Eid Al Adha or “Big Eid” as some like to call it is coming up in around a month. If you haven’t made plans yet here are some cool ideas that you can still go for:

From inside Egypt:

Getting ready to kite surf. Photo by stephenarcher @flickr

#1 Kite surfing in Ras Sudr: Go for a 3 day beginner’s course (or continue with your IKO certification if you have already started) at one the several kite-surfing spots in Ras Sudr. Matarma Bay and Kiteloop are popular stays.

#2 Scuba diving in Dahab: A favorite spot among divers, you can start your PADI certification in Dahab with a 2 day course and add another 2 days for some sunbathing and relaxation.

Some ideas outside Egypt:

#3 Hopping around Beirut: it’s close, it’s fun and you can get the visa in the airport. Enjoy some shopping and food spotting in the streets of Beirut during the day and get a taste of some good nightlife when the evening hits. A good stay for 4-5 days.

Wondrous view of Petra. Photo by Jimmy Álvarez @Flickr

#4 The 2 wonders of Jordan: another close option with no visa worries. Get to see Petra up close and swim in the Dead Sea in under 4 days.

#5 Taking the family to Dubai: with never ending shopping places, beach resorts and theme parks, a 5-day stay in Dubai is a good option to be enjoyed by all (a quick online visa application option is available if you book your flight with Emirates airlines).

Mesmerizing blue Chefchaouen. Photo by Mark Fischer @Flickr

#6 Escaping to Chefchaouen, Morocco: Morocco’s blue town in the middle of the Rif Mountains is a true escape from city life which you can access by bus from Casablanca or Tangiers. Discover its many blue historical buildings and traditional markets and plan for a hiking adventure up the mountain. Tip: this destination is most suitable for an extended eid vacation, where you can go there by 3^rd day of Eid to skip the  1^st and 2^nd day where most places are closed down).

#7 Going for a different Turkey: Go beyond the “Istanbul usual” and go for different parts of Turkey such as Cappadocia. This is where you can stay in a cave hotel and go for a hot air balloon trip in one of the top destinations for hot air balloon riding in the world. Tip: to avoid the hassle of finding transportation to Cappadocia from Istanbul, plan to be there 1 or 2 days before 1^st day of Eid or go by 2^nd day).

A usual sight every morning in Cappadocia. Photo by zekiseferoglu @Flickr

If you need a customized trip plan, go to Sal’s Trip Planner and fill in the needed info and I will get back to you!