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Eid Al Adha is under a week away, and for many UAE residents, the extended break is a perfect excuse to escape the heat and take advantage of special holiday deals on trips to quarantine-free destinations around the globe.
The Eid holidays are expected to start on Tuesday, July 20, in the UAE, with a day off for Arafat Day and a further three days off for Eid, extending the time off to Thursday, July 22, possibly giving UAE residents a long break for those who have the weekends off.
With many of the UAE’s budget carriers, including Flydubai and Air Arabia, announcing special holiday deals to quarantine-free destinations, travellers have added incentive to take a break.
Flydubai, for example, has introduced Eid holiday offers on flights to the Maldives, Santorini, Tbilisi, Trabzon, Yerevan and Zanzibar, starting from AED 1,425 per person. Prices cover flights, accommodation and breakfast, with packages available for travel from July 16 to 24.
Vivek Menon of Dubai-based Deira Travel said he has seen a surge in UAE residents looking to venture somewhere new with a hassle-free journey.
“Residents here in UAE are very much interested in travelling abroad after a long lockdown and stressful life,” he said. “They don’t want to wait a long time for visa procedures.
“So, most people prefer to travel to a quarantine-free destination with a very short flight, and [to a] destination that offers visa-free [entry], visa on arrival or E-visa. We have seen some new trends; mostly, people are planning travel to Serbia and Albania, which are relatively easy to travel to and new destinations.
“But based on the demand, the package rates are on the slightly higher side compared to Georgia or Armenia. Thailand is also open to tourists, but for the time being, vaccinated people can fly to Phuket, not to Bangkok. Baku is open to UAE citizens and residents.” He added that he expects to see residents of the UAE visiting Baku, Georgia, Albania, Serbia and Armenia this Eid.
Here are the common predictions for the top 10 destinations this Eid.
1. SERBIA
Situated on the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, this landlocked country is an emerging destination for UAE residents looking to travel somewhere off the tourist radar. The capital, Belgrade, is one of Europe’s oldest cities and famed for its architecture, galleries, museums, and abundant eateries.
It is about six hours from Dubai, and both Emirates and flydubai are operating routes. During Eid, flights start from AED 2,400. From Abu Dhabi, Wizz Air will take you to Belgrade with one-way fares of about AED 700.
A travel corridor between the UAE and Serbia means vaccinated travellers can fly between the two countries without having to quarantine on arrival, if they can show proof from a recognised authority that they have received their final shot of any COVID-19 vaccine.
2. ALBANIA
Located on the Adriatic and the Ionian Sea within the Mediterranean Sea, and sharing borders with Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Greece, Albania is an emerging popular destination due to its rich history, crumbling castles, sandy beaches, and mountain scenery.
To get there takes less than six hours and Flydubai operates a route to Tirana, with fares starting from AED 2,550 during Eid. Citizens and residents from the UAE can obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 90 days.
There are no PCR requirements to travel to Albania, but you will need a PCR test to return.
3. GEORGIA
Tucked away at the intersection of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, Georgia is another up-and-coming travel favourite for UAE residents due to its stunning high mountain range, rich culture, and local cuisine. The capital, Tbilisi, is known for its picturesque Old Town and eclectic architecture.
With a flight time of three-and-a-half hours, Flydubai has fares to Tbilisi starting from AED 2,135 during the Eid break, and while Georgia is only open to travellers from select destinations, the UAE has made the cut. Visitors need to have a COVID-19 PCR test taken no later than 72 hours prior to arrival or to hold a COVID-19 vaccination certificate with both doses completed. Prices from Dubai start from about AED 1,400 during Eid.
4. SEYCHELLES
A global attraction for tourists due to its beautiful sandy beaches, giant tortoises, blue waters and exotic wildlife, there are few boxes that Seychelles does not tick. Regular flights operate from both Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Mahe, with a flight time of four-and-a-half hours. From Dubai, Emirates will get you there for AED 2,640 (one way) during Eid.
Negative PCR tests taken a maximum of 72 hours before departure is necessary for all visitors. Seychelles has a vaccination corridor with the UAE, meaning travellers will not face quarantine when they return.
5. MONTENEGRO
Located on the Adriatic Sea and a part of the Balkans, and sharing borders with Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, this minuscule country proves that good things come in small packages, offering an abundance of beaches, mountains, and underwater caves.
Flights from Dubai start at about AED 3,000 during the Eid break. Travellers from the UAE need to show a negative PCR test or proof of full vaccination status and can obtain a visa on arrival.
6. BOSNIA
Bosnia and Herzegovina in the western Balkan Peninsula of Europe is famed for its Ottoman architecture, picturesque villages and, for the active traveller, its mountainous scenery, offering opportunities for rock climbing and mountain biking.
For the six-hour flight from Dubai to Sarajevo, Emirates fares begin from AED 1,550 during the Eid break. Passengers need a copy of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result certificate or proof they have been fully vaccinated.
7. ARMENIA
Packed with hiking spots, art galleries, temples, lakes and coffee farms, visitors won’t be short of something to do in Armenia, which is just a short hop away from Dubai with a three-hour flight time.
Better yet, Flydubai will get you there during Eid for as little as AED 500 (one way). Passengers need a copy of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result certificate or proof they have been fully vaccinated, if the second dose was taken at least 14 days before arrival.
8. MALDIVES
Not just a honeymooners’ paradise, the Maldives is world-renowned as an idyllic getaway to completely switch off. Relax on the white sandy beaches under the swaying palm trees or spot the rich marine life by snorkelling or diving. It is just four hours away from the UAE.
Both Abu Dhabi and Dubai have flights to the capital, Male. With Flydubai, you can get there for as little as AED 1,7738 over Eid (one way). All travellers need to show a negative PCR test.
9. ZANZIBAR
Another favourite for travellers is the laid-back paradise of Zanzibar, home to white sandy beaches, giant tortoises, rich local culture and, for the more active, stunning spots to learn to kite-surf.
Flydubai operates direct flights from Dubai to Zanzibar Island, with Eid fares starting from as little as AED 1,500 for the five-and-a-half-hour flight. Passengers need to present negative COVID-19 PCR test results taken no more than 72 hours before flying. A Traveller Surveillance form must also be filled in at least 24 hours ahead of arrival.
Passengers will be retested for COVID-19 upon arrival at their own expense.
10. GREECE
Turquoise seas, white buildings and colourful rooftops make up the landscape in Greece, where visitors can explore archaeological heritage sites, sample fresh seafood, and soak up the sun at one of the country’s beautiful beaches.
From the UAE, you can fly direct to the Greek capital of Athens in less than five hours. Etihad has flights to Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini, while Wizz Air Abu Dhabi operates directly to Rhodes and Crete with fares under AED 1,000 over Eid.
From Dubai, Emirates flies to several Greek destinations and Flydubai operates to Athens, Santorini, and Mykonos with one-way flights from as little as AED 1,895.
Passengers are required to take a COVID-19 PCR at least 24 hours before departing the UAE.
(Reporting by Jennifer Webster; editing by Seban Scaria)
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