MIDDLE EAST FESTIVE BREAKS: Dreaming of a bright Christmas

Guaranteed winter sunshine and festive celebrations make the Middle East a popular destination over the Christmas holidays. But agents should advise clients to book soon to avoid disappointment, says Dave Richardson

The Middle East is a true hot spot over Christmas and New Year - not just because of the temperatures, but because many hotels lay on traditional festive programmes.

Customers who fancy roast turkey with all the trimmings in 30-degree heat need to book soon, as it's peak season in many destinations. Dubai is the big draw, both for tourists from many cold countries, and for ex- pats living in the region.

Beach hotels in Dubai are usually sold out months in advance for the festive season, but this year availability will be eased by the opening of the Atlantis resort. It will be the first resort on The Palm, Jumeirah - Dubai's first man-made island - and is due to open in September.

Gold Medal marketing executive Maryanne Thompson says: "There is a considerable difference in price between Christmas and New Year in Dubai. While travel up to December 25 has no restrictions, many hotels enforce a minimum stay of seven nights for holidays into the New Year period, in addition to the compulsory gala dinner supplement. "Christmas is a popular time for family holidays, and with the opening of Atlantis, Dubai is set to become much more available to this market."

Gold Medal is selling three nights' bed and breakfast at Atlantis over Christmas from £1,069, with British Airways flights. A seven-night break over New Year costs from £2,689.

Lack of availability in Dubai often boosts other parts of the United Arab Emirates, especially Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman.

DUBAI

In addition to the traditional festive programmes at many hotels, Dubai offers many USPs, including real snow at the indoor Ski Dubai attraction, and the world's largest shopping mall, which opens this month.

A "Christmas Camp" will operate at Ski Dubai for beginners, and ice skating is also available downtown at the Galleria in Deira.

Hotels with Christmas programmes include Le Meridien, with carols every night, and Al Bustan Rotana, with a gingerbread house.

The new Dubai Mall will join existing malls with festive entertainment. Wafi City Mall will have elves, polar bears and penguins around a gingerbread house and igloo.

Operators say there will be better availability for families this season, but they must still book early.

Elite Holidays managing director Peter Jackson says: "There has been some availability even at Jumeirah Beach, which is usually sold out. As there are multiple flights every day to Dubai, we can usually pick up seats if clients are flexible."

At the top of the range is Jumeirah International's Burj Al Arab, where a 10-night stay with breakfast and gala dinner costs a cool $38,000.

Premier Holidays says apartments - a good choice for families - are available over the period.

ABU DHABI

Larger and more diverse than Dubai, Abu Dhabi generally has better availability. The festive period is no busier than other peak holiday times such as Easter and half terms, with most hotels having space.

The Beach Rotana Hotel & Towers has a comprehensive series of festive events, including a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, Santa's grotto and Christmas lunch.

The emirate has ambitious expansion plans, including a new cultural quarter and development of offshore Saadiyat Island, but for now festive visitors can try desert safaris and island hopping as well as the beach.

BAHRAIN

A relative newcomer to international tourism, the independent Gulf country of Bahrain is also in on the act at Christmas. It has a small but active Christian population that celebrates Christmas, and hotels, restaurants and clubs offer festivities. The Ritz Carlton, Banyan Tree Desert Spa, Movenpick, Mercure and Novotel all have festive offers.

Featured by operators including Gold Medal, Sunset Faraway and Carrier, Bahrain has a formula one international circuit where visitors can test their own driving ability.

OMAN

Much larger but less developed than the main Gulf tourist destinations, Oman has great scenic and cultural appeal with extended desert safaris and coastal ecotourism.

Most hotels around the capital, Muscat, have festive programmes. Al Bustan Palace, a long-established luxury hotel, is set to reopen after refurbishment in November.

Elite's Peter Jackson says: "Oman has availability for Christmas, but Al Bustan has been put on stop-sale and I am not sure if it will be open in time."

JORDAN

Despite a population that is 93% Muslim, Jordan is surprisingly festive in the Christmas period with carol concerts, Christmas trees in all the major hotels and some shopping areas, and festive programmes at major hotels in Amman, Aqaba and the Dead Sea.

Operators including Cox & Kings and Explore! have tours of Jordan over this period, when the climate is perfect for desert walks.

The temperature is cooler and you can avoid the crowds at the ancient city of Petra by travelling then. Royal Jordanian has good availability for departures before Christmas, returning before and after New Year.

ISRAEL

Where better to experience the true meaning of Christmas than the Holy Land? Although this is a busy period in Jerusalem, other centres have good availability and more flights operate now that BMI and Thomsonfly have joined El Al and BA on the Tel Aviv route.

Bethlehem is under Palestinian control but, according to the Israel Government Tourist Office, it is easy to cross the open border. Pilgrims also visit Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee.

Israel specialist Longwood Holidays can combine the holy sites with a stay in the Red Sea resort of Eilat. Its charter from Stansted to Eilat runs weekly from October to May, with an extra flight on December 23.

Marketing manager Tara Bradberry says: "For those interested in visiting Jerusalem, Eilat is a viable alternative as day trips can be organised. This period is low season in Tel Aviv, and it's still comparatively warm."