Enjoy the view from Burj Khalifa, ride a camel on a sand dune and meet a penguin in the Mall of Emirates, all on the same day

It’s hard to believe that you can squeeze in a trip to the Middle East over the weekend, but it’s totally doable. From pictures of Dubai, the city’s skyline might remind you of home, but once you’re there, you’ll feel a world away from the 852.

Before you fly off on your Arabian adventure, make sure you book a desert tour, such as the half-day outing offered by Royal Desert Tourism. Then you can use the other half of your time in Dubai to explore the city.

Morning

Start your day on a literal high note at the world’s tallest building. Though Dubai boasts many impressive modern high-rises, Burj Khalifa stands out at 828 metres. The structure is a sight to behold from the ground, but the view is even more spectacular from the observation deck above. Travel up its many storeys – on the world’s fastest escalator, no less – until you reach the 125th floor, where you can take in a 360-degree view of Dubai’s expansive and ever-growing skyline.

Once you have come back down to Earth, you can add a bit of extra flavour to your morning by wandering through the aromatic Spice Souk, a traditional market. As you make your way past the fragrant stalls stacked with colourful bags of herbs, spices and nuts, you can pick up some dates for breakfast and souvenirs for your friends.

Afternoon

Don’t worry if you didn’t get your fill at the spice market because the next stop is Al Ustad Special Kebab near Al Fahidi Metro Station. It has gained a good reputation not only for its mouth-watering plates of chargrilled meats, but also the friendly waitstaff. As you can see from the walls covered in photos, the Iranian restaurant has attracted a number of big-name customers, ranging from celebrities to royalty, in the 40-plus years it’s been open.

It’s also apparent from the pictures that the restaurant’s current owner, Majeed Al Ustad, has become something of a celebrity, too. You’re likely to see him in person at the restaurant, and he’d be more than happy to pose for a selfie with you on your way out.

Make sure you get back to your hotel by 3pm, when the shuttle service will pick you up for your next activity. We hope you didn’t go overboard at lunch because you’re in for a bumpy ride on the dunes of the Arabian Desert. There will also be an opportunity for you to ride a board down the sandy slopes.

Evening

Your four-wheel adventure will end at a sort of campsite where giant tents are set up. To one side, there are camels that you can ride, and in the centre of it all, is a big stage surrounded by chairs and tables. After the sun sets, belly dancers, tanoura dancers (tanoura is a kind of Egyptian folk dance), and fire spinners take to the stage while you enjoy your buffet dinner.

If it’s too hot during your visit, you always have the option of swapping the sand dunes for snowy hills. Bet you never imagined you’d be able to ski in a city surrounded by desert! But you can do exactly that at the Mall of Emirates, which boasts a 22,500-square-metre indoor ski resort. You can even get up close and personal with some adorable penguins while you’re there.

When you’re going on a road trip, wearing the right outfit can have an impact on your enjoyment of your travel experience. Wearing something too tight can be uncomfortable, especially if you’ll be spending long hours riding or driving a car. Meanwhile, wearing baggy clothes may feel comfortable, but they can give you a disheveled look. They may not be appropriate to wear at some of your stops, and you might not feel like joining in on photos when you don’t look your best. That said, it can be challenging to create an outfit that both looks and feels good.

Fortunately, you don’t have to sacrifice one for the other. It’s possible to achieve a balance between comfort and style by considering different elements of your trip.

If you want ideas on how you can put together cute and comfy road trip outfits, here are five simple tips:

Consider the Destination and Weather

When planning your road trip outfit, keep in mind your destination as well as the activities you plan on doing upon arrival. If you’re going to the ocean, wearing beach-inspired attire is a good choice. This means you’ll look cute and feel comfy wearing a maxi dress and sandals. If you’re heading up to the mountains, a cardigan, leggings, and hiking boots are a good option.

Additionally, it’s important to factor in the weather. You don’t want to feel too cold or warm along the way, as this can add to your discomfort. If you get cold quickly but don’t want to be bundled up in thick layers, buy tights with a high denier count to wear under your skirt or dress and bring a shawl that can cover up your shoulders.

Assess How Long the Journey Will Be

It’s also a good idea to determine how long the trip will be. This can help you plan an outfit that’s comfortable and will look good once you arrive at the location.

If it’s going to be a long car ride, you may want to stay away from clothes that feel too tight, like jeans. Although they’re versatile and appropriate for travel, jeans are made from a stiff material, which can feel uncomfortable on your waist and legs when sitting in a car for a long time. If you want comfortable bottoms that you can easily style, you can wear black leggings. These stretchy pants have elastic waistbands that won’t feel like they’re digging into your skin. Also, you can wear them with many different kinds of tops and look chic.

Play with Layers

Even if you’ve done your research, the weather at your destination can change by the time you arrive. As such, it’s better to be prepared by layering your clothes. Dress in light and breathable fabrics, then bring along a lightweight cardigan, a zip-up jacket, a stretchy denim jacket, or a linen button-down that you can use as outerwear. These pieces can also make a simple shirt or tank top look more dressy.

Unless you’re absolutely certain of cold temperatures, leave sweaters and pullovers at home. These garments can be difficult to get out of once they’re on, especially if your movements are restricted by the tight confines of a car.

Dress in a Single Color

A monochromatic outfit, or wearing one color from head to toe, looks chic and is appropriate for any occasion, including a road trip. It’s also very easy to put together since you can mix and match different garments as long as they are all the same color. All-black attire is always fashionable, and it can elevate your style with little effort.

A monochromatic ensemble doesn’t have to look boring. By dressing up in light and dark shades of a single color, you can add visual interest to your outfit. For example, you can wear a light blue top with navy trousers and a denim jacket. The different shades of blue in your outfit make it look more dynamic while still looking put-together.

Wear Comfortable Shoes

Aside from your clothing, you also need to consider the shoes you’ll wear on a road trip. Ideally, wear a lightweight and breathable pair that goes well with the rest of your outfit. For example, sandals are great with dresses and skirts. The open footwear design also allows your feet to breathe and stay cool.

If you’re in charge of driving, it’s best to pick closed-toe footwear that won’t get in the way of your movements. For example, ballet flats, sneakers, and flat-heeled ankle boots are less likely to get stuck on the pedals compared to flip-flops. You can wear ballet flats with pants, dresses, and shorts. Sneakers are perfect if you want to achieve an athleisure look with leggings and a zip-up hoodie, while ankle boots look stylish with jeans or leggings.

Putting together cute and comfy road trip outfits is possible. While looking stylish may not have an impact on comfort, it can help you look and feel your best. Maximize the comfort of your car ride with the right clothes, and feel free to snap away and take many photo souvenirs of your epic road trip.

Long-haul flights can drain the life out of you, and if you’re not prepared, make you feel ill. Here are our tips to help you arrive feeling fresh.

As aviation technology advances, we are seeing more non-stop flights being offered, promising to shorten flight times. However, there is still a long way to go. For now, travelers need to catch multiple flights to get to and from destinations that are thousands of miles, and sometimes, days away.

Long-haul flights take a toll on us mentally and physically, and the discomfort can be multiplied if you feel unwell. Here are a few things to know about how flying affects our bodies, and how to stay healthy on your long-haul flight.

How does flying affect our bodies?

We lose our sense of taste

At high altitudes, our tastebuds can lose their ability to do their job. Add to that cabin pressure, dry air, dull lighting and unexciting plane food, it’s no wonder we lose our ability to taste and enjoy food. Research has found that our ability to taste salty and sweet foods while flying is reduced by as much as 30%, so airlines are now spending more resources on the research and development of in-flight food and wine.

Our blood oxygen saturation level drops

The World Health Organization says that plane cabin pressure is the equivalent of 6,000–8,000ft (1,800–2,400m) above sea level, which means our blood oxygen levels are reduced (hypoxia) leading to sleepiness, a lack of mental alertness and sometimes, headaches. Sitting down for long periods on a flight compounds this issue due to lack of circulation.

Our circadian rhythm gets messed with

Jet lag is a mix-up between our body clock (which regulates everything from our mental self to when we need to use the bathroom) and the real-time destination we are traveling to. Our circadian rhythm can only be reset for up to 90 minutes every 24 hours, and the lack of light exposure on the plane adds to the effects of jet lag. Traveling east is harder than traveling west, as it fights against the normal body clock process. You need one day for each hour of time zone difference between where you are traveling from and to.

Blood pools in our lower extremities

Due to the lack of circulation in our bodies, blood will pool in our legs and feet. This leads to blood clots and deep vein thrombosis. that’s why it’s important to move around as much as possible when flying.

We get bloated and farty

At altitude, gases in our body expand, leaving our stomachs and abdomens feeling full and bloated. Gases at altitude also affect our ability to hear, creating the popping effect and a pressurized feeling in our ears on take-off and landing. On the descent, the eustachian tube doesn’t react fast enough which is why our ears hurt from the pressure change.

We end up dehydrated

Because the cabin air is so dry, our skin begins to lose moisture and in turn, the rest of our body. Dehydration also exposes you to potential bacteria and viruses as your mucus membranes, which provide a natural barrier, dry out.

Germs

Flying on a plane can sometimes feel like you are stuck in a cigar-shaped petri dish of grossness. Fellow passengers may be coughing and spluttering, and then there are the bathrooms everyone has to use. A 2014 study by Auburn University in Alabama discovered that bacteria such as staph and e-coli can survive for up to a week in a plane on cabin surfaces, armrests, tray tables and other spots.

Tips to stay healthy

Get comfortable

If you’re stuck in the plane for 14 hours you may as well settle in and get comfy. Even consider what you plan to wear (loose-fitting clothing is ideal) and where you want to sit before you get on the plane so you can relax without feeling restricted. Washing your face and brushing your teeth before sleeping can help you feel more relaxed. Planes get cold and not every airline will offer a blanket so pack a sarong, shawl or light blanket plus socks and slippers. Don’t forget the eyemask and neck pillow.

Tip: wear your seat belt over your blanket so the flight crew doesn’t disturb you if the seat belt sign comes on after you have fallen asleep.

Wear compression socks

You can get them all the way up to your knee or all the way up to your hip. They keep the blood from pooling in your lower leg and your feet, so it prevents some of that swelling and that achiness.

Block the noise

Sleeping on planes isn’t the easiest so grab some earplugs or noise-canceling headphones to drown out the droning noise of the plane and that guy who is snoring in the nearby row.

Stay hydrated

While drinking plenty of water hydrates you, your full bladder also nudges you to get up and move to visit the bathroom. Drink alcohol in moderation and limit your caffeine intake if you are planning to sleep. You may also want to consider using a saline nasal spray and moisturizer to stop your nose and skin from drying out.

Tip: bring an empty reusable bottle that you can refill with water before or during the flight. This saves using plastic cups and means you always have water on hand.

Eat light

Try to avoid fatty and heavy foods while flying. Steer clear of consuming fizzy drinks and gas-producing foods e.g beans, cabbage, lentils, chickpeas etc. which can leave you bloated. Your digestive system slows down while flying so also consider your food choices when it comes to the meal offerings. Try to eat a light and balanced meal, avoiding starchy and sugary foods. Pack your own snacks.

Good hygiene

Make sure you pack a hand sanitizer and use it before meals and after using the bathroom.

Stretch and walk around

Our blood oxygen levels are lower and our circulation slows down when we spend hours sitting on a flight which can lead to deep vein thrombosis. So make sure you get up every hour to stretch and go for a walk around the plane.

Time zone adjustment

To combat jet lag, there are things you can do prior to flying to prepare yourself such as getting a good night’s sleep and doing some light exercise e.g going for a walk outside, yoga or a light session at the gym. While on the flight, switch your watch to the time of your destination and try to sleep according to that timezone. Upon arrival, if it’s daylight make sure you get outside for some sun and fresh air, even go for a walk or just hang out in the local park.

Sleep medications

Some travelers like to use a sleep medication e.g melatonin or a prescription drug to help them sleep on the plane. Have a chat with your doctor and try the medication out before you fly. There is nothing worse than being on a flight, having a reaction to what you have taken and not being able to do anything about it. For some, sleep drugs can act like a stimulant rather than a sedative, leaving you awake the entire flight.

Unblock your ears

On the descent, you will notice your ear pressure change and for some people, it can be painful. Some ideas to get relief from the pressure include holding your nose and blowing out through your ears, yawning or sucking/chewing some candy to help release the pressure in your eustachian tubes.

We’ve compiled 10 tips to help you have the best possible Parks Canada experience. Put these planning and booking tips to action and figure out how to avoid the crowds, choose the best time to visit, and decide what destination is best for you.

1. Plan ahead

With over 220 destinations across Canada and an average of 20M+ visitors per year, planning ahead is key! Always make the necessary reservations ahead of time (camping, parking, shuttles) and check the status of trails and/or area closures before you go. Knowing what to expect, how to prepare, and what services are available will help ensure the best visit possible.

2. Reserve your spot

Level up your Parks Canada experience by staying the night in a tent or RV, or a furnished accommodation like a cabin, yurt or oTENTik. For the best experience possible check out our camping tips and tricks and reserve early because spots fill up fast.

3. Go somewhere new

Step out of your comfort zone! From lesser known national parks, to historic houses, forts, lighthouses, ranches and everything in between, explore by region to discover unique, off the beaten path travel destinations. Or consider less busy but equally exciting alternatives to the most popular national parks.

4. Travel midweek

Avoid the weekend rush, especially long weekends, during the busy summer season and travel during the week when the crowds are quieter. Take advantage of these quieter times to reconnect with nature and culture.

5. Explore early or late in the day

Be an early bird, literally! Birds are most active in the early morning, and the beautiful natural lighting makes for fabulous photos. Dusk is also another great time to explore. Many animals avoid the midday sun and can be seen travelling at dusk. Please remember to keep your distance and give all wildlife plenty of room to travel freely.

6. Be a night owl

Enjoy the celestial landscape in one of Parks Canada’s 13 Dark-Sky Preserves, a welcome escape from glaring city lights. Learn about stars, the moon, galaxies and constellations during special programming and events throughout the year. Stay overnight and camp under the stars to get the full experience.

7. Go on a special tour

Treat yourself to a unique experience and learn about Indigenous cultures, go stargazing, enjoy food and drink, visit a haunted location, learn how to fire a canon, take part in historic activities you would never have guessed you could do in a historic site, and so much more! Young or old, there is an activity just waiting for you to come explore.

8. Travel during the off-season

Watch the forest come to life after a long winter, behold the magic of changing leaves in the fall, or bundle up and explore a winter wonderland. There is so much to do in Parks Canada destinations. Not only are places quieter during these times, but you will also be able to book accommodations easier than during peak seasons!

9. Become an insider

Arm yourself with the best tools to help plan and enjoy your next Parks Canada vacation. Get seasonal updates by signing up to our Newsletter. Download the Parks Canada app to enjoy valuable travel tips, self-guided tours and more! Check out our vacation planners for top-notch ideas and endless inspiration, and don’t forget to follow us on social media to get the latest scoop.

10. Know what’s expected of you when you visit

Exploring protected areas is a privilege that comes with responsibilities. Limit your impact while ensuring your safety. Make sure you follow the 10 golden visitor rules, which include but are not limited to choosing activities that match your level of experience, respecting wildlife and leaving no trace.