Explore Thailand during the Eid Al Adha break

With Eid Al Adha only a few weeks away, you probably wonder how and where to spend the holiday – stay at home in the UAE, visit your family, or travel the world? If you have enough time and a reasonable budget, the correct answer is obvious – traveling, of course! For a truly amazing and memorable experience, why not to explore Thailand during the Eid Al Adha break? The best travel packages you can book through the the holiday page of established carriers.

The Eid Al Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, is one of the two biggest religious holidays in the UAE and is usually celebrated with festivals, family gatherings and several days of public holiday. This year, Eid will probably fall on Saturday or Sunday, October 5, so it’s already time for booking your vacation if you, as so many people, are planning one. Whether having a 3-day non-working holiday, or 9 days off work and duties, most residents in the UAE, both Emiratis and expats, have already reserved hotel rooms and bought airplane tickets. This means many carriers might have closed their special fares bookings and hotels are raising their room rates. But there is always a way to escape for the holiday without blowing your budget, especially if you decide to explore the magical Thailand.

Why Thailand?

Destinations in India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand, Western Europe and regional spots such as Salalah in Oman or Turkey’s Istanbul are most popular among UAE travelers – they are not too far away, so reaching there is relatively fast and affordable by flying with regional airlines. But it will be cold in Europe at this time of the year, so Southeast Asia sounds quite appealing. With its tropical climate (cooler in October), stunning natural scenery and fascinating, colourful culture, Thailand is a true paradise for the traveler. The delicious food, exotic traditions and friendly people are also among the country’s most attractive qualities. And there’s much to do and see in Thailand – visit its Buddhist temples, try the charming Tuk-tuk vehicles, sunbathe, shop, meet with elephants and tigers, enjoy one of the many water sports available, or appreciate an authentic Thai massage. In addition, all of these pastimes are much cheaper in Thailand than in Dubai or AbuDhabi.

How to get there?

The easiest and fastest way to get in Thailand is by plane. You can reach its main international airports in Bangkok and Phuket onboard Emirates and Qatar Airways-operated flights from Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah. The regional carriers offer both comfort and affordability, especially if you book a discounted flight. From Sharjah you can find a return flight to Bangkok for only 2,055 Dhs. On their websites (www.emirates.com and www.qatarairways.com), you can also find pre-paid tourist packages to Thailand, which can save a lot of time and efforts.

Where to go and what to see?

There is a great choice of resorts and popular destinations, as the country has amazing beaches, as well as high mountains, green forests, and modern cities for those who prefer an urban-style escape. While Hua Hin is the oldest resort here, Pattaya, Phuket and Koh Samui were discovered in the 1970’s and are today, the most developed and popular beach destinations. The Khao Yai National Park is the closest to Bangkok, but the impressive jungle at Khao Sok National Park is a must-see – beautiful, lush tropical forest, which is a home to fascinating wild animals – gibbons and macaques, elephants, wild tigers, deer, and lots of exotic birds. And Bangkok, although a modern city, has a rich cultural heritage – don’t miss the Grand Palace and the Wat Phra Kaew, the most sacred Thai temple housing the Emerald Buddha.

Thailand is one of the best countries for shopping – it isn’t expensive and there are countless markets and shopping malls, including the Siam Paragon, the most luxurious mall in the country. Traditional night markets are adorable and you can buy basically everything from them. Even if you are a fan of pizzas and fried chicken, don’t miss the local Thai cuisine. It’s famous around the world with its unique combination of spices and flavors, amazing seafood, curries, noodles, and fried… everything.

Where to stay?

Finding a hotel wouldn’t be difficult – Hilton has various 4- and 5-star hotels and resorts across the country. And if you book your hotel room through 13th September, you will pay only half of the regular rate, as Hilton Worldwide runs a limited-time sale right now offering 50% discounts for hotels in Thailand. A very popular and unique Far East hotel chains, such as Anantara, Dusit and Amari, also offer unique experiences to travelers in different parts of the country such as Phuket, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Koh Samu, Krabi, The Golde Triangle.

Check some exiting offers here:

• Anantara Bangkok Sathorn Short Breaks Special
• Elephant Polo Special save up to 25%
• Tree Tops Romance Lawana, Koh Samui, Thailand
• Anantara Hua Hin: Perfect Getaway
• Triple Nights Delight Dusit International
• Amari Vogue Krabi: Free Night Offer: Stay 4, Pay 3
• Amari Phuket FREE Night: Stay 5, Pay 4
• All Together Family Package Amari Phuket

Eid Al Adha is fast approaching, so check online for hotels and flights. Otherwise, you risk paying double for everything.