Explorer November-December 2015

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2015

WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO NEXT?

MAGAZINE

CAPITAL

THE BIODIVERSITY CENTRAL AMERICA IS HOT FOR 2016

A DANISH HOLIDAY

HERITAGE, CULTURE & CUISINE IN SCANDINAVIA

INTO THE WILD

TOP NEW SAFARI CAMPS SRILANKAN AIRLINES

THE ALASKA HIGHWAY

THAILAND VILLAS

PUBLISHER'S LETTER

W

elcome to another issue of Explorer Magazine, the

digital,

eco-

friendly travel magazine for true world wanderers. It’s our last issue of 2015, a year that has positively flown by as we explore the world’s most fascinating travel destinations, and dwell on the locales that will entice travellers in the year to come. In this issue we jet our way around the globe and back again, starting in Denmark, where history, culture and cuisine meet in one of Scandinavia’s most popular holiday destinations. Significantly more rugged but just as enthralling is the Yukon region of Alaska, and its famed Alaska Highway, a man-made belt across an otherwise inaccessible and pristine landscape. From there we head south to Central America and discover the rich biodiversity that’s making the region the hottest place to travel for 2016. There’s time to relax with the family in Thailand, and our take on Sri Lanka’s national carrier, an airline that’s steadily showing up the big boys, before we make for Africa and seek out the best new safari lodges for intrepid travellers looking to commune with nature. Wherever you’re headed this year, or the next, we hope Explorer Magazine will continue as your ultimate guide to the world’s greatest travel experiences.

Travel Safe.

David Leung Publisher

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WORLD IN PICS The face of a god glares out from murals at the Dragon & Tiger Pagoda in Kaohsiung, Taiwan

SAY CHEESE A guest is guided through the early morning darkness at Namiri Plains safari camp in the Serengeti

A vibrant street scene in Kampong Glam, one of Singapore’s emerging neighborhoods

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Guests visit the Palace of Versailles outside Paris. The palace will open a hotel next year.

WORLD IN PICS

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The houses of parliament in Budapest glow on a late summer evening

A photographer captures the beauty of the Taj Mahal at dawn in Agra, India

Gilded doors lead into one of the many extravagant rooms in the Catherine Palace outside St Petersburg.

From gods and dragons to crowded streets and remote mountain tops, these are the travel pics inspiring us this season.

New Zealand’s TranzAlpine, one of the world’s greatest day trip train journeys, pauses at tiny Aurther’s Pass township.

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WHAT’S HAPPENING

Art Stage Singapore January 21 to 24, 2016 Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore

Burning the Clocks December 21, 2015 Brighton, UK

One of the leading art fairs in the region, Art Stage Singapore will showcase the best Southeast Asian contemporary art to date, attracting private art collectors and art lovers to mingle and appreciate the creativity and craftsmanship of the featured artists.

To promote dialogue between Asia and the West, the fair will also display an array of innovative works from acclaimed galleries in Madrid, Sydney, London and New York. www.artstagesingapore.com

A festival of light and art, Burning the Clocks brings the city of Brighton together to mark the Winter Solstice. Thousands of participants will illuminate the city with their homemade, combustible lanterns, which carry their dreams and hopes for the year to come, before passing them into a flaming bonfire at the seafront as a token of the end of the year past. www.visitbrighton.com

Rainbow Serpent Festival

Tet Nguyen Dan

January 22 to 25, 2016 Lexton, Australia

February 8, 2016 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

This outdoor festival is not only about relishing electronic music but also connecting with like-minded individuals to celebrate nature, community and harmony. Combining music, art, performance, spiritual education, and healing, the festival offers participants a four-day exotic sensory experience. Bring home a keepsake from the market village, which is a treasure trove of sustainable and ethical products. www.rainbowserpent.net

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The most important event on the Vietnamese calendar, Tet Nguyen Dan is a traditional celebration to ring in the Lunar New Year. Take a stroll down the streets of Ho Chi Minh City to enjoy the sights and smells of the new blossoms in time to watch the famous lion dance.

Be prepared for plenty of noise as drums, gongs and firecrackers are used to ward off the evil spirits. www.vietnamonline.com

WHAT’S HAPPENING

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Junkanoo Parade

Quebec Winter Carnival

December 26, 2015 Nassau, Bahamas

January 29 to February 14, 2016 Quebec City, Canada

Originating from one of the oldest surviving street festivals in the Caribbean, Junkanoo is a cultural extravaganza that celebrates life and freedom. On Boxing Day troupes of performers from all walks of life will be decked out in intriguing costumes, dancing their dazzling routines to the timeless afro-Caribbean beat. www.bahamasgateway.com

The ideal destination for Christmas present hunting, Budapest Christmas Fair is an annual, month-long event decked out as a festive country village and showcases over 150 cottage style booths, which peddle a slew of Hungarian handicrafts and local fare. Two separate stages will be set up for an extensive range of performances, ranging from puppet shows and story readings, to Hungarian folk dancing. www.budapestchristmas.com

Up Helly Aa

World Buskers Festival

January 26, 2016 Lerwick, Scotland

January 14 to 24, 2016 Christchurch, New Zealand

Equal parts celebratory and solemn, Up Helly Aa is one of the largest fire festivals in Europe. A procession of up to a thousand revelers will march with their lit torches along a determined route in the heart of Lerwick, before tossing them into the Viking longboat in a traditional funeral procession. The festival finishes off with an evening party in the Viking Halls. www.uphellyaa.org

Comedians, street performers, musicians, dancers and acrobats from across the globe will converge at the World Buskers Festival to entertain and bring laughter to over 300,000 festival-goers over the course of 11 days. Unlike any shows you used to watch in the theatre, this festival is all about engagement, so be prepared to be called up on stage and end up as part of the act. www.worldbuskersfestival.com

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8

NEWS

North Star Cruises Australia has added two new destinations - Penfold's revered Macgill Estate and the Barossa Valley - to its popular Southern Safari itinerary. Nestled in the foothills of Adelaide, Magill Estate offers breathtaking views of the Penfolds vineyard and is the perfect setting in which to immerse oneself in Australia's most iconic wine labels. Arriving at the Barossa Valley, guests will be taken to the Seppeltsfield winery, home to the world's largest unbroken collection of fortified wines dating back to 1878, where they will sample the Paramount Collection and the 100-year-old Para Vintage Tawny. As the trip caters to the whole family, it’s also packed with interesting activities like visiting the Kangaroo Island, swimming with giant tuna, and in-shore fishing. www.northstarcruises.com.au

Explore Mystical Myanmar

Luxury safari operator Elewana has partnered with Loisaba Conservancy to launch a new luxury tented camp in March 2016, heralding a conservation landmark to preserve one of Kenya’s most important elephant corridors. The camp will comprise four stylish double rooms, one spacious deluxe tented suite, and two family tents, each made up of two double en-suite tents with shared verandas. An exclusive family residence will offer three en-suite rooms, complimented with a shared private lounge, a dinning tent, and a private pool. In addition to its bar and restaurant facilities, the property will also boast an infinity swimming pool, with spectacular views across the Laikipia Plains to Mount Kenya, first class hospitality, exceptional guiding, and an array of exciting activity options. www.elewana.com www.explorer-magazine.com

Fine Wine Experience

Europe's deluxe river cruise company Emerald Waterways has launched in Myanmar with a 16day journey beginning in Yangon. Guest will be treated to a walking tour of this bustling former capital, where they can take in the incredible fusion of British colonial architecture and stunning Buddhist stupas, before taking a short flight to Heho to experience life in the tranquil countryside. Arriving at the mighty Irrawaddy River, guests will board the Irrawaddy Explorer cruise vessel to see more of Myanmar's heritage and natural beauty, visiting 11 ports along the way, including Mingun, Salay, Magawe, Thayetmyo and Prome, before arriving back in Yangon for disembarkation. Departures on August 27 and November 7, 2016. www.emeraldwaterways.com

Luxurious Safari Base

NEWS

Sail to Southern Europe

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Essential Sailing is set to launch a new choice of yachting holidays on the French Riviera, Italian Ligurian and Tuscan coasts in March 2016.

Guests will enjoy the seven-day luxury cruise on the First Essential, a Beneteau Oceanis 50-foot yacht offering smart, contemporary quarters for up to six guests in three cabins, and an extensive range of cultural adventures and gourmet food insights. Spend your mornings sailing, before trying your hands at exhilarating water sports, playing on deserted beaches, or heading off to explore cultural sites in the afternoon. After the sun sets, guests can feast on a four-course dinner with the best regional wines on deck beneath the stars, or sample recommended restaurants in the different ports of call. www.essentialsailing.com

Walk on the Ice This winter season skiers and winter walkers will be able to enjoy the awe-inspiring panoramic views of the Jungfrau region of Switzerland from a new perspective, thanks to a range of brand new winter walking routes. Intrepid travellers can go for the thrilling new First Cliff Walk summit trail, which features narrow cliff-side walkways, a suspension bridge, and a vantage platform with spectacular and unnerving views out towards towering Mt Eiger and down the extreme cliff face; while the new Royal Walk summit trail provides the crowning glory to a day out in the Männlichen region. Visitors will be amazed by the fascinating facts about the UNESCO World Heritage Jungfrau-Aletsch, and they can learn the essential knots used in Alpine climbing. www.jungfrau.ch

Hollywood Dream

As part of Frank Sinatra's 100th birthday celebrations, the Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism has created three celebrity-focused itineraries for visitors to follow in the famous footsteps of Ol' Blue Eyes and his iconic friends, Elvis Presley and Lucille Ball. In the Follow in Frank's Footsteps tour, Sinatra fans can explore his old haunts and dine on “Steak Sinatra” at Johnny Costa's, which is still owned by Frank's one-time personal chef; while Experience Elvis Presley's Palm Springs allows guests to spend a night at The Riviera, where Elvis often stayed with his friends. Fans of the I Love Lucy sitcom shouldn’t miss the Live Like Lucille Ball tour, in which they can uncover Lucille's old home on a walking tour of Old Las Palmas. www.visitpalmsprings.com www.explorer-magazine.com

10 NEWS

Beachside Holiday

Laguna Phuket has opened its seventh hotel, Cassia Phuket, the first of Banyan Tree's newest brand. Located within the integrated resort Laguna Phuket in Thailand, Cassia brings an innovative approach to hospitality with 221 stylish residences, featuring casual chic apartments, each with a separate living room and a fully equipped kitchen. Many residences offer a loft hang out area with panoramic views of the lagoon, ocean, or surrounding parklands. The hotel also boasts a range of facilities including two spacious pools, indoor and outdoor kids' play areas, and the Chill Chill Spa. Guests can keep dining easy with the casual concepts Market 23 Cafe and Street Bar, which features in-house DJs and original works

by Thai street artists. www.cassia.com

Hidden Oasis One of Bali's favourite beach havens, Finn's Beach Club, has expanded its luxurious offerings with the addition of a new sun deck, VIP guest experience, and indulgent new spa options. Accessed only by inclinator from Semara Luxury Villa Resort, the club features a new sun deck that can seat up to 90 guests and offers a wide range of dining options. For couples looking for seclusion reserve a Tree Top Bale, which is hidden on the cliffs with unobstructed views of the ocean. For ultimate relaxation, book a treatment in the tree top Spa Bale and enjoy selection of ocean-side massages from the Body Temple Spa menu. www.finnsbeachclub.com

A Bike Journey

For those looking to discover Northeast Thailand from a new perspective, SpiceRoads Cycle Tours has the answer for you. Their latest Mighty Mekong River

by Road Bike tour is an eight-day adventure, journeying along the longest river in Southeast Asia. This tour offers gentle undulating hills to cycle, continuous river views to get lost in, and charming towns and villages to explore along the way. Tour highlights include staying in small riverside guesthouses, seeing the enchanting town of Chiang Khan, and visiting the bizarre giant concrete statues at Sala Keoku park. To ensure your journey is easy and relaxing, a support van will follow behind the group, carrying cold drinks and snacks for anyone in need of a break. www.spiceroads.com www.explorer-magazine.com

Into the Deep Blue

Captain Cook Cruises has partnered with Adelaide Sightseeing and iStay Precinct Adelaide to offer Summer 'Sail' packages of six or seven nights, on selected dates throughout January and February 2016. The packages include three nights' accommodation at iStay Precinct, which features luxurious facilities including an indoor heated pool, a sauna, a spa, and a steam room; a Barossa Food and Wine Experience or McLaren Vale Food and Wine Indulgence tour; and a three or four night stay aboard the PS Murray Princess. Discover the beauty of the Murray River and its abundance of birdlife as the cruise sails pass towering limestone cliffs and through picturesque gorges; and enjoy a nature walk and eco-tour while learning about the ecology of the river and fauna of the area. www.murrayprincess.com.au

To Drink Like an Aussie

NEWS

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Buoyed by the successful launch of the first official Freediving Centre in Maldives, Dusit Thani Maldives has strengthened its association with Apnea Total, the world renowned freediving education system, by creating Freediving Holidays package. The package allows guests a chance to delve into the aquatic wilderness at the Maldives’ only designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and enjoy the added wellness elements of spa and yoga sessions during their stay. In addition to a two-day freediving course certified by Apnea Total, the package also includes daily International buffet breakfast at Market Restaurant, a 60-minute couple's spa treatment, group yoga sessions, and discounted flight transfers from Male to the resort. www.dusit.com/dtmd

Australia Exploration

The ideal way to get up close and personal with the ever-expanding boutique breweries and cider houses in Melbourne is to hop onboard the new four-hour Urban Beer Odyssey night tour by Aussie Brewery Tours. Guests will be whisked to Melbourne's most awarded and innovative urban breweries, where old-world styles and new world inspiration collide to create a beer lovers heaven, and will be served an array of beers, such as chocolate, vanilla, coffee, toffee and bacon flavoured brews, refreshing summer ales, crisp lagers, fruit infused barrel aged ales, and experimental single batch brews. Other popular itineraries on offer include the Yarra Valley Cider and Ale Trail and The Ultimate Aussie Beer and Cider Sunday Session on the Mornington Peninsula. www.aussiebrewerytours.com.au www.explorer-magazine.com

12 DENMARK

A HDanish O LI D A Y South Denmark has been the target of many an invader over the centuries, each drawn by the region's wealth of natural resources and each leaving its mark on the landscape, culture and cuisine.

Today visitors are able to follow in their footsteps and explore this fascinating region, which has plenty to excite the curious traveller.

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DENMARK

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14 DENMARK

T

he natural topography of the region has helped to shape its history, spanning from the flat marshland on the west Jutland coast to the hilly forested areas in the east and making it a popular region with hikers and bikers.

One of the best ways to explore the region on foot or by bike is via Denmark's longest trail, the ancient Haervejen Road (Military Road), which runs all the way from Viborg in North Jutland to Hamburg in Germany. Parts of the route can trace their history back as far as 4000BC with many historical landmarks to be found in South Denmark in the form of ancient mounds, defensive ditches and settlements along the road, including the Haerulf Stone, a runic stone dating from the 10th century.

An alternative trail is the stunning 74km coastal

Gendarme path, a European quality hiking

trail. Starting in the forest of Harraldskov in Padborg on the German border it follows South Denmark's eastern coastline from Flensburg Bay and the beaches at Broager, passing the historical battlefield at Dybbøl and town of Sønderborg and on to the island of Als. The path was created in 1920 and gets its name from the little blue Gendarme guards who were responsible for patrolling the steep cliffs, deep forests and flat beaches, guarding the border and preventing smugglers. It fell into decline in the 1950s but has recently been restored and is now part of the European Long Distance Path.

Following the coastline north take the fiord boat Helene across to the pretty little island of Årø.

Once Germany's most northerly island, and in the years between 1864 and 1920 a key route for smugglers, it is now an idyllic island in the Little Belt with a picturesque town of narrow streets, stone walls, fences and beautiful family farms leading to a network of cycling routes.

Take a tractor ride around the island, dropping into the island's own vineyard, or join a nature guide for a beach safari to find herbs and mushrooms for lunch.

The south west coast is equally rewarding, especially for wildlife spotters heading to the UNESCO protected Wadden Sea National Park. The area is rich in wildlife and one of the world's most valuable tidal areas.

Located in the middle of the Eastern Atlantic migratory routes it attracts between 10–12 million migratory birds each year that use the coastline as their stopover and wintering area in northern Europe.

In addition to the birdlife, this vast wetland area and beaches are home to Denmark's largest population of spotted seals, with sightings

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throughout the summer months being virtually guaranteed. One of the best ways to see them is on the Seal and Wadden Sea Safaris that depart from Esbjerg Harbour each day.

Alternatively, to learn more about the region visit the Wadden Sea Centre. Exhibits at the centre include the travelling life of migratory birds; a cultural exhibition of life in the area from the middle ages to the present day; and a fascinating multimedia show about the storm surges that have affected the Wadden Sea over the centuries.

From October to Easter, the centre organises for groups of oyster hunters to take a 3km guided walk out to the oyster beds, where participants are invited to pick and eat as many delicious oysters as they wish. In so doing visitors can also do their bit for the environment by helping to remove these non-native Pacific Oysters, which are considered a pest by environmentalists. The Pacific Oysters were first introduced to the region in the 1980s and have since become established, taking over the areas that were once populated by the native blue mussels. The decline of the blue mussel

DENMARK extraordinary circling flocks at sunset.

The battles for control of this region have left their marks across the landscape, from the famous encounter between Denmark and Germany in 1864 through to the First and Second World Wars. By means of interactive exhibits and reenactments of the key events visitors can get close to the story, journeying back in time to walk amongst active and living museums and participate in the many historical events and festivals throughout the year.

A novel new way to explore the famous battlefield at Dybbøl, location for the legendary battle of 1864 when Southern Jutland came under German rule, is to take a Segway guided tour following the road through the battlefields, past trenches and the mill of Dybbøl. Or experience a unique '1864' themed dinner at the Baltic Hotel in Horuphav, which offers a new interpretation of traditional courses and ingredients from the year of the battle.

population is leading to a decline in shellfish eating birds, and is therefore having an impact on the native biodiversity of the ecosystem.

For those with an interest in more recent conflicts take a visit to the Zepplin Museum at Tonder and see the bunkers of the Northern German Defense Line from World War One which are spread across South Jutland.

The centre can also organise to take groups to some of the best spots to observe the mesmerising natural phenomenon of 'The Black Sun'. This dance at dusk by huge numbers of migratory starlings takes place in Spring (mid-March for two to three weeks) and Autumn (from mid-August for two months) as they come at the end of each day to feed on flies and garden chafer grubs and create

South Denmark has one of the best preserved regional cuisines in Denmark, with a proud tradition of exquisite produce used by top chefs in innovative gourmet restaurants that specialise in the finest local ingredients. From lamb raised on the flat grassy marshland in the west to the fertile soil in the east the area has the ideal conditions for the development of a varied cuisine with lots of seasonal flavours.

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Strongly influenced by Germany, especially in the tradition of sausages and smoked meat production, following the arrival of German butchers to settle in the area, even today it plays a major role in Southern Jutland kitchens.

But dating back to the 1700s and 1800s, when sailors first visited the Orient, spices such as nutmeg, curry and saffron were brought home and added to their dishes, creating a melting pot of flavours that are still used today in South Denmark to a far greater extent than in other Danish areas.

Not for the faint-hearted, the traditonal South Denmark Coffee Table consists of 14 types of cake (seven soft sponge cakes and pies as well as seven biscuit-based cakes). It can be experienced at a number of places across the region including the ancient Gram Castle where the tradition is maintained each Sunday.

The story behind this custom dates from the time after the war in 1864 when local groups

gathered together to sing patriotic songs and maintain Danish traditions. As alcohol was banned, the women of the area began baking a variety of cakes. A competition arose amongst those to see who could bring the most creative, beautiful and tasty cakes for these meetings and this has been maintained to this day.

With such a plethora of things to pack in, it's the perfect location for a long weekend break of history, nature and delicious Danish food.

For more holiday ideas wwwvisitsonderjylland.dk

check

out

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16 ALASKA

A ROA D T O

JOURNEY A DRIVING HOLIDAY THROUGH ALASKA’S STUNNINGLY DIVERSE LANDSCAPES IS SLOW TRAVEL AT ITS VERY BEST. www.explorer-magazine.com

ALASKA

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18 ALASKA

The Yukon is a destination of unparalleled scenic beauty that captivates its visitors under the spell of the midnight sun and the dance of the Northern Lights. It's a land that provides larger than life experiences distinguished by culture and its vast, wide-open spaces and the freedom inspired by the unending, pristine wilderness.

For a truly historic driving experience, the breathtaking Alaska Highway is world renowned. Constructed during World War II, this smooth, scenic route stretches from Watson Lake near the British Columbia border to Beaver Creek at the Alaska border. The journey promises pristine wilderness, plentiful wildlife, and the feeling of history and freedom in wide open spaces as it winds through eight Yukon communities, a national park, major attractions and Yukon's capital city, Whitehorse.

Day 1 – Gateway to the Yukon Welcome to the Yukon! You've logged some miles and arrived in Watson Lake. Wander the Sign Post Forest, a charming collection of distance and directional signs to hometowns around the globe. Visit the trails, sandy beach and outdoor waterslide at Lucky Lake. You'll also find lakeside bird watching in the heart of town, and golf, day adventures and camping nearby.

Day 2 – The Other Natural Wonder You're here in the season of the midnight sun, but you can still get a taste of our other natural phenomenon in the skies. The Northern Lights Space and Science Centre is a state-of-the-art facility that showcases the aurora borealis. Take in the show on the full dome video screen, and check out the interactive displays, before wrapping up your time in Watson Lake.

Day 3 – Art and Sand As you continue north, you'll arrive in the community of Teslin. Stop in at the Teslin Tlingit Heritage Cultural Centre to see the amazing carvings, beadwork and other local art. Learn more about the local Inland Tlingit people at the George Johnston museum. Then spend some time with your toes in the sand at Marsh Lake day camp area, about 45 minutes from Whitehorse. www.explorer-magazine.com

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Day 4 – Love It Like the Locals Do From open air concerts over the noon hour to historic site walking tours, in Whitehorse you'll find plenty of options for keeping busy under the midnight sun. Take a late evening stroll - you might be surprised at the bustle! Locals often find they have extra energy during the long days of a northern summer and take advantage of it by extending their days' activities.

Day 5 – Mammals and Mountain Ranges Head towards the picturesque mountain village of Haines Junction, but take a short detour to the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, a wildlife viewing property with several species of Yukon mammals in their natural environment. It's a fantastic photo opportunity that's not to be missed.

Head back toward the Alaska Highway and carry on to Haines Junction, where the striking St. Elias mountain ranges wait to greet you.

Day 6 – A Place to Pause From flightseeing over the world's largest nonpolar ice fields to exploring local First Nations' history and culture, Haines Junction is a beautiful place to spend some time. Carry on from here to Beaver Creek as the Alaska Highway parallels the majestic outer rim of Kluane National Park. Kluane is part of the largest internationally protected area in the world. Beyond the front ranges lies Mount Logan, Canada's highest peak.

Don't Miss Activity

The Watson Lake Visitors Interpretive Centre, right next to the world famous Sign Post Forest, houses a fascinating look into the building of the Alaska Highway. Displays, along with an audiovisual presentation, provide insight into the challenges of building this epic highway.

Don't Miss Event

Experience exciting traditional performances at the Teslin Tlingit Heritage Centre. Cultural programs include singing, dancing, drumming, an artists' market, demonstrations and canoeing events.

Flightseeing

Treat yourself to a stunning view of Yukon scenery. Flightseeing offers an extra-special tour over ice fields, mountains and valleys, and often the wildlife that lives there.

Alaska Highway Summary

Distance: 550 miles (one-way) Time recommended: 5 nights Features: Alaska Highway history, First Nations cultures, Whitehorse attractions, Kluane National Park and Reserve Activities: Visiting cultural and heritage attractions, wildlife viewing, fishing, hiking, camping, walking tours, shopping, flightseeing

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20 CENTRAL AMERICA

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CENTRAL AMERICA

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The Biodiversity Capital Home to eight percent of the world's biodiversity, Central America's mild temperatures, humid climate and over 400 protected areas make it one of the best places in the world to discover thousands of endemic species, luscious rainforests and stunning coastlines. Here are some of the best ways to exploring this unique corner of the world.

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22 CENTRAL AMERICA

The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Belize Located on the east coast of the isthmus, Belize is one of the most exciting places in the world for water lovers. Thousands flock to Belize to admire the second biggest coral reef in the world: the Mesoamerican. A treat for diving enthusiasts who can come to admire the coast as well as the thousands of exotic underwater species that live on the coral, such as manatees, sea turtles, barracudas and sharks.

Travellers interested in diving or snorkelling on the reef can stay in any of the villages or resorts along the coastline or on the islands that give access to an array of diving and snorkelling sites. Some of the best places to stay within easy access to the coral reef include Ambergris Caye (an island off the northeast coast) just a ten minute boat ride away; Caye Caulker Island, close to the famous Blue Hole and Half Moon Caye Natural monument; the towns of Dangriga and Hopkins located on Belize's central coast with a number of diving sites and only a 30 minute boat ride from the South Water Caye Marine Reserve; and the town of Placencia on the southern coast, 40 km from the reef but can be accessed in 45 minutes, and offering many options for diving and snorkelling.

Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica Costa Rica's geographic position, coasts and mountain ranges have made it one of the richest places in the world in terms of endemic species. The best place for monkey spotting and trekking in Central America is in Costa Rica's Manuel Antonio National Park. Located 120 miles from Costa Rica's capital San Jose, the park is home to most of the country's native species such as howler monkeys, iguanas and sloths to name a few.

The park is open Tuesday through to Sunday from 7:30am to 4pm. The best time to visit the park is from May to November.

Peak months are from December to April and can get quite busy.

The entrance fee is US$6 and free for children 12 and under.

Bosawas Biosphere Reserve, Nicaragua Nicaragua is home to the largest expanse of rainforest in the whole of Central America, the Bosawas Biosphere Reserve, which spreads over almost 15 percent of Nicaragua's national territory in the north of the country.

The 1.8 million acre reserve offers fantastic hiking challenges for travellers in need of some adventure, since much of the Bosawas Biosphere is uncharted territory. It hides some 150,000 insect species and over 600 types of birds including the Harpy Eagle, not to mention the hundreds of endangered mammals that roam the reserve such as jaguars, pumas and tapirs.

The best way to visit the reserve is on a Nicaragua trekking adventure, as entrance is not permitted without a guide. www.explorer-magazine.com

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Entrance to the reserve is accessed from the town of Siuna.

Most visitors fly from the Aeropuerto Internacional Augusto C Sandino in Managua to the Aer贸dromo de Siuna with La Coste帽a airlines.

El Imposible National Park, El Salvador Bird watchers cannot miss a stop off in El Salvador. Located on Central America's Pacific coast, it has a rich range of birds and butterflies that can be admired in one of the country's four national parks. The most famous is El Imposible National Park, located in the southwest of El Salvador and 120 km west of San Salvador and is considered to be the most important natural area in the country. Over 500 species of birds live in the national park including the turquoise browed motmot which was declared El Salvador's national bird in 1999.

The main entrance is San Benito on the southeast side of the park beyond the hamlet of San Benito. Visitors have to visit the San Salvador office to pay an entrance fee of US$8 and book a guide in order to enter the park. The best time to visit is from October to February outside of the rainy season. Visitors can access the park by flying into San Salvador International Airport and then take a taxi or a bus (116km) northwest to the park.

Getting there: British Airways flies direct from London Gatwick to San Jose Santamaria International Airport in Costa Rica. www.ba.com From San Jose Santamaria International Airport, Avianca Airlines (www.avianca.com), Copa Airlines (www.copaair. com), and TACA Airlines (taca.alternativeairlines.com) all fly to a variety of destinations across Central America.

For more information, visit: www.visitcentroamerica.com

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24 FAMILY TRAVEL

FULL

HOUSE AS SAMUJANA UNVEILS ITS ALL-NEW VILLAS, GAYATRI BHAUMIK HEADS TO KOH SAMUI TO CHECK OUT WHAT THE LUXURY VILLA PROPERTY HAS TO OFFER FAMILIES TRAVELLING TO ONE OF THAILAND’S FAVOURITE PLAYGROUNDS.

K

oh Samui’s five-star beach resorts are all well and good, but checking into Samujana, a luxury estate just ten minutes from the island’s international airport, is where you go for a real bespoke experience.

The sprawling property boasts 25 villas ranging between three and eight bedrooms, with more due to be ready in the months after our visit. While each villa is individually owned, all of them are designed by Gary Fell of Gfab Architects, giving the whole property a contemporary feel that works with the natural surrounds. The cohesive design aesthetic, which draws heavily on natural materials and earthy tones, allows the villas to function as one big vacation rental estate under the Samujana banner.

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Arriving at Villa 1, home for three nights, in one of the cars that stand by to whisk guests around the state, I’m greeted by our villa host, Pan, and her team. She tells me that as the first to arrive, I have my pick of the bedrooms – there are five split over three levels – and it’s not hard to choose. The corner room on the top floor means waking up to stunning postcard views of azure ocean, private beach coves and lush greenery through the floor-to-ceiling sliding doors that make up the front wall on the room. Inside, comfortable but minimalist (and very symmetrical) décor includes a massive bed, a comfortable chaise lounge, plenty of closet space, and just one intriguing piece of art on the walls; the massive bathroom features a double vanity, a deep soak tub and a separate rain shower and an expansive glass façade that blends the inside space with the natural surrounds outside.

FAMILY TRAVEL

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A quick reconnaissance of the rest of the villa reveals a host of amenities that make this feel like a home, not a commercial property. The massive dining table for 10 is the perfect setting for a lavish yet intimate sit-down meal one evening; the private cinema is ideal for holing up in for late-night screenings; the small gym is a thoughtful, if ambitious, addition; while the big open kitchen is the site of a raucous Thai cooking class one afternoon.

Of course this is Samui and an inordinate amount of time is spent at the villa’s L-shaped infinity pool, fringed by vegetation and sunloungers, as we bask in the tropical heat.

Guests at Samujana have access to a wide array of activities and experiences, and the property works with local experts to make sure they enjoy the best the island has to offer. While there’s no dedicated dining room – this is not a resort, after all – the in-villa culinary experiences are a highlight here, with Samujana able to cater for everything from opulent breakfast spreads and casual barbecues to sushi buffets and private chefs, among others.

For the active, there are a host of amenities on offer which truly spoil guests for choice. Hydrophilic guests can indulge in an array of water sports like snorkelling, or cruise the smaller islands off Samui on Samujana’s own yacht, the Kindered Spirit; while landlubbers can do their best Rafael Nadal impression on the onsite tennis courts, spar with AJ, the tough-as-nails Muay Thai trainer, or bask in the serenity of private beachside yoga and pilates classes. If relaxation is the order of the day, therapists can be called in for indulgent massages in the privacy of your own room.

Properties like Samujana are becoming an increasingly popular choice for vacationers looking for a different type of beach holiday, and there’s a good reason. That elusive, compelling combination of luxury, privacy and fully bespoke experiences is something that can’t be found anywhere else. www.samujana.com

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26 AIRLINES

THE LITTLE AIRLINE THAT COULD

We check out one of Asia’s fastest growing airlines, the gateway carrier to the beautiful ISLAND OF SRI LANKA, and beyond. www.explorer-magazine.com

Check In We had assigned our seats during the reservation process so checked in at Hong Kong International Airport, where the airline’s team processed our boarding passes quickly and efficiently, pointing us in the direction of one of two pay in lounges at HKIA operated by the Plaza Premium Lounge group, both of which are also used by smaller airlines. The lounge is always packed but access with a SriLankan Airlines business class boarding pass gets you complimentary drinks at the bar and it’s a good staging space before your flight.

The Welcome After finding our seats on the Airbus 330-200 aircraft we were greeted by smiling, welcoming cabin crew, including Dilini, one of the best we have ever encountered, who ensured we were settled in before offering glasses of Jacquart champagne and cold Lion lagers, hot towels and menus (she later gave us her recommendations for restaurants in Negombo and was spot on).

The Plane

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SriLankan, a member of oneworld, operates both A330-200 and 330300 aircraft and is slowly rolling a new generation business class across its fleet. The aircraft operated on the Hong Kong-Colombo (via Bangkok) route featured the older business class, which is still surprisingly comfortable. The cabin’s 12 fully-lie flat seats, set in a 2-2 configuration, feature a pitch of 198cm, and plenty of storage based around a large monitor that presents a recently upgraded IFE system with over 100 movies, accessed using a unique little finger-tracker remote (though as always you might want to bring your own noise-reduction headphones).

Dining Orders for our meal were taken quickly by Dilini before we left the gate and dinner was served in record time after reaching cruise altitude, despite the business class cabin being 80 percent full. A papaya salad with glass noodles and tofu was followed by a choice of stir-fried chicken with sweet chili paste, fried noodles and vegetables; grilled red snapper in masala sauce; ragout of lamb with buttered penne and grilled peppers; and mushroom and green pea masala with steamed rice as a vegetarian option. A notation in the menu pointed out that guests could mix and match the ingredients of the stated dishes to suit their preference. The salad was fresh, light and zesty, with just the right amount of heat, while the chicken was the perfect comfort food and was followed by a choice of fresh fruit and opera cake with mixed berries.

Summary We landed in Bangkok, the first half of our journey to Colombo, uneventfully but very impressed with SriLankan Airlines’ levels of service. Staff held themselves very well – nothing was too much trouble – and we left with an entirely different perception of the airline and its home destination, one which was further cemented on the subsequent five flights we would make with the airline in the following fortnight.

From a value proposition, SriLankan is very competitively priced given the competition on the routes and the quality of the service and business class product – even if it is the more dated version. www.srilankan.com

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28 SAFARI CAMPS

INTO THE WILD The cooler months are the best time to travel to Africa to enjoy spectacular wildlife encounters, combined with the lavish hospitality of the continent’s best safari camps. Here are a few new favourites. By Nick Walton

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Delve into some of Africa’s most coveted landscapes with the recently re-opened &Beyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge. Combining worldclass hospitality with Africa’s wildlife hotspot, the lodge is located on a private concession adjacent to the famed Moremi Game Reserve, home to baboons, elephants and lions. Organic, contemporary design, which includes indigenous timber, copper and intricate weaves, allows the haven to merge into its surroundings seamlessly. Eight stilted suites boast crocodile-embossed leather sofas, king-sized beds, mirror-like plunge pools, wood-burning fireplaces and outdoor showers, and are perched above fields of dancing papyrus. After days exploring the Delta on guided game drives in search of leopards, serval and hippos, or capturing the heart of Africa on customized photographic safaris, guests can watch the last light of the day ebb from the sky from the elevated terrace, before spoiling their palates in the interactive kitchen around an immense dining table crafted from the root of an ironwood tree. www.andbeyond.com

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Newly reopened after an extensive renovation, Azura Selous (formerly Amara Selous) brings a new, chic vibe to the luxury safari scene of Southern Tanzania. Perched on the rapids of the Ruaha River in the Selous Game Reserve, one of Tanzania’s top spots for elephant, leopard, lion and crocodile spotting, the camp offers 12 ‘eco chic’ tented suites, featuring plunge pools, custom-made beds, stone bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers and touches of native textiles and handmade art from local community initiatives. Early morning and dusk game drives in custom-made 4x4 vehicles offer unique wildlife encounters; the Selous is famed for its wild, rugged landscapes and the camp’s remote location ensures plenty of visits from the reserve’s residents, including herds of elephants, prides of lions and even packs of rare African wild dogs. If you’re looking to share your adventure with the little ones, Azura Selous is the only camp in the reserve with a dedicated kids program, from tracking to fishing, with experienced guides. www.rainbowtours.co.uk Hidden away on Namibia’s Skeleton Coast, the recently opened Hoanib Skeleton Coast brings an unashamedly contemporary feel to the tented desert camp. Part of the Wilderness Safaris collection and available through Robert Mark Safaris, Hoanib is nestled within a broad valley at the northern tip of the private Palmwag Concession. Only accessible by light aircraft, this unique safari retreat boasts just seven luxuriously-appointed tents and one family unit. Each space features a stylish ensuite, a shaded patio and contemporary furnishings. French windows open onto the vast spaces of the valley and offer respite between excursions in search of shaggy brown hyenas and elephants or aerial tours over the many ship wrecks that gave the coast its haunting name. www.robertmarksafaris.com

For a different take on the conventional safari, head for Rubondo Island Camp, the only accommodation on the uninhabited, predator-free island at the heart of Lake Victoria. Over twice the size of Manhattan, the unique wilderness of Rubondo Island is home to troops of chimps rescued from European zoos in the 1960s, as well as elephants, giraffe and sitatunga. You’ll have a chance to encounter the island’s wildlife on forest treks, bicycle tours and even canoe safaris led by the camp’s experienced guides. After a long day under the canopy, head up into the trees with the camp’s unique Forest Tree House, a circular canvas-covered platform surrounded by lush jungle. For those looking for seclusion, the lake views from the large bed or the over-sized copper tub are exquisite, and best matched with a sumptuous picnic-style dinner on the lake’s banks, under a canopy of stars. www.asiliaafrica.com

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Opening in June, and with a name taken from the Swahili for ‘suspended in midair’, Angama Mara is perched on the rim of the Oloololo Escarpment, part of Africa’s famed Rift Valley. Boasting awesome views across the acclaimed Maasai Mara and its Mara Triangle Game Reserve, the new camp is inspired by the classic safari era – in fact the lodge is set against the Ngong Hills, a regular backdrop in cinematic classic Out of Africa. Angama is actually made up of two intimate camps, each with just 15 tented suites designed by architects Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens of Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, North Island and Mombo fame. Floating 300 meters above the Mara, each tented suite features interiors by Annemarie Meintjes, and hangs onto the edge of the escarpment, offering 180-degree views from floorto-celling windows and open air decks. After long days of tailored game drives with Maasai guides in search of lions and herds of Cape buffalo, guests can return to Egyptian cotton sheets, lead-skirted baths and barbeque dinners served around a roaring fire pit. www.angama.com If you’re looking for your own private African odyssey, head to the newly opened

Zarafa Dhow Suites, located a short distance from the original Zarafa Camp, in the expansive Selinda Reserve of northeast Botswana. Catering to just four adults a piece on an exclusive-use basis, the two new tented safari villas feature Old World décor married with African opulence, from their private pools and spacious, splitlevel terraces, to their decadent suites, compete with candle-wreathed soak tubs, roaring fireplaces and outdoor showers.

Guests have full access to the camp’s day and night game drives in search of wild dog packs, zebra, elephant, cheetah and the lodge’s namesake giraffes, as well as private dinner picnics under the Milky Way and guided boat trips on the Zibadiania Lagoon. www.robertmarksafaris.com

Hide away from the world with someone special in your very own African treehouse. Located in Tanzania’s Tarangire National Park, at the heart of Maasai country, Tarangire Treetops, part of the Elewana Collection, features 20 elevated guest suites centred around a main lodge building.

The largest camp bedrooms in East Africa, each decadent treehouse features spacious ensuites with double showers, locally-crafted furnishings, a private balcony and views over a landscape of ancient baobab and marula trees. The Tarangire is the sixth largest national park in Africa and is home to the greatest concentration of wildlife outside the Serengeti, so daily day and night game drives and walks offer plenty of opportunities for close encounters with elephants, lions, zebra and wildebeest. Start the day off with a balloon safari over the savannah, and leave time for remote bush lunches and dinners and sun downer cocktails on the aptly named Sunset Hill. www.elewanacollection.com

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