City Breaks & Desert Escapes Holiday Packages from South Africa (2026): Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Istanbul

Overview: This page brings together Travelwings' city break and desert escape holiday packages from South Africa — four short city holidays across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Istanbul, with the Gulf itineraries adding a desert safari. Trips run from four to seven nights, in handpicked four-star hotels with daily breakfast and guided city touring, and lead-in prices currently start from ZAR 8,150 per person on a double-sharing basis. All four are land-only, so international flights are arranged separately. Below you will find what each city break is best for, what is included, the desert experiences, flight and visa guidance, and answers to common questions. To book, call +27 12 006 0003 or email sa.care@travelwings.com.

Why book a city break or desert escape from South Africa with Travelwings?

A city break is the easiest holiday to slot into a busy year — a few well-organised days of sightseeing, shopping and dining, often with a desert safari thrown in once you reach the Gulf. These packages cover three of the most rewarding short-haul-feel city destinations for South African travellers, with the hotel, transfers and city tours arranged in advance so you can simply arrive and explore.

• Headline cities: Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Istanbul cover modern skylines, historic quarters and great shopping.
• Desert add-ons: The Dubai and Abu Dhabi itineraries pair city time with a 4x4 desert safari, dune drive and BBQ.
• Short and flexible: Four-to-seven-night breaks fit easily around work and school holidays.
• Everything arranged: Hotels, daily breakfast, transfers and guided city touring are organised for you.
• Transparent pricing: Lead-in fares are shown per person on a double-sharing basis, with flights and inclusions spelled out before you commit.

Which city break and desert escape packages can you book?

Travelwings runs four city break and desert escape holiday packages from South Africa, ordered here by lead-in price. At a glance:

• Istanbul Turkey — 4 nights, from ZAR 8,150 · land-only
• Marvellous Dubai — 7 nights, 4-star, from ZAR 11,000 · land-only
• Dubai & Abu Dhabi Desert Safari — 5 nights, 4-star, from ZAR 11,000 · land-only
• Dubai & Abu Dhabi Extended Safari — 7 nights, from ZAR 12,500 · land-only

The write-ups below explain what each city break is best for. All prices are per person on a double-sharing basis and reflect the current offer. Several of these cities are built around attractions that families enjoy, so if you are travelling with children our family holidays from South Africa gather the trips chosen specifically for easy sightseeing and family-friendly attractions.

Istanbul Turkey (4 nights, from ZAR 8,150)

The most affordable city break here — a four-night stay in Turkey's largest city, where history and modern charm meet across the Bosphorus. Comfortable accommodation and city sightseeing are included; international flights are arranged separately.

Marvellous Dubai (7 nights, from ZAR 11,000)

A well-planned seven-night Dubai tour mixing iconic experiences — the Burj Khalifa, a Marina dhow cruise, a desert safari and the Jumeirah Mosque — with a half-day city tour. Land-only, with flights booked separately.

Dubai & Abu Dhabi Desert Safari (5 nights, from ZAR 11,000)

A five-night twin-city Gulf escape with premium four-star stays, daily breakfast, a thrilling desert safari with BBQ, a scenic marina dhow cruise and guided city tours across both emirates. Land-only, with flights arranged separately.

Dubai & Abu Dhabi Extended Safari (7 nights, from ZAR 12,500)

A fuller seven-night Dubai and Abu Dhabi stay at the Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights (or similar) with daily breakfast and smooth transfers, exploring the highlights of both cities and their desert. Land-only, with flights booked separately.

Do these city break packages include flights?

All four city breaks are land-only — the hotel, transfers, city touring and any desert safari are included, but international flights are arranged separately. The team can quote and book flights alongside the package so the whole break is organised in one place.

What's included in a Travelwings city break?

Inclusions vary by package, but most city break and desert escape holidays cover a consistent core:

✅ Hotel accommodation for the nights shown

✅ Daily breakfast

✅ Guided city tours and sightseeing

✅ Airport transfers and on-trip assistance

✅ A 4x4 desert safari with dune drive and BBQ on the Dubai and Abu Dhabi tours

❌ International flights

❌ Visa fees where not specified

❌ Lunches and dinners where only breakfast is included

❌ Optional tours, attraction tickets not listed, tips and personal expenses

The exact inclusions and exclusions are listed on each package, so check the detail before booking.

What are the desert escapes on these city breaks?

The ""desert escape"" side of these holidays comes through the Gulf itineraries. The Marvellous Dubai tour and both Dubai & Abu Dhabi packages run a 4x4 desert safari with a dune drive and a BBQ dinner under the stars, pairing the drama of the dunes with a few days of city sightseeing. It is an easy way to add the desert to a city trip without arranging anything separately.

Do South African travellers need a visa for these city breaks?

Visa requirements depend on the destination and your nationality. For the UAE, South African passport holders may be eligible for entry arrangements that the team can advise on when you book, while Turkey has its own rules for Istanbul. As always, confirm the current entry requirements for your passport before you travel, as these can change, and meeting them remains the traveller's responsibility.

Are these city breaks good for families?

Several work well for families. Dubai's theme parks and attractions, Abu Dhabi's landmarks and Istanbul's historic sights give children plenty to enjoy, and the short, well-organised format keeps travel days easy. The team can adjust any city break to add child-friendly tickets and activities.

Can these city breaks work as a couples' getaway?

Just as easily. A Dubai skyline dinner, a Bosphorus cruise in Istanbul or a quiet desert sunset in the Gulf all make memorable trips for two. If you are planning a holiday built around exactly that, our honeymoon and romantic getaways from South Africa focus on the destinations and stays that suit couples, and a city break can be extended into one.

Which of these suit a more luxurious trip?

If comfort is the priority, the Gulf packages lead the way — the Dubai and Abu Dhabi itineraries pair premium four-star city hotels with headline experiences and the desert. For travellers who want that level of stay across an entire holiday, our luxury escapes holiday packages from South Africa bring together Travelwings' most indulgent hotels and experiences, and any city break can be upgraded to match.

More holiday ideas from South Africa

A city break is often the start of a longer travel plan. When you are ready to compare these cities side by side or plan something different next time, our South Africa holiday packages page brings together dozens of destinations as all-inclusive packages with hotels, transfers and guided touring — and the team can tailor any of them with extra nights, upgrades or added stops.

Disclaimer: All prices are lead-in fares per person on a double-sharing basis, shown in South African rand, and reflect the offers available at the time of writing. Fares, inclusions, hotels and itineraries are subject to availability and change, and rates may differ during peak periods, festive dates and special events. All four packages are land-only as noted above. Visa requirements depend on your nationality and remain the traveller's responsibility. Please confirm the current price, inclusions and entry requirements with Travelwings at the time of booking.

Frequently asked questions

1. How many city break and desert escape packages does Travelwings offer from South Africa?

There are four city break and desert escape holiday packages from South Africa on this page, across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Istanbul.

2. Which cities can I choose from?

You can choose Istanbul in Turkey, or Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE, with three of the four packages built around the two Gulf emirates.

3. Do the city break packages include flights?

No. All four are land-only, with international flights arranged separately, though the team can book them alongside the package.

4. What is the cheapest city break?

Istanbul Turkey is the lowest-priced, with four nights from ZAR 8,150 per person on a double-sharing basis.

5. Which packages include a desert safari?

The Marvellous Dubai tour and both Dubai & Abu Dhabi packages include a 4x4 desert safari with a dune drive and a BBQ dinner.

6. Do I need a visa for these city breaks?

It depends on the destination and your nationality. The team can advise on UAE entry arrangements when you book, and Turkey has its own rules, so confirm for your passport before travelling.

7. Are these city breaks suitable for families?

Yes. Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Istanbul all have strong family attractions, and the short format keeps travel days easy.

8. How long are the trips?

They run four to seven nights, with the Istanbul break the shortest and the extended Dubai and Abu Dhabi tour the longest.

9. Are meals included?

Daily breakfast is included on every package; lunches and dinners are generally extra unless the package states otherwise.

10. Which is best for a first visit to Dubai?

Marvellous Dubai is an easy first-timer's introduction, while the Dubai & Abu Dhabi packages add the neighbouring emirate over a twin-city stay.

11. Can I combine a city break with a beach holiday?

Yes. A Dubai or Istanbul break pairs naturally with a beach extension, and the team can add island or coastal nights onto any city break.

12. Can the packages be customised?

Yes. Nights, hotels, flights and added attractions or stops can all be tailored — contact the team with what you have in mind and they will adjust the package.

13. How do I book a city break from South Africa?

Call +27 12 006 0003 or email sa.care@travelwings.com, and the team will confirm the current price, inclusions and availability for your chosen dates.