29 January 2018

Living in the UAE gives you some options for a few road trips from Dubai. Over the Christmas Holidays we decided to explore the road to Muscat. We have done it once before, but this time we entered Oman via the Mazyad border at Al Ain. Our son is use to road trips, so this was nothing new for him. I visited Muscat 4 years ago, and this time around it struck me as a more vibrant, mature city at the foot of the Hajar Mountains. Many hilly streets wind to undiscovered treasures... one of them - Kargeen. Loved the restaurant setting under the trees and the meze we had was just as good. It felt like what Muscat could have been 40 years ago... The Old souk with beautiful gifts (very different from Dubai) left me wanting to come back for some retail therapy. The harbor and corniche area in Old Muscat is simply beautiful. From Muscat, we drove back to Dubai; with a stop at the Anantara Jabal Akhdar for lunch... wow, what a view. It took some time, effort and a 4x4 to get up the mountain, but the blue skies and fresh winter air was worth it. Cannot wait to return to Oman and explore what else it has to offer

24 September 2017

“Welcome to New York, welcome to New York…” I prepared myself hearing the Taylor Swift song over and over.. from watching the movie Secret Life of Pets… It was a good intro to prepare my son to visit the city of cities! New York was the last stop on road trip of the USA East Coast (see my other blog), and rightfully deserves it own blog. And WOW! What an ending to an amazing country with so much diversity; all of it more evident in NYC as the cultural melting pot. We stayed the first 2 nights next to the Brooklyn Bridge. The perfect base to explore Dumbo, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Jane’s Carousel, urban farms, multiple cafes and restaurants, walking the Brooklyn Bridge, riding the ferry to Williamsburg and unlimited photo opportunities. We found a small local Italian restaurant, Fragole, in Carroll Gardens and loved it so much, we had dinner there twice. The Manhattan skyline never disappoints, and especially from Brooklyn at sunset it is even more beautiful. In Manhattan we stayed close to Central Park.. what a difference a river makes. You can see the heartbeat of the city is here; although we loved our stay in Brooklyn, Manhattan was much busier as so much to do and see. Walking into Central Park to meet friends for lunch was a surreal feeling; I have always dreamed about walking in the park you see in so many movies. I enjoyed multiple vistas to and from Central Park over the next 4 days. To confess, I don’t like planning my own trips down to the minute, as I enjoy spontaneity and seeing what the day and turning corners has to offer. But in hindsight I wish I had planned Manhattan slightly better to see and do more as it can be overwhelming once you have arrived and left with all the choices. We already did and see so much (walking an average of 12km a day).. and with more time, it would be possible... but I can now tick off riding the subway, Grand Central Station, Top of the Rock, Central Park Boat House, Chelsea Market, The High Line, The Burger Joint, Liberty Island, 9/11 Memorial, the solar eclipse viewed from Battery Park, Times Square, eating a cannoli in Little Italy and lots more. I would definitely recommend the Big Bus Tour on Day 1 to orientate yourself and get tips from guides on how to make the most of the following days. Also to get a New York City pass; it does save a lot of money should you be interested in the included sights. New York has and endless amount of hotels in all good locations, for families and couples, so it is finding what your objective is while spending time in the city. I would be happy to help you narrow down the choices.

26 July 2016

All the adjectives in the dictionary cannot describe this beautiful island country of Maldives. Perfectly positioned in the Indian Ocean, it is one of those places you can tick of your bucket list. Return travelers, honeymooners, families and those seeking a tranquil retreat are never disappointed. Turquoise waters, palm fringed beaches and fresh air is all you need to unwind. During my visit, I stayed at the newly opened Amari Havodda and visited a neighboring resort as well. The Amari has a prime position in the unspoiled Gaafu Atoll south of Male. We stayed in both a beach and water villa to experience best of both worlds. To snorkel from the steps of a water villa was an amazing experience. The attentive staff and service standards along with the Maldivian bathroom was some of the highlights for me. It is very important to choose the right resort. With now more than 100 to choose from and another few opening this year, you can get easily confused by all the choices. I would highly recommend to visit the Maldives as this is a once in a lifetime experience.

26 July 2016

Sri Lanka offers an experience to any traveler... It is a country that has risen from its past and now enjoying the fruits of tourism. The hospitality once experience is the heart and soul of this beautiful country. Further, it offers city escapes to Colombo, wildlife in their natural habitat, rolling Hill Country, green tea plantations, palm lined beaches, retreats, cultural and culinary tours. Easily reachable from the Middle East, it can be a quick escape or opportunity to explore with a lengthy tour and discover all the fascinating aspects. During our 6 night tour, we literally whisked through all of it. I climbed Sigiriya, sipped on freshly brewed tea, tasted Sri Lankan cuisine, spotted a Cheetah in Yala, learned about the mining of gemstones, experienced the windy roads, seen the beautiful hills and tasted the sea salt in the air! It left me wanting to experience more of this country, and I would definitely go back. Get in touch if want first hand information of my experience in the Pearl of the Indian Ocean!

05 July 2015

Thailand is one of the most versatile countries in my opinion. Not only is it my favourite country in the whole wide world, I also consider it to be the most welcoming country. It offers hotels that caters for couples, families and solo travellers. It offers beaches and inland cultures. It has a cuisine for every palate - yes, Thai food is highly rated, but you can also get western cuisine easily everywhere. It offers rain and sunshine. There is an abundance of lush vegetation. And the most important, it features welcoming citizens. Thailand is not known as the "land of smiles" for nothing. As soon as you arrive, you even get a friendly greeting at passport control. Having spent a significant amount of time on the island of Phuket, I consider myself to be familiar of what it has to offer to couples, families and solo travellers. While some prefer the craziness of Patong, the tranquil family resorts offer rest and relaxation. Pre-children, we loved to explore the island on the motorbikes (be careful – with no bike licence your travel insurance will not cover you). I still need to visit as a young family, and know Thailand will be accommodating in terms of what it has to offer. A must-do on my list when visiting Thailand is to experience a typical Thai massage, learn how to make Phanaeng curry and to say Sawasdee Ka. If you are in Phuket, the limestone islands of Phang Nga bay has left an impression for years to come, and so has Surin Beach.

30 August 2015

I learned that I will visit Myanmar through an email late one night - on a joint educational trip with the Thailand Authority of Thailand. I immediately decided I couldn’t let this opportunity slip through my hands. Tourist numbers have only increased dramatically since 2010. Once you visit, you can see how this country has changed in such a short period. A longing to play on the international tourist arrival stage with Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand. Myanmar has a lot of potential, as areas are still truly untapped for tourism. But with time, this destination for adventurous travellers might welcome a broader spectrum of tourists. We visited Mandalay – the religious capital, Bagan – the old capital with its enchanting Pagodas and Nay Pyi Taw – the new capital with the house of Parliament. Mandalay is easily accessible from Chiang Mai, Thailand. We stayed for one night and visited all the temples which are important for the Burmese. A short drive from Mandalay is Amanpura with Mahargandaryone Monastery. A high number of tourists visit the procession where monks line up to receive their lunch around 10/11am. I felt calmness being amongst these monks. From here, it is walking distance to the U Bein Bridge – it is said to be the world’s oldest and longest teak bridge. Bagan was mystical. I envisioned the famous Pagoda tips as a cultural protected sight. Once you are among these Pagodas you realize the locals live their lives among these Pagodas – selling souvenirs to make a living. The main roads are tarred, but between the temples and Pagodas are dust streets, adding to an “old world”. We visited the colorful market where fresh produce are sold. Our last destination was the new capital Nay Pyi Taw. Such a contrast to the rest of the country. New hotels sprung up in the last few years, as well as a 20 lane highway. Big hotel chains are also resident in the capital that is focused to attract incentives and big groups. I managed to see one of the few white elephants (albino elephants) that is considered sacred in Buddhism. Myanmar is ideal for adventurous travellers that like to explore off the beaten path – an array of amazing itineraries to experience the cultures and landscapes. I would include Yangon, Inle Lake and Ngapali on my next visit.

14 September 2014

You would think being African at heart that another country will not touch your soul. Wrong! This country in East Africa has everything going for it. Friendly citizens, amazing climate, beautiful scenery and off course wildlife. I had the privilege to visit various parts of Kenya on an educational trip. From Samburu, Meeru, Shaba, Lewa, Laikipia, Matthews Mountains, Masai Mara, Amboseli all the way to Ukunda at the coast. I stayed at the most amazing safari camps and experienced the trip of a life time. Tented safari camps are very much a barefoot luxury experience. Nature plays the most important part of a safari camp’s longevity, and it is important not to disturb the eco system, but live in cohesion with it. The camps invite you to take part in their green movements to preserve it for future generations to come. Also, you don’t aspire to modern day amenities as nature is your entertainment. A lot of the camps are equipped with wi-fi though for travellers that needs to be connected for business purposes. Kenya is well positioned to make it very accessible from the Middle East and Europe. There is daily scheduled flights out of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, connecting it to the rest of the world. Some camps close during the green season/long rains (April and May), but this is also a good time to take advantage of the special offers. Kenya is known as a safari destinations, but can also be paired with Mauritius and Seychelles afterwards for a relaxing beach break before returning to the Middle East. Ticked of “My Bucket List”: Seeing the elephants of Amboseli with Kilimanjaro in the background. A walking safari among wild animals. Experiencing the adventures of Joy Adamson, renowned conservationist, and author of “Born Free”, at Joy’s Camp. Top tip when travelling to Kenya. Go with an open mind, an empty camera and a supply of mosquito repellent. You will return with the most amazing memories, photographs and African soil on your shoes.

06 August 2014

La Dolce Vita… This cliched Italian phrase summarise my most recent destination, Italy. Life is indeed sweet in Italy, in the literal and figurative sense. This holiday was different though… It was our first family holiday with my 1 year old son, and we decided to go on a road trip with friends… so the 4 of us with 2 toddlers visiting 4 areas/cities in 10 days was ambitious, and proved to be successful in the end. A few challenges arose, but we dealt with it. Italy is very accessible from Dubai. Emirates operates to Venice, Milan and Rome. We flew into Milan, took a train to Florence and spend 3 night there. The beauty of Florence is breathtaking! in the next few days I managed to understand why this city mesmerises so many people. My favourite part was going for walks at 6am, when the streets are deserted, deliveries are taking place and the streets are cleaned. The crisp air along with the smell of fresh coffee was surely the way to start your day. I also loved the skyline at sunset… old chimneys lining the sky with antennas and satellite dishes in between church towers. We visited Portovenere in the hope to get a boat to Cinque Terre. Due to rough seas, no sailing was scheduled for the day. Another way to access these villages is by train from La Spezia, but having to get to Tuscany, Cinque Terre will have to wait for another trip. Tuscany is beautiful. We stayed close to San Gimignano in an agriturismo (farm stay). Farm houses, cypress trees and vineyards was all around. The medieval town of San Gimignano is my highlight of Tuscany. So much character, and the best black truffle tapenade I tasted. We ended our adventure in Rome. You can get lost among the alleys, and suddenly discover the Pantheon, like it happened. Tourists flood to piazzas and sights, and you see why it is one of the worlds’ most popular cities. It was indeed not built in a day, and you are in awe that so much history can be in one city. Best to take comfortable shoes as a lot of walking is involved to see the sights. A pleasant surprise was lunch at Ristorante Pizzeria Imperiale, being so close to the Roman Forum and Coliseum (and supposed to be tourist trap). We had the best spaghetti bolognaise and cannelloni here. It was a welcome oasis after walking in the sun, being hungry and thirsty and needed some shade. Ticked of “My Bucket List”: The Vatican along with the Sistine Chapel, walking the cobblestone alleys in Rome, and dine on authentic pizza and pasta. Top tips when travelling to Italy during the summer: Plan your tours. Get early in the queues, or even better, avoid the queues with a “Skip-the-line” ticket. It might be slightly more pricey, but so worth it. The Italian sun is not forgiving. Italy is ideal for family holidays, romantic getaways or historical visits. The country with the most UNESCO heritage sites in the world surely won’t disappoint when you would like to explore more of history. Easy to incorporate neighbouring countries of France and Switzerland into the itinerary. Ciao!

03 August 2014

Cambodia was the first country I have visited in South East Asia in August 2010, and it was love at first sight. As soon as I stepped of Bangkok Air at the tiny Siem Reap Airport, I could feel calmness. Traditionally the monsoon season, we did experience some downpours and high humidity, but also lots of sunshine. A country once associated with death and darkness from the Khmer Rouge regime, are now finding its light and serenity in tourists flocking to see its ancient wonders. Our hotel, FCC Angkor Boutique Hotel, was ideally located in the Old French Quarter. Remorks (another form of a Tuk Tuk) are easily available as a more cost effective form of transport. It is a long, but beautiful ride on a remork to visit Angkor Wat. We left around 6am to be in time to miss the crowds “spoiling” our pictures of this majestic temple. We got caught in the school run; parents taking kids to school on motorcycles (a national form of transport). Driving into the Angkor Archaeological Park through the tree lined lane was magical. Ticked of “My Bucket List”: Visit Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Siem Reap and the temples is an ideal add-on to visiting the beaches of Thailand or Vietnam. We spent 3 nights in Siem Reap before moving onto Phuket and Chiang Mai, Thailand. If this sounds like your idea of a holiday, get in touch!