8 cheap holiday escapes for the Eid weekend

Many residents here in the UAE are now planning their Eid holidays, and we’ve gathered cheap weekend getaways to choose from.

Are you looking for a destination spa or an outdoor adventure? We've compiled the average travel prices below from other travellers to help you plan your own travel budget.

City and countryside | Hours of flight 3 and 10 mins.

If countryside views, ancient palaces and majestic sceneries are your thing, Armenia, in the Caucasus, should be first on your list. The glorious display of green landscapes and blue skies, plus the hospitality of locals, will make for an awesome holiday and a nice change of scenery from the UAE.

*Budget travel package: from Dh2,099 per person.

Towns, cities and the countryside | Hours of flight 1 and 50 mins.

It's an off-the-beaten-path place where Eastern Europe meets Western Asia. The clash of cultures, fashion, architecture, and food is just plain colourful. Hidden in the green lush meadows and moon-like landscapes are hillside towns with visible Soviet-style houses, ancient mosques and modern monumental buildings. 

*Budget travel package: from Dh1,999 per person

Countryside | Hours of flight 5 and 55 mins.

If you're ready for a time warp experience, head to Bosnia and Herzegovina for Eid. It's got natural beauty, rich greenery, mountains, enchanting forests and colourful rooftops. Bosnian food is really good (and cheap) and it's made with quality and organic ingredients.

*Budget travel package: from Dh3,249 per person 

Towns, cities and countryside | Hours of flight 3 and 32 mins.

A crossroads of Asia and Europe, Russia and the Middle East. Georgia is where you get that fairy-tale feel. It's full of ancient stone towers and UNESCO-listed villages.

The European and medieval-like place is a postcard coming to life with distinctive conical church towers, old buildings, museums and boutique hotels with fabulous views. But don't be fooled by the old style of this charming country. Georgia is replete with bold and modern architecture in every corner. The food is cheap, and the meat dishes are fantastic.

*Budget travel package: from Dh2,669 per person.

Countryside | Hours of flight 4 and 15 mins.

This charming nation in the middle of the Indian Ocean has several private luxury resorts with views of pristine beaches, reef-ringed atolls, and luxurious cabins afloat the clear waters. It has always been on the bucket list of anyone who dreams of travelling the world.

*Budget travel package: from Dh2,150 per person

Find out more with our travel guide to Maldives.

Countryside | Hours of flight 4 and 36 mins.

If you want another hideaway in one of the coral and granite islands of the Indian Ocean, Seychelles is a must in your travel plan. With white-sandy beaches, breath-taking granite cliffs, forest greens and mesmerizing azure waters. Trading in exclusivity, luxury, and undeveloped natural environments, the Seychelles is an ideal beach escape for those who can afford all that gorgeous privacy.

*Budget travel package: from Dh2,999 per person

Countryside | Hours of flight 4 and 25 mins.

From the smiles and hospitality of the locals to an array of exotic fruits and spicy food, it's one of the world's most exciting destinations to visit. But wait until you see the golden beaches, giant whales, leopards and a marathon of wildlife - it's a country you need to discover this Eid.

*Budget travel package: from Dh2,669 per person

* Each travel package includes return flights and a three night all-inclusive stay with breakfast by Tabeer Tours.

City and beaches

Food, culture, fantastic nightlife, an affordable rate of exchange and friendly people, Taiwan is a small island that packs a big punch! Taiwan is a breath-taking island which is a host to a variety of terrain such as green mountains with rich flora and fauna, sea, natural hot springs and a lake surrounded by forests. A nature lover or a shopaholic, a foodie or an adventure seeker, Taiwan is perfect for all.