It's that time of the year again when UAE residents pack their suitcases to embark on their summer adventures. With Eid around the corner, now's the time to decide on your destination. Whether you have your heart set on a European getaway, an African safari or a relaxed beach holiday, here's some of the top ideas and deals across the globe:
Africa
Morocco
The Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort in El Jadida is offering a special package for families. Guests who book to stay between July 7 and 10 will pay Dh1,153 per night for two adults and two children in a deluxe pool-view room, including breakfast and taxes. Families will get free access to the resort's leisure and wellness activities and three kids' clubs. The resort boasts views of the Atlantic Ocean, has its own golf course, and a selection of restaurants. For more information, visit www.mazaganbeachresort.com
Seychelles
The Savoy Seychelles Resort & Spa is offering guests 15 per cent off all dining at any of its six restaurants. The five-star resort, located on the southern end of Mahé, is set amid green mountains on the shores of Beau Vallon Beach. It's a 25-minute drive from the airport, and offers easy access to local bazaars, water activities, a spa with nine treatment suites, and three kilometres of white sandy beaches. Rooms cost from Dh850 per night, including taxes and breakfast. For more information, visit www.savoy.sc
South Africa
Experience the wilds of Africa with Travel Counsellors' camping-style 12-day/11-night Falls to Joburg tour. The offer includes accommodation, meals, airport transfers, transportation, camping fees, game drives, excursions and park-entry fees (visas and flights aren't included). See Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, then travel through the Kruger National Park, taking in the best of Botswana along the way. Book before June 30 to benefit from a two-for-one offer. The tour costs from Dh3,499 for two people. For more information, visit www.travelcounsellors.ae
Asia
Indonesia
Take advantage of a "stay for three, pay for two" deal at the Banyan Tree Ungasan resort in Bali. The resort sits on a clifftop at the tip of Bali's southern peninsula, conveniently located 35 minutes from Bali's international airport and minutes from the private beaches of Nusa Dua. The package is available until March 28, with rooms costing from Dh2,681 per night for a pool villa with a sea view, including breakfast and taxes. For more information, visit www.banyantree.com
Malaysia
Everything is taken care of with Flight Centre UAE's Kuala Lumpur package, which includes return economy flights from Dubai, a four-night stay at Fraser Residence in a studio deluxe room, daily breakfast, a half-day city tour, return airport transfers, and private transfers and entry to Sunway Lagoon Theme Park. The package costs from Dh5,199 per person, including taxes. The deal is valid from July 5 to 9. For more information, visit www.flightcentre.ae
Maldives
Book in to Conrad Maldives Rangali Island before September 15 to get up to 15 per cent off. Set on a private island, the resort features three different luxury experiences – thatched-roofed water villas, beach villas or retreat water villas. The resort is home to the Maldives' first underwater restaurant, Ithaa, which offers 180-degree views of the surrounding coral gardens. Villas cost from Dh2,613 per night, including taxes, breakfast and Wi-Fi. For more information, visit www.conradhotels.hilton.com
The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi resort is offering up to 60 per cent discount on its all-inclusive summer packages. Located among the islands of the Noonu Atoll, the resort is an hour's seaplane flight from Malé. The Private Escape package offers a three-night stay in a deluxe beach villa, with a pool, or a water villa. The package costs from Dh3,941, including taxes and breakfast. Children under 12 stay and eat free. Bookings must be made before June 30, for travel until September 30. For more information, visit www.thesunsiyam.com
Sri Lanka
Musafir.com's Incredible Sri Lanka offer includes return economy flights from Sharjah, four nights' accommodation, city tours in Colombo, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya, daily breakfast, a tour of Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and return airport transfers. The package, which departs July 5 and returns July 10, costs from Dh1,990 per person on a twin/triple-sharing basis. For more information, visit www.musafir.com
Europe
Germany
Villa Kennedy, a five-star Rocco Forte hotel in Frankfurt, is offering 50 per cent off rates for interconnecting rooms and 50 per cent off meals and beverages for children ages 4 to 12. The hotel, located near the south bank of the River Main, was built in 1901, and has 127 rooms and 36 suites. In a bid to make Arab guests comfortable, the hotel offers shisha, halal dishes and Arabic lemonade. Rooms cost from Dh1,137 per night, including taxes. For more information, visit www.roccofortehotels.com
Hungary
Corinthia Hotel Budapest is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year. Its Royal 120th Anniversary package offers a host of benefits, including airport transfers, daily buffet breakfast, a tour of the property, an aromatherapy massage for two, Wi-Fi and Dh413 towards dinner at the hotel's Brasserie and Atrium restaurant. The package costs from Dh3,803, based on a two-night stay, including taxes. For more information, visit www.corinthia.com
Switzerland
The Dolder Grand in Zurich has a private spa package that includes two nights' accommodation, daily breakfast, use of a private spa suite for three hours with canapés and refreshments, a couple's massage and a bath ritual, as well as access to the 4,000-square-metre spa during your stay. Located 20 minutes from Zurich Airport, the five-star hotel also offers a selection of restaurants and facilities. The package costs from Dh7,586 for two people, including taxes. For more information, visit www.thedoldergrand.com
GCC
Abu Dhabi
The Beach Rotana has a summer bed-and-breakfast deal that costs from just Dh374 per night for two people. The deal includes accommodation in a classic studio deluxe apartment, daily buffet breakfast and Wi-Fi. Children under 12 stay free, and the apartment is equipped with a kitchen and laundry facilities. For more information, visit www.rotana.com/beachrotana
Jumeirah at Etihad Towers is offering UAE residents a 15 per cent discount on the hotel's best available rate this summer. The deal includes accommodation in a deluxe room, buffet breakfast, access to the Observation Deck at 300, use of its private pools, beach access and Wi-Fi. The offer, which is available until September 30, can be booked using the promotion code "UAERESIDENT", and costs from Dh714 per night for two adults and a child under 12, including taxes. For more information, visit www.jumeirah.com
Dubai
Fairmont The Palm Dubai's Suitest Moments deal this Eid includes accommodation, daily buffet breakfast, a 30-minute massage for two at Willow Stream Spa, two hours of play per child, per day at the Fairmont Falcons Kids' Club, access to the resort's private beach and four temperature-controlled swimming pools, plus a shuttle service to and from the city. The package costs from Dh2,600 per night, including taxes, valid until December 31. For more information, visit www.fairmont.com
Oman
The Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa in Oman has an Eid family getaway package for stays between July 6 and 12. The package includes accommodation (minimum two nights), buffet breakfast and lunch or dinner daily for two adults and one child 11 or under. Also included is a dolphin cruise, Wi-Fi and 15 per cent off any treatment at the Chi spa. The package costs from Dh3,005 per night, including taxes. For more information, visit www.shangri-la.com
Sir Bani Yas Island
Book a night at the Anantara Al Yamm Villa Resort on Sir Bani Yas Island and receive 50 per cent off a second night or room. The resort, which has 64 rooms and suites and 60 villas, is located 250 kilometres south-west of Abu Dhabi city, and is the largest island in the emirate. It's inspired by traditional Emirati fishing villages. The resort boasts three swimming pools, a landscape full of wildlife and views of the Arabian Gulf. Rooms cost from Dh2,295 per night, including taxes and breakfast. For more information, visit www.anantara.com
mhealy@thenational.ae
