of therapy, perfect for those who need to stop, reflect, and finally regain balance.