With Eid Al Adha predicted to fall on Wednesday September 23, many people will be looking to maximise their time off work with a getaway. Whether you want a staycation, a regional escape or a longer holiday, here are some deals to whet your travel appetite.
UAE
Abu Dhabi
Guests who book two nights at the newly opened Jannah Burj Al Sarab over the Eid period will receive a third night free. Rooms cost from Dh609; www.burjalsarab.ae.
Dubai
Stay four nights at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray on The Palm between September 22 and 30, and pay for three nights. The offer includes unlimited access to Wild Wadi Water Park and complimentary internet access. Rooms cost from Dh1,100 per night; www.jumeirah.com.
Receive 20 per cent off food and beverages, as well as complimentary Wi-Fi and parking, when booking into the JA Oasis Beach Tower in Dubai Marina from September 20 to 30. The serviced apartments sleep four adults and two children, and are ideal for those who prefer to self-cater. Apartments cost from Dh2,276 per night; www.jaresortshotels.com.
Hatta
Stay in a deluxe chalet-style room at the Hatta Fort Hotel and receive complimentary breakfast and dinner. The offer is valid for two adults and two children, from September 17 to 26. Rooms cost from Dh1,935 per night; www.jaresortshotels.com.
Western Region
Head to the edge of the Empty Quarter for an Eid getaway at Tilal Liwa Hotel. Guests will receive buffet breakfast and lunch or dinner, a fruit basket on arrival and use of the recreational facilities. Rooms cost from Dh927 per night; www.danathotels.com.
Middle East
Oman
The Millennium Resort Mussanah has an Eid package valid from September 23 to 27. Stay in a double room and receive breakfast, dinner and a massage for two people. One child under 12 can stay and eat for free. Rooms cost from 40 Omani rials (Dh382) per night, with upgrades to a sea-view room or one-bedroom apartment available from 10 Omani rials (Dh95); www.millenniumhotels.com.
Asia
Cambodia
Spend six days soaking up Cambodia with a guided visit of Siem Reap and Angkor Wat, plus leisure days in Sihanoukville and Song Saa. The package includes accommodation at Belmond La Residence d'Angkor in Siem Riep and Song Saa resort, breakfast (full board at Song Saa), an English-speaking guide, entrance fees and some tours and transfers. Packages cost from US$4,731 (Dh17,380) for two people; www.lightfoottravel.com.
China
Experience Chinese culture with a four-night "Unforgettable Hutong Experience" for two people staying at the Waldorf Astoria Beijing. The package includes a tea ceremony, traditional Chinese medicine consultation and a dumpling-making lesson, as well as a visit to the Forbidden City with access to an exclusive area. The package costs from 60,000 Chinese yuan (Dh34,612); www.waldorfastoria.com.
India
Stay three nights for the price of two at the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur and receive transfers from the airport or train station, a traditional welcome, a heritage walk of the palace, a traditional Rajasthani thali dinner, a half-day sightseeing tour (entry fees not included), Wi-Fi, use of spa wet areas and 15 per cent off treatments, as well as 50 per cent off the price of a second room for two children. The offer is valid until the end of September. Rates for the package start from 60,000 Indian rupees (Dh3,318), double occupancy; www.tajhotels.com.
Malaysia
Head to Gaya Island, Borneo, where two resorts have discounts valid over the Eid period. Gayana Eco Resort and Bunga Raya Island Resort are offering 50 and 30 per cent respectively off the second and third nights. Guests will receive breakfast daily, return island transfers from Jesselton Point ferry terminal, entry to the marine ecology research centre and use of all non-motorised water sports. Prices start from $175 (Dh643) per night; www.gayaislandresort.com.
Maldives
Baros Maldives is offering GCC residents a 25-per-cent discount when booking a stay for Eid Al Adha. Guests can enjoy personalised spa treatments, sunrise yoga, snorkelling, diving, sunset dolphin cruises and more. Deluxe villas cost from $731.80 (Dh2,688) per night, including breakfast; www.baros.com.
You'll receive 20 per cent off food, beverages and spa treatments, and 25 per cent off transfers by seaplane or domestic flight and boat when booking an Eid break at JA Manafaru. Sunrise water villas cost from $1,029 (Dh3,779) per night; www.jaresortshotels.com.
Stay for a minimum of three nights at the Taj Exotica Resort & Spa Maldives and receive a 25 per cent discount on festive rates. Guests receive daily breakfast, airport transfers, complimentary Wi-Fi and a 15 per cent discount on food and beverages, spa and laundry. Rooms cost from $920 (Dh3,379) per night; www.tajhotels.com.
Sri Lanka
Take a minibreak to Colombo, staying at the Ozo Colombo hotel, to enjoy the "Glimpse of Colombo" package. The deal includes a dream ocean king room for two people, tour of the city on a double-decker bus, sundowner at ON14 and 15 per cent off in the hotel's all-day dining restaurant. There's a minimum two-night stay. Rooms cost from $179 per night (Dh657); www.ozohotels.com.
Lightfoot Travel has a "Tea and Sea" package that includes two nights in a garden suite at the Ceylon Tea Trails and three nights in an ocean view residence at Cape Weligama, plus meals, drinks and transfers for two people. Guests will also receive a one-hour signature massage. Rates start from $5,000 (Dh18,370) for two people; www.lightfoottravel.com.
Thailand
Stay for a minimum of three nights at the Amari Vogue Resort Krabi and receive daily breakfast, transfers from Krabi Airport, free use of the kayaks, complimentary Wi-Fi and a 20 per cent discount on food, beverages and spa treatments. Rooms cost from $139 (Dh511) per night; www.amari.com/vogue.
The Oriental Residence Bangkok has a "family escape" promotion that includes two nights in a two-bedroom suite, daily breakfast, limousine airport transport, children's welcome gift, 35 per cent discount at Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World, 25 per cent discount at Madame Tussauds Bangkok, shuttle service to Central Embassy mall and complimentary Wi-Fi. Suites cost from $740 (Dh2,718) for two nights; www.oriental-residence.com.
Europe
Azerbaijan
Atlantis Holidays has a number of packages to Baku, staying in five-star accommodation with flights, transfers, visas, breakfast and sightseeing included. Visit Baku's old city, the Maiden Tower, Heydar Aliyev Center, National Art Museum and Azerbaijan Carpet Museum. Three-night packages start from Dh2,020 per person, twin share; www.atlantisholidays.com.
Italy
Meet Heinz Beck, one of Europe's most respected three-Michelin-starred chefs, and enjoy dinner at La Pergola during a four-night stay at Rome Cavalieri hotel. The package includes accommodation for two people, a 90-minute walking tour of the Vatican Gardens, followed by visits to selected galleries, a city tour on a vintage Vespa, a visit to the Gladiatorial School and more. Packages cost from €9,910 (Dh40,569); www.romecavalieri.com.
Portugal
Take a short break to Lisbon, where the Corinthia Hotel has a "Bring the Kids Along" package, which includes accommodation in an interconnecting family room, full buffet breakfast, early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability), in-room family movie, and cookies and warm milk for the children before bed. When booking, families can inform the hotel of their interests, and they will receive a tailored programme of activities, which may include a visit to Lisbon Zoo, the city's planetarium, a football stadium, surfing classes, a Segway tour, go-karting and more. Rooms cost from €354 (Dh1,449) per night; www.corinthia.com.
Russia
Experience the cultural side of Russia's second-largest city with a three-night stay at the five-star Corinthia Hotel St Petersburg. The "Discover St Petersburg" package includes accommodation in an executive suite, daily buffet breakfast, private transfers to/from the airport or train station, fruit plate on arrival, a private tour of the city and Peter and Paul Fortress, dinner in the Russian Tsar restaurant, tickets to a ballet or opera (with private transfers to and from the theatre), access to the executive club and more. Suites cost from 68,440 Russian roubles (Dh3,665) per person; www.corinthia.com.
Africa
Seychelles
Take a five-star trip to the Enchanted Island Resort Seychelles and receive breakfast, complimentary boat transfers, Wi-Fi and welcome amenities when staying in a private pool villa. Guests also receive 20 per cent off spa treatments. Villas cost from €897 (Dh3,672); www.jaresortshotels.com.
atomlinson@thenational.ae
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