Last-minute Eid getaways

Eid weekend is here and if you happen to be just like us, waiting till the 11th hour to catch that flight for a short but relaxing holiday, then here’s your lucky day. Emirates 24|7 brings you its choice in top last-minute travel deals, which will allow you to jet off in mere hours of booking. And yes, there are enough options to allow you to skip the hassle of a visa. Eid Mubarak!

Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt

The sea, the surf and Grammy Award-winning DJ David Guetta – an Eid break does not get better than this. Musical prodigy Guetta will be holding a special club night this Eid at Sharm el Sheikh’s Pacha nightclub. The French-born DJ will take to the decks September 11 for a six-hour set sure to be the highlight of the 2010 Sharm clubbing season. “Pacha is currently the jewel in the crown of Sharm el Sheikh’s nightlife,” says Luke Nathan of travel consultants Travelsoon.com. “It regularly pulls in world-class talent like Guetta. Earlier in the month they had Roger Sachez, and they hold signature club nights each month curated by the likes of Hed Kandi and the Ministry of Sound.”With Pacha, Sharm el Sheikh recently voted the 25th best club in the world by DJMag, Sharm’s reputation as an international clubbing hotspot is on the up.Tickets are available on the door or for a special pre-sale price of €41. VIP tables, complete with your own personal security guard and waitress, are also available for the night.A majority of nationalities can apply for visa on arrival in Egypt, so log on to Google.com to check if you qualify and pack your bags for a two-day trip to Sharm El Sheikh.Air Arabia flies to Luxor and Alexandria from, both Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. For your stay, we recommend the Hyatt, which is smack on the beach and not far from the pulsing nightlife.

Phuket, Thailand

If you fancy a taste of the exotic, then it really doesn’t get better than Phuket, Thailand. The land of beaches, National Parks and plain good fun, Phuket is the ideal Eid destination, if you are looking for a change of pace and a place to work on that tan.For the uninitiated, simply grab a book and head for Kata Noi Beach for some lazy days of lounging at this seaside retreat in tranquility. But when the surf’s up, Kata Beach promises waves that will certainly have you reaching for those board shorts.While September may offer a few humid days, there’s no need to spoil the fun. The nightlife in Phuket is active all year round and if that isn’t your thing, then head to one of the exotic spa retreats for a much needed pampering session that will have your juices recharged and ready to face gridlock when you head back to Dubai.
Thai Airways is offering great deals on its website.

Oman

For most of us living in Dubai, a regular trip to Muscat, Oman features on our agendas ever so often. So this Eid, why not try something different than your usual haunt of the capital city?On the first day you arrive in Muscat and transfer to the Shangri-La hotel – Etihad Holidays has some great deals – and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.Your adventure beings on day two, as you travel to Nizwa after breakfast, Oman’s very own oasis city. En route you can enjoy a spectacular countryside tour of the villages of Birkat Al Mauz, Misfah, Wadi Gul, and the canyon lands of Wadi Nakher and Jebel Shams (Oman’s highest peak).An overnight stay at the Hotel Falaj Daris will lead you towards your third day adventure to Sinbad the sailor’s hometown of Sur. Departing to your destination via Wahiba Sands — a sea of red and white sand dunes rising up to 200meters at times — you will also visit the Wadi Bani Khalid village with its own little historical tale to tell.Pack in a few more sights, before you head back to Muscat for an overnight stay and head home with a mind full of memories a camera full of pictures.

Istanbul, Turkey

Once the cradle of the Ottoman Empire, today Istanbul is a bustling city that preserves all the old world charm of Asia, while adapting the modern approach of it’s European neighbours.A three-day Eid trip in Istanbul can result in a complete schedule, but it still provides you plenty of opportunity to visit the majestic Hagia Sophia, purchase a few trinkets in the old souq, and even visit the ancient Topkapi Palace during the day. Your nights can be spent taking in a cultural dinner theatre or clubbing at many of the local hot spots.Also, a trip to the city is incomplete without sailing the Bosphorous River, which splits Turkey across the two continents of Asia and Europe. But remember to pack a light jacket along for the journey, as autumn in Istanbul borders on the chilly. With Istanbul growing into a prime Eid destination over the years, most of the major airlines offer great deals to the city. Contact your local travel agent for more details.  Etihad Holidays is offering a great deal on flights and stay the three-star Topkapi Hotel in Istanbul from Dh2,375

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