Eid Al Adha 2025: Best GCC road trips to start planning now
If you haven't managed to book that trip abroad, or organise something further afield for the upcoming public holiday, why not do a Thelma and Louise and get a road trip in the books?
From Dubai to Al Ain (one for the beginners) or Oman to Saudi Arabia, a GCC road trip is one for your bucket list.
Whether you're looking to embark on a multi-day tour, fancy putting your driving skills to the test on a rocky mountain road or sandy dune, want to stay put in your home country or are up for travelling across three countries, these are some of the finest road trips across the GCC.
Driving across the border? What you need to know
(Credit: Adobe)
If you're planning on taking a cross-country road trip, it's important to research the rules and regulations so you can cruise over the border smoothly.
This all depends on the country you're visiting. For example, if you're driving to Oman, UAE residents can obtain a 14-day visitor visa online for around Dhs47. This is similar in Qatar, where UAE residents can obtain a visa on arrival, with the duration varying on nationality.
However, if you are a UAE resident planning to drive into Saudi Arabia, you will need to fill out an online visa application form before your trip.
Next up, the rules around your car. If you're driving a rental or are paying for your car on finance, you will need a letter of no objection from your rental company or financer if you want to drive it out of the country.
As well as your passport, remember to also bring your drivers license, car registration card and car insurance information too.
Road trips from Dubai
Dubai to Al Ain
Road trips across the GCC: Al Ain Oasis
Driving time: 2 hours (173km)
As soon as you hit the Al Ain Road, you'll find the mood changes; city life gives way to a sense of scenic tranquillity and everything becomes that bit greener. Well deserving of its 'Garden City' moniker, Al Ain boasts an abundance of natural springs and oases, palm groves and majestic mountains that not only makes this a wonderful destination for a road trip, but quite unlike anywhere else in the UAE.
From exploring historical sites (UNESCO World Heritage Site Al Ain Oasis included) to experiencing the thrills that Wadi Adventure has to offer, there's plenty to do.
If driving is your bag though, you'll be wanting to fill up the petrol tank and snake your way around the wide bends and tight hairpins that take you some 1,249-metres up to the top of Jebel Hafeet (the route is renowned by experts as being one of the greatest driving roads in the world).
unesco.org.
Dubai to Al Gharbia
Road trips across the GGC: Al Gharbia Water sports festival
Driving time: 2 hours 30 minutes (263km)
Fancy yourself as a skilled driver and keen for a thrilling off-road experience? This is the expedition for you.
The route out to the western municipal region of Abu Dhabi is as impressive as they come, with towering sand dunes, vast stretches of unspoiled coastline dotted with pristine beaches and islands, numerous ancient forts and some of the rarest wildlife in the region.
Dubai to Doha
(Credit: Adobe)
Driving time: 7 hours 20 minutes (695km)
A lengthy expedition this one, but well worth it if you've got time on your hands and a desire to embark on a road trip of pretty epic proportions. The route, which involves a 100km stint through Saudi Arabia, serves up sublime views, tumultuous changing landscape and plenty of culture, as well as opportunities for exploring pretty coastal towns, vibrant cities and remote desert expanses. In short, it's one for the bucket list.
Once you've arrived, take a wander round the Katara Cultural Village, browse the exhibitions at the Museum of Islamic Art or go hunting for a bargain in the streets of Souq Waqif.
katara.net, mia.org.
Dubai to Jebel Jais
(Credit: 1484 by Puro)
Driving time: 2 hours (160km)
The mountain in the North-Western Hajar range is more than worth the two-hour drive, and you'll be spoilt with things to do when you get there. If you're a fan of an adrenaline rush, book a slot for the Jais Flight (the longest zipline in the world), fly around on the low-slung track that is the Jais Sledder and if you've still got energy to burn, then try Via Ferreta, the first 'iron path' in the Middle East.
For those who want to make it an overnight stay, drive down to a glamping tent at the Longbeach Campground, watch the sunset on the beach and end the day roasting marshmallows by the fire.
visitjebeljais.com, bmhotelsresorts.com.
Dubai to Musandam
Road trips across the GCC: Dhow cruise (Musandam)
Driving time: 2-3 hours (200km)
Clocking in at around 3 hours long (border crossing time factored in), the journey from Dubai to Musandam is just far enough to feel like an adventure, without being offputtingly lengthy – perfect for a weekend adventure with the kids, you could say.
Once you arrive in Musandam, prepare to be enthralled by the utterly diverse, entirely picturesque scenery (craggy Hajar mountains to one side, twinkling turquoise sea on the other).
Khasab isn't known as the Norway of the Middle East for nothing and no visit would be complete without setting sail on a traditional dhow and enjoying a spot of swimming, snorkeling and dolphin spotting.
Road trips across the GCC
Al Batha to Harada, Saudi Arabia
Road trips across the GCC: Highway 10, Saudi Arabia
Driving time: 3 hours (260km)
Perhaps not the most enthralling of journeys, but a noteworthy one none the less. Highway 10 connects the town of Haradh with Al Batha close to the UAE border and is regarded as the world's longest stretch of entirely straight road (not a turn or bend in sight).
The unswerving route is for the most part a barren one, so you'll want to ensure you're well stocked with road trip snacks and that your fellow passengers bring their best banter.
Bahrain to Kuwait City
(Credit: Adobe)
Driving time: 5 hours 30 minutes (494km)
From a seriously spectacular Arabian sea view start heading out along the King Fahd Causeway to the smooth and sprawling desert roads that follow, this is a wonderfully calming, not-too-taxing drive; plan your playlist and prepare to enjoy.
Make sure you bring your appetite on this adventure for a culinary odyssey awaits in Kuwait City, where you'll find everything from traditional hole-in-the-wall spots (local fish speciality fried zubaidy is a must-try) to funky modern cafés.
If you're in the mood for a spot of shopping, a jaunt around Souk Al-Mubarakiya, one of the oldest markets in the country, is always interesting and no road trip to Kuwait would be complete without snapping a selfie in front of the Kuwait Towers.
Doha to Al Zubarah Fort
Road trips across the GGC: Al Zubarah Fort
Driving time: 1 hour 15 minutes (105km)
A relatively short trip this, but one not to be missed. Drive an hour or so north of Doha and you'll come to the well-preserved Al Zubarah Fort, which sits adjacent to the ancient ruins of the town of Al Zubarah and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The impressive building (we're talking Game of Thrones vibes) was occupied by the armed forces until around 30-years ago and is now a thriving museum with pottery and archaeology exhibits.
qm.org.
Doha to Bir Zekreet
Road trips across the GCC: Bir Zekreet
Driving time: 1 hour (80km)
For a brilliant day out and one that feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city, a road trip to view the prehistoric sights and stunning sand sculptures of Bir Zekreet (aka the Qatari Grand Canyon) will impress and delight in equal measure.
These unique limescale escarpments have always been stirring and the appeal of visiting has only increased in recent years following the unveiling of artist Richard Serra's East-West/West-East sculptures, which rise out of the desert landscape to breath-taking effect.
Doha to the Inland Sea
Road trips across the GCC: Inland Sea
Driving time: 1 hour 30 minutes (100km)
Leaving Doha's futuristic skyline well behind, a road trip to the Inland Sea is memorable for many reasons: the rolling dunes are brilliant for a spot of dune bashing (providing you're in a 4×4, of course), the salty turquoise water is fabulous for swimming (or more likely floating) and the area teams with all manner of wildlife, from turtles to migratory birds.
Riyadh to AlUla, Saudi Arabia
Road trips across the GCC: AlUla
Driving time: 11 hours (1041km)
The lengthy yet hugely rewarding journey from cosmopolitan Riyadh to culturally rich AlUla is one for the memory bank, offering travellers an amazing opportunity to immerse themselves in layers of history and staggering natural beauty.
Careful planning is key for this trip and you'll want to make at least one overnight stop off along the way. The historic city of Hail, with its famous A'Arif fort, traditional souks and selection of hotels and restaurants, is a good place for doing so. From Hail it's a five-and-a-half-hour onward journey to AlUla along pretty remote roads, so fill up with petrol before you leave.
Once you arrive, prepare to be seriously impressed: The World's Masterpiece boasts wonder after wonder, from Elephant Rock to the Hidden Valley, not forgetting the Nabatean site of Hegra.
visitsaudi.com.
Looking to travel?
10 really cool things to do at Dubai International Airport
Fun experiences to try before you board
5 cool road trips that take 2 hours (or less) from Dubai
Incredible things to see (from the comfort of your car's AC)
We've found the best Eid Al Adha staycation deals in Dubai
Celebrate Eid in style
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Spectator
31 minutes ago
- Spectator
The other side of Yemen
In the western imagination, Yemen exists as a byword for terrorism and death. Its appearances in international headlines are flattened into a trilogy of suffering: Houthis, hunger, hopelessness. The civil war has dragged on for over a decade, leaving much of the nation in ruins. Life is punishing for the millions who navigate daily existence amid chronic instability. The Houthis – entrenched in the capital, Sana'a – continue to tighten their grip on power in the northwest. Their attacks on Red Sea shipping have drawn international reprisals and fuelled regional tensions. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office still advises British nationals against travelling to the country. Yemen is not therefore your conventional holiday destination. But Yemen is more than the Houthis. On the edge of the Empty Quarter, in the nation's northeast, lies the Hadhramaut. It is here that I came to glimpse a different Yemen, far from the front lines and well beyond the reach of Houthi control. It has been spared the war's daily tumult, and so – eager for an adventure and travelling as a tourist, despite the warnings – I boarded an ageing Yemenia Airbus to the city of Seiyun, a gateway to the region's hinterland. The Hadhramaut stretches across desiccated wadis carved deep into the desert floor. Escarpments that trap the harsh Hadhrami heat surround it, and architectural marvels rising in dreamlike defiance punctuate its landscape. The city of Shibam is the most magnificent of these relics of mud and time. It was once the capital of a bygone kingdom and a crucial caravan stop on the incense route across southern Arabia. Today, Shibam – a Unesco world heritage site – is renowned for the jagged mudbrick skyscrapers that dominate its skyline, built on the ruins of its own foundations. Often cited as the world's first example of vertical urban planning, Shibam is a testament to Yemeni imagination. Freya Stark, who travelled through the region in the 1930s, dubbed it the 'Manhattan of the desert'. Many of the 444 towers, which can reach 11 storeys high, date back to the 16th century. Trapezoidal in form, they are baked from the wadi's mud and capped with pale limestone plaster, their surfaces a patchwork of ochres and whites. Ornate woodwork frames the doors. The city, which sits atop a hillock, is ringed by a fortified wall, once a bulwark against marauding Bedouin raiders. I spent a blistering summer day wandering its alleyways, shepherded closely by a Kalashnikov-wielding military escort. In the early afternoon, a labyrinthine interior – suspended in time and devoid of life – unfurled within. The air was thick with the scent of sun-baked mud, and the 3,000 Shibamites had sought silent refuge in the shade and shadows. Any signs of modernity blended seamlessly with the ancient geometry of the city's towers. Now and then, a building stood derelict, as the mud crumbled back into the earth, its former occupants long since departed for Saudi Arabia or further abroad. Only the bleats of goats echoed from darkened recesses. Yet the silence of the city did not mean solitude. Behind latticed windows, a hushed audience kept watch over the outsiders. [Marcus Ray] But as the sun began to set, Shibam began to stir. Children emerged to play in the alleyways, clustering in giggling groups. Old men lumbered to the square clutching bushels of khat – the psychotropic leaf that softens speech and stretches time – ready to commence their evening chew. Games of dominoes clacked on wooden crates outside cafes in the main square. Shibam's rhythm returned in quiet pulses. The city moved to its own elegiac choreography, momentarily disrupted by the foreign footfall. The Hadhramaut is home to many other places of storybook grandeur. There is the religious city of Tarim, the village of Haid al-Jazil and the grand Bugshan Palace, whose mesmeric colours contrast with its lunar surroundings. Beyond this region too, there is richness – no less storied than in Sana'a – though much of it remains at risk of destruction and is, for now, out of reach. [Marcus Ray] Striking as they were, the Hadhramaut's marvels almost felt too cinematic to capture the dynamism of modern Yemen. Life proceeded instead at full tilt – and in all its colour – in Seiyun, where motorbikes weaved between honey stalls and minarets carried the call to prayer. The scent of cardamom and diesel hung thick in the air while gentle recitation drifted from a nearby madrasa. Children trained on sandy football fields, and mechanics crouched beneath battered cars, cigarette smoke curling above the chassis. A girl roared into a fan, thrilled by the staccato rasp of her voice, then toppled over laughing. A man tuned his old oud beneath a date palm. This sort of ordinary does not make the news. But in a country so often seen through the lens of collapse, normalcy itself can feel revelatory. The Hadhramaut's daily rhythms and architectural wonders resist the easy narratives imposed from afar. Not everything here conforms to the image of a beleaguered nation. Yemen is more than the headlines that define it. It is a country where history lives alongside hardship and people persist without spectacle.
Times
8 hours ago
- Times
19 of the best family hotels in Spain
It's hardly surprising that Spain remains a top choice for British holidaymakers year after year. Just a two-and-a-half-hour flight from the UK, visiting families receive a famously warm welcome, with restaurant staff treating children like VIPs and an abundance of activities designed to keep teens entertained. Spanning sandy beaches, historic towns, spectacular ski resorts and cosmopolitan urban hubs, the country's accommodation is as diverse as its landscapes, offering something to suit every taste and budget. On the ever-popular coasts, choices abound, whether you're looking for a cheap-and-cheerful crowd-pleaser or a five-star grande dame. Luxury properties are particularly prevalent in the Costa del Sol hotspot Marbella, while Costa Brava and Costa Dorada have plenty of bang-for-your-buck options that feature kids' clubs and babysitting services. The vibrant Spanish cities deserve a look-in too — Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and San Sebastian represent the best of both worlds, delivering cultural and culinary clout alongside easy access to golden beaches. These are the best family-friendly hotels in Spain. This article contains affiliate links that will earn us revenue Best for tranquillity amid 200,000 palms Unwind and reconnect with nature at this peaceful oasis within the Unesco-listed Palmeral of Elche — at more than 350 acres, the largest palm grove in Europe. A 20-minute drive from Alicante airport, the property's 81 bungalow-style rooms and suites are scattered throughout mature, palm-fringed gardens, lending a Swiss Family Robinson air to proceedings. Wake to the sound of birdsong, linger over a sumptuous breakfast — watching your eggs, pancakes and churros being whipped up to order at the live cooking station — then make the most of your surrounds, pootling between the outdoor pool, tennis court, fitness centre and ping-pong tables. Dinners at the hotel's Els Capellans restaurant are a highlight, with fresh, seasonal Mediterranean dishes designed to please guests of all ages, while the terrace is the place to round out days with cocktails, mocktails and chill-out music under the stars and palm fronds. Best for adventures on two wheels Estival ElDorado is that rare thing: a lively, family-focused beachfront hotel geared towards cyclists. In verdant grounds in the Catalan fishing town of Cambrils, a 20-minute drive from Reus airport, the four-star property offers bike rentals, repair stations, cleaning areas and guided routes to suit all skill levels. Flexible dining options and picnics to go will make early starts a breeze, while mini golf, a kids' club and multiple pools — some with rapids and slides — ensure plenty of entertainment off the saddle. Rooms are simple but comfortable, while the spa's physiotherapy treatments will sort out tired muscles and the international and Mediterranean cuisine served across four restaurants (and at themed dinners) provides ample evidence for why Cambrils is known as the culinary capital of the Costa Dorada. ££ | POOL | SPA | KIDS' CLUB | Best for a rural escape This authentic Andalusian hideaway near Loja began as a destination restaurant, and the food on offer still delights all ages. Dishes make liberal use of Bobadilla's olive oil and the most casual of the four restaurants, El Mirador, has a next-level kids' menu. The suites are particularly spacious for families, and the spa offers special sessions for children aged under 12. Parents in need of some child-free spa time, fear not — the summer-only 'mini club' is free. Once rejuvenated, try a game of petanque or a freewheeling bike ride through the 800-acre estate, which is dotted with almond trees. • Best luxury villas in Andalusia £ | POOL | SPA | Best for active families Sharing coastline and half its name with spectacular Cabo de Gata-Nijar National Park, the largest protected area in Andalusia, this palatial five-star hotel is a great base for families who want an action-packed itinerary. As well as the Olympic-sized swimming pool and paddle court on site, there are free-to-use paddleboards, kayaks and bikes, plus a nearby golf course and a spa offering Pilates and yoga classes as well as treatments. Decor in shared spaces and rooms — many of which are interconnecting — is immaculate, and there's a tapas restaurant as well as the obligatory buffet. ££ | POOL | SPA | KIDS' CLUB | Best for a beach break Spain's so-called Golden Mile is replete with high-end hotels, but this sophisticated beachfront property stands out. It is styled on an Andalusian village — and many guests never feel the need to leave its palm-dotted grounds — but is a short stroll along a seafront promenade to Marbella. There are good-sized rooms for those travelling with children, and a dazzling array of activities on offer for all ages — from yoga and Pilates to tennis and paddleboarding. There is also a family-focused swimming pool (one of three) and a kids' club, La Casita, which features devoted areas for tots and teens. Book them in and enjoy an uninterrupted meal at one of the 15 fantastic on-site restaurants, including a Nobu. • Best luxury villas in Marbella ££ | POOL | Best for a city break The outdoor-swimming season lasts longer in Madrid than most places, so families visiting the Spanish capital in the shoulder months will be glad of this hotel's gorgeous pool, surrounded by tall trees and potted greenery. Parents can supervise with a signature CoolRooms cocktail in hand before heading for the on-site El Patio de Atocha, a restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine. Staff wear striped T-shirts teamed with braces and blazers — a uniform that epitomises their fun-yet-efficient approach to service. With nods to art deco, rooms are similarly period in style — for added space, choose a suite (adding a sofa bed for the children for £60). Super-central, the hotel is a ten-minute walk from the Prado Museum and less than 20 minutes' walk from El Retiro, one of the most magnificent parks in Europe. • Best hotels in Madrid• Best things to do in Madrid• Best affordable hotels in Madrid ££ | POOL | Best for a chilled city break From the valet parking to its rooftop pool, this well-located five-star Barcelona property, off Plaza de Catalunya, takes all the hassle out of a city break with the kids. Reception staff wearing fun floral shirts provide a warm welcome, while the concierge is ever ready with recommendations for family-friendly tapas bars or trips out. Shared spaces are colourful and eclectic, while rooms are gorgeously calm, with generously sized beds and big TVs to facilitate parental lie-ins. The greenery-filled Traca restaurant serves Mediterranean dinner options and the hotel's next-level breakfast, while Belbo Fasto has child-pleasing options including pasta and pizza. • Best family hotels in Barcelona• Best things to do in Barcelona ££ | POOL | SPA | KIDS' CLUB | Best for a wellness break Forty minutes by car from Barcelona airport, this generously proportioned property housed in a 1920s sanatorium is one of the country's loveliest beachfront hotels, sitting on a silkily soft stretch of coast. Guests can make use of the beach club loungers, borrow kayaks and paddleboards for excursions on the Mediterranean or swim in the hotel's elegant rooftop pool. Staff at the kids' club are buoyant and enthusiastic — delighted to engage your children in a game of ping-pong or Connect 4 while you make use of the sizeable adults-only spa. There are 144 rooms — book into a Premium Beachfront for magnificent sea views — and you can watch the waves crash from the restaurant's terrace. The dinner buffet is quite something, with everything from grilled prawns to paella whipped up on the spot. £ | Best for kid-friendly culture So close to the Guggenheim that Jeff Koons' Puppy serves as the hotel's guard dog, this is the perfect spot in northern Spain from which to visit the venerated modern art museum. Begin with a family breakfast on the roof terrace, which has a peerless view over the groundbreaking gallery — contemplate its silvery exterior as you dine on à la carte dishes such as eggs benedict. The property's art-filled atrium and corridors connect 145 rooms and suites, all of which are classically designed and very comfortable (book interconnecting suites for more space and a private terrace). Kids will love the mini-robes, slippers and gourmet sweets laid on for junior guests, not to mention the exceptionally friendly service provided by all staff. • Best hotels in Bilbao ££ | POOL | KIDS' CLUB | Best for all-inclusive luxury Banish your preconceptions about all-inclusive resorts at this five-star property, the Ikos chain's first outside Greece. Low-rise white buildings surround a plethora of pools, which give way to daybeds at the beach club on the shores of Playa de Guadalmansa. Of course there's a buffet, but there's also fine dining, crafted by chefs including Stéphanie Le Quellec. And it's all covered in your bill, even the sunset glasses of Taittinger, so once you're there you can say 'yes' to everything — the pedalos, the electric vehicle to tour local beauty spots, the mini-disco, kids' clubs including sports and creative activities, the round of golf — without fear of racking up extra costs. Rooms are predictably lovely, and the very best even have private pools. £ | POOL | KIDS' CLUB | Best for value Formerly the Palladium Costa del Sol, this large four-star hotel was renovated in 2019, bringing a light, bright look to its social spaces and 336 rooms. It's well worth paying extra for a sea view, as the hotel backs onto the aptly named Playa Bonita ('beautiful beach'). It's a prime spot for the clement weather in this part of Spain, but there's plenty to occupy non-loungers too — mini-golf, table tennis and a children's playground, as well as evening entertainment. Most guests go for the all-inclusive option, and the food and drink are excellent quality for the price. We particularly loved sundowners and snacks at the adults-only Nix Sky Bar, which has a 360-degree panorama over the coast. • Best hotels in Malaga• Best hotels on the Costa del Sol £ | POOL | Best for theme park fun Designed to look like a Mexican hacienda, this enormous 500-room property is one of the hotels officially affiliated to PortAventura World — the country's biggest amusement park. A stay here includes tickets for it, but there's a good deal else on offer once you've had enough of the rides. The kids' pool features a pirate ship and there's a well thought-out playground. There are even some Woody Woodpecker-themed bedrooms, in addition to more adult-orientated bars and restaurants where parents will find sanctuary. A standard room here sleeps four, so average-sized families won't have to fork out for an extra bed. £ | Best for food The culinary capital of Spain, San Sebastian is also exceptionally child-friendly — kids love pintxos, the Basque take on tapas, plus there's the city's mountaintop amusement park and many beaches. Less than a ten-minute walk from Playa Zurriola, this excellent-value property offers a cleverly designed duplex room split over two floors. All suites are family-friendly and each features a tiny terrace where young'uns can let off steam. The buffet breakfast is surprisingly abundant for a small hotel, with fresh orange juice on tap and bubbly staff serving great platters of scrambled eggs at the table. Parents can enjoy a complimentary glass of cava in the stylish foyer before setting out to explore the neighbourhood's pintxo bars — the Gros neighbourhood has some of the best in the city. • Best hotels in San Sebastian £ | POOL | SPA | KIDS' CLUB | Best for style Putting family holidays front and centre, this beachside property capitalises on the big Spanish selling points of sun and sea while injecting a side order of fun into the mix. The hotel offers endless amusement for all ages — kids' pools with slides, evening entertainment, including magic, and its Star Camp activity programme for children. The property was refurbished in 2020 and its breezy contemporary decor is in keeping with the atmosphere, featuring hanging gardens in the lobby and nautical touches in the rooms, some of which have sea views. If you can prise yourself away from the resort it is 45 minutes' drive to the Jerez sherry cellars, which make a good day trip. £ | Best for a mountain location The state-run hotel chain is best known for its heritage buildings and fine dining — neither of which tends to have much appeal for kids. However, we challenge them not to love this eco-friendly outlier in the foothills on the Picos de Europa. Less than a five-minute walk from a cable car that will whisk you towards some of the most dazzling mountain scenery on the Continent, this is a memorable base for an adventurous holiday with older children — with canyoning, rafting and other activities all on offer nearby. If the kids have any energy left at the end of the day there is also a play area on site — while parents will find repose in the traditional rooms and enjoy the good old-fashioned service. ££ | POOL | SPA | KIDS' CLUB | Best for a combined city and beach break Paella may be the national dish, but you can only eat the truly authentic version in Valencia. The most upmarket address in the city is this sparkling seaside property, which is also a winning spot for families. As well as a spacious garden and a devoted children's pool there is a summer-season kids' club suitable for ages four to twelve. The hotel can also arrange babysitting, facilitating nights out on the town, and there are two on-site restaurants — Brasserie Sorolla has an original painting by its namesake artist. As well as interconnecting family rooms there are triples on offer — ideal for a larger brood. • Best things to do in Valencia• Best hotels in Valencia £ | POOL | Best for babies and toddlers A little more than an hour's drive from Alicante and just back from the Costa Blanca in the Sierra de Bernia mountains, this property combines the facilities of a boutique hotel with the space you would expect from self-catering accommodation. Clustered around the pool are six stylish apartments with one or two bedrooms, each equipped with every bit of infant paraphernalia you could ever need. Children will love exploring the mini-farm, play area, trampoline and sandpit, while the nearest beaches are less than 40 minutes' drive away. Each evening the British hosts serve home-cooked Mediterranean-inspired meals, with separate sittings for kids and grown-ups and the option to dine privately. £ | POOL | SPA | KIDS' CLUB | Best for waterparks As well as use of a devoted kids' pool with slides and a pirate ship, guests at this property in Lloret de Mar benefit from free access to neighbouring Waterworld — a saving not to be sniffed at, with tickets costing from £20 each. On site there's also a splash park for little ones, while adults can make use of the water circuit in the spa or head for a cocktail in their cossie at the swim-up bar. Many of the 345 rooms are great for families — for maximum value book all-inclusive. £ | POOL | KIDS' CLUB | Best for a budget crowd-pleaser Though less well-known than the other Costas, the 'Warm Coast' — the stretch of sand in Murcia province — has plenty of appealing beaches. This seafront property is sandwiched between two of them, and there are also double rations on the swimming pools — one shallower, with play equipment and slides for children; the other surrounded by loungers and daybeds. Part of the 30° Hotels group, its simple rooms are decorated in subdued creams and greys with photography of local shores. As well as a kids' playground there are indoor games such as table football, and the buffet restaurant is appealingly light, bright and airy. • Best places to visit in Spain• Best cities to visit in Spain
.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26auto%3Dwebp%26quality%3D75%26crop%3D3%3A2%2Csmart%26trim%3D&w=3840&q=100)
Scotsman
14 hours ago
- Scotsman
Can I bring food back from holiday? Travel rules explained
Here is a guide to restricted and permitted foods you can bring into Great Britian ✈️ Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... You may want to bring back food from holiday - here is what is allowed and what isn't Certain fruits and vegetables require a plant health certificate You can be fined or prosecuted for bringing back restricted foods When flying off to another country for a holiday, there will be items you may want to bring back to the UK. While general souvenirs such as magnets are absolutely fine to bring back, certain foods and drinks may be restricted. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But it is something that many holiday-goers may be hoping to bring home, especially due to the fact that there are certain food and drink items that aren't available in the UK. Can I bring food back from holiday? Travel rules for food - including restrictions on fruit and meat | Adobe Stock Here is a rundown of what foods and drinks you can bring back from holiday, and what UK airlines will allow you to pack in your suitcase. The main thing to remember is that the rules on bringing back food usually depends on which country you are bringing it back from. Fruit, vegetables, nuts or seeds Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad According to the UK Gov website, you can bring back any fruit, vegetables, nuts or seeds from any European country, Switzerland or Liechtenstein. However, in other countries outside of the EU some fruits and vegetables are restricted, unless you have a phytosanitary (plant health) certification from them. To obtain the certificate, you must ask the plant health authorities in the country you are leaving from. There are certain foods that you are allowed to bring back from countries outside of the EU without a plant health certificate. Those foods are; pineapple, kiwi, coconut, citrus fruits, kumquat, persimmon, durian, curry leaves, bananas, mango, dates, passion fruit, guava, processed and packaged plant products, peeled and processed nuts or nut butters and rice. Meat, dairy, fish and animal products You can bring certain foods into the UK for personal use if they are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Faroe Islands and Greenlands. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Those foods include; fish, poultry, eggs and honey. However, pork, beef, lamb, mutton, goat, venison are restricted, as well as milk and dairy products and those that aren't for human consumption. You cannot bring any meat or meat-based products into the UK from countries outside of the EU, as well as milk based products without the exception of powdered infant milk, or food needed for medical purposes. You can bring up to 2kg per person of honey, shellfish, snails, frogs' legs, insect meat, and 20kg per person of fresh fish, fish products, processed fish, lobsters and prawns. Foods with no restrictions There are certain types of food which can be brought into the UK with any restrictions. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The foods are; bread, cakes (without cream), biscuits, chocolate, sweets, pasta, noodles, packaged soup, and food supplements. What will happen if I bring a restricted food item into the UK? If you declare that you have brought a restricted food product into the UK, Border Force will remove the foods and destroy them. However, if you do not declare, you could be fined up to £5,000 or be prosecuted.
