2010 September 33

The fesTival of eid is here, and celebraTions are in full swing. iT’s The besT Time of The year To pack your bags and embark on a journey wiTh your family.have a sneak peek of whaT These ciTies have To offer, away from home....buT sTill aT home!

GETAWAYS

The land of the River Nile holds a catalogue of mysteries with its pyramids, tombs and its magical past. Unlock the secrets as you tour the fascinating and mysterious Egypt, with the shadows of the dead enchanting you all the way.....

Egyptian MusEuM: Egypt’s history is revisited with a trip to the Museum, the largest in the world, housing an extensive collection of Egyptian relics.

Khan El-Khalili: An ancient shopping bazaar sprawling with cafes, shops, vendors and artefacts. A sundry display of handicrafts and souvenirs will keep you engrossed as you walk along the narrow streets, sipping into traditional tea.

Cairo towEr: The city’s most famous landmark offers you a 360-degree view from the top.

pyraMids of giza: One of the Seven Wonders of the World, a trip to Giza cannot be missed to marvel at these towering structures.

rivEr nilE: Walk across the banks of the river to witness the birth of a great civilisation.

Eid in Egypt: In Egypt, a special sweet called feast sweet or Kahk is generally prepared for Eid which is exchanged within families. A part of the celebrations also require the Muslims to pay for a special charity called ‘sadaka’ through which the poor will be bought new clothes and sweets.

hotEls to stay:Concorde El Salam Cairo, Intercontinental Cairo Citysta, Radisson Blu Hotel Cairo Helio, Ramses Hilton, Fair-mont Towers Heliopolis, Kempinski Nile Hotel Garden City Cairo, Iberotel Cairo Hotel and Casino, Fairmont Nile City Cairo, Intercontinental Cairo Semiram, Mar-riott Cairo Hotel and Casino.

how to gEt thErE?Qatar Airways flight to Cairo would cost approximately QR2260.

cairo

September 201034

As soon as you step foot on this blissful patch of serenity, you are suddenly captivated by the breathtaking sceneries, lush foliage and a calm and composed atmosphere. The beautiful landscapes and a bunch of smiling faces will keep you enthralled as you immerse yourself in the scenic beauty of Male...

MarKEts: From garments to electronics, from fruits to fishes – the local markets of Male is a shopper’s stop to feel the fresh and vibrant aura of the stalls.

national MusEuM and sultan’s parK: A part of the Sultan’s Palace, the mu-seum stores priceless collections of the ancient Maldivian culture – ornaments, stones, paper, manuscripts and much more. old friday MosquE: The first ever Mosque to be built in Maldives using corals. Carvings and patterns all over the stones reflect the timeless beauty and accuracy of this religious structure.

whalE subMarinE: Hop into the subma-rine, and you will be immediately transported

into the deep blue waters of the sea revealing exotic creatures of the deep.

artifiCial bEaCh: Though Maldives is known for its fabulous beaches, Male doesn’t seem to be endowed with one. Thanks to the artificial beach, one can indulge in the same fun as in any other natural beach.

Eid in MaldivEsKnown as Kuda Eid or Fithru Eid in Maldives, people celebrate the festival with vigour. In rural islands, traditional dances like Bodu beru are performed while the urban areas witness parades across the streets.

hotEls to stay:Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, Angsana Ihuru, Bandos Maldives, Angsana Velavaru, Anantara Dhigu Resort and Spa, Taj Exotica Resort and Spa, Nal-adhu Maldives, Banyan Tree Madivaru, Adaaran Select Meedhupparu, Holiday Inn.

how to gEt thErE?Qatar Airways flight to Male would cost ap-proximately QR3320.

The city is an architectural marvel with motley influences of the Greeks, Byzantines and the Romans. Traversing through the lanes, the city reflects its historical past as you enjoy the bustling city while taking in hot sips of Turkish tea...

grand bazaar (Kapali Carsi): Spices, lanterns, ceramics, fabric, and jewellery – you can find anything and everything possible as you shop through the huge crowded market in Istanbul.

topKapi palaCE: Once the residence of Ottoman Sultans, today this magnificent palace throws open its doors to tour-ists to catch a glimpse of its beauty.

bluE MosquE (MosquE sultan ahMEd CaMii): Owning to the blue tiles adorning the interiors, the Mosque has been given the famous name.

thE bosphorus: Acting as the body of division between Europe and Asia, catch a ferry over the waters while taking a view of the city.

CEMbErlitas haMaM: Enjoy a cleaning experience with Turkey’s famous baths offering a hot exfoliating scrub followed with a soothing massage.

Eid in turKEy:In Turkey, the first day of Eid Al Fitr is marked with Seker Bay-ram which means ‘sugar festival’. It is traditionally celebrated with chocolates and sweet foods.

hotEls to stay:Grand Star Hotel, Grand Cevahir Hotel and Convention Centre, Best Western Senator Hotel, Sultan’s Eye Comfort Hotel, Ramada Istanbul Old City, Istanbul Inn Hotel, Paradise Hotel, Taksim Feronya Hotel, Suite Home Hotel Changir, Istanbul Suadiye Hotel.

how to gEt thErE?Qatar Airways flight to Istanbul would cost approximately QR2340.

male

istanbul Kuala lumpur

2010 September 35

A city with a cosmopolitan touch, Kuala Lumpur serves as a hotspot for tourists to the country. Serving as a commercial and financial centre for the South East Asian region, the city still boasts of its cultural vibrancy which is evident in every corner of the town. Mixed culture and an amazing nightlife, Kuala Lumpur is never a miss...

pEtronas twin towErs: The world seems at your feet, as you look across from the sky bridge of the 41st floor, connecting the two iconic towers to offer a panoramic view of the city.

taMan tasiK titiwangsa: Surrounding Lake Titiwangsa, this park is a relax-ing area for enjoying the splendid view of the lake. The park also has tennis courts and squash courts with a boating facility on the lake.Masjid nEgara: This gigantic mosque is the centre for all Malay devotees. With its blue-tiled roof and massive form, it reflects a sacred silence.

pEtaling strEEt MarKEt: Don’t be fooled with the high-end goods appear-ing in the stalls. These fakes sell like hot cakes in the noisy street market which

houses everything under the roof.

Kuala luMpur bird parK: Witness the unbelievable sight of 160 exotic spe-cies of birds flying around a massive park. Nature at its best!

Eid in Malaysia:In Malaysia, Eid is more commonly known as Hari Raya Idul Fitri or Hari Raya Puasa which means ‘celebration day’. In rural areas, pelita or panjut (oil lamps) are lit and special dishes like ketupat, dodol, lemang (rice cake cooked in bamboo) are prepared.

hotEls to stay:Doubletree By Hilton, Luala Lumpur Hilton, Le Meridian Kuala Lumpur, Prince Hotel and Residence, Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel, Grand Dorsett Subang Hotel, Cameron Highlands Resort, Westin Kuala Lumpur, Pullman Putrajaya Lakeside

how to gEt thErE?Qatar Airways flight to Kuala Lumpur would cost approximately QR3600.

There is everything here, for Casablanca is a modern city. Despite its metropoli-tan appeal, the city still attracts visitors to feel, breathe and learn about the past with a unique display of modernity and hints of tradition...

hassan ii MosquE: Rising above the ocean, this minaret is the world’s third largest mosque which offers a breathtaking view for worshippers and visitors alike.

villa dEs arts: A gallery exhibiting the fine talent of contemporary Moroc-can and international art, enough to keep you intrigued.

jEwish MusEuM of Casablan-Ca: While boasting of being the only Jewish museum in the Islamic world, it provides a vivid reminiscence of the thriving Jewish civilisation of the region.

plaCE MohaMMEd v: A grand centrepieces, this square is lined on all sides with beautiful French architec-ture, around a central fountain spurting

water with a myriad of colours.

boulEvard dE la CorniChE: The entertainment hub of Casablanca at-tracts the hip and the happening around the world with its line of beach clubs, restaurants and bars.

Eid in MoroCCo:A typical breakfast for Eid Al Fitr usu-ally constitutes of typical Moroccan pancakes such as Baghrir and Melwi, devoured happily by the family after the prayers.

hotEls to stay:Hyatt Regency Casablanca, Novotel Casablanca City Centre, Complexe Lakal Bouznika, Diwan Casablanca, Washing-ton Hotel, Anfa Port, Casablanca Appart Hotel, Pullman Royal Golf El Jadida, Business Hotel, Hotel De LA Corniche

how to gEt thErE?Qatar Airways flight to Casablanca would cost approximately QR3180.

casablanca The capital city of Jordan, Amman is almost between the desert and the Jordan valley, offering a blended view of sand and grass. As you make your way through the city, fleeting glimpses of the Roman rule will leave you mesmerised in this vibrant city. From glass buildings to stone houses, savour every view with a laidback attitude...

CitadEl: Perched on the highest hill of Amman, the Citadel contains the enormous Umayyad Palace. Despite being partially destroyed due to an earthquake, this structure still continues to amaze visitors.

roMan thEatrE: Serving as a reminder when Roman Empire was at its peak, this 6000-seat theatre was once of great religious significance to the people. The best view is at night, when it gets flooded with light providing a spectacular view.

dEad sEa: A short trip from Amman will land you at the lowest point on earth. Floating on the Dead Sea is an experience, you definitely can’t miss.

darat al-funun: To view Jorda-

nian art at its best, there is no better place than Darat Al-Funun. This art gallery flaunts the works of great Arab artists and also holds workshops for sculptors and painters.

King abdullah MosquE: The blue-domed mosque is the only one in Amman which is accessible for non-Muslims. The octagonal prayer hall is spacious enough for 7,000 worshippers. The mosque also houses a small Islamic museum.

Eid in jordan:Jordanians believe in mass celebrations, as families come together on the joyous occasion of Eid.

hotEls to stay:Kempinski Hotel, Holiday Inn, Sadeen Amman Hotel, Intercontinental Jordan Hotel, Movenpick Nabatean Castle Hotel, Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea Jordan, Amman International, Golden Tulip Amman, Evason Main and Six Senses Spa, Crowne Plaza Petra.

how to gEt thErE?Qatar Airways flight to Amman would cost approximately QR2300.

amman