Latest news with #Destination2
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
I'm a travel expert - you can cut the price of your holiday using this hack
Known for its high-end hotels, world-class restaurants and impressive collection of supercars, it's no wonder Dubai is considered one of the world's priciest holiday destinations. However, one travel expert has shared an off-season booking hack that can significantly cut the cost of a trip to the UAE nation. A general misconception many visitors have while booking their holiday is that it's unbearable to visit Dubai during the hottest months of the year. While the city's summers are very hot, with temperatures often exceeding 40C (104F) between June and September, it's not necessarily intolerable. Dubai is well-equipped to handle the heat, with the city's infrastructure designed to regulate extreme temperatures and air conditioning installed in most attractions and public spaces to keep both locals and tourists comfortable. The intense heat in Dubai during the holiday season can deter many travellers, leading to lower demand - but this could especially benefit cost-conscious travellers. According to Betty Bouchier-Hobin, a travel expert from Destination2, savvy holidaymakers could stumble across some of the best deals of the year in August. Speaking to Liverpool Echo, she said: 'In the UK, high temperatures mean sleepless nights and half-melted ice creams. In Dubai, a much more enjoyable experience is on offer. Think poolside cocktails, chilled malls and luxury without the price tag.' She revealed that August is the best time to book an affordable trip to the Middle Eastern oasis as holidays are around 24 per cent cheaper than during the winter season. Experts at Destination2 found some luxury hotel packages are slashed by nearly £700 in summer compared to November and December. Airlines might offer bigger discounts for flights to Dubai compared to earlier summer months. Betty added: 'To sweeten the deal even further, anyone flying with Emirates between 1st April and 30th September 2025 can unlock exclusive discounts across the city with My Emirates Pass - simply by showing your boarding pass. 'From savings at top attractions like the Burj Khalifa and desert safaris, to discounts on spa days, restaurants and beach clubs, it's your all-access pass to living large for less.' Meanwhile, an elite fitness coach and Instagram influencer has revealed how relocating to Dubai from the 'miserable' UK changed her life, as she credited the desert city's 'can do' attitude with helping her dreams come true. Dominika Blonksa, 27, was born in Poland before her family relocated to Wakefield, West Yorkshire, where she went to high school and university. She studied to become a nurse and obtained a Master's degree in Nurse Prescribing before Dominika dived headfirst into her career, telling FEMAIL how she worked 40 and 50-hour weeks while making a pittance. That life, however, is now a distant memory for Dominika, whose Instagram feed includes glamorous snaps of her posing in front of the Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab, catching rays on a sun-soaked beach, and cruising on desert bikes. She runs her own, successful coaching business, working with clients across the world, while travelling the world and working as a model - none of which would have been possible for Dominika if she had stayed in the UK. 'Before moving abroad, I lived in the UK with a stable job as a nurse but, deep down, I always knew that wasn't for me,' the fitness influencer, with over 30,000 followers, said. 'I craved freedom, adventure, and the ability to be my own boss,' Dominika continued, sharing that this desire really took hold of her during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Daily Mirror
24-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Prices are 'plunging' in this holiday hotspot with 37% cheaper beach holidays
The Maldives has seen prices plummet with a five-star luxury holiday to the island now available for hundreds of pounds less than it was this time last year Dreaming of a lavish escape to the sun-kissed shores of the Maldives? Well, your dream holiday might now be within reach as prices have taken a nosedive over the past year, with reductions of more than a third. While destinations like Greece and Italy are becoming pricier, this idyllic archipelago has witnessed a staggering 37% drop in costs compared to last year. A luxurious five-star retreat to Medhufushi Island that would have set you back £1,980 in 2024 is now only £1,239 – that's a saving of £741. Betty Bouchier-Hobin, a travel expert from Destination2, commented: "With travel taxes rising and the cost of living still high, it's a relief to see prices falling somewhere. "The Med is at peak demand and we're now seeing four and five-star resorts in the Maldives offering full-board or all-inclusive packages for less than their European rivals." "When you factor in exclusive offers such as free child places, it can work out better value overall. The setting speaks for itself with white sands, turquoise seas and world-class snorkelling all year round." So if you're tempted by a jaunt to this renowned paradise, rest assured there's no chance of boredom, reports the Express. The Maldives isn't just about its iconic white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters; there's plenty more on offer beyond lounging in the sun. For instance, Sultan Park is a lush tropical oasis complete with fountains, offering a serene spot to meander beneath the shade of leafy trees. If the gardens don't tickle your fancy, why not take a wander around the island you're residing on? The Maldives are compact enough to explore by foot, and you'll find an array of bars, restaurants and cafes perfect for ducking into when you need a break from the midday sun. If it's sandy shores you're after, then you're in for a treat. According to LonelyPlanet, the cream of the crop can be found on the Shaviyani Atoll. This island is home to numerous stunning beaches as well as an extraordinary underwater art installation that also serves as a coral restoration project, known as the Coralarium. You can dive beneath the waves to admire the submerged sculptures, or gaze at the section that sits above the waterline from the comfort of the beach.
