08 October 2013

Dazzling Dubai I got to experience 5 days in Dubai, compliments of Emirates Airlines, JW Marriott Hotels and Travel Counsellors in-house tour operator, Phenix. Emirates Airlines got us there in time and in style. They offer 5 flights daily to and from Dubai, including direct flights from Cape Town and Dubai. Their in-flight entertainment system has been voted best in the world, for 9 years running. Needless to say, the flight was too short to experience ICE, as it is called, in all its brilliance. The Dubai Airport is an experience by itself, being the 4th busiest airport in the world, in terms of international passengers and offer amongst others, duty-free shopping that is beyond comparison. Be sure to allow for enough time before your flight departs back to South Africa, to experience this amazing airport. Whether you are a shopaholic, a sun-sand-water-sports adrenaline junkie, a culture vulture, an ecological or architectural tourist, a connoisseur of fine foods, or perhaps a combination of all of these – dazzling Dubai is the place for you. Must do’s - Shop till you drop at high end malls (e.g. Dubai Mall / Mall of the Emirates / Ibn Battuta Mall), soaks, Dragon Mart (Dubai’s China Town) and bargaining for genuine fakes at Karama. - Take a piece of Dubai home with you : Carpets / Dates and camel milk chocolates / Fabrics and Pashmina Shawls / Gold and pearls / Scents and other souvenirs e.g. Bedouin jewellery, miniature dhows and the “Seven Sands of the UAE” a glass frame or bottle containing the seven sands of the different Emirates. - Munch your way around world, from refined cuisine to lip-smacking snacks from street vendors. On Fridays, the famous Dubai Brunch is on offer at most hotels, eat and drink as much as you can. - Water fun: With soaring temperatures, the myriad of waterparks are very popular and offer some of the best rides in the world. Don’t miss out on Aquaventure, the biggest waterpark in the Middle East or Wild Wadi. - Fun in the dunes: Enjoy a roller coaster ride over the dunes, followed by a camel ride and dine under the stars, seated in a Bedouin style camp, entertained by belly dancers - Ski Dubai: Indoor skiing at Dubai Mall, on 5 runs of varying difficulty levels and Snow Park presents fun-filled moments for the whole family. - Enter the Guinness Book of Records: Undertake the ‘At the Top” journey that takes you to level 124 of Burj Khalifa, towering above the city at 828m, the tallest building in the world. - Stay at the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai Hotel, the world's tallest hotel, a 72-storey, 355 m twin-tower skyscraper complex, budget allowing. - Try out the Dubai Metro: Launched in 2009, it is the world’s longest driverless automated system and covers the length and breadth of the city. Otherwise the easiest way to travel from Old to New Dubai is in one of the 7000 government regulated taxis, which is cheap and convenient. Look out for the ladies only versions: with a pink roof and interior. - Ladies nights: Most bars and pubs have ladies nights on Tuesdays / Wednesdays, offering discounted prices on drinks. Don’t you think your purse deserve a break? - Be sure to visit Barasti, one of Dubai’s most iconic bars, located at Jumeirah Beach. - Spend a relaxed evening on-board a traditionally decorated wooden dhow as it sails along the Dubai Creek under the moonlight. The Tour includes dinner and soft drinks. - Take a stroll through one of the many beautiful parks in Dubai, e.g. Al Safa Park. You will forget that you are in the middle of the desert. - For a bit of culture, visit the Dubai Museum, it is located inside the majestic Al Fahidi Fort which was built in 1787. It exhibits spectacular life size dioramas that depict life in the emirate before the discovery of oil. When you book a hop on hop off Dubai tour, it has inclusions like entrance to Dubai Museum and a Dhow River Cruise – recommended. How does the saying go: so much to do, so little time! Go and experience Dazzling Dubai for yourself, either as a stopover en-route to your final destination or make Dubai your final stop and be dazzled!

31 May 2012

I was privileged to exchange the cold South African winter for a few days in Mauritius with its all-year-round mild climate, to attend the annual Travel Counsellors Conference, from 17 – 20 May 2012. We stayed at the Shandrani Resort and Spa, a 5 Star Beachcomber property. The Hotel, only 10 minute’s drive from the airport, has a prime location on the east coast and is ideal for conferences and incentive groups. Internet connection is free of charge in the bedrooms and there are also Wifi-hotspots around the main restaurant. The standard of dining is superb and guests have the choice of dining in five different restaurants offering a wide variety of menu’s. The all-inclusive Serenity package includes all meals, drinks, most sport activities, recreation and entertainment. It was my first exposure to the all-inclusive concept and I am undoubtedly fully converted. Mauritius imports most of its food and beverages, resulting in high consumer prices. It is therefore a sensible choice, which is definitely to be recommended to clients, to take an all-inclusive package which will ensure total peace of mind about additional costs for drinks and meals excluded from the normal halfboard package price. To be able to order French champagne by the glass, or a pina colada or pizza for lunch, without any concerns about the cost, is an absolute bonus. The Shandrani is set in lush tropical grounds, bordered by three separate beaches, each with its own ambience and character, creating an atmosphere of peaceful seclusion. The accommodation is superb and offers a range of suites, family apartments and standard rooms. The deluxe rooms will be undergoing a “soft refurbishment” during the course of the year, to maintain the high standard of luxury and comfort for which the hotel is renowned. A wide range of activities is available for guests of all ages, including sports and nature programmes, sailing lessons, La Source spa by Clarins, a childrens’ mini-club and a 9-hole golf course. During our leisure time we were taken on a detailed site inspection of a second property. I was fortunate to be part of the group that visited the World Leisure property, Long Beach, which is celebrating its first birthday this year. Between the 80+ Travel Counsellors we really gained expert knowledge about various properties in Mauritius, which we are able to share amongst one another, including actual photo’s of the properties and detailed information. The advantage of firsthand product knowledge is that it enables me to sell a destination with confidence and I really look forward to receiving your holiday requests for Mauritius. You can also read more about Long Beach on a different journal which I am busy posting on my website. I was once again totally infatuated by the charm of Mauritius and the value for money which it offers to visitors. You can also experience this magical paradise, within easy reach, a mere four hours flight from South Africa. Will it be the Shandrani, the” Playground of the Kings”, or one of the many other irrestible resorts, just waiting for you?