Embracing the Unknown: Eid Travel Stories from UAE Residents

For many UAE residents, Eid has become a time not just for celebration, but for exploration. Increasingly, people are stepping out of their comfort zones and into unfamiliar territories—choosing to embrace the unknown and turn their Eid holidays into meaningful travel stories.

These journeys are about more than destinations. They’re about discovering new sides of the world and themselves.

• Leaving the Familiar for the Unexpected

Some residents describe their decision to travel during Eid as a way to break routine and create space for fresh perspectives. Whether it’s wandering through the rice terraces of Bali, riding tuk-tuks in Sri Lanka, or getting lost in the souks of Marrakech, stepping into unfamiliar surroundings helps them reconnect—with themselves and with the essence of Eid.

The unknown, they say, brings clarity.

• A Solo Adventure to Georgia

Mariam, a 32-year-old from Sharjah, chose to spend Eid Al Adha 2025 hiking through the hills of Kazbegi. It was her first solo trip. "I was nervous at first," she admits, "but by the second day, I felt completely at peace. I watched the Eid sunrise in silence. It felt sacred.”

Her story is one of many where travel becomes a spiritual companion to Eid’s deeper meaning.

• A Family’s First Safari in Kenya

For the Al Mazrouei family, Eid took them to the Maasai Mara. “We usually travel to Europe,” says Mr. Al Mazrouei, “but this year we wanted something different.” Witnessing wildlife up close and staying in eco-lodges not only thrilled the children but created moments of awe and gratitude that perfectly matched the spirit of the season.

Eid prayers under the African sky became a family memory they won’t forget.

• Rediscovering Faith in Bosnia

Omar, an Abu Dhabi-based banker, spent Eid in Sarajevo. “I wanted to experience Eid in a place with a deep Islamic history,” he explains. He joined locals for prayer in the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque and shared lamb meals in the Old Town. “It felt like home, but also new. That’s the beauty of Eid abroad.”

Stories like Omar’s are inspiring others to choose destinations that align with both adventure and faith.

• Taking a Leap Toward Simplicity

Many UAE residents are choosing travel that strips away luxury in favor of connection. Backpacking through Vietnam, staying in guesthouses in Albania, or road-tripping through Jordan—these simple experiences often bring the most joy.

Travelers say Eid feels more real when it’s spent engaging with local people and places, away from the distractions of everyday life.

• Letting the Journey Unfold Naturally

Unlike the rigid schedules of traditional vacations, Eid travel stories increasingly reflect spontaneity. Travelers are allowing themselves to wander, explore side streets, change plans, and follow their instincts. “We didn’t have an itinerary,” says Reem, who traveled to Portugal with friends. “We found a local Eid gathering by chance and were welcomed like family.”

For her, this unexpected connection became the highlight of the trip.

• A New Way to Celebrate

As more UAE residents share their stories, a theme emerges: Eid doesn’t have to be spent in one way. Whether it’s an adventure in nature, a cultural deep dive, or a spiritual retreat, Eid abroad can be both exciting and grounding.

Each story adds to a growing movement—a celebration of curiosity, courage, and the joy of stepping into something new.

While the comforts of home are never far from the heart, choosing to celebrate Eid in unfamiliar places is helping UAE travelers write unforgettable chapters in their lives—one journey at a time.