Cruise the beautiful Indonesian islands east of Lombok New Hong-Kong based tailor-made tour operator, Whistling Arrow, offers sailing tours from Lombok or Bali, east past Moyo, Sunbawa and the beautiful islands of Komodo, Rinca and the Western Flores, aboard a number of chartered vessels including a catamaran (sleeps four) and two luxury Indonesian phinisi that sleep up to 14 people. Itineraries are tailor-made to suit the interests of each group but have included diving, snorkelling, trekking and a stop to see the Komodo dragons on Rinca island. Accommodation on land to enjoy Indonesia\'s lovely beaches can also be arranged. Prices range from US$750 (Dh2,754) per day for the catamaran to $13,500 (Dh49,585) per day for the largest, most luxurious phinisi. Boats are fully crewed, equipped and catered. Book a departure before October 10 and earn 10 per cent off. To find out more, email Adrian Bottomley at adrian@whistlingarrow.com or visit www.whistlingarrow.com.
Emirates Holidays is offering a number of packages to celebrate Eid Al Fitr including a six-night tour comprising the capital, Colombo, the historic city of Kandy, tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya, wildlife spotting in Yala and the beaches of Beruwala. The package costs from Dh5,835 per person based on two people sharing three and four-star hotel accommodation, return economy class flights and touring by private car.
A city break in Colombo can also be combined with a short hop to the beaches of the Maldives to the south-west of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean. A three-night stay at the Maldivian Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma, followed by three nights at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo costs Dh7,775 per person based on two people sharing, and return economy class flights from Dubai to Male and Colombo. All prices are valid until September 4 and include taxes. For more information, call 800 5252.
Guests at the Empire Hotel and Country Club in Brunei this Eid may have the opportunity to visit the Sultan of Brunei\'s official residence, the Istana Nurul Iman, to meet the Sultan as part of the yearly Hari Raya or Eid celebrations. The palace is only open to the public once a year over this special three-day holiday. The beachfront hotel also has a Jack Nicklaus designed golf course and spa. The package is valid from the first to the third nights of Eid and includes two-nights\' accommodation, one dinner, airport transfers and costs from Dh1,375 per person based on two people sharing, including taxes. Call 04 355 7700 to book.
Local tour operator Luxury at Dnata is offering a three-night stay at the Moksha Himalaya Spa Resort, a five-star Centara boutique hotel (www.centarahotelsresorts.com) high up in the Shivalik Valley in Himachal Pradesh. The package costs from Dh3,080 per person, land only, half board, with daily spa treatments, return airport transfers, taxes and service charges based on two people sharing. Offer valid until October 31. To book, contact luxuryhotels@dnata.com.
Treat yourself to privacy and luxury on your own Fijian island, just off the tip of Viti Levu in the South Pacific. Dolphin Island is five-hectare retreat with white sandy shores and accommodation for up to eight guests in traditional hatched wooden houses known as bures. To celebrate the island\'s reopening, Huka Retreats is offering a \"stay four, pay three\" package for eight people, costing AUS$43,470 (Dh167,505), full board, including airport transfers. The offer is valid for bookings until December 12. Activities including deep-sea fishing are available on request. To find out more, visit www.dolphinislandfiji.com.
From / The National