It’s that time of the year again when your case of the Monday blues are getting more frequent. Summer is a few months past, but the winter holidays are still a little too out of reach. Why not go for a short trip to ignite some of that wanderlust you’ve kept locked up? Make use of a long weekend or take a short break to reignite your spirits!

© Jcomp – Freepik

Travelling doesn’t have to break the bank with Wego, the largest travel, travel-search engine in the Middle East and North Africa. Wego is designed to scour for the lowest flight and hotel deals with full transparency on all costs. Search and compare deals, and set a filter to your preferred budget and desired traveling experience.

Here are five destinations you can jet off to for as low as 1,200 AED! What are you waiting for? Let’s go!

Budapest (AED 1,937)

Romantic in spirit and blessed with beauty in abundance, Budapest rises from the side of the majestic Danube as a city confident in its charms. Rich in architectural and historical traditions, the buildings of Budapest are nineteen century marvels created in styles ranging from baroque to neoclassical to art nouveau.

For a taste of fine arts and culture, head over to the Castle district’s Royal Palace for some of the country’s best museums and galleries. Alternatively, visit the Szimpla Kert ruin bar for a laid-back night of acoustic music, movie screenings and late-night chatter.

Royal Palace

Budapest’s allure is so much more than man-made, though. Famous for its natural thermal spas, the hot springs of Budapest are an experience in themselves.

Bathhouse © CNN

Choose from a wide array of bath houses to suit your needs whether they be to treat certain ailments or for rest and relaxation. If you’re bold, try asking around. Everyone in Budapest has his or her favourite bath.

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Cairo (AED 1,024)

The wonders of Egypt’s crown city needs no introduction. Legends and myths come to life in this city of the Great Giza Pyramids.

Visit the Egyptian Museum for a look at the worlds’ most iconic ancient artefacts, including mummified pharaohs, archeological finds and the glittering treasures of King Tut’s infamous tomb. New avenues of adventure await everywhere you turn under the sweltering Egyptian sun. 

Practice your haggling skills and score some great deals at the Khan Al Khalili, a medieval market with shops selling all assortments of trinkets.

Khan el Khalili © Bunnik Tours

When the sun sets and the evening arrives, end your day with a refreshing drink and a relaxing shisha by the Nile.

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Singapore (AED 1,575)

Singapore might lack the cachet of Tokyo, the monumental history of Beijing and the rugged elegance of Bangkok, but what she does have, she shows off proudly and enthusiastically. Simply put, this is one beautiful city teeming with passion and possibility.

Known far and wide as a foodie’s paradise, your stomach will never go hungry in Singapore with her steady stream of hawker fare and Michellin-starred restaurants. Mordernist architecture collides with a garden of green to form a city both aesthetically futuristic and philosophically sustainable.

Gardens by the Bay © National Geographic

The Singapore Zoo and Night Safari have proven especially popular with the young ones, while Universal Studios Singapore will provide the adrenalin rush for older members of your tribe.

If you’ve ever had a desire to shop till you drop, Singapore is the place you want to be. From big-name brands at Orchard Road to budget-steals at Bugis street, there’s something for everyone here. 

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Male (AED 1,302)

The tiny capital city of Maldives punches well above its weight. Perfect for a day trip or a longer stay, this peaceful island surrounded by calm azure waters is a friendly city fit for curious visitors seeking a laidback vacation.

Due to the city’s strong Islamic heritage, most cafes and restaurants are alcohol-free. Drink options are still aplenty, and many tourists favour trying a cup of Black tea at the Royal Garden Café.

Submarine tours will take you into the mysterious depths of the Indian ocean in air-conditioned comfort, or else, try snorkeling for an up-close and personal encounter with sea turtles, reef sharks and eagle rays.

© media.nowboat.com

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Madrid (AED 1,224)

Perhaps the most artistic city in the country, the museums and galleries in this city belong among the the world’s finest. Art lovers will enjoy the 1.5 kilometer Art Walk featuring the Prado, the Reina Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza.

Museo Reina Sofia © Wojtek Gurak – Flickr

Here, works by home-grown talents like Goya and Valazquez, as well as other great masters from the likes of Picasso to El Greco, adorn the gallery walls.

Museo del Prado © intk.com

There is no clearer window into the Spanish soul than the legendary nightlife pulsing through the streets of Madrid. Multi-storied bars and nightclubs come to life with the setting sun, where dancing and the thrill of non-stop chatter continues until dawn. Some of these taverns are centuries old, evidenced by their tiled facades and tin bars.

Chueca, Madrid © Travel and Leisure

At the heart of multicultural Madrid lies La Latina & Lavapiés, a sweet spot studded with open-air tapas cafes and bars, quaint medieval churches, flea markets and indie boutiques.

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* Prices are accurate as of time of writing