Top 5 short breaks to take this Eid Al Fitr

Have a few days off and not sure where to go? The region offers a wide range of experiences that are ideal for short breaks. Bond with family, or take off on an adventure; you will be spoiled for choice. Read on for some suggestions for the upcoming Eid break.

WATER, BABY!

It may not seem like an obvious short-break destination, but Kuwait is home to many spectacular hotels. The Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa is Jumeirah Group’s first GCC property outside of the UAE and is designed to create a luxury getaway that fuses modern amenities with heritage and history. Situated in a low-lying area where waters merge and flow into the sea, the five-star haven is surrounded by vistas of flowing water.

On the hotel’s private beach, you can indulge yourself in various water activities, including banana boat rides, jet skiing, and parasailing. There’s plenty of fun for the kids too, thanks to the Sinbad Kids Club and The Scene Teenagers Club.

Food is, as expected, up to Jumeirah standards, and they offer an impressive selection of six restaurants, along with cafés and lounges. Although you will find plenty to keep you busy and happy within the hotel, you can add to your water-themed holiday by visiting The Scientific Center, which boasts one of the largest aquariums in the Middle East.

BE ONE WITH NATURE

Just a few hours by road from Dubai and even accessible by plane, the Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara is a nature lover’s heaven. Located on Sir Bani Yas Island, this luxury resort gives you the feeling of having escaped the city life even as it provides all the amenities you need.

The desert landscape is different in that the large expanses of sand are dotted with trees, providing much-needed shade. You may spot the first gazelle as soon as you get off the boat; the diverse wildlife that inhabits this unique offshore island, known for its natural and rugged beauty, ensures that you have plenty to see and do.

You can see giraffes on safari, head out on a kayaking adventure or even explore the beautiful marine wildlife with a spot of snorkelling. The lush mangroves on the eastern side are renowned for their beauty. You can even plant one of your own and leave your mark on the island. Not that you need one, but this does give you another reason to visit again.

GOLF BUDDIES

In the UAE, there’s a large expanse of green in Ajman that has risen up from nothing. This is the Al Zorah Golf Club. Covering one million square meters on the northern edge of the mangrove reserve, Al Zorah Fairways boasts an 18-hole golf course, clubhouse, wellness centre, and more.

The golf course is part of the Al Zorah premier mixed-use and hospitality development. Once complete, the development will be a destination in itself, offering a refined coastal destination. For now, the golf enthusiast will find it a thrilling experience to play on a course crafted by the legendary Nicklaus Design.

Or you can put down your clubs and relax and rejuvenate at the newly opened The Oberoi Beach Resort, Al Zorah. This sophisticated resort offers private villas with all the modern conveniences plus a range of dining options that will have you sated and ready to tackle the course again.

MOUNTAIN VIEWS

Oman offers a multitude of destinations for a long weekend. It’s one of the pearls of the region where you will always discover something new no matter how often you visit. This time, take the scenic route to Jabal Akhdar, which means “The Green Mountain” in Arabic. Part of the Al Hajar mountain range, one of Oman’s most spectacular regions, it is home to the Alila Jabal Akhdar, perched 2,000 metres above sea level.

Here, you can explore the region’s rugged, untouched beauty. This now-iconic resort overlooks a spectacular gorge, and wherever in the resort you are, you can enjoy awe-inspiring views of the Al Hajar mountains. You can find respite from the heat and get your adventure streak on with different sports and activities.

FAMILY TIME

Although Istanbul offers many sights and sounds for a fun-filled holiday, if you really want a break from your routine, then the Rixos Premium Belek in Antalya is where you need to be. The resort is spread across an area of over 400,000 square metres and offers over 700 rooms and 30 villas. The hotel has an aqua park and a dolphinarium, which makes it an ideal choice in the summer months.

For some real pampering, the Rixos Villas will give you the privacy of a pavilion with spectacular views over the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, a heated pool, a tennis court, a pier for your yacht, and a private, fully equipped Turkish bath. A 24-hour butler service and private chef are at hand to fulfil your wishes, so you don’t have to stress about the small stuff.

With 16 food-and-beverage facilities and a variety of outdoor activities, like the Rixy Farm, Rixy Boat, Rixy Caricature Class, and the Music Academy, you can guarantee your family a spectacular vacation.

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