The National

Beat the heat with a spa desert escape

For anybody thinking of heading to the desert and leaving the city's stress behind before the weather becomes unbearably hot, Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara is offering a new "Spa Essence" package. It includes an overnight stay in a deluxe garden room, breakfast and a 150-minute spa date for each person. The package costs from Dh3,712 per night, per couple. For more information, visit www.qasralsarab.anantara.com.

Cook up a storm next to Dubai Creek

Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel and Towers is giving guests a chance to sharpen their culinary skills in a series of masterclasses with some of the Emirates' leading chefs. Whether you want to become a chocolatier or a sushi master, the hotel has lessons to fit. Classes cost from Dh350 for a three-hour session; hotel stays cost from Dh660 per night for two people. For more information, visit www.sheraton.ae.

An on pointe St Petersburg stopover

High-culture-loving travellers can get a taste of Russia's artistic side this season with a stay at the Corinthia Hotel St Petersburg. Guests can enjoy a three-night stay at the hotel in an executive suite, daily buffet breakfast, tickets to the ballet or opera and dinner at the Russian Tsar restaurant. The hotel is centrally located in Russia's second-largest city, with easy access to major cultural and artistic attractions. The package costs from Dh4,189 per person. For more information, visit www.corinthia.com/hotels/stpetersburg.

Go Gold on a Down Under package deal

The Gold Coast is putting out the welcome mat for an Australian escape in Queensland, in conjunction with Dnata and Qantas. The package features a seven-night stay at your choice of four hotels (Hotel Grand Chancellor Surfers Paradise, Towers of Chevron Renaissance, Australis Sovereign Hotel and Outriggers Surfers Paradise), return economy flights from Dubai to Coolangatta, airport transfers and daily breakfast. Packages cost from Dh7,150 per person, valid for stays from July 1 to September 30. For more information, visit www.dnatatravel.com.

A safari celebration in Botswana

The Belmond Botswana has a special two-for-one deal next month as part of the 21st-anniversary celebrations of its safari camps. The offer includes stays at Belmond Eagle Island Lodge in the Okavango Delta and Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge in Savute. A four-night stay (two nights at each camp), all meals, guided safari activities, park fees and light-aircraft transfers cost from Dh13,845 per person. For more information, visit www.lightfoottravel.com.

mhealy@thenational.ae

Plus: Beat the heat with a spa desert escape; Cook up a storm next to Dubai Creek; An on pointe St Petersburg stopover; Go Gold on a Down Under package deal.