For March Break, we often hunt down locations that provide heat climate, memorable experiences, and the chance to make use of our factors and miles to assist cut back the general value. Subsequent yr, we’ve booked one thing a bit totally different, a household journey that blends the desert luxurious and amusement park enjoyable of Abu Dhabi with the cultural appeal of Italy.
At first look, it’d appear to be an uncommon pairing, however I feel it’s an ideal mixture that satisfies my longing for a particular journey, the youngsters’ want for enjoyable, and our shared love of Italian delicacies.
Why Abu Dhabi and Florence?
The unique plan was Italy, however anybody who’s been in March is aware of the climate might be unpredictable, with an excellent likelihood of rain and funky temperatures. So, we pivoted and determined to start out someplace heat and family-friendly, then tag on a shorter keep in Europe to fulfill the Italian cravings.
Abu Dhabi checked each field. The climate in March is sunny and perfect (round 25°C), the vacation spot is protected and clear, and there are numerous points of interest for households, from world-class theme parks to abandon resorts the place children can trip camels or slide down dunes. Town additionally has an ideal mixture of resort choices that may be booked on factors, free evening certificates, or at affordable money charges.
Then, to finish the journey, we added a couple of days in Florence on the best way dwelling that can give us simply sufficient time to discover Renaissance artwork, take a day journey to Pisa, and revel in pizza, pasta, and gelato in one of many world’s most stunning cities.
How We Booked Our Journey
Flights
To get there, we booked Qatar Airways QSuites from Toronto to Doha to Abu Dhabi utilizing Qatar Avios. My husband and I had been in a position to seize saver fares for 70,000 Avios every, and after some debate, determined to e-book the youngsters in QSuites too for a once-in-a-lifetime expertise at 140,000 Avios every on the flex fare. Meaning we’ll fill a full quad suite to ourselves, a enjoyable setup for a household flight.
Even higher, the brief Doha to Abu Dhabi phase books into Qatar Airways First Class, giving us entry to the spectacular Al Safwa First Class Lounge at Hamad Worldwide Airport, some of the luxurious lounges on this planet.
Whereas it was actually a steep redemption, the impression was softened by a 30% switch bonus from RBC Avion to British Airways Avios (and from there transferred to Qatar Avios). I transferred half of my Avios in the course of the promotion, successfully lowering the entire value of the Qsuites flights by about 15%. Timing your transfers throughout bonus durations can result in substantial financial savings.
From Abu Dhabi to Italy, we booked Etihad Airways Economic system Class to Rome utilizing 20,000 AAdvantage miles per individual, adopted by a 1.5-hour practice trip to Florence.
For the return journey, we’ll fly Florence to Toronto by Frankfurt with the long-haul phase in Premium Economic system for 59,100 Aeroplan factors per individual, offering a snug approach to finish the journey. We received’t depend on it, however we’d attempt to use our eUpgrades to improve to enterprise class.
Lodges in Abu Dhabi
We’ll start our trip on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi’s household leisure hub. Right here, resorts just like the Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island and The WB™ Abu Dhabi, Curio Assortment by Hilton embrace complimentary park admission for friends.
The WB™ Abu Dhabi, Curio Assortment by Hilton is nearer and inside strolling distance to the theme parks, however in the event you maintain Diamond standing with the Hilton Honors Program, you may take pleasure in lounge entry on the Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island.
Throughout March Break, rooms at each properties common round $300-$400 CAD per evening for a household of three, as much as $800-$900 CAD per evening for a household of as much as six or seven. Connecting rooms can be found. Understand that that is earlier than taxes and costs, which in Abu Dhabi is a whopping 23.5%.
If redeeming factors, a regular room reward would value 70,000 Hilton Honors factors per evening. At Prince of Journey, we usually worth Hilton Honors factors at 0.7 cents per level (CAD) or 0.5 cents per level (USD), so this might be an ideal worth on your factors when you take into account that taxes and costs are additionally coated with redemptions. Redeeming a free evening reward may be an possibility if in case you have one.
When you have US Amex Platinum or Enterprise Platinum playing cards, you may as well use your Superb Lodges & Resorts $300 USD semi-annual credit score towards The WB™ Abu Dhabi, Curio Assortment by Hilton, which makes it an effective way to avoid wasting whereas nonetheless having fun with all of the park advantages and Superb Lodges & Resorts perks like every day breakfast and a resort credit score.
When you choose a room that may accommodate the complete household in a single house, however don’t want the complimentary park entry daily of your keep, the DoubleTree by Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island Residences is a wonderful various. Its one- and two-bedroom residences embrace full kitchens and separate dwelling areas, with an onsite laundry facility, making it an ideal alternative for longer or extra relaxed stays for comparable pricing however for a household of 4 or extra. Additionally it is positioned inside strolling distance of the theme parks.
When you’re Marriott loyalist, for comparable charges you may keep on the W Abu Dhabi Yas Island. It’s a widespread alternative amongst households and is positioned proper above a Formulation 1™ racetrack. This resort participates in Marriott Luminous, a most popular companion program that you may entry by our in-house journey company, Prince Assortment.
By reserving by us, you’ll pay the very best accessible price (and generally even much less), and have entry to unique advantages, corresponding to a $100 (USD) property credit score, complimentary breakfast for 2, one-category room improve, early check-in, late check-out (topic to availability), plus a welcome present and letter.
After an action-packed few days, we’ll commerce curler coasters for tranquility on the Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, one of many UAE’s most iconic luxurious properties. Nestled amongst rolling sand dunes within the Liwa Desert, it’s a desert oasis for each children and adults. Visitors can take pleasure in camel rides, dune bashing, falconry demonstrations, and stargazing beneath crystal-clear skies.
As a household of 5, we wanted both a two-bedroom villa or two rooms. Thanks once more to the US Amex Platinum and Enterprise Platinum Superb Lodges & Resorts credit, we had been in a position to e-book two rooms at a considerably decreased value.
Anantara is a part of the GHA Discovery loyalty program. I standing matched to GHA Titanium standing, whereas my husband will probably be gifted the identical standing from fellow author Jason on our crew, who raves about this system. Titanium standing comes with advantages like double room upgrades if accessible, complimentary breakfast, early check-in and late check-out, and a welcome amenity.
Lodges in Florence
In Florence, there aren’t many resorts that can accommodate a household of 5 in a single room. Lodges in Florence are on the pricier finish. I’ve tentatively booked the Il Tornabuoni Lodge – The Unbound Assortment by Hyatt, a trendy boutique property positioned proper within the coronary heart of town close to Ponte Vecchio and Piazza della Repubblica.
As a Class 7 Hyatt resort, we booked one evening in a set for 60,000 Hyatt factors, and the opposite two nights utilizing a mixture of factors and money, which secured us a two king beds suite spacious sufficient to accommodate our total household of 5.
Sadly, there was a latest Hyatt devaluation, and the identical room now prices 80,000 factors per evening, making this reserving a fair higher worth in hindsight.
If resorts in Florence are past your price range, take into account staying exterior town or in different areas of Tuscany, and making day journeys in and across the space as a substitute.
For instance, the Grand Universe Lucca, Autograph Assortment, positioned simply over an hour’s drive from Florence and solely 20 minutes from Pisa, gives normal king rooms throughout March Break for €340 or 27,0000 Marriott Bonvoy factors per evening. Every room accommodates as much as two friends, so reserving two rooms for 54,000 factors or utilizing a pair of 35K free evening certificates might be a superb worth for a household of 4.
This resort participates in Marriott Luminous, a most popular companion program that you may entry by our in-house journey company, Prince Assortment for some extra perks if you’re paying money. There may be presently (on the time of writing) a particular household price the place you may e-book a second room for 50% off.
Household-Pleasant Sights
Abu Dhabi
Yas Island Theme Parks: Yas Island is Abu Dhabi’s household leisure capital, and with choices like Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, and Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi, households might simply spend days right here with out working out of issues to do.
SeaWorld® Yas Island, Abu Dhabi: Opened in 2023, this next-generation marine park combines cutting-edge know-how with conservation-focused reveals. Youngsters will love exploring large aquariums, assembly dolphins and sea lions, and studying about ocean ecosystems by immersive experiences.
Mangrove Kayaking: For a change of tempo, households can kayak by Abu Dhabi’s Mangrove Nationwide Park, a peaceful community of waterways lined with lush greenery. It’s a peaceable, simple paddle the place you would possibly spot herons, crabs, and even flamingos, all simply minutes from town.
Louvre Abu Dhabi: An architectural masterpiece in itself, this museum showcases reveals that hint the historical past of human creativity from historic civilizations to trendy artwork. There’s additionally a devoted Youngsters’s Museum with interactive actions that make artwork and tradition partaking for youthful guests.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: The most important mosque in UAE is a must-visit for households, showcasing beautiful white marble structure that blends world Islamic types. Its serene ambiance and breathtaking design provide a stupendous glimpse into Emirati tradition and spirituality.
Desert Adventures at Qasr Al Sarab: Few experiences evaluate to waking up surrounded by rolling dunes that stretch endlessly to the horizon. Along with enjoyable on the resort, we plan to strive camel using, go sandboarding, and possibly take an exciting 4×4 dune-bashing tour by the desert.
Florence
Duomo & Piazza del Duomo: No journey to Florence is full with out visiting its most well-known landmark, the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore. We plan on climbing Brunelleschi’s dome for sweeping views of town.
Uffizi Gallery & Galleria dell’Accademia: Florence’s artwork museums are world-renowned, and they are often surprisingly partaking for teenagers when visited strategically. On the Uffizi Gallery, households can marvel at masterpieces like Botticelli’s The Delivery of Venus, whereas the Galleria dell’Accademia gives an opportunity to see Michelangelo’s David up shut, an unforgettable introduction to Renaissance artwork.
Museo Leonardo da Vinci Firenze: This interactive museum brings Leonardo da Vinci’s innovations to life by wood fashions, hands-on shows, and multimedia reveals. It’s a really perfect cease for curious guests who wish to experiment with replicas of his flying machines and engineering creations.
Day Journey to Pisa: A fast practice trip from Florence takes you to Pisa, the place we plan to go to the well-known Leaning Tower, stroll by the Piazza dei Miracoli, and revel in a relaxed Tuscan lunch close by. It’s an ideal, low-stress day journey.
For the budding chef, you may be a part of a pizza or pasta-making class. We did one in Rome when the youngsters had been youthful, they usually completely cherished it. Italian meals is all the time a spotlight for them, so we’ll be sampling loads of native trattorias and, in fact, ending every day with gelato. A cone is often all they should re-energize after a day of exploring.
Conclusion
This March Break, we’ll be combining two very totally different locations, the fashionable desert surprise of Abu Dhabi and the timeless appeal of Italy, into one unforgettable journey. Between the posh of QSuites, theme park thrills, desert adventures, and Italian meals and historical past, it’s a visit that I’m very a lot wanting ahead to.
Due to a mixture of resort factors, airline miles, and journey credit, this in any other case very costly journey that includes world-class flights and 5-star resorts has turn into a way more inexpensive actuality and an ideal reminder of simply how far your rewards can take you.
