Eid Al Fitr 2024 is expected to start on Tuesday, April 9 and last until Saturday, April 10. This means a six-day break for those of us working Monday to Friday in the UAE.
It’s an exciting chance to travel that you’d be foolish to miss.
However, with the global tourism industry known to contribute hugely to greenhouse gas emissions and land and ocean pollution, it’s essential that you choose your destination carefully.
Thankfully there are many incredible, eco-friendly Eid Al Fitr holiday destinations that are easily reachable from the UAE.
Whether you want pure relaxation, action and adventure, or history and culture, you can do it all in a way that protects and nurtures the local environment.
So, to kickstart your travel planning, here are nine incredible sustainable Eid Al Fitr escapes ideas that will have you itching to jump on a plane.
Château des Fleur – Paris
A city break in Paris is always a good idea, and there’s no better place to immerse yourself in the romance of the French capital than Château des Fleurs. Situated on the iconic Champs Elysées in a regal, one-hundred-year-old building, it’s a sophisticated tribute to old-school, understated glamour. Cosy and authentically Parisian, every unique room is adorned with antiques and secondhand furniture, while all the mattresses are made from recycled materials.
Committed to encouraging urban wildlife, the roof of the boutique hotel contains a bug hotel and bird nesting boxes, and the toiletries are all organic and handmade in France. Home to its own spa, fine-dining restaurant, and positioned just a stone’s throw from the Arch de Triumph and the city’s other most famous landmarks, its Eid ‘four nights for the price of three’ promotion is available on all bookings before Sunday, April 14. @hotelchateaudesfleurs.
Constance Belle Mare Plage, Mauritius
Renowned for hiking, kite surfing, kayaking, biking, golf and watersports, Mauritius is far more than just a beach break destination. Constance Belle Mare Plage lets you experience all its best bits, and stay on one of the most stunning stretches of white sand on the island. An idyllic, ‘Gold’ Green Globe certified property, the free, twice-daily snorkelling trips and glass-bottom boat tours let you lose yourself in a magical underwater world filled with vibrant colourful fish and coral, and the all-day-dining buffet offers tonnes of vegetarian options and local tropical fruits and vegetables.
Committed to preserving the marine life of the Indian Ocean and the island’s thick forests and wild landscapes, the Mauritian-headquartered Constance brand runs coral planting initiatives, supports beach clean ups and desalinates seawater to use across its energy efficient resorts.
@constancehotels.
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, Maldives
Offering the floating villas, lofty palms and pristine sands of your Maldives fantasies, Intercontinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is the ultimate break from reality. But the thing that makes it most special is its abundance of marine life, particularly its manta rays. The oceans surrounding the resort are home to a large and healthy population of these enormous and elegant creatives, and a juvenile manta feeding ground. Until the end of April, you can snorkel with the majestic rays and watch them feed, and the property works closely with the Manta Trust research organisation to protect population numbers.
Bookings of three nights or more over Eid al Fitr and Eid al Adha include a 20 percent discount on room rates, 50 percent discount on seaplane transfers, a couple’s massage, a dolphin watching excursion and many other perks and activities.
@intercontinental_maldives.
Nova, Maldives
Dedicated to preserving the unique ecosystems of the Maldives, Nova invites you to slow down and appreciate the beauty of nature. The snorkelling and diving opportunities are out of this world, and its commitment to ocean conservation is demonstrated through its status as a “Responsible Manta Operator”. Ultra luxurious yet immensely laid back, the ‘island vibes’ experience is completed with floating villas, rustic custom-made furniture and amazing beachside dining.
The weekly Holhuashi event invites you to gather under the resort’s ancient banyan tree and listen to timeless stories about Maldivian culture and history, while the extra lucky may even spot a gentle giant whale shark cruising amongst the waves.
@novamaldives.
JW Marriott Mauritius Resort, Mauritius
Set right under the shadow of the towering Le Morne Brabant, the most famous mountain in Mauritius and a dramatic UNESCO World Heritage site, there are few places in the world more enchanting than this private and intimate resort. Situated by the softest white beach and clearest blue waters you’ve ever seen, every suite comes with its own butler, and even a complimentary packing and unpacking service.
Located just metres from one of the world’s leading kite surfing hotspots, your evenings can be spent participating in Champagne sabering on the beach, or enjoying live theatrical teppanyaki made to your own tastes and requirements. If you’ve a head for heights and you’re feeling fit, you can even make it up and down Le Morne before the incredible buffet breakfast closes. The onsite JW Garden produces herbs and ingredients for the restaurants, while all drinking water is treated and bottled in house. Much of the lighting is fuelled by solar polar, and it has partnered with the Marine Megafauna Conservation Organisation to promote marine conservation.
Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea, Saudi Arabia
This Eid, you could be one of the first people to ever experience The Red Sea, Saudi Arabia’s ultra-luxurious new sustainable tourism destination. Surrounded by the fourth-largest barrier reef system in the world, more than 90 untouched islands, dormant volcanoes, mountain canyons and ancient cultural landmarks, it’s an extraordinary place that is perfect for nature lovers, history buffs and those who love getting off the beaten track. The brand new and very beautiful Six Senses Southern Dunes is powered by 100 percent solar energy.
Set against an awe-inspiring backdrop of jagged mountains and rolling golden desert, the architecture is designed to blend into the dunes and offer maximum natural light, while the activities offered include local crafts, yoga, biking, hiking and of course, scuba diving.
@sixsensessoutherndunes.
SO/ Sotogrande, Costa del Sol, Spain
There are few holiday destinations as popular as Spain’s Costa del Sol, but that doesn’t mean it’s all crowds and chain hotels. Located on the southernmost tip of the sunshine coast, SO/ Sotogrande is surrounded by quiet and peaceful rolling green hills. Mixing traditional Andalusian architecture with contemporary styles, the design is refreshingly funky, and the adult’s only swimming pool is simply divine.
The spa will treat you to the best massage you’ve ever had in your life, and the local area is famous for horse riding, mountain biking and its large population of dolphins. Despite being very glamorous, it’s also highly eco-friendly and energy efficient. Plenty of vegan options and locally grown ingredients are served across the onsite restaurants, and all food waste is either donated or made into compost.
The Farm at San Benito, Philippines
Surrounded by 52 hectares of lush green jungle, The Farm is renowned as one of the world’s best wellness retreats. Set against views of the Malarayat mountains, its pure fresh air and invigorating energy makes a refreshing antidote to the fast-paced life of the UAE. Stay in a choice of incredible villas, and enjoy nourishing complimentary activities such as yoga, mandala flower meditation, nature walks, wellness workshops, sound healing, fitness classes and more.
A completely meat-free property, you can also explore healthy and delicious specialties from the vegan, vegetarian and pescatarian restaurants, and partake in a range of personalised wellness programmes. Starting with a full holistic health assessment and offering plans for improved sleep, fertility, weight loss, mental wellbeing and more, you’ll emerge feeling like a whole new person.
Umana Bali, LXR Hotels & Resorts, Bali
Inspired by the three pillars of Balinese Tri Hita Karana philosophy – nature, people and spirituality – this magnificient resort is made for eco-conscious travellers who want to discover the real Bali that exists away from the trendy beach clubs. The spa offers all kinds of ancient and contemporary Balinese therapies, while cooking classes, village walks, temple visits, volcano hikes and traditional Balinese dance performances are amongst the many featured activities.
Overlooking Melasti Beach, considered one of the most breathtaking beaches on the whole island, all the cliff top villas come complete with a luxurious private infinity pool. Surrounded by unspoilt greenery and wildlife, the complimentary outdoor daily yoga classes are another nice added bonus.
@umanabali.
