It feels like only five minutes ago that we were discussing staycations and trips for Eid Al Fitr, but time is running away with us and now Eid Al Adha is just around the corner.
The upcoming holiday could spell a six-day break for many people – from Arafat Day on May 26 until May 31 – which makes this an ideal time to plan some travel, with minimum annual leave needed.
For those looking to make the most of the ultra-long weekend without spending too much, Evelyn Lau has researched some of the most cost-effective international flights.
From trips to Istanbul, Nairobi or Frankfurt for less than Dh2,000 to Rome, London or Singapore for less than Dh2,500, she has a full list that spans culture-rich capitals and food-led city breaks. Read more here.
Closer to home, there are still some very good staycation deals, many of which are upselling stays with extra entertainment perks. Think free meals for children, complimentary theme park and museum access, and discounts on spa treatments.
Rosewood Abu Dhabi, for example, is offering complimentary access to Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi with its Museums & Memories deal. And at The Cove Rotana Resort, Ras Al Khaimah, the Your 24 Hours, Your Way deal offers room rates from Dh399. It includes a 24-hour stay for two adults and up to two children, with 30 per cent off dining and spa treatments, among other perks. Find our full rundown of deals here.
If you need me, you'll find me researching more spectacular staycation deals to share with you in the next newsletter.
Until then, safe travels.
Travel news you may have missed
• Etihad Airways has launched a codeshare with Air Cambodia, offering access to the famed Angkor Wat temple. The airline's passengers will fly to Siem Reap via Phnom Penh on a single ticket, with baggage checked through to their final destination.
• Emirates airline is now flying to 137 destinations in 72 countries. On May 6, it operated 436 flights, which is roughly 83 per cent of its pre-February 28 capacity.
• British Airways is planning a phased return to the Middle East. Flights to Dubai and Doha are set to resume from July 1, with one daily service each.
Five historic places to visit in Makkah
Each year, millions of Muslims travel from around the world to the holy city for Hajj and Umrah, following rituals centred on the Grand Mosque and surrounding sacred sites. This year, Hajj is expected to take place from May 25 to May 30.
While Makkah is primarily visited for worship, for many pilgrims, it may also be their only visit to the city. This makes the days before or after the main rites a chance to see places linked to the earliest years of Islam.
Some are connected to revelation and migration. Others are cemeteries, mosques and new cultural institutions that help explain the people, events and texts that shaped the faith in the city.
From Cave Hira to the Holy Quran Museum, Saeed Saeed has reflected on five historic places to visit in Makkah here.
He has also rounded up some handy places to stay. Check out his collection of Makkah hotels for Hajj and Umrah, from luxury to budget options, here.
Travel buy
I have not left for a trip without a stash of Humantra for the past few years. I consume the handy electrolyte sachets daily, and rely on them to boost my hydration when I am on the road. The fact that they are in single-serve, sealed sachets is a bonus. They contain magnesium, as well as vitamins C and B12.
Available on Deliveroo from Dh115 for a box of 20. Himalayan lime is my go-to flavour.
Spotlight destinations: Mexico’s Copper Canyon
Some trips are truly breathtaking, which was exactly John Brunton's experience of riding the El Chepe train in Mexico’s little-known Copper Canyon.
The journey, deemed one of Latin America’s greatest adventures, offers endless spectacular vistas. John recounts dramatic views of jagged, rocky canyons, steep ravines, lush valleys and tumbling waterfalls.
It may not be as famous as America’s Grand Canyon, but Mexico’s Copper Canyon is four times larger and has a much deeper network of dozens of interconnecting gorges. Here, he recounts his journey into the heart of the daunting Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range via one of the world’s great train rides.
Top travel tip
If you're travelling long haul, jet lag can mar the first few days of a trip. To reduce jet lag, try to get outside within 30 minutes of waking, eat breakfast at the local time and delay any naps as long as possible. As a general rule, light exposure works better than forcing sleep.
In the headlines
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