Beat the Winter Wanderlust in Dubai Hotels

A short European city break or few weeks spent topping up the tan are both great ways of satisfying the winter wanderlust that sets in once the nights get longer and the days colder. A whistle-stop tour of cities such as Barcelona and Madrid can be a great way to get away for the weekend without having to break the bank. A world away from the pensiones and boutique Madrid hotels, Dubai hotels tend to offer incredible luxury and the chance to discover the city’s unique Emirate culture and traditions. Here’s a little information about what to expect from Spanish city breaks as well as winter holidays to Dubai.

Dubai hotels
Once a sleepy pearling village, Dubai has been transformed into one of the world’s most glamorous and extravagant tourist destinations, with a plethora of luxury hotels and developments rising up out of what had, until fairly recently, been little more than desert. A sybaritic monument to excess, petrodollars have helped fund a surfeit of luxurious, and often quite kitsch, Dubai hotels, which are unlike anything you’ll find in other resorts. But with some of the world’s biggest and best shopping malls, extensive white-sand beaches and year-round sunshine, it’s easy to work out the reasons for Dubai’s popularity with well-heeled tourists from around the world. There is much more to this Emirate than designer boutiques and glamorous hotels. If you look long enough, a place of rich cultural heritage and fascinating, if often stark, contrasts starts to emerge.

Madrid hotels
Famous for its elegant Bourbon squares and cosmopolitan atmosphere, Madrid has long a popular choice with tourists looking to enjoy a short city break and to learn more about Spain’s rich cultural heritage. Nearly all visitors opt to make the trip to Prado museum which has one of Europe's most outstanding picture collections, as well as a new €152 million Rafael Moneo-designed extension. Among the highlights are the incomparable collection of Spanish works, including Velazquez's 'Las Meninas' and a number of prized works by El Greco, and wonderful early Flemish works collected by Carlos V and Felipe II. After a day spent trawling the corridors of the Prado, most choose enjoy the terrazas and tapas bars which have come to define the laid-back lifestyle of the madrileños. With a wide variety of luxury, boutique and affordable options to choose from, Madrid hotels offer all the choice you expect from a modern European capital.

Barcelona hotels
But Spain has much more to offer than just Madrid. For its vibrancy, distinctive character and good looks, the Catalan capital of Barcelona is hard to beat. Visitors can gorge themselves on culture during the day in the museums and churches of the ciutat vella, and then take a stroll down to the cafes and restaurants on the Port Vell and Port Olimpic. La Sagrada Familia is chief among Barcelona’s attractions and the Gaudi masterpiece is one of seven throughout the city which have been awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status in recognition of the innovativeness of their design. Hotels in Barcelona range from exclusive and luxurious boutique options to more affordable ‘hostales’ and ‘pensiones’, perfect for those on a budget.