Top travel destinations for Eid Al Adha

Eid Al Adha is almost upon us, so now is the time to start planning a last-minute holiday, be it a three-day minibreak or a week-long excursion. Here's some luxury and staycation options

Karak Castle in Jordan. Sergio Ponomarev / iStockphoto.com

Believe it or not, September is more than halfway over and Eid Al Adha is almost upon us. It’s set to fall during the first week of October, so this is the time to start planning a last-minute holiday, be it a three-day minibreak or a week-long excursion. With about two weeks to book, hotels both regionally and around the world are offering attractive Eid packages, including airport transfers, all-inclusive meals, free stays for children, discounts on spa treatments and much more.

Whether you’re looking for a romantic holiday for two or a family-friendly getaway, there’s plenty to choose from. The following deals are valid during Eid Al Adha and include all taxes.

Airline deals

Take advantage of airline packages this holiday with trips to Jordan, the Maldives, Cyprus and Turkey. Packages include return economy flights, room upgrades, inclusive meals, spa discounts, museum tours and more.

Marriott, Jordan

Spend five days in Jordan touring key attractions, including Petra, Mount Nebo, Kerak Castle and the Dead Sea as part of Etihad Airways' Hot Deals promotion. The package includes return economy flights with Etihad, one night in the Amman Marriott Hotel, two nights in the Petra Marriott Hotel and one night in Jordan Valley Marriott Resort, plus breakfast, meet and assist on arrival and departure, private transportation, entrance to all sites and a two-hour local English-language guide in Petra. It costs from Dh5,399 per person. Call 800 23 24 or visit www.etihadairways.com before ­September 30 to book.

Adaaran Resorts, Maldives

Stay four nights at one of the Adaaran Resorts in the Maldives as part of Emirates' holiday offers. Receive all-inclusive meals, selected beverages and return economy flights on Emirates for two adults, starting from Dh5,650 per person. Call 800 49 69 or visit www.emiratesholidays.ae.

Palm Beach Hotel & Bungalows, Larnaca, Cyprus

Book three nights at the Palm Beach Hotel & Bungalows in Larnaca, Cyprus, with Etihad Airways' Hot Deals before September 30 and enjoy a room upgrade from a garden view to a superior garden view and from a seafront view to a superior sea view. The package also includes breakfast, a 15 per cent discount on spa treatments, free stay for children under 12 and return Etihad economy flights. Prices start from Dh2,899 per person. Visit www.etihadairways.com or call 800 23 24.

Taksim Gonen Hotel, Istanbul, Turkey

Spend five nights at the Taksim Gonen Hotel in Istanbul and receive complimentary breakfast. The package also includes return direct flights, return airport transfers, tours visiting various sites including the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and others, and entrance fees to all sites and museums visited on the tours. Prices start from Dh11,198 per double room. For more details, call 02 621 8000 or visit www.salem.travel.

Luxury deals

If you’ve got a bit of cash to spare, why not go all out? Soak up the culture and history in Florence or grab your friends and family and get a much-needed dose of R&R in the ­Seychelles.

Hotel Savoy, Rocco Forte, Florence, Italy

Guests staying three nights or more at the Hotel Savoy in Florence will receive 25 per cent off the best available rates, including breakfast, exclusive Mercedes-Benz E-Class airport transfer, in-suite check-in, a luggage unpacking and repacking service, free Wi-Fi and a movie library, as well as a cleaning and pressing service with your dinner jackets or dress on the night of your arrival. Prices start from €1,200 (Dh5,700) per night on a B&B basis. Call 0039 055 273 51 or visit www.roccofortehotels.com.

Fregate Island Private, Seychelles

Spend this Eid with your friends and family at the Fregate Island Private in the Seychelles, where guests will receive the fifth night free when they book for four. The stay includes accommodation in one of the island's 16 villas and access to seven beaches, numerous restaurants and a private inland harbour and yacht club with a Padi dive centre. Prices start from €3,850 (Dh18,287) per residence, per night. Call the reservations line on 0027 215 570 366 or visit www.fregate.com.

Raffles Praslin, Seychelles

Get one free night when you book for three, or two free nights when you book for six, at the Raffles Praslin, Seychelles. Villas include plunge pools, private outdoor showers and a round-the-clock butler service. The offer also includes airport transfers to and from the resort, along with breakfast each morning. Prices start from €905 (Dh4,300) for two people, per night. Call 00248 429 6780 or visit www.raffles.com/praslin

Staycations

With the weather starting to cool, it’s a perfect time to stay local. Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah are all host to relaxing packages for couples and families that are minutes from your doorstep.

Dusit Thani, Abu Dhabi

Book into the Dusit Thani in Abu Dhabi and receive a buffet breakfast for two at Urban Kitchen, two tickets to Yas Waterworld or Ferrari World with a one-way taxi ride to either location, a 20 per cent discount at the hotel's Namm Spa, a 15 per cent discount in the hotel restaurants (excluding alcoholic beverages) and complimentary use of the kids' club. The deal costs Dh700 per deluxe room. Call 02 698 8888 or visit www.dusit.com/dusitthani/abudhabi

Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah, Dubai

Those looking for a few nights of luxury without the long haul will be pleased to know that the Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah is offering guests savings up to 33 per cent when booking before September 30. Call 04 818 2222 or visit www.waldorfastoria.hilton.com.

Marjan Island Resort and Spa, Ras Al Khaimah

Guests staying at the Marjan Island Resort and Spa in Ras Al Khaimah during October will receive breakfast for two, a 20 per cent discount on all spa treatment and services, plus free meals for children under 6, with rates starting from Dh1,080 per night. Call 07 203 6500 or visit www.marjanislandresort.com.

Regional

If time is short, but you still want to get away, there’s plenty to do around the region. Oman is readily accessible, offering some great outdoor activities without taking up too much of your precious time getting there.

Millennium Resort Mussanah, Oman

Spend Eid outdoors and stay at the Millennium Resort Mussanah in Oman. The Eid promotion package includes a deluxe room, breakfast for two and an extra bed with breakfast included. Rates start from 79 Omani rials (Dh754) per night, with the option to upgrade to a sea view room for 10 rials (Dh95), depending on availability. Prices for the extra bed start from an additional 15 rials (Dh143). Guests also have access to Oman Sail's Padi Dive Centre, located within the resort. Call 00968 268 71555 or visit www.millenniumhotels.com.

Salalah Rotana Resort, Oman

Escape the heat at Salalah Rotana Resort. Double-room offers start from 75 rials (Dh715), including breakfast and a 15 per cent discount at Rotana's Zen the Spa. Families also have the option to enrol their children in the Flipper's Kids Club. Call 00968 2327 5740 or visit www.rotana.com/salalahrotanaresort.