It’s Day 33 of the lockdown in South Africa (28 April), however there is light at the end of the tunnel. Our President announced the easing of our stringent lockdown restrictions from 1 May. This means, inter alia, that 1.5 million workers will be able to return to work and many more items can be […]
Today, 23 April, is Day 29 of the lockdown in South Africa, where I am based. Some of the strictest lockdown rules in the world are in place here, with outdoor exercise, dog-walking, and fast food all banned. We are only allowed to go out to buy essentials or for medical reasons. This is probably […]
Looking for things to do in Toledo , Spain ? Read on... While researching things to do in Spain, and specifically Madrid, I constantly saw Toledo being recommended. Once I Googled it, I instantly knew that it was a place I had to go to – even if it meant omitting something else from my […]
Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa Review A journey to forty-one different destinations. I thought that it was a rather apt way to describe the Fairlawns Boutique Hotel and Spa, with its forty-one exquisitely designed units. The five-star hotel was recently crowned the ‘Best Luxury Boutique Hotel’ in South Africa by the World Luxury Hotel Awards, […]
21 Beautiful mosques around the world Prayer clears the mist and brings back peace to the soul…Rumi During these difficult times when religious and other gatherings are prohibited, many people are missing places of prayer and the solace and serenity found within them. The call to prayer is still heard from the mosques 5 times […]
Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden "A garden must combine the poetic and the mysterious with a feeling of serenity and joy.” Luis Barragan The Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden is not something one would expect to see in the greater Johannesburg area. Situated below the dramatic, 200-metre-high cliffs of the Roodekrans Ridge in the West Rand, the beautiful […]
Going into lockdown in South Africa When President Ramaphosa announced the impending lockdown in South Africa, I was in Cape Town. We had been staying with family for the past few days, and the following day we were leaving on a road trip where we would be doing media reviews at four amazing hotels and […]
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 […]
Looking for the best things to do in Cordoba ? Read on... Although it was just a few months back that we were in Spain, it now seems like a lifetime ago. The cities were buzzing, people were jovial and the atmosphere was festive. Since then, over 20000 people have lost their lives to Coronavirus […]
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 […]
13 Delicious South African foods you must try When travelling, we love to sample the local cuisine wherever we are. It gives us insight into the local traditions, customs and tastes, and exposes our palates to new dishes. Similarly, visitors to South Africa might wonder what South African foods they should be aware of when […]
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 […]
Moledi Gorge Review One of the things I love about what I do is discovering hidden gems. The uber-chic Moledi Gorge is one such treasure. Built high on a cliff, in a malaria-free private reserve near Derby in the North West province, this five-star lodge overlooks a spectacular gorge. Retractable floor-to-ceiling glass doors and windows […]
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 . ...And when you can't travel, then reading books is one form of travelling from your armchair. I've written a […]
