With summer approaching fast, now is a good time to grab some early summer sunshine. Do you wish to take a break, plan a holiday and head out of the UAE? With travel season just around the corner, watch out for discounted airfares and affordable travel destinations. If you don’t want to spend too much, check out five affordable holiday destinations to prevent draining your finances.

Greece

Photo credit: Samot / Shutterstock.com

Photo credit: Samot / Shutterstock.com

Greece is a popular holiday destination among all age groups. Whether you’re interested in soaking up some warm sun on the beach or enjoying the vibrant nightlife, there’s something for everyone to do. The country’s rich history and architecture will give you a lot to explore from the ancient ruins such as Acropolis and Parthenon, whitewashed houses, museums to the traditional villages. The crystal clear waters and beautiful landscape of the Greek islands such as Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, Crete and Corfu make it worth a visit. On average, a package for four nights can cost AED 2,300 per person.

Jordan

Photo credit: JPRichard / Shutterstock.com

Photo credit: JPRichard / Shutterstock.com

Just three hours away from Dubai, Jordan is a great for a quick getaway. The country’s rich heritage will fascinate you with its ancient rocky city of Petra. The ruins of the Greco-Roman city of Jerash, the saline waters of the Dead Sea and the Red Sea port of Aqaba are some of the main attractions that you must visit.  The desert vistas of Wadi Rum attracts an increasing number of foreign tourists for activities such as rock climbing, trekking and hiking. The vibrant city of Amman is a hub of urban restaurants and art galleries. Head to the busy Rainbow Street in Downtown Amman for a range of rooftop restaurants and bars. A package for four nights can cost an average of AED 1,600 per person.

[Related: How you can use your card while traveling]

Cyprus

Photo credit: Marcin Krzyzak / Shutterstock.com

Photo credit: Marcin Krzyzak / Shutterstock.com

If your idea of a holiday involves the sun, sand and the sea, Cyprus is the place to visit. This island country makes a beautiful tourist destination just three hours away from UAE. The main towns of Larnaka, Lemesos and Pafos, each have a historic old town, promenade and popular beaches. Spend your holiday soaking some sun and relaxing on the beach. Apart from its vast coastline, Cyprus is also famous for its vine growing regions, villages, churches and monasteries. You can also take part in activities such as hiking and diving. A package for four nights can cost an average of AED 1,700 per person.

Istanbul

Photo credit: Seqoya / Shutterstock.com

Photo credit: Seqoya / Shutterstock.com

Istanbul has been a popular choice among UAE residents. The country has a rich Islamic heritage and culture along with the relatively low cost of travel compared to other countries. There are plenty of tourist attractions to visit and are mainly located in or near Sultanahmet district. These include the Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia. A tour around the city and cruise along the river Bosporus is also recommended. Don’t miss the authentic Turkish delights such as kebabs and Turkish tea and coffee. A package for four nights can cost an average of  AED 1,800 per person.

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Georgia

Photo credit: Creative Travel Projects / Shutterstock.com

Photo credit: Creative Travel Projects / Shutterstock.com

Recently Georgia has gained popularity as a tourist destination among UAE residents. The green valleys, snow capped mountains, cooler climate, vineyards, churches and the historical landmarks make this lesser known country a popular choice. The capital city of Tbilisi is the most visited by tourists, offering plenty of attractions and natural beauty. Along with sight seeing, you can also take part in activities such as paragliding, skiing, hiking, trekking, and biking. A package for four nights can cost an average of  AED 2,000 per person.

How do you plan to fund your trip?

Don’t want to miss out on travel deals? If you’re a last minute planner and are looking for another way to fund your trip, taking out a personal could be an option. For example, with the CBI personal loan you can get finance amounts up to AED 1,000,000. Along with the loan also receive a travel voucher equal to 1% of your loan amount. Which means you can get up to AED 2,500 back on your loan in the form of a travel voucher. Below are other eligibility requirements to keep in mind:

  • You will be eligible to receive the travel voucher if you apply for a minimum loan of AED 100,000 and a Platinum Credit Card.
  • If you apply only for a Personal Loan, you will be eligible for travel voucher equal to 0.5% of loan amount.

Find out all benefits and features of the CBI Personal Loan and apply online

Keep in mind a CBI Personal Loan is offered to those whose company is listed with the bank and who transfer their salary to CBI. The maximum value of the travel voucher will be AED 2,500. This promotion will end on 15 May 2016.