Wizz Air: What to see, eat and do in the five new cities you'll soon be able to fly to from Abu Dhabi

As many of the world's airlines slowed or ceased procedures as the coronavirus and travel restrictions limited flight demand, Wizz Air moved in the contrary direction.

The low-cost Hungarian airline announced on Sunday, May 3, that it'll commence flying direct to Abu Dhabi from five cities across Central and Eastern Europe. Two of the brand new routes, Budapest and Bucharest, will launch next month, if the UAE has lifted its flight suspension. Another three routes to cities in Bulgaria, Poland and Romania will be available from September, according to travel restrictions.

One-way fares to these destinations start from Dh244, giving UAE residents five new picks for an affordable holiday. But what is there to see in each city and which one in the event you visit when? Here's our guide from what to expect from a vacation to each of Abu Dhabi's newest direct connections.

Bucharest, Romania: Go for a history-steeped bargain getaway

Flights to Romania’s capital are set to launch on Wednesday, June 3 when they will whisk travellers from Abu Dhabi to Bucharest in just five hours and 30 minutes.

This post-Communist city has a lot to provide travellers. Bucharest is a location of contrast, where rows of Communist buildings cluster around pretty blue fountains next to delicate French architecture and there's history to be found around every corner. Wander the cobbled streets and little laneways in the Old Town and visit the world’s second greatest parliament buildings, ranking behind the Pentagon in america.

One big draw that this city offers over many others in Europe is its affordability

History aside, Bucharest can be known for its nightlife. From many bars and clubs to an evening spent at the Bucharest National Opera House, the evenings listed below are to enjoy. One good option is to take a play at the National Theatre, accompanied by refreshments on its famed rooftop terrace.

For a hint of old-world glamour, Calea Victoriei is the city’s oldest street and harks back again to an era when French-inspired Bucharest was given the moniker Little Paris. The town even has its Arc de Triomphe - the Triumphal Arch was built in 1935 to commemorate the country's reunification.

Nowadays, Bucharest is a city on the rebound, so expect quirky cafes, street-side dining and flourishing cultural quarters. One big draw that this city offers over many others in Europe is its affordability. Meals for just two costs around Dh50 and rooms in a located five-star hotel start from around Dh400. Coupled with return flight prices from Dh548, it’s a great pick for a bargain weekend escape.

Budapest, Hungary: Choose the outdoor lifestyle

On Wednesday, June 3, Wizz Air plans to launch flights from Budapest to Abu Dhabi, making the city within easy reach for a European holiday. The six hour-flight will transport travellers to the Danube-bisected Hungarian capital.

Visitors might fall deeply in love with Buda’s hilltops, castles and relaxed pace of life or simply prefer Pest, using its bustling nightlife and myriad places of interest, but both are sure to enchant.

A must-do is a vacation to Budapest’s outdoor spas. Here, "taking the waters" is as ingrained in Hungarian culture as goulash, and travellers could spend days sampling the city’s numerous spas. Try a relaxing dip under the art nouveau architecture of Gellert Baths or check out Szechenyi, the major spa complex in every of Europe.

The Buda Hills are also within city limits and provide hiking or biking trails in conjunction with panoramic views and some decent local eateries that offer traditional Hungarian cuisine. Janos Hill may be the highest point in the city; hike up to it or take the cable car. The Children’s Railway - a pleasurable remnant of the city’s Socialist roots - is another good way to start to see the hillside scenery.

Right now, Budapest is a city of silence with travel restrictions protecting against tourists from entering the united states. The city's festival and tourism centre has produced a seemingly ethereal video of an empty Budapest, featuring sweeping views of what's waiting for individuals when travel can recommence.

Katowice, Poland: Choose something different

While its industrial past traditionally ranks Katowice low in the beauty ratings, metropolis is worth a visit for its excellent arts scene and growing foodie clamour. Wizz Air plans to commence direct flights from metropolis in the south of Poland to Abu Dhabi from Tuesday, September 15 and the flight time is a fairly easy six hours. This will be the first direct flight from Abu Dhabi to Katowice, so it’s an excellent pick if you want to be one of the primary in your group to visit somewhere new.

Wander the rose gardens and tree-lined paths and appearance out for sculptures from local artists

Looking forward to you in the administrative centre of the Silesian province of Poland is a blossoming food scene, a thriving cultural district and plenty of greenery backed by the Beskidy mountains.

Whether it's parks you seek, Katowice has them in droves. Kosciuszko Park was built in 1888 and has evolved from a little central plot to 72 hectares right in the heart of the town. Wander the rose gardens and tree-lined paths and appearance out for sculptures from local artists.

Silesia Park is another must-visit. At about 620 hectares - it’s almost double the size of New York’s Central Park - it includes a zoological garden, planetarium, fairground, pool, hotel and kids will like a visit to Legendia, Poland's largest theme park.

Foodies will love the city’s blossoming culinary scene where ethnic cuisines, Polish influences and Silesian dishes vie for attention. One of the more famous restaurants is Tatiana, where diners can get one of these fusion of Polish and European dishes. Situated in Katowice’s old market square, this is a good pick for history-seeking visitors that are looking a taste of the neighborhood cuisine because they are out exploring the town.

Sofia, Bulgaria: Get a cut-price winter escape

Arriving in Sofia on the five-and-a-half-hour flight from Abu Dhabi, it’s likely the initial thing travellers will spot is the soaring peak of Mount Vitosha.

This is Sofia’s individual mountain playground and it comes alive in winter when skiers flock to defend myself against the country’s oldest slopes. While it's a little underdeveloped, ski pass prices are considerably lower here than at a number of the other slopes in this area of the world, and it's probably the only city in Europe which has a run so near its capital.

At the foothills of Vitosha may be the affluent suburb of Boyana. Home to the National History Museum and the Unesco-listed Boyana church, this is a good attraction when you've had enough of your skis for just one day. A winter visit to Sofia must also include a visit to the festive market, which occurs downtown in the town Garden each year.

Visiting in virtually any other season also is practical. Sofia includes a surprisingly laid-back vibe for a capital city and spring to autumn offers open-air markets, ancient ruins, golden-dome topped churches and Ottoman mosques.

Known because of its abundance of natural mineral springs, travellers to Sofia often head to the most famous sites, such as for example Centralna Banya, Knyazhevo and Gorna Banya.

At these basins, persons should drink the waters, which are rumoured to have numerous wellness benefits. Discover more about the city’s watery history at the former Central bathhouse, which is currently home to the Museum of Sofia’s History. If you wish to actually dip in the waters, head 12 kilometres beyond Sofia to the mineral village of Pancharevo.

Cluj-Napoca, Romania: Choose summer festivals

Romania’s Cluj-Napoca, or Cluj as the locals call it, is among the country’s most-visited cities and is undoubtedly the unofficial capital of Transylvania. This lively student city has more than its fair share of bars, boho cafes, thrift stores and decent nightlife.

Visit in the summertime when a lot of the students will have cleared out, leaving room for travellers to take pleasure from the balmy summer temperatures of around 27°C. Another perk of visiting in summer may be the city's roster of events, a lot of that have carved a name for themselves on the international stage. From Untold - Romania’s major electronic music festival - to the Transilvania International Film Festival, Electric Castle or Jazz in the Park, there is something for everyone.

Cluj is also setup for city walks and the Botanical Gardens are a good spot to while away a couple of hours on a summer afternoon. Cycle or stroll along the banks of the Somesul Mic or check out the open-air Ethnographic Park and Museum where you could watch recreations of rural Romanian life.

Visiting Transylvania without tasting the local cuisine will be a blunder, specially when prices err on the low side of reasonable - approximately Dh100 for supper for two in a good restaurant.

If combining history with local cuisine appeals, Rhedey Cafe serves Transylvanian dishes alongside a black-and-white photography exhibit in the 16th-century palace where Queen Elizabeth’s great, great grandmother was created. Caffeine seekers will also be at home in Cluj - the town is one of Europe's best-kept secrets in terms of coffee culture.