Armchair travel - 5 ways you can travel during lockdown "It’s important to remember that travel is also a state of mind, and that you don’t necessarily have to go far away to feel far away. And no matter what you do right now, don’t forget to dream about that next big trip, because the […]
Looking for the best things to do in Seville , Spain ? Read on... “The air soft as that of Seville in April, and so fragrant that it was delicious to breathe it.” Christopher Columbus - Journal of First Voyage to America (ed. 1924) Seville or Sevilla (pronounced Sehveeya) as the locals call it, is […]
Want to know what the best things to do in Porto are? Read on... The most beautiful bookshop in the world… The most beautiful McDonalds in the world… One of the most beautiful railway stations in the world… One of the most beautiful coffee shops in the world… One of the most beautiful streets in […]
Lisbon was not on our initial Spain and Portugal itinerary, however since it was en route from Seville to Porto, from where we would fly out to Dubai, we decided to include it. And I’m glad we did. Although I wouldn't advise seeing Lisbon in one day only, if that's all you have, then read […]
“If there were a beauty contest lining up all the towns and cities of Spain, Granada would surely be declared the fairest of them all – it’s a heart-stealer.” The Cities Book - Lonely Planet Named after the ambrosial pomegranate, Granada is an enchanting city with a fascinating history. Located in Spain’s Andalusia region, it […]
In keeping with the Africa theme on this blog, here are 9 Books about Africa that you must read, As a child I was a voracious bookworm. I frequented libraries and bookshops and devoured mysteries and fantasies, at every opportunity I got. Then came a few years where books took a backseat as other priorities came […]
Often described as a ‘Vertical City’ and ‘A Living Wonder’, the Burj Khalifa has held the title of the tallest building in the world since 2010. Rising gracefully from the desert, it is 828 metres high, more than twice the height of the Empire State Building. We visited At The Top Burj Khalifa . At […]
Madrid, is often seen only as a gateway to other parts of the country. We found it to be a beautiful city in its own right. Located in the heart of the country, it is full of architectural wonders like grand palaces, magnificent monuments, tree-lined boulevards, charming fountains and unique green spaces. A family-friendly city, […]
Spain had been on my bucket list for a long while, but planning a trip to Spain and Portugal was not easy - because as usual, we tried to do too much in a short space of time. We decided to add Portugal to our itinerary because it was a country we wanted to visit […]
“Barcelona is a very old city in which you can feel the weight of history; it is haunted by history. You cannot walk around it without perceiving it.” Carlos Ruiz Zafon Before I go any further, let me emphasise that I do not recommend going to Barcelona for only one day. Rather I would suggest […]
2019 turned out to be a good year in travel for me, despite a slow start. I visited eight countries, three of them for the first time - bringing my total country count to 47. As the year ends, I am relaxing at home, recovering from one of the most hectic trips I’ve ever been […]
South Africans can now apply for a passport online , and renew their expired passports online too. Here is my detailed guide on how to do an online passport application. For updates on the How to apply for a passport online process, be sure to enter your email address here. Don't forget to click on […]
Looking for things to do in Mauritius ? Read on... “Welcome to Paradise” said the Captain as the plane touched down in Mauritius. One did not have to look far to discover the motivation for such a bold claim. Surrounded by the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is synonymous with postcard-like turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, palm […]
As the sun began its descent towards the horizon, we drifted lazily along the river, surrounded by ancient mountains and bushveld-covered valleys. Skittish waterbuck scrambled behind the trees as we approached, and a trio of hippos ahead of us bobbed up and down over the water surface. Above, a fish eagle surveyed us from its […]
Looking for things to do in Cape Town ? Read on... Cape Town, also known as South Africa’s Mother City, is consistently listed amongst the best cities in the world. It is endowed with abundant natural beauty, many opportunities for adventure, world-class shopping and food, and captivating history. I often get asked about things to […]
“You cannot leave Africa,” Africa said. “It is always with you, there inside your head. Our rivers run in currents, in the swirl of your thumbprints; Our drumbeats, counting out your pulse, Our coastline, the silhouette of your soul.” Bridget Dore The best African destinations are rich with fascinating experiences. Experiences that are made even […]
The Garden Route is one of South Africa’s most picturesque areas. It makes an amazing road trip and holiday destination– for the whole family. Sandwiched between the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma Mountains on the one side, and the Indian Ocean on the other, the route snakes along a narrow coastal road between Mossel Bay in the […]
These days, booking a trip yourself has become infinitely easier with the Internet. However, people often say that they prefer to use travel agents because they are afraid to plan a trip themselves – afraid of doing something wrong, afraid of booking the wrong flights, afraid of booking accommodation in the wrong area etc. It […]
9 days, 4 countries, and umpteen experiences - many outside my comfort zone. I was enchanted by the Victoria Falls , canoed in hippo and crocodile infested waters, rode a horse in a game reserve and was almost attacked by a massive baboon. Africa is wild .. and wonderful. What started off as a simple trip […]
I started the “Travellers’ Tales” section in 2016 and I have now published over 120 interviews. Over hundred travelers from around the world have shared their fascinating travels on my blog thus far. Find the links to their interviews below. Are you looking for travel inspiration? Do you enjoy reading Travellers' Tales ? Travellers from around the world talk […]
Looking for things to do in Johannesburg ? Read on... Johannesburg – South Africa’s biggest city and commercial epicentre. Also known as Jozi, Joburg, or Egoli (City of Gold in Zulu), it began as a gold-mining settlement in the 19th century. There is more to this cosmopolitan city than shopping. If you are visiting Johannesburg, […]
South Africa is a beautiful country with so much to see and so many places to explore. Here are 30 Photos of South Africa that will fuel your wanderlust Get lost in nature… 1. Go hiking in the Garden Route 2. Or cool off on the river banks in Drakensberg... 3. Admire the spectacular Blyde River Canyon […]
Dubai is one of the most visited cities on earth, famous for its man-made islands, huge skyscrapers and shopping malls. According to the latest Euromonitor rankings, more tourists now go to Dubai than Paris, New York or Tokyo. There are so many things to do in Dubai . It is a constantly expanding destination. New […]
My earliest travel memory, apart from a safari in Kruger National Park, was when I was seven years old. I travelled with my family from South Africa to India, on my first international trip. That trip instilled a love of travel within me, which has never left me. I am a self-confessed travel addict. Are […]
"Mpumalanga" is one of South Africa's most beautiful provinces, with magnificent natural beauty and prolific wildlife. It is also home to South Africa's largest game reserve, the Kruger National Park which covers almost two million hectares and the Blyde River Canyon, which is the third largest canyon on Earth. Here are 22 photos of Mpumalanga that will […]
It began as a small sanctuary to just 11 elephants in 1931. Today, Addo Elephant National Park has grown into the third-largest national park in South Africa, home to over 600 roaming elephants. But it’s not only elephants who reside here. Cape buffalo, wild antelope, and the extremely rare black rhino are also protected on […]
One of my most memorable experiences from my first visit to Dubai, back in 2006, was a dinner cruise. When I returned to Dubai recently, with my family, I wanted my children to experience a Dubai dinner cruise too. Dinner cruises are a popular means of entertainment for locals and tourists in Dubai, and with […]
“I love books. I love that moment when you open one and sink into it, you can escape from the world, into a story that's way more interesting than yours will ever be.” ― Elisabet Scott I've written a post about books to read on Africa, so I decided to compile a list of books on […]
When it comes to family-friendly destinations, Dubai is one of the best cities in the world for a vacation. There are tons of things to do with kids there, and its ideal location on the globe makes it an easy, direct flight from most places. Al-Habtoor City is a huge development in this oasis, just […]
This guide applies to South African passport holders. I've said this before and I'm saying it again- you must really want to visit a Schengen country in order to go through the Schengen visa application process. Apart from UK and USA visas which are equally onerous, I don't know of any other visa which is […]
