22 January 2024

In November, Mercia and I had to fly to Manchester for our annual Travel Counsellors conference. We flew with Emirates via Dubai and was treated to a 24-hour whirlwind stop in Dubai. UAE visas are easy to obtain and no admin at all. We arrived early morning and our city tour guide welcomed us with coffee. First on our list was the bustling Dubai Creek. Dubai’s traditional souks that specialise in gold, perfume and spices are situated in narrow lanes that can be explored on the search for bargains. The sounds of the souks and the smell of the spices feels like it is taking you away to another time. We then hopped on an “abra” (traditional ferry boat) to cross the creek to Bur Dubai. A very affordable, yet one of the most authentic experiences in the city. Our city tour took us through Dubai’s modern, vibrant metropolis. We visited the beautiful Jumeirah Mosque and the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world and a global icon. Naturally, we had to stop for the obligatory photo at the Burj Al Arab. We ventured to the famous Palm Jumeirah, where city beach lifestyle meets luxury. Along the way we caught endless glimpses of magnificent ocean views along the bustling Sheikh Zayed Road. Our guide took us to our hotel, the amazing Address Grand Creek Harbour Hotel to freshen up and lunch. We were not disappointed. The hotel is chic and elegant with stunning views of the creek and the city’s skyline. Our afternoon and evening were filled with so much laughter and fun on a dessert safari. The dune drive is so exciting and those drivers really know how to dune bash. We stopped to watch the sunset, on our way to our campsite. We were treated with camel rides, sand boarding, henna tattoo’s, a delicious barbeque dinner, shisha (the famous Arabic water pipe) and a fire show under starlight. By this time we were knackered and concluded our day with a night cap at the hotel. Dubai, a city that seamlessly blends tradition with modernity, offers an immersive experience even within the constraints of 24 hours. We will carry our memories of a day filled with architectural wonders, cultural richness and the allure of the Arabian dessert.

05 June 2012

Italy is one of those places, where you feel at home, at ease and peaceful. Where else in Europe can you find the blend of great art, delicious food and wine, and human warmth and welcome that awaits you in Italy? This Mediterranean country has made a profound contribution to Western civilisation, producing some of the world's greatest thinkers, writers, politicians, saints, and artists. Impressive traces of their lives and works can still be seen in Italy's great buildings and enchanting countryside. This time around, I decided to make Florence our base. From there, I explored Tuscany and Cinque Terre at my heart's content! Arezzo, Chianti, Pisa, Lucca, Siena, San Gimignano and Montepulchio only a busride away. Country roads wind around cypress trees on hilltops that often appear to catch and hold onto the clouds. Planted vineyards, fields, and orchards turn those curving hills into a patchwork of colours and textures that have inspired artists and delighted travellers for centuries. Sitting majestically in the midst of all this natural splendour is Siena, longtime rival of Florence and one of Italy's best-preserved medieval cities. Other hilltop towns will beckon you as well: San Gimignano, with its lofty towers; the ancient city of Volterra, once capital of a flourishing Etruscan state; and a myriad charming villages dotting the rolling hills of Chianti. Central Tuscany has an enticing landscape, one that invites you to follow its meandering roads to see where they might lead. Perhaps you'll come to a farmhouse selling splendid olive oil or one of the superb wines produced in the region; or perhaps you'll arrive at a medieval pieve (country church), an art-filled abbey, a castello (castle), or a restaurant where a flower-bedecked terrace looks out on a spectacular panorama. Whatever road you take, Siena, Italy's most enchanting medieval city, is the one stop that's mandatory. The perfectly preserved centro storico, with its medieval palaces, is a delight to walk around; vehicle traffic is banned. Once in the region, however, there are plenty of other places to explore: San Gimignano is known as the "medieval Manhattan" because of its enormous towers, built by rival families, that still stand today. Like Siena, it benefited from commerce and trade along the pilgrimage routes, as the wonderful art in its churches and museums attests. With additional time, consider venturing farther afield to Volterra, with a stop in Colle di Val d'Elsa along the way. After the wonderful time in Tuscany, I set off to Venice. Venice is called La Serenissima, "the most serene," a reference to the majesty, wisdom, and impressive power of this city that was for centuries the unrivaled leader in trade between Europe and the Orient, and a major center of European culture. Built entirely on water by a people who saw the sea as a defense and ally, Venice is unlike any other town. No matter how often you've seen it in photos and films, the real thing is more dreamlike than you could ever imagine. Italy, one of my favourite destinations, was once again a delight to my senses! Please contact me for more information, I have great tips to share!

05 June 2012

What a pleasant surprise Mauritius is! I have heard so many different stories: Mauritius being too commercial, too full of honeymooners, too expensive. On the contrary, I have only found wonderful scenery, hearty people, great food and exquisite resorts. I was lucky enough to spend 10 days on this beautiful island and made sure that I criss-crossed the whole island to see as many properties as I could, to make sure that I have firsthand knowledge. From the luxurious 5 Star properties to the bungalows on the beach, everything is a wonderful experience. Obviously Mauritius is known as the island of palm trees, white sand and clear waters, but it is the heart of the locals that caught my attention. So eager to please and to show and introduce you around. I have grown my list of Facebook friends, which delights me, because now I know what is happening in Mauritius! The resorts I have visited, caters for all your needs and I really appreciate what they do to keep children happy, active, nourished and busy, while mum and dad have a peaceful moment. Nothing is too much to ask. The well known tour operators are very professional and make sure that all the arrangements are spot on. It is wonderful to stay in the well kept resorts, but the secret of Mauritius lies in getting out and about. There are beautiful places and gems to be explored. The excursions that can be done in Mauritius are amazing. Snorkelling, swimming with dolphins, quad-biking and parasailing, to name a few. Mauritius is a wonderful destination, only 4 hours away from Johannesburg. Just make sure that you take the whole family with, everyone will have good time. You will not be disappointed!

15 January 2012

Dubai has become a very popular tourist destination. So when the opportunity arose, I was excited to eventually go and see for myself what makes Dubai such an interesting destination. For 4 days, I had the privilege to experience the Emirate of Dubai. Dubai constantly dwells in a suppressive competition with itself trying to magnetise tourists to a dreamy world of attractions and unheard of luxuries. I experienced this first hand. The idea that I got is that where ever we went, there was a constant urge to construct something bigger and better than the previous. From the Palm and World Islands, the Burj Al Arab, Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall and the amazing fun parks, it is indeed a city of superlatives: biggest, fastest, tallest and highest. Dubai still has some areas, where you can feel the Arab mystic, of decades gone by. Dubai creek, where you can get in an Abra (watertaxi) to cross the creek and get glimpses of beautiful views of the city, Bastakiya District, some of the Souks, Jumeirah Mosque and having dinner on an original dhow. For me it was a little artificial, but still I could not help liking it. If you want a cosmopolitan atmosphere, wonderful shopping, fascinating buildings, opulent hotels, mind boggling malls and some of the best restaurants in the world, you will just have to see Dubai. You will be amazed by all that Dubai has to offer!

15 January 2012

There is no better way than to experience Thailand other than with great friends. Especially friends that are laid back, explorers, fun, crazy and open to everything that a country has to offer. So yet again, we packed our bags and opted for Thai Airways that offers a direct flight service to Bangkok. This airline makes sure that all your needs are met, from the seats that offer more legroom to the very professional and attentive staff who made sure that we arrived fresh at every destination. Bangkok is one of those cities that never sleeps and so we never slept. As usual, we roamed the streets, day and night to smell, taste, feel and see all the wonders of the hospitable and extremely friendly Thai people. We could not get enough of the Singa beer, the incredible tasty noodles of the street vendors, the hours spent in the massage parlours, the rich legacy of the Thai culture and of course the insane shopping. The capital of Bangkok is an astonishing city of neon lights, soaring skyscrapers and crazy energy, intertwined with deep spirituality and century-old traditions. Here you’ll stumble across everything from enormous shopping malls to floating markets, to magnificent temples to chic hotels and clubs, to electrifying Thai boxing matches to Saffron-robed monks collecting their daily alms. Bangkok is unforgettable! After our three days in Bangkok, we wanted to relax, so we took a flight to Phuket and then the ferry to Phi Phi Island. Once a backpacker’s best kept secret, this island is one of the most pristine, tropical islands in the Andaman Sea. For 5 days, we enjoyed the beauty of swimming in luke warm water, soaking up the sun, strolling the picture perfect beaches, snorkelling around Phi Phi Leh and enjoying long evenings of fire shows on the beach. Taking a long tail boat around Phi Phi Don is a must. The classic butterfly shape of Phi Phi Don, with its two distinctive back-to-back bays is one of the world’s most spectacular destinations. Beautiful Thailand will definitely see me again!