Latest news with #andLouise
Time Out Dubai
21 hours ago
- Time Out Dubai
Eid Al Adha 2025: Best GCC road trips to start planning now
Fancy a road trip across the GCC? 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). 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. 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. 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. 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. 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
Telegraph
12-03-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Britain's wealthy flee to Italy and Greece ahead of April tax raid
Are you moving to another country to protect your finances ahead of the end of the tax year? Email us at money@ Wealthy families desperate to avoid high taxes are rushing to move to Italy and Greece before the end of the financial year, according to experts. British taxpayers are fleeing to low-tax regimes abroad before April 5, to make it easier to ditch UK residency in the coming tax year. Wealth managers cited Labour's inheritance tax raid, increases to capital gains tax, and the ending of the non-dom regime as the main drivers of the exodus. Under reforms from April, all UK resident individuals will pay tax on their worldwide income and gains, and the remittance basis, where residents only pay tax on the amount of income or gains they bring into the UK, will come to an end. Frozen income tax thresholds, which drag more people into paying higher rates, will remain frozen until 2028-29. Chris Etherington, of accountancy firm RSM, said Mediterranean countries like Italy and Greece were proving attractive destinations as they offer preferential tax regimes, similar to the non-dom rules that are set to be abolished in Britain in April. Non-dom status allows foreigners to live in Britain but avoid paying UK tax on money they make overseas. The rush to quit Britain before the new tax year means some people are leaving the country 'without a fully-formed plan', according to Mr Etherington. He added: 'There may be a bit of a Thelma and Louise philosophy: 'What if we just kept driving?' The key will be ensuring they do not drive off a cliff and land themselves in hot water with HMRC in due course.' Christopher Groves, a partner at high-end international law firm Withers, said he was seeing a 'huge spike' in clients moving to Italy, and a rush to make the move before the end of the tax year. He added: 'It's important to make sure you're gone by 6 April if you're going to leave next year. You need to have found your villa in Marbella or apartment in Monaco. 'The changes to non-dom and inheritance tax rules have pushed lots of people who didn't have a real plan to leave the UK to bring that forward, which means they're doing things in a less well thought through way. 'The world is so small these days, so it feels like a relatively easy step to take, but there can be practical difficulties.' You are automatically considered a UK resident if you spend 183 days or more in the UK during a tax year. However, moving abroad does not automatically cancel your UK tax liabilities. You may be considered a non-resident if you meet automatic overseas tests. These include spending fewer than 16 days in the UK in the tax year if you were not a UK resident in all of the previous three tax years, or spending fewer than 46 days in the UK if you were not a UK resident in any of the previous three tax years. If you do not meet any of these tests, your residency status may depend on the number of ties you have to the UK, such as family, accommodation, or work. Britain's tax burden is at its highest level in 70 years and is projected to reach near-record levels by the end of the decade. The 40pc rate of inheritance tax, in particular, is a 'really big motivation' for wealthy individuals deciding to move abroad, according to Mr Groves. He added: 'We're so out of step [with other countries]. You can go to Italy and [inheritance tax] is single digits if anything, in Switzerland it's nothing. Here, 40pc above £325,000 is confiscatory by comparison.' The Office for Budget Responsibility, the official forecaster, expects up to 20pc of non-doms to leave the UK because of the tax raid. However, wealthy Britons who are not non-doms are also moving to friendlier tax regimes abroad. Britain lost 10,800 millionaires to overseas countries in 2024, more than double the number who left in 2023. According to research by the Adam Smith Institute (ASI) think tank, each of the millionaires that left Britain last year would have paid at least £393,957 in income tax per year, equal to the income tax take of 49 average taxpayers. More than a quarter (28pc) of people with investable assets of more than £250,000 questioned by the bi-annual Saltus Wealth Index last month said they were considering leaving Britain within the next 12 months.
The Independent
10-02-2025
- The Independent
The flight-free coach holidays that are actually fun
Forget cramped flights and airport stress – it is time to rediscover the joy of travel with a coach holiday. Offering a comfortable and convenient way to explore iconic European destinations, coach tours are making a comeback. With spacious seating, ample luggage space, and numerous pick-up points across the UK, they provide a stress-free alternative to flying. Here are some top coach tour options for your next getaway: Dordogne, France Indulgence is at the heart of a new tour covering the most popular region of the Dordogne. Travel on the Truffadou Train, once used to transport Martel market's famous truffles, and enjoy a wine tasting and picnic lunch on the family-run Domaine du Siorac vineyard in Bergerac. Based at the Auberge de la Petite Reine in the heart of the Périgord Noir region, there are multiple opportunities to sample local food and drink during nightly four-course dinners – with a free bar from 6pm-10pm included in the price of the holiday. In between meals, sightseeing excursions include trips to picturesque towns and villages such as Rocamadour, Martel and Bergerac. Stop at the medieval Chateau de Beynac, an impressively well-preserved castle on a limestone cliff. Famed for its 600 cave paintings estimated to be up to 20,000 years old, the Lascaux cave complex is another highlight of the tour. End with stops in Bordeaux and Saint-Émilion to stock up on fine wines to take home. How: Just Go Holidays ( offers a nine-day Journey through the Dordogne tour from £1,399pp (two sharing), including half-board accommodation, ferry crossing and coach transfers from various pick up points in the UK. Various departures from between May and September. Enjoy a ' Thelma and Louise' road trip on a larger scale in the company of a coach filled with women – even down to the tour leader and driver. Part of a new female-only portfolio of trips offered by Insight Vacations, a tour of Europe's Bel Paese covers many of the country's highlights with a feminine touch throughout. Visit an Umbrian winery run by the matriarchs of a family who pioneered modern Italian oenology and are champions of sustainability. Learn about the art of loom-weaving from a women-owned-and-run weaving association, and join local artist and environmentalist Allison Zurfluh on a Prosecco-fuelled boat ride around Venice. Insight Vacations ( offers a 16-day Country Roads of Italy, a Women-Only Tour tour from £5,378pp (two sharing), including coach transfers, B&B accommodation and some meals. Flights extra. Departs on various dates from May to October. Yorkshire Dales Nothing evokes the nostalgia of travel quite like a train journey. Connecting peaceful valleys, rolling hills and enticingly vast moors, two key rail track experiences form the crux of a new break through the Yorkshire Dales. Chug through tunnels and viaducts in a vintage carriage while admiring the beauty of the English countryside. Pulled by a steam locomotive, the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway runs for four miles, while the Settle-Carlisle Railway travels through the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct. The trip also explores the city of York, including a visit to the National Railway Museum. Just Go Holidays ( offers a five-day trip York, Yorkshire Steam Train and Settle to Carlisle Railway trip from £389pp (two sharing), including half-board accommodation, train journeys and coach travel from various pick up points. Various departures. Ireland Discover Ireland's equivalent of the Lake District on a trip to County Cavan and County Fermanagh. Start in Enniskillen, a town set between the upper and lower Lough Erne, and explore shops selling traditional goods in the Buttermarket. Fans of English literature will appreciate destinations which inspired one of Ireland's greatest sons, the poet and writer WB Yeats. The fishing village of Mullaghmore is memorable for its views of the North Atlantic and Ben Bulben Mountain. In Sligo, the red brick Victorian Yeats memorial building has a library and a photographic collection of Yeats and his family. End in Dublin where the famous artist – awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1923 – was born. Leger Holidays ( offers a six-day Ireland's Ancient East & Lakelands tour from £1,199pp (two sharing), including half-board accommodation and coach transfers. Various departures.
