🌴 JANUARY ESCAPE! Abu Dhabi + Maldives in one trip from Bucharest for €652 with Qatar Airways
This itinerary combines two completely different winter escapes: start with three days of sunshine, architecture and desert experiences in Abu Dhabi, then fly to the Maldives for almost a week of turquoise lagoons and tropical beaches before returning to the UAE for one final night.
Route and travel dates:
Bucharest – Abu Dhabi – Jan 18
Abu Dhabi – Male – Jan 21
Male – Abu Dhabi – Jan 27
Abu Dhabi – Bucharest – Jan 28
In Abu Dhabi, treat yourself to a luxurious stay at the 5-star Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi with spacious rooms, nightly turndown service, an outdoor pool, and all amenities you’d expect from a hotel by such a renowned hotel chainl
In the Maldives, enjoy your stay at the stylish Manta Stay Thoddoo guesthouse, offering spacious rooms and free breakfast.
🕌 Start with Abu Dhabi
Fly from Bucharest to Abu Dhabi and spend three nights exploring the UAE capital. January is ideal for being outdoors here: daytime temperatures are typically around the mid-20s, which makes sightseeing, beaches and desert trips much more pleasant than during the intense summer heat.
Start with the spectacular Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, then visit Louvre Abu Dhabi, walk around the Corniche and spend some time on Saadiyat Island.
If you want something completely different, add an afternoon or evening desert safari with dunes and sunset.
🏝️ Then switch to the Maldives
Fly from Abu Dhabi to Malé and leave city life behind completely. You’ll have six nights in the Maldives, which is enough for a proper island escape rather than just a quick beach stop. January falls within the Maldives’ generally sunnier season, with tropical temperatures year-round and the northeast monsoon typically bringing brighter conditions from November through April.
From Malé, continue to your island by speedboat, seaplane or domestic flight, depending on where you stay. Resorts closer to the airport are usually reached by speedboat, while more remote atolls may require a seaplane or domestic connection.
💙 Six days of proper island life
This part of the trip doesn’t need an ambitious sightseeing plan. Think white-sand beaches, warm lagoons, snorkeling, boat trips and slow mornings by the ocean. If you choose a resort with a good house reef, you may be able to snorkel directly from the beach and see tropical fish, rays or reef sharks without taking an excursion every day. You can also add a sunset cruise, dolphin trip, sandbank picnic or diving excursion, then deliberately leave several days empty.
🌴 Resort island or local island?
You can make this trip feel completely different depending on where you stay.
- Choose a private resort island if you want overwater villas, spa treatments, restaurants and the classic Maldives experience.
- Or stay on a local island for guesthouses, local cafés and lower prices while still having access to beaches and snorkeling excursions.
For six nights, you could even split the stay between the two styles if transfers work conveniently.
🌇 One final night in Abu Dhabi
On January 27, fly back to Abu Dhabi and stay overnight before your flight to Bucharest on January 28. That gives you a comfortable buffer instead of connecting straight from the Maldives onto the final flight. You can use the last evening for a relaxed dinner, some shopping or simply one more warm night before returning to European winter.
Baggage allowance:
One personal item
If you need a car for your trip, find the best car hire deals here.
Did you have a delayed or cancelled flight? Get up to €600 per passenger for flights from the last 3 years. File your claim >>
Traveling soon? Get your Holafly eSIM with a 5% discount for seamless internet access in any destination. No more worrying about roaming charges or finding local SIM cards. Enjoy unlimited data and stay connected with ease. Order your Holafly eSIM now »
Heymondo offers a wide range of travel assistance insurance policies with a 5% discount. They combine the best quality, service and price with various levels of coverage, so you’re covered on your weekend getaways and long trips. Buy insurance »
Copyrighted 2026 by kamaviNET sp. z o.o. Please be aware that this article and whole website is copyrighted. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher.
