Pocketful of Dirhams: Staycations – what are the best Eid deals and are they Covid-19 safe?

As Ramadan draws to a close, many residents in the UAE would traditionally be scouring travel websites for the best offers on Eid breaks.

But with hotels in the UAE only just starting to open their doors to guests following the Covid-19 pandemic and global travel restrictions grounding flights across the globe, going away for a few days is not as straightforward as it once was.

Social distancing measures are still in place across the UAE and the rest of the world, which makes checking into a hotel more of a challenge for guests.

So what staycation deals are available? And in this era of saving – as residents try to protect their finances from the effects of Covid-19 – do you really want to spend money on a few days away if you are not going to get the same experience as before?

Host Alice Haine, the personal finance editor of The National, is joined by Ashleigh Stewart, The National's culture editor, who guides listeners through the staycation options ahead of the Eid break and the guidance around ensuring where you stay is safe.

Listen to last week's episode for tips on how to how to secure a new job during the Covid-19 pandemic