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 it too. Dinner cruises are a popular means of entertainment for locals and tourists in Dubai, and with good reason: you […]
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. Portugal’s historic capital city is a charming, multicultural, vibrant city that is definitely worth a visit. Lisbon […]
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… … and that’s not the only record it holds. […]
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 […]
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 the world… Porto’s list of accolades reads like the Curriculum Vitae of a well-heeled […]
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 […]
“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 synonymous with orange trees, which are as much a part of its landscape as […]
Hashtag Escape – Escape Room Review An abandoned house...a missing child...a decades-old mystery…if you want to feel as though you’ve just stepped into a paranormal thriller, Johannesburg’s adventure escape room game Hashtag Escape might just be the thing for you. Some background In case you haven’t heard of them, escape rooms are a popular craze […]
Sun, sea, sand and shopping … these are some of Dubai’s biggest attractions, and there is no shortage of any of them in the popular Jumeirah Beach area. This is where some of the city’s best hotels are situated, including the award-winning Habtoor Grand Resort. The resort overlooks the white sandy beach and the Arabian […]
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. Although we visited […]
Spain had been on my bucket list for a long while, but planning a trip to Spain and Portugal was a nightmare - 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 […]
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 forth. I recently started reading again although, the only time I get to read is at night before […]
“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 […]
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 the confirmation link in the email you receive. When travelling abroad the general rule is that your passport needs to be valid for 6 months. Most countries require this. My […]
“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 trees and year-round sunshine. Mauritius had been on my bucket […]
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 […]
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 do in Cape Town so here are my recommendations. I have […]
Long walks on golden beaches, year-round sunshine, the scent of the ocean breeze in your nostrils and the sea and forest at your doorstep. Add to this – personalised service, barefoot luxury and the freshest gourmet seafood – and you have the ultimate seaside escape. You have The Plettenberg . The exclusive five-star hotel in […]
“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 […]
Port Elizabeth (PE) is a beautiful city on the shores of the Indian Ocean. Part of the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality, it is also known as the windy city or the friendly city - although I prefer the latter moniker. Although it is not as popular as Cape Town and Durban when it comes to […]
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, or on a staycation in the city, here is a […]
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 […]
“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 […]
