1 Go: Sailing In Croatia
Cruising the Mediterranean takes on a whole new meaning when you are sailing in a luxury catamaran off the Croatian coast. A five-day trip will take you from the pretty town of Dubrovnik to Sipan, a fishing island where you can spend a day exploring historic castles and monasteries, and hanging out at local seaside cafes. Then you sail to Mijet National Park, home to two salt water lakes, and onwards to Trestnik, a charming village with great beaches and snorkelling options. The rest of the trip comprises stopping by the walled city of Ston, and sea kayaking at Kolocep island.
Need to know: A seven-day trip including flights from Dubai and the five-day sail costs from Dh9,500 per person if you book through www.musafir.com.
2 Go: to a music fest In Venice, Italy
You may not traditionally associate this historic city with rock fests, but the Special Heineken Jammin Festival is set to change all that, with A-list bands like Greenday, Aerosmith, The Cranberries, Stereophonics, Black Eyed Peas, 30 seconds to Mars, and Pearl Jam rocking the city from July 3-6. Move over Glastonbury, this is the hottest ticket on the 2010 summer festival circuit!
Need to know: Check into the ultra-luxe Luna Hotel Baglioni and who knows, you might end up rubbing shoulders with some of the rock stars? Prices start from ¤410 (Dh1,910) per night for a double room, www.baglionihotels.com.
3 Go: Ayurvedic In Sri Lanka
Two hours from Colombo Airport, amid the mangroves of Bentota River, you’ll find Dalmanuta Gardens. This Ayurveda retreat stretches across four acres of Sri Lankan countryside – think cinnamon trees, fireflies and honeysuckle. Accommodation is limited to nine spacious chalets to ensure you get the privacy and tranquillity you need to unwind. On arrival, an Ayurvedic doctor will assess you and suggest a treatment plan best suited to your needs. The pampering takes place in thatched treatment rooms overlooking Dalmanuta’s herbal garden. After your bliss-inducing therapy, relax in teak armchairs on your private patio or take a dip in the pool. The riverside restaurant dishes up an Ayurvedic menu to complement your treatment, as well as Western options. The Ayurveda package option includes a doctor’s consultation, massages, herbal baths, steam baths, medication, meditation, yoga and all meals.
Need to know: You can opt to stay on a bed and breakfast basis for €33 (Dh150) per person sharing, or choose the all-inclusive package option which includes all meals and as many treatments as you like for €98 (Dh440). www.dalmanuta.com.
4 Go: Eco-chic In Zanzibar
Reached by boat just 30 minutes off the coast of Zanzibar, the Chumbe Island Coral Park is a Marine Protected Area dedicated to preserving a protected coral reef and a forest bursting with wildlife. The island is home to just seven eco-bungalows, as the resort purposefully keeps visiting numbers low. With preservation of the environment key to the park, all the bungalows have been built using sustainable resources, and run on a filtered rain water system with compost toilets, solar lighting and an open-air design to provide natural air conditioning. Activities in the park include snorkelling trips under the guidance of a park ranger where you’ll get to glimpse some of the 400 species found in the house reef, walking the many forest trails and learning about the local ecology, and hunting for the nocturnal giant coconut crab.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner is a communal affair served in the park’s main thatched hut, which is blissfully romantic in the evenings as you hear the waves lapping beneath your feet. As well as being a five-star eco destination, the park also prides itself on giving back to the community – most of the staff comes from the local fishing villages and the park runs educational programmes with the local schools. You are sure to leave with
a far greater insight into environmental preservation.
Need to know: From $250 (Dh920) per person per night, including accommodation, food, soft drinks and all activities. www.chumbeisland.com.
5 Go: Hiking In the Himalayas, India
India Hikes offers a range of treks for various experience levels at the most unbeatable value. Try the Hampta Pass trek in Himachal Pradesh for a gentle trek if you’re not up for too much of a challenge – the views will knock your socks off and the hike comes to a dramatic crescendo as you end at Chandratal, a high altitude alpine lake in the desert. Wake up to a cup of steaming hot sweet chai and a potato pakora (fritters) for breakfast and delicious thick dal for supper all prepared by your friendly team of guides. This is a brilliant way to see rural India and come home with some fantastic stories and photos – and lose a few pounds while you’re at it. Some of the treks also incorporate a night as the guest of a local family and with the money from your trek fee going directly to that village home, you can rest easy that you are doing your bit for the local economy as well.
Need to know: Price for Hampta pass seven-day trek is Rs9,750 (Dh800) including all food and accommodation. www.indiahikes.in for more options and to book.
6 Go: Learn a language In Spain
Adding the third most widely spoken language in the world to your repertoire can be fun, when you’re doing it in Salamanca. This picturesque Spanish university town – built using Villamayor stone which gives it a unique look – has a fab, youthful vibe combined with loads of rich history and culture to soak up. Located about two and a half hours from Madrid, Salamanca is where the purest form of Spanish is spoken, and is home to not only some of the oldest universities in the world, but plenty of foreign students too – so you will feel right at home here.
Need to know: A package including a Spanish course of five one-hour lessons specially designed for tourists at a local institute, plus four-star hotel accommodation, local transfers and flights cost from Dh7,700 per person, when you book through www.musafir.com.
7 Go: On safari In South Africa
For a safari trip with a difference, check in to the Ant’s Nest Private Reserve in the Waterberg region of South Africa. Here you can experience life in the bush staying in one of the colonial-style lodges, set in the remote 5,000-hectare reserve. Ant’s Nest is privately run and homely, yet stylishly luxe with local fabrics, wood and stone used in the decor. Boasting a rich population of flora and fauna – some of it indigenous to just this region of Africa – the reserve can be discovered by foot, on a 4x4 game drive, and also on horseback, making for a unique safari experience. You have a chance of sighting over 40 species of game, including endangered animals like the sable antelope. They also support local conservation efforts and charities, making it our pick as an ethical travel option.
Need to know: Room rates start from Dh1,365 per person per night, inclusive of all food, drink and activities. You can get a special offer in which you pay for three nights, and stay for four if you book through www.chiccollection.travel.
8 Go: Horse-riding In Colorado, USA
Live out your Western fantasy by donning a cowboy hat and setting off astride some of Colorado’s finest horses under the expert guidance of trainer Alison at Dunton Hot Springs resort. Weave your way through beautiful forest trails and across trout-filled rivers, stopping to soak up views of the stunning Dolores Peak and sink your teeth into a sumptuous organic picnic prepared by the expert chefs at the ranch. When you return back to the award-winning luxury hotel, reward your aching muscles with a soak in the restored 19th century Bathhouse before sharing your stories over a well-earned treat at the saloon. Other activities include yoga retreats, fly fishing, rock climbing, river rafting and in winter, Heli skiing.
Need to know: Prices start at US$1,225 (Dh4,500) per night for two people, including a full day’s riding and meals. Visit www.duntonhotsprings.com.
9 Go: Kite-surfing In Oman
Just over the UAE border into Oman and about an hour’s drive west of Muscat is a school that gives you the chance to put some wind in your sails. Sawadi Beach is home to the first internationally approved kite boarding centre in the Gulf region. If the conditions are right, instructor Alex Friesl can arrange a two- or three-day intensive course for beginners who want to sample this tricky, but hugely rewarding, extreme sport.
On the course you will be taught the basics, including understanding wind conditions, learning to fly the kite, and of course, getting on and (hopefully) staying on the board! At the end of it, you’ll get your own licence and – more than likely – a huge smile on your face. Slightly further away is Masirah Island, a genuine playground for kiteboarders in Oman, where the Indian monsoon helps keep temperatures down, and winds are a steady 20 knots.
Need to know: Alex has set up a Bedouin-style camp at Masirah island which will be open through the summer. Visit www.kiteboarding-oman.com for more information and to find price details.
10 Go: On a detox In Thailand
At the Chiva Som Health Resort in Hua Hin, Thailand, the practice of wellness has been perfected to a fine art. It’s no wonder then that it consistently wins awards for being the best destination spa in the world. When you book in for a detox package, you are guaranteed a personalised programme that is developed after a wellness consultation. These programmes include up to eight activities daily, ranging from yoga and meditation to studio fitness classes, unlimited use of water therapy suites, specialised spa treatments and healthy spa cuisine meals. There is a wide-ranging – and ever-growing – list of health and beauty facilities here, whether it’s holistic health practitioners or the latest medi-spa techniques. Solo travel is encouraged with a table at dinnertime everyday where you can mingle, making it ideal for a me-time getaway. The Art of Detox retreats start from a minimum of three nights and goes up to 14, but however long you spend there, it’s the lifestyle lessons you come away with that are the most valuable.
Need to know: Package prices start from US$2,300 (Dh8,450) for three nights, visit www.chivasom.com for more.
11 Go: Soul searching In Bangalore, India
Conceptualised by Indian guru Sri Sri Ravishankar, the Art of Living philosophy combines ancient meditation, yoga, pranayama breathing exercises and modern life skills to help individuals get in touch with their spirituality and shed layers of stress. Located 21 kilometres outside of Bangalore, the core ashram – and Ravishankar’s home base – is set on rolling green lawns which provide a perfectly tranquil backdrop for those seeking respite. Whether you just want to recharge your batteries or are seeking a long-term system to sustain a more spiritual life, the three-day beginners’ course teaches subtle methods to connect body, mind and soul. Besides being uplifting on an individual level, the course also raises collective consciousness and many participants go on to do humanitarian work. You can also opt for a tailored yoga weekend.
Need to know: Visit www.artoflivingbangalore.org for specific residential courses and costs.
12 Go: On a writing course in Algarve, Portugal
If you have always wanted to pursue your passion for creative writing, then where better to seek inspiration than in the scenic Portuguese island of Isla De Armona? Write By The Sea week-long retreats involve staying in a pretty townhouse in the beachside town of Fuseta, and taking a five-minute ferry ride to the island for morning writing workshops with expert tutors (most of them award-winning authors or university professors), and your afternoons free to write on your own or collaborate with fellow students. You can mix it up with different activities such as boat trips, yoga on the island, cultural excursions or simply relaxing on the beach. Meals are usually communal – although there are plenty of vibrant cafes, restaurants and nightspots in town if you want to head out for the night. There are readings on some nights, but the structure is relaxed enough to let you get as involved as you’d like.
Need to know: Non-participating partners are welcome. Seven-day package with flights cost from Dh8,300 per head, www.musafir.com for more information and to book.
13 Go: On a cycling tour In Provence, France
There’s no better way to discover the real France than to hop on a bike and join one of the tours run by Francophiles Jacques and Cindy. The personalised, tailored tours take you through the exquisite countryside, past lavender fields, vineyards and tiny French villages with quaint markets and cafes. You will get to visit art galleries and perfumeries; sample fresh produce at local markets and eat authentic cuisine; shop for handicrafts; and also go hiking and kayaking on the tour. Any achy muscles after cycling all day can be eased away with yoga and Pilates with physiotherapist Cindy’s help, while relaxing in the boutique villa at the end of the day. All you need to bring with you is basic fitness levels and a love of all things French!
Need to know: The next 12-day tour starts on September 20, prices from US$4,875 (about Dh17,900). Go to www.franceactivetours.com for more.
14 Go: On a farm stay In New Zealand
Experience the idyllic rural life without being too far from civilisation at Cedarview Farm near Christchurch in New Zealand. This small, cosy farm is home to cattle, sheep, free-range hens – whose eggs you can feast on at breakfast, alongside homemade jams and honey – and family pets. You will
stay in one of the three bedrooms in the farmhouse, making it a personal and intimate experience, and are encouraged to get hands-on by helping out at feeding time – something the kids will cherish. Other holiday distractions such as wineries and wildlife reserves – you can’t not go Kiwi-spotting! – and golf courses are just minutes away.
Need to know: Prices start from NZ$100 (about Dh260) per room per night, visit www.cedarviewhomestay.com for
more information.
15 Go: Get pampered In Bali
Where better to go seeking relaxed bliss than tranquil Bali? And at the Amandari resort, located in central Bali’s Ubud district, relaxation is served to you on a platter. The resort is designed like a traditional Balinese village, with careful attention to preserving the heritage while ensuring all your creature comforts are luxuriously catered to. The spa offers a range of traditional Balinese treatments using local herbs and flowers, which you can enjoy in an outdoor ‘Bale’ overlooking the lush, green valley or in the privacy of your own suite. All the therapists are trained in Reiki, which means that healing comes automatically with their touch. If you are looking for more than just an indulgent massage, body wrap or facial, then you can also book in for a visit to a local healer, practice yoga and meditation, get active with trekking and rafting, and also check out the cultural activities.
Need to know: Room rates start from US$2,400 for three nights (about Dh8,815), visit www.amanresorts.com.
16 Go: Volunteering In the Galapagos islands
We can’t think of a better voluntourism destinations than the unique Galapagos islands. This Pacific archipelago is trying to maintain its fragile eco-system by reducing its imports and becoming self-sufficient. The Jatun Sacha Foundation is a non-profit organisation aimed at environmental conservation, and offers volunteer opportunities in different locations. Voluntary work involves cutting down plants of ‘introduced’ species that hinder the growth of natural plants, fruit-picking, planting and related greenhouse work, bird-watching and kitchen duties at one of the farms. Meanwhile, ‘play’ can involve visiting the other islands at discounted rates, hiking up volcanic mountains, snorkelling with sea lions, and other fun stuff.
Need to know: Costs around £9,000 (about Dh49,200) for two weeks, including basic accommodation, food and local transportation. Visit www.jatunsacha.org for more.
17 Go: On a family island break In Sri Lanka
For a self-catering family beach holiday that isn’t going to break the bank, the Sri Lanka Beach House in Hikkaduwa on the south coast is just perfect. The garden is filled with towering palms, and the colonial-style house sits right on the beach. Visit the nearby turtle sanctuary; explore surrounding temples; catch a cricket match at the historic Galle grounds; fill your shopping basket with custom-made silk dresses; cool down in jungle waterfalls; then return home for a swing in the hammock, and dinner and drinks on the picturesque balcony and watch the sun set. The postcard-perfect house sleeps six, has three bedrooms, two modern bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen and washing machine, and has a housekeeper who comes in daily to clean.
Need to know: Costs from Dh2,100 for the house per week. For more, visit
www.srilankabeachhouse.com.
18 Go: golfing In france
Make like the pro golfers on the Women’s Masters tour and head to Evian Les Baines, home to the Evian Masters Golf Club and one of the most spectacular courses in Europe overlooking Lake Geneva and the Alps. You can either practice your putting at the 18-hole championship course or sign up for a coaching programme – open to beginners – at the state-of-the-art golf academy. Here you will be staying in refined luxury at the Hotel Royal – a majestic chateau set in a 42-acre park favoured by the royals – dining on gourmet French delicacies and easing your golfed out muscles at the spectacular Evian spa. And no, it’s not an adults-only getaway, as there is a separate Kids Resort where they will blissfully spend their hours as you golf or spa your holiday away. And if you find yourself there between July 22 and 25, you can catch the top women golfers pitting their skills against each other in the Evian Masters.
Need to know: Room rates start from Euro33o (Dh1,500), call The Travel Collection on 04-3387338.
19 Go: On a cookery course In Thailand
Combine your love of Thai food with a tropical holiday experience by signing up for a cooking class at the Anantara Golden Triangle resort and spa in northern Thailand. Your day will start with a visit to the local farmers’ market to pick up ingredients, followed by a picnic breakfast at a scenic temple on the way back to the resort. Then comes the hands-on bit where you get to prepare the dishes of the day after the chef’s demonstration, which you then enjoy over lunch. You can also make a culinary day of it by following up with a fruit and vegetable carving class in the afternoon. You’ll come back with a complimentary recipe book to help hone your newly learnt skills at home, and a certificate to take pride of place in your kitchen! There are plenty of other cultural excursions and other fun activities such as elephant polo on offer at the luxe resort, and a great spa as well.
Need to know: Cookery class prices are THB4,238 (Dh480) and room rates start from THB7,100 (Dh800) per night. www.anantara.com.
20 Go: Push your fitness limits In Kenya
Take your passion for outdoor fitness adventures to the next level and sign up for a fitness holiday in Kenya’s Rift Valley and Mount Kenya with Dunamis training. The ten-day itinerary includes cycling, training – including circuits, martial arts
and boxing – swimming and running, while camping on the shores of Lake Naivasha. From there, the group moves on to Mount Kenya, for some more fitness training in high-altitude forests, and an overnight camp stay at 10,000 feet. Optional add-ons such as visits to the equator, charity projects and even rafting are also possible.
Need to know: Dunamis training is organising one trip every month from June through to September, starting from June 16. Visit www.dunamistraining.net
