Expo 2020 Dubai started at the beginning of October and for the next six months, it’s going to be the most exciting spot on the planet. We want to make it easier than ever for you to visit Expo 2020 Dubai, so we’re offering free Dubai stopovers on vacation packages to popular spots across Africa and Asia.
Lots of people are starting to travel again and the Expo 2020 Dubai offers a great excuse to get back out there and see the world. You can explore the Expo and see the sights of Dubai before relaxing on an idyllic island or going on safari in Africa. Our free stopovers include two nights in Dubai as well as a pass to the Expo. You can extend your stay in Dubai further or enjoy a taste of the Expo before visiting another destination in the Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia, or the African continent.
Read on to learn more about all the places you can go with a free stopover in Dubai for Expo 2020 Dubai. But first, let’s talk a bit more about Expo 2020 Dubai in case you’re not familiar with it.
What is Expo 2020 Dubai?
Expo 2020 Dubai is an exhibition of the whole world in one city
World Expos only come around every five years or so, going all the way back to the first one in 1851. They are meant to unite the world around innovation, technology, and a celebration of cultural diversity. Expo 2020 Dubai is running under the theme of “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future” and is the first Expo to be held in Africa, the Middle East, or South Asia. Running from October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022, Expo 2020 Dubai showcases pavilions from 190 countries, exhibitions of technology and social innovations, and daily live music and cultural displays. Each participating country has its own pavilion that shows off its unique culture and plays into the main theme of facing the challenges of the future, particularly climate change. You can read our travel story on the Expo 2020 Dubai to learn more about its specific innovations and displays. In essence, Expo 2020 Dubai is a chance to explore the whole world without leaving the borders of Dubai. No wonder people are so excited to visit.
Where can you go with a free Dubai stopover?
Egypt
Egypt is only a few hours from Dubai by air and makes for a natural pairing. After your stopover in Dubai for Expo 2020 Dubai, you can explore the pyramids of Cairo and the cultural treasures of the Islamic Empire. These include Cheops Pyramid, also known as the Great Pyramid of Giza, and the citadels and mausoleums of Old Cairo, which includes a few filming locations from the James Bond movie The Spy Who Loved Me. Then temple-hop down the Nile River from Luxor to Aswan to see fabulous temples such as Karnak and Kom Ombo, tombs such as the famous tomb of King Tutankhamen, and the Aswan High Dam, which dams the Nile River. It’s a great way to combine the historic treasures of Egypt with the modern wonders of Dubai.
South Africa
South Africa has it all: game parks where you can see the Big Five, massive cities with fascinating histories and cultural highlights, gorgeous coastlines, and some of the best winelands in the world. You can enjoy all these highlights of the Rainbow Nation as well as a Dubai Stopover with Goway. After visiting Expo 2020 Dubai, jet south to explore the culture and history of Cape Town, one of the world’s prettiest cities. You can trace the legacy of Nelson Mandela at Robben Island, the island prison where he was held for 18 years, tour the Cape Peninsula to see the famous views of the ocean, or ride the cable car up Table Mountain. Then connect on to Pilanesberg National Park to the northwest of Johannesburg, where you spend several days at a luxury game lodge and head on daily safari game drives. City, safari, and Expo: quite the combination.
Kenya
Want to focus more on a safari experience? Kenya is the place to connect with a free stopover in Dubai. After exploring Dubai, you’ll connect to Nairobi for a night to experience a few highlights of the Kenyan capital, including the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and Karen Blixen Coffee Garden. Then fly into Masai Marai, one of the most famous game parks in the world, where you’ll stay at a 5-star game lodge and spend three full days on safari. The Masai Mara is one of the best spots on the planet to see lions in the wild as well as the massive herds of wildebeest and zebras that migrate each year. It’s a safari paradise.
Mauritius
The island of Mauritius off the coast of Madagascar never gets its due credit. It’s a lovely place to escape to, with sandy beaches and an exciting blend of African, Asian, and European cultural influences. After a free stopover in Dubai, you can connect to a resort on the western coast of the island, where the sunsets are particularly breathtaking. Spend your days relaxing at the resort, suntanning on the beach, or exploring the surrounding natural highlights, such as Black River Gorges National Park. Mauritius is also home to Giant Tortoises, so if you want to spend some time with these famously aged creatures, you’re in luck.
Thailand
You don’t have to head on vacation to destinations near Dubai to take advantage of the free stopover. You can head to Southeast Asia and explore the southern island of Phuket in Thailand. After seeing Expo 2020 Dubai, fly to Phuket and spend a week at a resort on the Andaman Sea in the country’s south. Enjoy the freedom of the island and the opportunity to lounge on the beaches, snorkel and kayak through the underwater worlds of the bays, and explore the towns on the island, which are known for their historic landmarks and bustling nightlife.
The Seychelles
The Seychelles is perfect for a romantic escape. Enjoy a taste of the future in Dubai during the Expo and then jet to the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean, where you’ll have a week at a resort on the island of Mahe. Enjoy the lush jungle backdrop of your resort and the sandy beaches, as well as the ample amenities on site. Explore the natural sites of the island or book a trip through the island chain to see the forests of Praslin or the famous rock beaches of La Digue. The Seychelles offers intimate escapes in a tropical environment, so if you’re looking to get away from it all, it’s a great place to be.
The Maldives
Arguably no spot on the planet does luxury better than the Maldives. Each island is a private island by nature of the archipelago, which stretches across the Indian Ocean to the south of India. The resorts are impeccably designed and every experience is curated to refined tastes. There’s no better spot to relax, unwind, and enjoy pampering comforts after the stress of the past year than the Maldives. So why not pair the Maldives with a free stopover in Dubai? Visit the Expo and then while away the days at a private island resort. It’s a pairing that can’t be beat.
Editor's Note: This article was updated on October 25, 2021.
18 Oct 2021, 3:38 p.m.
