(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) The long Eid Al Fitr weekend in the UAE is just days away.Public sector employees in the UAE will enjoy a seven-day official Eid Al Fitr holiday next week.
Eid Al Fitr holidays for the private sector will begin on Monday, June 3 (Ramadan29) and last until Shawwal 3.
Read:Where to watch Eid Al Fitr fireworks in Dubai for free
It is the perfect reason for a quick getaway, and in case you haven't planned anything, here are our last-minute options -- with travel time under five hours!
Take your pick:
1. Georgia
You might have heard many of your colleagues head to Georgia for a long weekend. And this place is worth a visit with its scenic mountains and valleys.
Dig into the history of the place by visiting Tbilisi, the capital city. While there, bite into the popular dish Khachapuri (bread with cheese filling), Chakhokhbili (stewed chicken with fresh herbs).
Flight time:3 hours, 32 minutes.
Currency value:1 UAE dirham= 0.76 Georgian Lari.
2. Istanbul
Explore the colourful Grand Bazaar, the biggest undercover markets in the world in Istanbul. Dig into some Turkish delights and enjoy apple tea with the locals. After a long hectic day, head to the Turkish bath hammam and unwind your senses.
Flight time:4 hours, 50 minutes.
Currency value:1 UAE dirham=1.64 Turkish Lira.
Read: Eid Al Fitr: 5 best getaway deals from UAE
3. Azerbaijan
Bordering Russia and Georgia, Azerbaijan is known for having 9 of the 11 climates around the world. Baku, the central city, is a Unesco World Heritage site. Visiting the mud volcanoes figures amongst the fascinating things to do in Azerbaijan as it figures first in the world with over 350 located in the region. Thousands of tourists visit every year to watch the eruption.
Flight time:2 hours, 40 minutes.
Currency value:1 UAE dirham= 0.46Azerbaijani Manat.
4. Armenia
Home to beautiful monasteries, Armenia makes you feel like a royal as you can indulge in lavish meals and take a private car for Dh 8,000 for five days. The price would include the flights, stay and all other expenses included.
The location of the monasteries is what makes them extraordinary as you drive through picturesque locales of the city. While Sevanavank Monastery is surrounded by water on all sides, Noravank Monastery is between the Basalt Mountains. Enjoy the local meal overlooking Lake Sevan.
Flight time:3 hours
Currency value:1 UAE dirham=130.97 Armenian Dram.
5. India
It might be home for many expats in Dubai but the vast country offers a different experience in each state. If booked in advance, you can get a cheap bargain onflights to any of the major cities and then explore the city through the well-connected roadways or railways. It would be best to discover every part of it (east, west, north, south) on different trips if you don't have the luxury of a month-long holiday!
Flight time:3 hours
Currency value:1 UAE dirham= 19.01 Indian Rupees.
6. Zanzibar
If you are looking for an exotic weekend island getaway, Zanzibar can be your choice of destination. You could head to the island for its cool, sunny weather during the coming summer months.
A walk in Stone Town will let you understand the Arabic, India, African and European influences in its architecture. Nungwi beach is also ideal for snorkeling, diving or kite surfing. Among the other things, you can do include a trip to the private animal reserve, Cheetah's Rock.
Flight Time:5 hours
Currency value:1 UAE dirham=625.48 Tanzanian Shilling
7. Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is one destination which combines it all - the beaches, the caves, the forts, wildlife and the heritage. Climb the Sigiriya Rock Fortress to get a beautiful view of the city and proceed to the Golden temple of Dambulla. Visit the botanical garden, Gregory lake, golf course in the beautiful city of Kandy. If you are a beach bum, Sri Lanka is home to many. Head to Bentota, Nilaveli, Negombo or Trincomalee.
Flight time: 4 hours, 25 minutes
Currency value:1 UAE dirham=47.99 Sri Lankan Rupees.
8. Nepal
Fulfill your fixation of heritage in Kathmandu, which is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage sites around the world. The sites include the Durbar Squares of Hanuman Dhoka, Patan and Bhaktapur, the Buddhist stupas of Swayambhunath and Bauddhanath and the Hindu temples of Pashupati and Changu Narayan. Lead the life of a hippie and explore the night life in Thamel. Savour the beauty of the majestic Himalayan peaks with a visit to Pokhara. Enjoy activities like zip flying, paragliding in the Pokhara valley.
Flight time:4 hours, 15 minutes
Currency value:1 UAE dirham= 30.39 Nepalese Rupees.
9. Oman
Whether it is driving to Oman or taking a flight, distance hardly matters while travelling to Oman from the UAE.
While in Muscat, visit the Grand Mosque and see the beautiful hand-loomed carpet that was once the world largest rug.
The list of places to visit in Oman is endless and can be fit in perfectly into a 3-day trip. Add Mutrah Souq, Nakhal Fort, Jabreen Castle, Wadi Ghul viewpoint, Al Baleed Archaeological Park to your to-do list.
Flight time:1 hour, 5 minutes.
Currency value:1 UAE dirham= 0.10 Omani Riyal.
10. Maldives
Unrivalled luxury, stunning white-sand beaches and an amazing underwater world make the Maldives an obvious choice for a true holiday of a lifetime.
If all you want to do during your Maldives trip is scuba diving and seeing coral reefs or viewing exotic marine species, head to Banana Reef.
And do not forget to indulge yourself in the local Maldives food, Garudhiya served with rice, lime and chillies.
Flight time:4 hours, 10 minutes.
Currency value:1 UAE dirham= 4.21Maldivian Rufiyaa.
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