Attractive winter holiday packages
From Australian destinations to UAE resorts there is no dearth of attractive packages
OUTBOUND TRAVEL
Winter getaways for single travellers
Budget: Dh3,800
Cyprus (4 days)
Overview: Cyprus is a charming, secluded place full of holiday makers, honeymooners and water sports enthusiasts.
Hot picks:
- Larnaca: one of the major seaside resorts in Cyprus.
- Lemesos: the second-largest city (also known as Limassol) and isa pretty seaside city sprawled inthe foothills of the Troodosmountain ranges. - Information courtesy Usha Gandhi, Al Rostamani Travel and Holidays, Dubai
Budget: Dh4,000
Sri Lanka - Serendib
Overview: One of the most popular tourist destinations for UAE residents, Sri Lanka is nicest inthe winter - idyllic, lively, cooland tropical. There is something for everyone here. Emirates, Sri Lankan Airlines, flydubai and Air Arabia offer direct flights to Sri Lanka.
Hot picks:
- Kandalama Resort, Dambulla
- Yala Wildlife Reserve
- Bentota Beach
- Kandy and Nuwara Eliyan Shopping and nightlife in Colombo:
One of the most underrated shopping destinations of Asia, Colombo continues to amaze shopaholics with its remarkable bargains, brands and great variety. The nightlife is vibrant, with clubs and discos.
- Information courtesy Sheldon Emmanuel, Al Tayer Holidays, Dubai
Budget: Dh4,300
Costa Cruises (7 Nights)
Overview: The cruises cover Fujairah, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain with the newest "jewel" of the fleet - Costa Deliziosa and Costa Luminosa.
Hot picks:
- While the cruise starts and ends in Dubai, you will also visit many cities within a week.
- World class spa facilities on board.
- Play golf and even experience Grand Prix driving while in the sea.
- Nightclubs, Broadway-style shows and 4D cinema.
- Information courtesy Fabian Fernandes, Alpha Holidays, Dubai
Budget: Dh4,500
Greece - Athens and beyond (7 days)
Overview: Greece means sun, sea, white walks, blue roofs and centuries of history. Whether you are a tourist visiting to enhance your photo collection with breathtaking natural photography, or a pilgrim of history, the country has everything to cater to the tourist's tastes.
Hot picks:
- Athens - to pick up your own piece of history.
- The Monastiraki area is prime antique-buying territory and features the largest open-air market in the city (every day, 08:00-14:00).
- Information courtesy Usha Gandhi, Al Rostamani Travel and Holidays, Dubai
***
Budget: Dh4,655 plus airport taxes Dh615
Hong Kong (7 nights)
Overview: Hong Kong has a lot to offer: right from fascinating sea terminals and ferry ports to shopping malls with amazing deals. It also offers the tourist the opportunity to discover its exotic beaches, mountains and picture-perfect views.
Hot picks:
- Disneyland Hong Kong: The resort is a delight to the young and old alike.
- Ocean Park is one of the largest oceanariums in the world and the largest of its kind in Southeast
- Asia with an area of 870,000 square metres.
- Macau
- Na Tcha temple (a World Heritage Site)
- Old City Wall
- Museum of Macau
- Mount Fortress
- Cruise ride on the South China Sea
- Information courtesy Fabian Fernandes, Alpha Holidays, Dubai
Budget: Dh8,000
Prague and Salzburg
Overview: Prague has managed to preserve its medieval street pattern lifestyle and is one of the most beautiful locations in Europe.
The Alpine resort of Salzburg, which can boast of being the birthplace of Mozart and also the stunning locale for the film The Sound of Music, is famous for its baroque architecture and offers some great opportunities for the avid skier.
Hot picks:
- Nightlife - Prague
- River cruises - Prague
- Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic
- Skiing in Salzburg
Budget: Dh10,000
Gold Coast and the Great Barrier Reef
Overview: The ultimate destination for rest and relaxation - the Whitsunday Islands, among the most picturesque attractions in Australia, have to be seen to be believed.
Hot picks:
- The Big 5 theme parks - Gold Coast: Dreamworld, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Movie World, Sea World and Wet 'n' Wild
- Surfing - Gold Coast
- Shopping and nightlife -Great Barrier Reef, Gold Coast
(All the options include economy flights, six nights' hotel accommodation, airport transfers, breakfast, airport taxes, hotel taxes and travel insurance)
- Information courtesy Sheldon Emmanuel, Al Tayer Holidays, Dubai
Budget: Dh10,000
Vietnam (7 Days)
Overview: Vietnam, which literally means the Great South, is a tourist destination with historical, scenic and cultural sights. The natural beauty of Vietnam must be seen to be believed, including the beautiful landscapes in the countryside. The cities are modern, transformed beyond recognition from the past.
Hot picks:
- Hanoi: The capital city of Vietnam
- Ha Long Bay is a Unesco World Heritage Site 170km from Hanoi. One of the world's natural wonders, the bay is known in Vietnamese as "Dragon descending to the sea".
- Information courtesy Usha Gandhi, Al Rostamani Travel and Holidays, Dubai
INBOUND TRAVEL
Look no further. Here is a lowdown on tourist locations within the UAE:
Budget: Dh3,500
Golden Tulip Dibba (For 2 people for 4 nights)
The Musandam Peninsula is the smallest and most northerly region of Oman, covering an area of approximately 3,000 square kilometres. Its rocky headland juts out into the Strait of Hormuz, giving it strategic domination over one of the busiest shipping lines in the world.
Hot picks:
- Khasab, the capital.
- Dhow sailing in clear fjords
- Snorkelling
- Diving on the coral reefs
Budget: Dh4,400
Al Hamra Fort and Resort, Ras Al Khaimah(For 2 people for 4 nights)
In addition to the golfing facilities, gym, sauna, tennis, mini-golf and other recreational services, which are available for guests, the hotel also provides a wide variety of water sports activities and excursions.
Hot picks:
- Beach Club: It features a wide variety of water sports and alifeguard on duty
- Spa
- Tennis and golf
Budget: Dh7,500
Anantara Qasr Al Sarab Resort, Abu Dhabi (For 2 people for 4 nights)
Hot picks:
Every day, Anantara features a range of organised and do-it-yourself activities. You can take a cooking class and even pick up some phrases in a new language, all in one day.
- Archery
- Camel trekking
- Desert walks
- Freeform swimming pool
- Kids Club
Budget: Dh8,500
Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa (For 2 people for 4 nights)
Overview: As the gateway to the sun, Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa is renowned as a sanctuary of traditional Arabian comfort, peace and tranquillity.
Ride through the desert by camel, crossing the sandy dunes before unwinding beside one of the cooling infinity pools. Watch the sun set and the stars emerge on the roof terrace and experience just how unique a stay in the desert can be.
Hot picks:
- Book a private dinner beneath the desert sky
- Desert safari
- Desert activities like falconry,camel riding, horse riding, archery and the like
- Satori spa
Budget: Dh10,500
Emirates Palace Hotel Abu Dhabi(For 2 people for 4 nights)
Overview: Emirates Palace is second to none. Unlimited avenues are available whether one is looking for family fun activities or to a more private time alone with one's spouse.
Hot picks:
- Watersport activities include windsurfing, sea kayakingand snorkelling.
- Sightseeing in Abu Dhabi.
- Packages provided by Manju Manchanda, Lama Tours and Travels, Dubai
