In Brief: Travel tips

A round up of trips and hotels to try.

Treat yourself to a more memorable trip

The Travel Attaché, a new, Dubai-based, luxury travel operator, has launched with a number of offers well worth considering. For example, book a one-bedroom riad at the five-star Royal Mansour Marrakech in Morocco for two adults and one child under 12 years old and enjoy a complimentary upgrade to a one-bedroom superior riad from US$1,950 (Dh7,163) per room, per night, including breakfast, taxes, and airport transfers. Offer valid until December 27; to find out more, visit www.thetravelattache.com

Start planning your New Year celebration

Outdoor adventure specialist Borderlands is promising an action-packed start to 2013 at its camp in Sri Lanka. Work up an appetite white water rafting, canyoning and hiking in the rainforest at Kithulgala to the west of the island, before a barbecue dinner, live music and fireworks on December 30. The two-night package costs US$296 (Dh1,087) per person, full-board, in tented accommodation with communal toilet and shower facilities and includes taxes. Find out more at www.discoverborderlands.com

Now a cheaper way of flying to paradise

The local low-cost airline, Flydubai, has announced that it will start flying to the Maldives on January 19. The five-times weekly service to this popular island destination, known for its natural beauty and five-star resorts, will cost from Dh1,730 return, including taxes, plus one piece of hand luggage weighing up to 7kg (and one small laptop bag or handbag). Checked baggage starts at Dh50 for 20kg. An official report recently highlighted the Maldives’ growing popularity with tourists from the GCC (particularly Kuwait), Russia, and central and eastern Europe. Hurry while the sunbeds last. To book, visit www.flydubai.com or call 04 231 1000./

Where to stay and dine in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

The new 804-room JW Marriott Marquis Hotel has just opened in Dubai, towering 355 metres over the Business Bay area. The world's tallest hotel has a very distinctive architectural style, nine restaurants (three are currently open) and great views looking out over the city. A standard deluxe room costs from Dh1,152 including taxes, but not including breakfast. To book, visit www.marriott.com. Here in Abu Dhabi, the Jumeirah Etihad Towers has launched its Friday brunch at Nahaam restaurant, the poolside dining venue. Enjoy fresh seafood, including barbecued Omani lobsters, an oyster and sushi bar, as well as a meat grill and local dishes from Dh226 per person, including unlimited soft drinks and taxes; children dine at a 50 per cent discount. Call 02 811 5666 for reservations.