Whether you’re looking to book a little Eid treat for the fam or you want to break up the summer months with a staycation (or two) there are some fabulous travel offers in the UAE to make the most of, mamas!

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There’s nothing like planning a quick getaway with the family when you know a long weekend is coming up soon. Experiences that educate guests about wildlife and nature or how to live like the locals are truly life enriching. Our travel mama Andrea has put together some amazing trips to book for Eid – flick through our gallery for plenty of wanderlust inspo!

To book, visit: www.travelcounsellors.ae/andrea.bailey, email: andrea.bailey@travelcounsellors.ae or call +971 (0)55 9569502.

Read more: Packing Essentials For A Weekend Away With The Kids

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Just when I thought that Al Seef (the new development on Dubai Creek) couldn’t get any cooler, there’s now another reason to visit (and stay at?!) this gorgeous part of Dubai. Next to the imminently opening sister property Zabeel House by Jumeirah Al Seef is Zabeel House MINI, a boutique hotel with super cool decor, facilities and room rates too. And I mean seriously cool – like starting at AED 350 per room per night cool – yippeee! Whether you need to find somewhere for guests to stay or you’re looking to escape for a night or two yourself, Zabeel House is absolutely 100% the kind of place everyone will want to hang out at.

First up – the location. This is a hotel for explorers, for anyone who loves ‘old’ Dubai (me, me, me!), who wants to travel the creek by Abra, walk the old Souks and visit the Al Fahidi Cultural District with it’s gorgeous architecture, art galleries and cafes. You might not be on a beach but a 10 minute taxi ride will get you to one if that’s what you’re looking for. The hotel will lend you bikes and rollerblades on which to whizz about and there’s a shuttle bus too.

Secondly – the decor. Think contemporary, chic and fun with swings in the lobby, modern artwork and pops of colour – it’s hard not to want to photograph every single detail (or to resist a little swing around…). The contrast between the modern interiors and the historic area is just gorgeous. Every floor is equipped with its own vending machine for those midnight munchies too.

And now for the bedrooms – or ‘pocket rooms’ as they’re called. There’s nothing pocket sized about them – yes these rooms might be a little smaller than what we’re used to in this region but still not nearly as small as some of the boutique hotels we’ve stayed at across the world. And each one has some fab features including a mini SMEG fridge, a giant map of Dubai on the ceiling (for planning your days of exploration as you lie in bed), organic cotton linen and beds so comfy you might never want to get out, touch panel SuitePads for easy room service ordering, Smart TV’s and organic Boon coffee (roasted right here in the UAE). There are also cute little phrases painted onto walls and organic bathroom products wrapped in certified eco-friendly and biodegradable packaging – hooray for reducing plastic waste.

Fancy a bite? There’s ‘MishMash’, a lobby bar with a modern street food menu and CU for brekkie in the morning and a la carte Pan-Asian for lunch and dinner. All licensed too. And there’s the most beautiful terrace overlooking the creek which just screams for sundowners over the water while watching the world go by.

And finally, if you want to workout (hmmm, not for me while I’m on a mini vaycay but hey, whatever floats your boat) then an open gym is available for residents – and there’s a super swish rooftop splash pool that’s perfect for dipping after a day of exploring (now that I do love).

Sounds exciting? It really is. I loved my tour of Zabeel House MINI and I can’t wait to book in! Summer nights, here we come.

Room rates from AED 350 (summer) and AED 495 (winter) 
www.zabeelhouse.com/alseef 

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Need some quality time with the hubby? We hear you! In between the school run, work schedules, kids routines and everything else we barely see the guy anymore! Well we’ve got a giveaway to change all that and give you and your other half some time to chill, chat (but NOT only about the kids ok?!) and get away from it all. Our friends at Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort & Spa are offering one lucky mama the chance to win a weekend (sans kids) in one of their brand new villa rooms plus brekkie and dinner in their recently opened Levant inspired restaurant, Al Maeda! Yay!

Known as one of the most luxurious hotels in Ras Al Khaimah, The Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort & Spa, is beautifully located on a private beach front and feels miles away from our bustling city lives. The refurbished villas consist of guest rooms, suites, one and two-bedroom options as well as the entire villa too (perfect for families when you come back with the kiddos, including direct access to the beach from the lower floors and uninterrupted views of the Arabian Gulf from the higher levels – heaven!). Want to ramp up the luxury factor? Order room service which includes breakfast in bed and a private terrace barbeque at a small additional cost (we really don’t need convincing to set up camp in this stunning hotel). Each villa has access to the resorts amenities whilst being set back from the main hotel allowing for privacy. Perfect!

But our fave part is the newly opened Sol Beach Lounge & Bar – a fun, friendly and engaging al fresco spot offering a full daytime menu and special sundowners at the open bar (inspired by the shores of Marbella and Ibiza). Perfect for a daytime chill out to escape the midday sun or a glass of bubbles and snacks as the sun sets (come on, you’ll be child free after all!).

So, here we have it mamas, your chance to win this romantic getaway with hubster (let someone else worry about the kiddos for one night while you relax – we know you’ve earned it). Just enter your deets in the form below and get ready to pack your bag! 

This Giveaway is now closed. Thank you for participating. The winner will be emailed by 5 June, 2018.

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Just a short hop from Dubai, Sri Lanka offers the perfect family holiday with so much to see and do – or not if you just want to relax! If you’re looking for lazy days by the pool, turtle sanctuaries, snorkeling on a beautiful beach and sampling lots of delicious local curries…. Then carry on reading!

As with most of our family holidays, we opted for a private villa with pool to give us the comforts of home and the option of visiting nearby tourist destinations at our leisure.

We stayed at the beautiful Villa Sepalika, located in the village of Ginigala, 5 miles south of Galle on the South-West coast of Sri-Lanka and just a short tuk-tuk ride to the beaches of Unawatuna. The Villa itself is about 2 hours 30 minutes from the airport, which sounds like a loooong drive but is completely worth it. This area of Sri Lanka is so beautiful and natural – you feel as though you are seeing the real magic of the island rather than a tourist hotspot.

Nestled away in the jungle, the villa comprises three double bedrooms all with en-suite bathrooms, and is set in a huge 8000m² private garden, where you can discover a large variety of plants, birds, squirrels, peacocks and monkeys in the trees! Plus not forgetting the huge swimming pool!

It was so lovely to have so much green space for the children to run around – plus all the toys that the villa has available! Grass tennis was our favorite. This villa is all about enjoying the outdoors and is very open with huge covered areas for you to eat and relax.

The wonderful staff at Villa Sepalika lay on a spectacular breakfast feast each morning; with homemade mango jams, pancakes, eggs, fruits, coffee etc. to set you up for a day of adventure… or sun-bathing!

The wonderfully appointed villa is looked after by Bandara, the house manager, who leads a small team of staff keeping the villa, garden and pool spick-and-span 24/7, along with an on-site chef who is always on-hand to knock up snacks or smoothies for the kids whilst preparing lunch or dinner for the family.

The highlight for the children, was the friendly, local tuk-tuk driver who will take you wherever you would like to go – whether you fancy a day at the local Wijaya beach, mooching around the quaint side-street shops in Galle or, as was my preference, moonstone shopping at the many jewelers available!

So mamas, if you’re looking for a relaxing holiday, you want to discover Sri Lanka and stay at a family friendly villa which feels authentic, Villa Sepalika is just the place!

Top Mama tips:

• Save yourself time and hassle at the airport and complete your Travel Visa online (Kids Free, Adults $35) https://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/
• We took our own children’s car seats as they are not required by law in Sri Lanka
• Simply book online at http://villasepalika-sl.com/

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From new family friendly travel offers and flight routes to nifty gadgets – whether you’re looking for ideas for your next holiday or you’re keen to make traveling with kids easier by investing in a few of the latest products, we’ve rounded it all up for you, mamas!

Super cool, super affordable 3 Star Hotels By Jumeirah

Ok so the Jumeirah Group may have the world’s only 7 Star hotel but they’ve also now launched an awesome 3-star experience with Zabeel House MINI by Jumeirah (the first of a new and very exciting collection!). Described as ‘Maximum Attitude, Minimum Frills’, this property is all about stripping back the non-essentials so as to keep costs low (rooms available from AED 350 per night!) but still offer smart service, inspiring design and loads more (think cool courtyard, rooftop plunge pool and lots of very instagrammable interiors features that pay tribute to our awesome desert city too). Whether you’ve got guests jetting into town or you’re looking for a mini staycay with a difference – Zabeel House is IT!

www.zabeelhouse.com

New routes and holiday packages from Dubai

Keen to explore the globe with your little gang? Flydubai have announced new routes to add to your wanderlust list – from the beautiful Polish city of Krakow to the olive groves, hiking trails and beaches of Tivat, Montenegro plus Dubrovnik, Catania, Thessaloniki, Aqaba and two new Georgian routes too, we’re already planning our next trip! Oh and it doesn’t stop there, as this brilliant low cost airline now offers holiday packages in addition to all those fab fares and exciting routes so you can book hotels and all sorts of add-ons too. Hooray!

www.flydubai.com

Kids stay, play and eat for free in the Maldives

Always thought that the Maldives are better suited to couples only holidays? Think again, mamas! Those white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and relaxed vibe make for the perfect family holiday – and The Sun Siyam Resorts are the ideal destination.  Oh and not only can children up to the age of 14 years old play and eat for free but up to two kids can also stay for free in a room shared with their parents so this holiday really doesn’t need to break the bank (phew!). Go for the Olhuveli Beach & Spa, just a 45 minute scenic speedboat ride from Male and you can grab a three night stay including breakfast from $600 nett for two adults and two children in a Deluxe Room. We’re packing our bags already.

Read more: Magical Maldives. Kids Stay (& Play, Eat, Adventure) For Free At Kanuhura

Need another reason to visit Bali? We’ve got one right here!

Bali has long been one of our absolute favourite family destinations so the reopening of The Seminyak Beach Resort & Spa is just another (brilliant) excuse to go back! Located on a gorgeous stretch of Seminyak’s prized beach you can expect everything from stunning ocean views to instagram perfect sunsets and accommodation in one and two bedroom villas (perfect for families) plus suites and rooms (some of which can be joined). Top it all off with delicious dining options, lush gardens, an infinity pool overlooking the sea and the highly acclaimed Kahyangan Spa and you’ve got yourself a winning combo for the perfect family base from which to explore this magical island.

Book now to get the resort’s exclusive relaunch offer: with the Beachfront Oasis promotion, guests pay for three nights and enjoy the fourth night for free. The promotion is valid in all rooms, suites and villas and includes daily breakfast.

www.theseminyak.com

Read more: 3 Family Friendly Places To Stay In Bali

A summer of Marvel super heroes at Disneyland Paris

Got mini super hero fans at home, mama? Well then make their dreams come true and take a trip to Disneyland Paris this summer for The Marvel Summer of Super Heroes (running from 10 June to 30 September) where all the greats from Spider-Man to Black Panther, Iron Man, Thor, Black Widow and the Guardians of the Galaxy will be doing their heroic stuff through multiple shows and experiences that promise to be EPIC! Capes at the ready.

www.disneylandparis.com

Read more: How To Visit Walt Disney World In Florida

Something to help banish that ‘just off a plane’ look

Want to be one of those women who step off an overnight flight looking gorgeous, mama?! The answer is lashes – and we’re not talking slathering on a tonne of mascara but rather perking up your peepers with a false set by Pinky Goat whose ‘GLAM ON BOARD’ lashes are now available on board Etihad, Airways flights, as well on Saudia, Jazeera airlines, Fly Dubai and Oman Air. Perfect.

Is it a suitcase? Is it a scooter? Actually mamas, it’s both!

Getting the kids to carry their own stuff through the airport? Not an easy task, mamas, which is why this genius new kiddie suitcase by Zincflyte is top of our wishlist right now. A bag which doubles as a scooter (honestly), we guarantee your little ones will be happy taking control of their own luggage so that you can focus on all the other billion things that come with traveling with kids!

 www.zincflyte.com

Read more: 5 Travel Products To Make Road-trips/Vacations With Kids That Much Easier

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