Relax, explore or indulge in one of these six beautiful destinations.
If you haven’t yet firmed up your plans for the Eid Al Adha long weekend, there is still time to plan, pack and jet off for a bucket-list break. These five destinations each promise a slightly different travel experience, meaning there’s something for everyone. Whether you love to soak up the culture when you arrive in a new location, crave the bright city lights or dream of white sand beaches, there’s a spot on this list just for you.
Sri Lanka
Surrounded by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is blessed with lush rainforests and sandy coves, coral reefs and grasslands. It’s an island rich in fauna and flora, where tea is a daily ritual and spices are a way of life. From fine dining to surf shacks, peeling back the many layers of Sri Lanka will (happily!) take more than one trip. If you’re up for the challenge, Sun Siyam Pasikudah is the ideal base.
A small resort of just 34 five-star suites, a world-class wine cellar and beach dinners by the light of a bonfire assure a relaxing end to any day. But before you wind down, you can go elephant watching or whale spotting, enjoy easy access to nearby UNESCO world heritage sites, explore the nearby villages or simply relax by the pool.
Maldives
Really, who could say no to a spontaneous trip to this utterly blissful archipelago? Laden with natural beauty at what feels like the end of the earth, the Maldives should be your number one choice if your perfect long-weekend looks a lot like snorkelling, swimming, snoozing in the sun and indulging in some of the freshest fish and seafood dishes that will ever grace your plate.
Just recently opened, the Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives is the latest addition to the multi-island experience, The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts. A marriage of serenity and adventure just four hours from Dubai, you can spend your days enjoying uninterrupted ocean views from your private deck or serenity pool, feeling the tension melting away at the spa, or eating your way through the five restaurants and bars. If you book before the end of June for travel up to 15 October, you can redeem an opening offer, such as four nights for the price of three.
If you feel like really treating yourself, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands takes the luxury up a notch with its ‘Aris Meeha’ personalised butler service. Inspired by ancient rituals, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives pays homage to island traditions with a daily flaming ceremony to mark the passage of day to night.
Baku
If you’re looking for somewhere new that’s even closer to Dubai, the intriguing capital of Azerbaijan is a rich tapestry of old and new. It takes less than three hours to fly to Baku but once off the plane, you’ll feel like you’re in a different land. Watched over by a fortress city which dates back to the 12th Century, Baku has one foot in the past and one eye to the future.
Its ancient towers and mosques sit side-by-side with LED-clad skyscrapers. Locals and visitors wander down leafy promenades, bathe in traditional hammams and enjoy café culture. At the same time, you might happen upon a modern art gallery, an innovative chef, a fashion designer or a live music performance. It’s a fascinating mix of the old and the new all at once.
Oman
Close to home, the grand old city of Muscat brings together an abundance of heritage and culture with beautifully diverse landscapes and miles of golden sands. With its Bedouin roots and majestic Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Muscat is a fascinating portal into the past – but if you don’t want to immerse yourself in culture, you can also throw yourself into nature by hiking the soaring Jebel Shams mountain or taking a safari into the desert.
With a covetable beachfront location in one of the most prestigious areas of Muscat, the Mandarin Oriental Muscat is reassuringly luxurious. Its beachfront setting means you can relax and wind away the weekend listening to the waves, sampling fine dining at the resort’s many restaurants or indulging in a treatment at the in-house spa. If you can’t bring yourself to leave so soon, the hotel’s One More Night package gifts you a complimentary fourth night with any three-night booking.
London
There’s something quite special about summer in London. On sunshine days, its Royal parks fill with walkers and sun bathers, bars and pubs spill out onto the pavement and the riverfront comes alive. The eclectic neighbourhoods make it easy to fill your days, while nighttime means taking in a show or simply wandering the streets of Chinatown, Covent Garden and Leicester Square.
To make sure you enjoy the best of the city’s eats, Dubai’s Sunset Hospitality Group has curated an Eid in London guide. The weekend begins late afternoon on Thursday in Belgravia at SACHI for Sake Sunsets by Akashi-Tai (from 4pm). Return on Friday to sample the Japanese-inspired set lunch before changing gears for the weekend. On Saturday, enjoy a sweet treat at Amelie, famous for its tableside chocolate mousse before rounding off the night at LUUM. Drawing inspiration from Mexico, its innovative drinks menu and electric atmosphere embody weekends in the city. It’s almost time to leave but before you jet off, you must squeeze in brunch at SACHI. With skyline views, it’s the ultimate way to close out your long Eid weekend in London.
Discover: Five destinations perfect for a Eid Al Adha getaway.
