As many of the world's airlines slowed or ceased operations as the coronavirus and travel restrictions limited flight demand, Wizz Air moved in the opposite direction.
The low-cost Hungarian airline announced on Sunday, May 3, that it will begin flying direct to Abu Dhabi from five cities across Central and Eastern Europe. Two of the new routes, Budapest and Bucharest, will launch next month, if the UAE has lifted its flight suspension. Another three routes to cities in Bulgaria, Poland and Romania will be available from September, depending on travel restrictions.
One-way fares to these destinations start from Dh244, giving UAE residents five new picks for an affordable holiday. But what is there to see in each city and which one should you visit when? Here's our guide to what to expect from a trip to each of Abu Dhabi's newest direct connections.
Bucharest, Romania: Go for a history-steeped bargain getaway
Flights to Romania’s capital are set to launch on Wednesday, June 3 when they will whisk travellers from Abu Dhabi to Bucharest in just five hours and 30 minutes.
This post-Communist city has a lot to offer travellers. Bucharest is a place of contrast, where rows of Communist buildings cluster around pretty blue fountains next to delicate French architecture and there's history to be found around every corner. Wander the cobbled streets and little laneways in the Old Town and visit the world’s second largest parliament buildings, ranking behind the Pentagon in the United States.
One big draw that this city offers over many others in Europe is its affordability
History aside, Bucharest is also known for its nightlife. From countless bars and clubs to an evening spent at the Bucharest National Opera House, the evenings here are to be enjoyed. One good option is to take in a play at the National Theatre, followed by refreshments on its famed rooftop terrace.
For a hint of old-world glamour, Calea Victoriei is the city’s oldest street and harks back to an era when French-inspired Bucharest was given the moniker Little Paris. The city even has its own Arc de Triomphe – the Triumphal Arch was built in 1935 to commemorate the country's reunification.
Before the pandemic, Bucharest was a city on the up, with quirky cafes, street-side dining and flourishing cultural quarters. One big draw that this city offers over many others in Europe is its affordability. A meal for two costs around Dh50 and rooms in a centrally located five-star hotel start from around Dh400. Coupled with return flight prices from Dh548, it’s an ideal pick for a bargain weekend escape.
Budapest, Hungary: Go for the outdoor lifestyle
On Wednesday, June 3, Wizz Air plans to launch flights from Budapest to Abu Dhabi, making the city within easy reach for a European holiday. The six hour-flight will transport travellers to the Danube-bisected Hungarian capital.
Visitors might fall in love with Buda’s hilltops, castles and relaxed pace of life or perhaps prefer Pest, with its bustling nightlife and myriad tourist attractions, but both are sure to enchant.
A must-do is a trip to Budapest’s outdoor spas. Here, "taking the waters" is as ingrained in Hungarian culture as goulash, and travellers could spend days sampling the city’s numerous spas. Try a relaxing dip under the art nouveau architecture of Gellert Baths or head to Szechenyi, the largest spa complex in all of Europe.
The Buda Hills are also within city limits and offer hiking or biking trails coupled with panoramic views and some decent local eateries which offer traditional Hungarian cuisine. Janos Hill is the highest point in the city; hike up to it or take the cable car. The Children's Railway – a pleasant remnant of the city's Socialist roots – is another good way to see the hillside scenery.
At the moment, Budapest is a city of silence with travel restrictions preventing tourists from entering the country. The city's festival and tourism centre has produced a seemingly ethereal video of an empty Budapest, featuring sweeping views of what's waiting for people when travel can recommence.
Katowice, Poland: Go for something different
While its industrial past traditionally ranks Katowice low in the beauty ratings, the city is worthy of a visit for its excellent arts scene and growing foodie clamour. Wizz Air plans to commence direct flights from the city in the south of Poland to Abu Dhabi from Tuesday, September 15 and the flight time is an easy six hours. This will be the first direct flight from Abu Dhabi to Katowice, so it’s a good pick if you like to be among the first in your group to travel somewhere new.
Wander the rose gardens and tree-lined paths and look out for sculptures from local artists
Waiting for you in the capital of the Silesian province of Poland is a blossoming food scene, a thriving cultural district and plenty of greenery backed by the Beskidy mountains.
If it's parks you seek, Katowice has them in droves. Kosciuszko Park was built in 1888 and has evolved from a tiny central plot to 72 hectares right in the heart of the city. Wander the rose gardens and tree-lined paths and look out for sculptures from local artists.
Silesia Park is another must-visit. At about 620 hectares – it's almost double the size of New York's Central Park – it has a zoological garden, planetarium, fairground, swimming pool, hotel and kids will love a visit to Legendia, Poland's largest theme park.
Foodies will enjoy the city’s blossoming culinary scene where ethnic cuisines, Polish influences and Silesian dishes vie for attention. One of the more famous restaurants is Tatiana, where diners can try a fusion of Polish and European dishes. Located in Katowice’s old market square, it is a good pick for history-seeking visitors that want a taste of the local cuisine as they are out exploring the city.
Sofia, Bulgaria: Go for a cut-price winter escape
Arriving in Sofia on the five-and-a-half-hour flight from Abu Dhabi, it’s likely the first thing travellers will spot is the soaring peak of Mount Vitosha.
This is Sofia’s very own mountain playground and it comes alive in winter when skiers flock to take on the country’s oldest slopes. While it's a little underdeveloped, ski pass prices are considerably lower here than at some of the other slopes in this part of the world, and it's probably the only city in Europe that has a run so close to its capital.
At the foothills of Vitosha is the affluent suburb of Boyana. Home to the National History Museum and the Unesco-listed Boyana church, it is a good attraction when you've had enough of your skis for one day. A winter visit to Sofia must also include a trip to the festive market, which takes place downtown in the City Garden each year.
Visiting in any other season also makes sense. Sofia has a surprisingly laid-back vibe for a capital city and spring to autumn offers open-air markets, ancient ruins, golden-dome topped churches and Ottoman mosques.
Known for its abundance of natural mineral springs, travellers to Sofia often head to the most popular sites, such as Centralna Banya, Knyazhevo and Gorna Banya.
At these basins, people are encouraged to drink the waters, which are rumoured to have numerous wellness benefits. Find out more about the city’s watery history at the former Central bathhouse, which is now home to the Museum of Sofia’s History. If you want to actually dip in the waters, head 12 kilometres outside of Sofia to the mineral village of Pancharevo.
Cluj-Napoca, Romania: Go for summer festivals
Romania’s Cluj-Napoca, or Cluj as the locals call it, is one of the country’s most-visited cities and is regarded as the unofficial capital of Transylvania. This lively student city has more than its fair share of bars, boho cafes, thrift stores and decent nightlife.
Visit in the summer when a lot of the students will have cleared out, leaving room for travellers to enjoy the balmy summer temperatures of around 27°C. Another perk of visiting in summer is the city's roster of events, many of which have carved a name for themselves on the international stage. From Untold – Romania's largest electronic music festival – to the Transilvania International Film Festival, Electric Castle or Jazz in the Park, there is something for everyone.
Cluj is also set up for city walks and the Botanical Gardens are a good place to while away a few hours on a summer afternoon. Cycle or stroll along the banks of the Somesul Mic or head to the open-air Ethnographic Park and Museum where you can watch recreations of rural Romanian life.
Visiting Transylvania without tasting the local cuisine would be a blunder, especially when prices err on the lower side of reasonable – approximately Dh100 for dinner for two in a nice restaurant.
If combining history with local cuisine appeals, Rhedey Cafe serves Transylvanian dishes alongside a black-and-white photography exhibit inside a 16th-century palace where Queen Elizabeth’s great, great grandmother was born. Caffeine seekers will also be at home in Cluj – the city is one of Europe's best-kept secrets when it comes to coffee culture.
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
Essentials
The flights: You can fly from the UAE to Iceland with one stop in Europe with a variety of airlines. Return flights with Emirates from Dubai to Stockholm, then Icelandair to Reykjavik, cost from Dh4,153 return. The whole trip takes 11 hours. British Airways flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Reykjavik, via London, with return flights taking 12 hours and costing from Dh2,490 return, including taxes.
The activities: A half-day Silfra snorkelling trip costs 14,990 Icelandic kronur (Dh544) with Dive.is. Inside the Volcano also takes half a day and costs 42,000 kronur (Dh1,524). The Jokulsarlon small-boat cruise lasts about an hour and costs 9,800 kronur (Dh356). Into the Glacier costs 19,500 kronur (Dh708). It lasts three to four hours.
The tours: It’s often better to book a tailor-made trip through a specialist operator. UK-based Discover the World offers seven nights, self-driving, across the island from £892 (Dh4,505) per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation at Hotel Husafell near Into the Glacier, two nights at Hotel Ranga and two nights at the Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. It includes car rental, plus an iPad with itinerary and tourist information pre-loaded onto it, while activities can be booked as optional extras. More information inspiredbyiceland.com
The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 1 Chelsea 0
De Bruyne (70')
Man of the Match: Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City)
if you go
The flights
Flydubai offers three daily direct flights to Sarajevo and, from June, a daily flight from Thessaloniki from Dubai. A return flight costs from Dhs1,905 including taxes.
The trip
The Travel Scientists are the organisers of the Balkan Ride and several other rallies around the world. The 2018 running of this particular adventure will take place from August 3-11, once again starting in Sarajevo and ending a week later in Thessaloniki. If you’re driving your own vehicle, then entry start from €880 (Dhs 3,900) per person including all accommodation along the route. Contact the Travel Scientists if you wish to hire one of their vehicles.
Barcelona 3
Messi (27’, 32’, 87’)
Leganes 1
El Zhar (68’)
The years Ramadan fell in May
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Results
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Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Spec%20sheet
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The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
More on Quran memorisation:
The view from The National
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Company profile
Date started: January, 2014
Founders: Mike Dawson, Varuna Singh, and Benita Rowe
Based: Dubai
Sector: Education technology
Size: Five employees
Investment: $100,000 from the ExpoLive Innovation Grant programme in 2018 and an initial $30,000 pre-seed investment from the Turn8 Accelerator in 2014. Most of the projects are government funded.
Partners/incubators: Turn8 Accelerator; In5 Innovation Centre; Expo Live Innovation Impact Grant Programme; Dubai Future Accelerators; FHI 360; VSO and Consult and Coach for a Cause (C3)
THE SPECS
Engine: AMG-enhanced 3.0L inline-6 turbo with EQ Boost and electric auxiliary compressor
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 429hp
Torque: 520Nm
Price: Dh360,200 (starting)
The specs
Engine: 2.9-litre, V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: seven-speed PDK dual clutch automatic
Power: 375bhp
Torque: 520Nm
Price: Dh332,800
On sale: now
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
RESULT
Al Hilal 4 Persepolis 0
Khribin (31', 54', 89'), Al Shahrani 40'
Red card: Otayf (Al Hilal, 49')
Dhadak
Director: Shashank Khaitan
Starring: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Ashutosh Rana
Stars: 3
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
How to help or find other cats to adopt
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Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Votes
Total votes: 1.8 million
Ashraf Ghani: 923,592 votes
Abdullah Abdullah: 720,841 votes
The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
From Europe to the Middle East, economic success brings wealth - and lifestyle diseases
A rise in obesity figures and the need for more public spending is a familiar trend in the developing world as western lifestyles are adopted.
One in five deaths around the world is now caused by bad diet, with obesity the fastest growing global risk. A high body mass index is also the top cause of metabolic diseases relating to death and disability in Kuwait, Qatar and Oman – and second on the list in Bahrain.
In Britain, heart disease, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s remain among the leading causes of death, and people there are spending more time suffering from health problems.
The UK is expected to spend $421.4 billion on healthcare by 2040, up from $239.3 billion in 2014.
And development assistance for health is talking about the financial aid given to governments to support social, environmental development of developing countries.
