Family holidays start here...
With a fantastic special offer on rooms and a huge spread of destinations, now is the time to book a break with IHG.
2 Bahrain An island of culture and fun. 3 Kuwait Cool souks and designerlabel shopping. 4 Oman Take a trip round the fjords. 6 Qatar Islamic art and Oryx farms. 8 Saudi Arabia Jeddah’s best watersports. 10 The UAE Skiing, shopping and more. 12 Egypt Ancient wonders revealed. 14 Jordan Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea. The summer’s almost here, and it’s time to plan a wonderful holiday for you and your family. But where to start? Happily, InterContinental Hotels Group have made it easy for you – not only do they have hotels in all of the region’s most exciting holiday spots, but they are also offering a special deal this summer which gets you extra time on vacation by giving you seven nights’ stay for the price of five. So what sort of things will you be doing with your week’s
break? How about going on safari in South Africa, cheering on a Roman chariot race in Jordan, enjoying snorkelling in the turquoise seas of Mauritius or going to the world-famous Baalbeck festival in Lebanon? In order to help you along your way, we’ve compiled the need-toknow recommendations of activities, sights, restaurants and more – just flick inside and start dreaming. And when you’ve come up with your perfect holiday, turn to p24 to pick the perfect hotel…
16 Lebanon Beaches and ancient sites. 18 Kenya Masai markets and hot air balloon rides. 20 Mauritius Top sailing, diving and golf. 22 South Africa Whale-watching and rollercoasters. 24 Choose your hotel Great accommodation galore.
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Best for kids
Your perfect week in...
Bahrain Day 1 Start your trip off with a day at The Lost Paradise of Dilmun (www.lpodwaterpark.com), a huge waterpark. You’ll love chilling in the therapeutic spa pool while your kids dash about in the Rain Fortress, where they can soak each other with hoses and barrel down slides.
Day 2 It’s time for some retail therapy. If you’ve got teenagers with you, they’ll love the charming and old-fashioned Manama Souk – a great place to spend a leisurely morning browsing the stalls and picking up trinkets (girls will adore the beautiful silver jewellery) and authentic knick-knacks.
The Lost Paradise of Dilmun
‘You’ll love chilling in the therapeutic spa pool while your kids hit the Rain Fortress, where they can barrel down water slides.’ Day 3 Spend the day in high speed-style with a visit to the state-
Best for adults
of-the-art Gulf Speed One, a go-kart track in Manama (www.gulfspeedone.com) where you can hire out turbocharged single or twin-engine machines to zip around the track at up to 65kph, trying to shave seconds off your time and keep up with your kids.
Day 4 Manama’s Bahrain National Museum is an excellent place for you and your kids to get an insight into this ancient nation, and it covers over six millenia of history. Here you can learn about Dilmun, the ancient civilisation of legend thought to have been based in Bahrain, as well as The Tree of Life
Day 5
Days 6 and 7: The Bonus
It’s all about tranquility and relaxation today.
Bahrain is a small island surrounded by the warm waters
Start off in the morning with a trip out into the
of the Gulf –over your two extra days, why not make the very
desert to see the Tree of Life. It’s so unusual
most of all the ocean has to offer, at the Bahrain Yacht Club
because it stands completely on its own – a
(www.thebahrainyachtclub.com)? Book in advance and you and
great, green, centuries-old tree with not a single
your family (they’ll teach kids from the age of seven) can take
other living plant for miles around. Next it’s time
an RYA Sailing course which will give you basic proficiency and
to soak up the sun by the pool of the Crowne
the ability to take to the water with confidence. You can also
Plaza Bahrain – once you’ve caught some rays,
take a PADI diving course, get instruction in windsurfing or
leave the kids at the children’s pool and grab a
learn to drive a powerboat: terrific fun.
Jacuzzi session at the hotel’s health club. 2
Bahrain’s more recent history.
Your perfect week in...
Day 1
The Rib Eye Steakhouse
Kuwait
Start your trip off by taking your family for an overview of Kuwait City. Head to the iconic Kuwait Towers in Sharq and climb up to the Viewing Sphere in the first tower, where you can get 400-foot-high vistas of the city and have a cold drink as the platform rotates around, giving you a 360-degree perspective on this hyper-modern city.
Day 2 The Scientific Centre in Salmiya (www.tsck.org.kw) is a wonderful place to take kids. There’s an extensive aquarium with a 1.5-million-litre tank filled with exotic sealife – don’t miss the regular shark-feeding sessions – and an IMAX
Kuwait Towers
Day 3
cinema showing kid-centric films like Under The Sea, Fly Centro
Me To The Moon and 3D Bugs.
Kuwait boasts a first-class shopping scene, with lavish malls where families can immerse themselves in some serious browsing. Marina Mall and Souk Sharq, both on the Gulf Road,
Best for adults
The observation deck at Kuwait Towers
are good starting points. Follow up with a trip to The Avenues (www.the-avenues.com), Kuwait’s biggest mall.
Day 4 For some serious outdoor action to get you and your family’s hearts racing, sign up for a game or two of paintball at Kuwait Aqua Park (www.aquaparkkuwait.com). When it comes to evening time, take your family to The Rib Eye Steakhouse (00 965 2 576 0000) in the Holiday Inn Kuwait for thick, juicy steaks.
Best for kids
‘Head to the iconic Kuwait Towers where you can get 400 foot-high vistas of the city.’ Day 5 Pay a visit to the Zoological Park on Airport Road, home to 129 bird species plus tigers, lions, giraffes, zebras and other exotic creatures. And in the evening, head to Il Centro at the Holiday Inn Downtown Kuwait (00 965 1 841 000) for fantastic pizzas, pastas and creamy risottos. Heading into the Kuwaiti desert
Days 6 and 7: The Bonus Head into the great outdoors with a trip into the Kuwaiti desert (your concierge or www.nuzhatours.com can help you to organise a guide, which is essential). You’ll visit the most attractive part of the dunes, where you can see both the mountains and the sea, and you’ll meet locals as well as other visitors by the fireside after a day of 4x4ing, buggying, camel and horse-riding and sand-boarding. They’ll even lay on volleyball and other competitions as well as a barbecue dinner under the stars: it’s a lovely contrast to the city-based part of your holiday. 3
Best for adults
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
Your perfect week in...
Oman Day 1
Your break begins in Muscat, the lovely old Omani capital. Take a tour of Muttrah Souk, which is particularly known for its silver goods, and where Frankincense, the nation’s signature scent, is still sold from open sacks. Afterwards, visit the visually stunning Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the real gem in the capital city’s crown. In the evening it’s time for superb traditional food and a warm Iranian welcome at the ever-popular Siraz Persian restaurant at the Crowne Plaza Muscat (00 968 2466 0660). Wise families will grab themselves a table on the lovely terrace where
‘Take the kids to the Musandam, hop aboard a dhow and ask the captain to take you out to see the wild dolphins leap out of the ocean.’
they can while away a relaxed evening.
Best for kids
Day 2 Take an hour’s drive out of Muscat to Nizwa Fort, which is often cited as the Sultanate’s finest historic destination. It was built over 500 years ago to protect Oman’s coastline from potential invaders but these days it attracts only tourists, keen to see a building renowned for its architectural ingenuity. In the afternoon, take the kids to the Musandam, hop aboard a dhow and ask the captain to take you out to where wild dolphins leap in and out of the ocean. It’s a fantastic spectacle and one that everyone in the family will enjoy.
The Musandam coastline
Day 3 It’s time for some adventure, and happily the list of outdoor pursuits on offer in Oman reads as long as your arm. If you like your activities to be more adventurous, spend the day out in Snake Canyon where you can tip-toe across hairraisingly high wires which hang 100ft above the ground, or have a go at canyoning – a mixture of trekking, climbing and quite often swimming: see www.holiday-in-oman.com for booking details. Through the same website you can also book to go quad-biking, sailing or – one of our personal favourites – sand-boarding amid huge dunes. Mountain biking is also popular in Oman, thanks to ever-changing under-tyre terrain. 4
A canyoning trip
Day 4
Al Bustan Palace InterContinental Muscat
Back in Muscat, pay a visit to Xtreme Sports (www. xtremesportsoman.com), where you’ll find a state-of-the-art paintball ground. In the afternoon, once you’ve washed off the paint, take a trip out to the foot of the Jabal Shams – the highest point in the whole of Eastern Arabia – where you’ll find the must-see Al Hoota Cave, a spooky spot that the kids will love. After a day’s excitement, relax with a big family dinner at China Mood at Al Bustan Palace InterContinental Muscat (00 968 2479 9666), which offers delicious food, with a particularly good line in gourmet dim sum.
‘Dine at Senor Pico at the InterContinental Muscat, a lively Mexican restaurant that’s fantastic for families.’ Señor Pico
Day 5 Oman is filled with awe-inspiring scenery: to check it out from the coast, book a day cruising the country’s fjords. Muscat Diving and Adventure Centre (www.holiday-in-oman.com) has fully crewed, soft-carpeted dhows available for private hire so you can sail off on a big family adventure, guided by professional local sailors. Your route will be flanked by the mountains that make up the Musandam Peninsula – arguably nature’s finest offering to the Gulf region. And if you make it back to town in time for dinner, make reservations at Señor Pico at the InterContinental Muscat (00 968 2468 0000), a lively Mexican restaurant that’s fantastic fun for families. Scuba-diving in the Musandam
Days 6 and 7: The Bonus Use your extra days to do some scuba-diving and snorkelling. Oman has some super dive spots for you to enjoy, not least in the unspoiled Musandam area where underwater visibility is good and there are countless little bays where the water is current-free and clear. You may well find yourself sharing your dive with beautiful turtles – a breathtaking sight. Check out www.musandamdiving.com for further details. First-class scubadiving await 5 s...
Your perfect week in...
Fish Market
Qatar Day 1
To get your bearings, take a stroll along Doha’s Corniche until you arrive at a cluster of dhow boats by the Balhambar building. You can cruise across the bay on one of these dhows before hopping off for a seaside shisha. In the afternoon, it’s time for some retail therapy at the designer-label-driven Villaggio Mall, followed by some no-holds-barred fun for the kids. Take them to Circusland (00 974 487 6333), which offers rides, games and an activity area, or Jungle Zone (00 974 469 4848), an indoor theme
‘In the evening, head to the renowned Fish Market at the InterContinental Doha, where you can dine al fresco.’
park with enough rides to keep them at fever pitch for hours. In the evening, head to the renowned Fish Market at the InterContinental Doha (00 974 484 4444), where you can dine al fresco.
Day 2
Za Moda
Doha is home to the most fascinating and content-rich museum in Arabia, The Museum of Islamic Art (www.mia. org.qa). The building’s exterior alone is enough to have you reaching for your camera – the multi-angular creation was dreamt up by world-renowned architect I.M. Pei – but the real gems are inside, where over three centuries’ worth of Islamic art is housed. Expect to see wonderful woodwork, ceramics, ancient manuscripts, ivory, textiles and precious stones: entrance and guided tours are free. For a rustic Italian family dinner with plenty of charm, pay a visit to Za Moda at the InterContinental Doha (00 974 484 4444), a guaranteed hit.
Best for adults
Day 3 Given its abundance of open water there are family adventures aplenty to be had in Qatar. Head out in a boat hired from the Regatta Sailing Academy (www.regattasailingacademy.com – you can either sail yourself or go out with an expert) and you can hook yourself a whopper – the deep sea fishing is excellent – or simply meander your way across Doha’s West Bay. When it comes to evening, head out with Gulf Adventures (www.gulfadventures.com) for a Night Dhow Cruise along the glittering Corniche, which gives you wonderful views out over the uplit city as you cruise the waters and enjoy an onboard dinner. 6
A night dhow cruise
Paloma
Day 4 Today sees you and your kids getting to know Qatar’s national animal, the Arabian Oryx. This bi-horned creature was once hunted to the point of extinction, but having been rescued by international protection agencies, the Oryx found favour in Qatar, which became the first country to set up breeding farms to manage its population. In the morning, take a family visit to the sanctuaries where these graceful animals live by booking through Net Tours (www.nettours. com.qa). In the afternoon, Net Tours will take you to one of the many camel farms outside Doha where you can meet dozens of camels before heading back to Paloma at the InterContinental Doha (00 974 484 4444) for sizzling steaks
‘The Souq Waqif is the perfect place to pick up some presents for your friends back home.’
and flavoursome fajitas. The souq’s wares...
Arabian trinkets
Day 5 Spend the morning browsing the wares and bartering hard at the atmospheric Souq Waqif, where you’ll find lots of Indian and Arabian trinkets including beautiful presentation boxes of Oriental spice. It’s the perfect place to pick up some presents for your friends back home. Take your lunch in one of the delightful souq coffee shops – which also do a great line in flavourful shishas. Then in the afternoon it’s time to work on your swing at the highly prestigious Championship Course at the Doha Golf Club (www. dohagolfclub.com) – home of the Qatar Masters.
Best for kids
Days 6 and 7: The Bonus Your extra days give you the chance to take a trip out of town to see one of the country’s most striking natural features. Khor el Daid, or The Inland Sea, is a huge expanse of eerily still water surrounded by nothing but gargantuan sand dunes. As such, it’s a terrific spot to throw down a blanket for a big family picnic and then camp overnight. Because of its location there are no roads leading to The Inland Sea, so your best bet is to book a private tour through one of the many operators who offer trips there: try Gulf
The Inland Sea
Adventures (www.gulf-adventures.com). 7
Your perfect week in...
Saudi Arabia Day 1 Jeddah, the seaside second city of Saudi Arabia, is the nicest place in the country to head on holiday. Blessed with excellent weather even in summer thanks to cooling sea breezes, it’s known for its welcoming and friendly people. Acquaint yourself with the city on the sweeping Corniche, which is filled with activity throughout the week. It offers glorious views out over the Red Sea, and a prime position to check out A view from the Corniche
the majestic King Fahd’s Fountain, the tallest in the world, which reaches a height of over 800 feet.
Best for adults
Day 2 Spend the day getting a real flavour of the ‘old’, pre-oil Saudi Arabia in the Balad souk, where haggling is the name of the game and eye candy comes in the form of lovely historic buildings fashioned from coral. In the evening, swing by the Fish Market at the InterContinental Jeddah (00 966 2 661 1800) where your family will enjoy super-fresh seafood cooked in myriad different styles.
Souk shopping
A family shopping trip
‘In the Balad souk in Jeddah, haggling is the name of the game and eye candy comes in the form of lovely old buildings fashioned from coral.’ Day 3 It’s not just about the souks in Jeddah – there are lots of other modern shopping areas to walk round too (this is a city which takes its shopping very seriously). For a session of the best retail therapy in town, head over to Tahlia Street, a boulevard at the heart of the city that’s filled with big designer stores including Versace, Prada and Giorgio Armani.
8
Jet-skiing
Day 4 Today it’s time for Jeddah’s biggest family attraction – its watersports. This is the place for sailing, banana-boating, jet-skiing, paragliding, windsurfing, fishing, kayaking, water-skiing and more in the lovely warm and clean waters of the Red Sea. To get started, check in with the leisure team at the InterContinental Jeddah who can help you enjoy any watersport you like.
Best for kids
Day 5 Diving and snorkelling are also particularly popular off the coast of Jeddah, thanks to the unpolluted waters and the extraordinary coral and exotic fish. Get kitted out with flippers, masks and tanks at a dive centre and then take your family out to do some underwater exploring...
‘This is the place for sailing, bananaboating, jet-skiing, paragliding, kayaking and more in the lovely warm and clean waters of the Red Sea.’
Snorkelling for kids
Days 6 and 7: The Bonus Your bonus two days of holiday in Jeddah will allow you to get stuck in to the area’s first-class golf scene. Your first port of call is Durrat Al Arus, just 40 kilometres north of the city, where you’ll find the Durrah Golf Course, a nine-hole beauty that’s been designed as an oasis. Don’t worry if you haven’t brought your clubs – there’s a fully stocked pro shop, and you can also organise a caddy service if needed. If you’d like something a little more unusual, try the Sand and Oil course near King Abdulaziz International Airport: playing on sand is a fun and unusual challenge.
Brushing up on your golf skills 9
Your perfect week in...
The UAE Day 1 Start your family trip off with a bird’s eye view of the country, courtesy of a fun and fascinating hot air balloon ride. You and your kids will be collected from your city base by Balloon Adventures (www. ballooning.ae) and taken into the desert first thing in the morning, before sunrise. As you rise into the air the astounding beauty of the surroundings will take your breath away as your kids compete to spot the camels and gazelles that leap about the terracotta dunes. In the afternoon, head to a Dubai beach – there are numerous excellent beach clubs (including
Balloon Adventure s
several on the Palm Jumeirah island) which are geared up to cater for families, and where you’ll find great watersports. Your kids will get involved with banana-boating, kayaking and more while you soak up the sunshine with a nice cold drink at your side...
Best for kids
Wild Wadi
‘Your kids will compete to spot the camels and gazelles who leap about the terracotta dunes.’
Day 2 As well as the myriad beaches on the tranquil coastline, there are two fantastic water parks in Dubai. Aquaventure is best for older kids, with a near-vertical slide which plunges through a shark-infested lagoon, while Wild Wadi offers plenty for tots and tweens. If snow’s your family’s bag, head to Ski Dubai (www.skidxb.com), which boasts the world’s first indoor black run as well as tobogganing. Finish the day with dinner at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City (00 971 4 701 1111). If your family likes French food, try the laid-back Bistrot Madeleine, but if you all like different cuisines, head to international restaurant Anise where kids aged four-11 get 50% off their meals.
Day 3 Get your family out onto the ocean and survey the City of Gold from the luxury of a yacht: there are plenty of operators but we can recommend Dusail (www.dusail.com), a husbandand-wife venture with just a few immaculate boats. They set off from Dubai Marina and take visitors on a tour around the Palm Jumeirah, an exhilarating, splash-happy trip which your children will love. If you feel in need of some sporting activity, head for a soothing round of golf at Al Badia Golf Club at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City (www. albadiagolfclub.ae), a magnificent course by the Creek. Ski 10 Dubai
Chamas Brazilian Churrascaria
Day 4 Head to Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort (www.awpr.ae), a nature reserve where your kids will come face to face with indigenous species from across the Gulf as well as animals from further afield, including the white lions of Sambona. And while you’re in Al Ain, don’t miss a trip to Hili Fun City, a heritage-focused theme park with a carnival atmosphere where your kids will race around enjoying the rollercoaster, laser dome and fairground-style rides. In the evening, make reservations at Chamas Brazilian Churrascaria (00 971 2 666 6888) at the InterContinental Abu Dhabi, which dishes up delicious barbecued food – perfect for families.
Al Ain Zoo
‘At Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort your kids will come face to face with indigenous species from across the Gulf.’ Day 5 In the morning, take your family out to explore Abu Dhabi’s natural side from the perspective of a kayak. The land surrounding the UAE capital is riddled with mangroves which play host to crabs, fish and birds, and Noukhada Adventure Company (www.noukhada.ae) will take you out on a fun guided tour as well as loaning fishing equipment if you want to land some dinner. In the afternoon, it’s time for a round of golf at the wonderful Abu Dhabi Golf Club, before a family dinner at the Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island’s pan-Asian restaurant Jing Asia. Enjoy a spot of golf
Best for adults
Days 6 and 7: The Bonus With your two extra days, make your way out to Fujairah, on the UAE’s east coast, and go canyoning in Wadi Wurrayah. Hire a guide to show your family the best and most entertaining route (try www.adventure.ae). Water levels in the wadi will vary depending on the time of year but if there has been recent rainfall, your kids will love wading waistdeep through pools, scrambling up rocky ridges and checking out the local wildlife. If you’ve all still got energy at the end, stop in Fujairah and do some snorkelling off Snoopy Rock. 11
Your perfect week in...
Egypt
The InterContinental Abu Soma
Day 1 You’ve just flown in and you’re feeling a little weary, so ease into your Egyptian trip with a relaxing day at the InterContinental Abu Soma resort in Hurghada (00 20 65 326 0700). This charming property is set on the idyllic Red Sea coastline, where hundreds of palm trees are dotted around the surrounding twin bays and the enormous free-form swimming pool, complete with cave shelters, is perfect for a spot of wallowing if your family can’t quite muster the energy to walk to the private beach. For true indulgence, the adults in your party should book up a treatment or two at the hotel’s spa while the children make new friends at the kids’ club. In the evening, head to Il Portico for family-pleasing trattoria-style antipasti
Day 2 The Red Sea is known throughout the world for its fantastic snorkelling and diving. Take your family to
and pizzas from the brick oven.
Diving in Sharm El Sheikh
the beautiful resort of Sharm El Sheikh and you’ll experience crystal-clear waters, powdery white sands and vibrant coral reefs bursting with tropical fish, turtles and sometimes even dolphins. Be sure to get rash vests for the kids as it will stop their backs from getting burned in the intense sun. This resort is a great place to take PADI diving lessons if you’re a novice – take a pool-based lesson in the morning and you can head out to sea with an instructor in the afternoon.
Day 3 If your family loves adventure and the great outdoors, you’ve probably already been on snowboarding and wakeboarding trips. But have you ever enjoyed the special thrill of sandboarding? We’re not talking going down a little hill on a tray – this is serious business: take your family out to the dunes in the Western Desert, some of the biggest in the world at up to 300 metres high, and get them fully kitted out with boards and boots. You can then spend a day zipping down the dunes, stopping only to enjoy a barbecue dinner. Given the lack of chair lifts, it’s pretty exhausting, but also brilliant fun. 12
Sandboarding
Best for kids
The majestic pyramids
Best for adults
Day 4 You can’t leave Egypt without spending a day in the Valley of the Kings and drinking in the power and achievements of the ancient pharaohs. Located opposite Luxor, on the banks of the Nile, this valley is home to millenia-old constructions, with around 12 tombs open for view on any given day. The most famous, thanks to its extraordinary furnishings and decoration, is the tomb of Tutankhamun, which your kids will love exploring. You should also check out the tombs of Ramses III and Merneptah if they are
The Valley of the Kings
open when you visit. For an extra thrill you can organise to be transported to the Valley of the Kings by donkey.
‘Shopaholic members of your family will love the Khan Ali-Kalili, a huge open-air market which sells souvenirs, jewellery and spices.’ Day 5
Days 6 and 7: The Bonus To experience something more off-thebeaten track in your extra days, why not head to the Sahara’s Western Desert where you can witness the majesty of an oasis with your family, a memory you will cherish forever. There are four main oases
Start off a day in Cairo with a visit to the excellent Egyptian
to check out: Siwa, Baharia, Farafra and
Museum where your kids will take ghoulish glee in checking out
Dakhla. The 80km-long Siwa is dotted with
the display of ancient royal mummies. After seeing a sample of
limestone outcrops, mineral springs and
the museum’s 120,000 other exhibits, take a trip to the Citadel,
two salt lakes, and its abundant date and
an ancient fortress dating from the 1100s, where you can get
olive trees make it feel like a real haven.
wonderful views across the city. Shopaholic members of your
Dakhla is so verdant you could almost
family will love a couple of hours in the Khan Ali-Kalili, a huge
forget you’re in the desert; tranquil Farafra
open-air market which sells excellent souvenirs, jewellery and
is ideal for couples seeking solitude; and
spice. Round the day off with a trip to the sound and light show
Baharia is accessible by road so it’s ideal
at the pyramids.
if you don’t want to have to make a major excursion of it. 13
Your perfect week in...
Day 1
Jordan
Spend your first day in the Jordanian capital of Amman: as well as being an excellent base from which to explore the northwestern parts of the country, the city is filled with glorious sights in the form of the Roman amphitheatre and the citadel. Shop-loving families will be in their element – as well as the souks and street stalls of the central downtown area (Balad), there are malls galore (our top recommendation is the excellent City Mall). In the evening, head for a wonderful family dinner at Indu at the InterContinental Amman (00 962 6 464 1361) which features dishes from different Indian regions each month.
‘Wander around the 6,500-year-old Greco-Roman site, where toga-clad legionnaires roam the walkways.’
anAdventures Amm oon Ball
Day 2 It’s time to get out of the city and find a truly unique way to keep the kids entertained, in the form of a real live chariot race. Head to the hippodrome at Jerash (about 50 minutes’ drive from Amman) and you can wander around the 6,500-year-old Greco-Roman site, where toga-clad legionnaires roam the walkways and mingle with the tourists. A trumpet blare proclaims the beginning of the pre-race fight, and Roman soldiers emerge and battle it out in gladiatorial contests, hurling spears and crossing swords in a scarily convincing manner. Next, decide which team to support and watch from the edge of your seat as four horse-drawn chariots zoom through their seven laps.
Best for kids
Unmissable – see www.jerashchariots.com for details.
A chariot race
Day 3 What could be more relaxing than bobbing around in the sea without even having to tread water? Head to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth, and you and your family can do just that, due to the exceedingly high salt content of the water. It’s a bizarre sensation and a hilarious one – your kids will love trying to dive beneath the surface, and bobbing along on top. When evening falls it’s time to indulge yourselves with a carnivorous family meal – Below 393 at the Holiday Inn Resort Dead Sea (00 962 5 349 5555) does a great line in The Dead Sea
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high-quality steak.
Wadi Rum
Day 4 You haven’t seen a wadi until you’ve seen Wadi Rum. Soaring dramatically above the desert sands, the vast sandstone and granite ridges that flank the valley have been eroded over thousands of years by fresh water springs, leading to it becoming a handy meeting point for caravans and Bedouin tribes, some of whom inhabit the wadi to this day. The breathtaking beauty of sunset and sunrise at Wadi Rum has to be seen to be believed, so make the most of your trip by camping overnight (www.wadirumsunset.com offers good overnight trips) – then you can also lie beneath more stars than you would
InterContinental Aqaba
have thought could possibly exist in one sky.
Day 5 Jordan’s best diving is found in Aqaba, where a wellpreserved reef makes for excellent scuba action, alongside other water sports. Your kids will love snorkelling their way over the multicoloured banks of coral, where brightly coloured fish dart about in schools – once they’re tired out, take them on a sunset cuise or a glass-bottomed boat ride. And when it comes to dining you’re spoilt for choice – at the InterContinental Aqaba (00 962 3 209 2222)
‘Petra was entirely carved into the stone of the red-rocked mountains in 100BC and remained undiscovered until 1812.’
you can eat at a marvellous, welcoming Lebanese spot, Burj Al Hamam, enjoy international food at the Corniche restaurant or grilled meats at Côte D’Or.
Best for adults
Days 6 and 7: The Bonus One of the new seven wonders of the world, Petra is absolutely spectacular; a trip to Jordan would be incomplete without seeing it. Best recognised for its role in Indiana Jones, Petra was entirely carved into the stone of the red-rocked mountains in 100BC and remained undiscovered by the western world until 1812. Its fortress-like construction was a smart move, as it was built on a major trade route passed through by those travelling between Gaza, Damascus, Aqaba and Leuce Come on the Red Sea, and the area contained a perennial stream which essentially turned the city into an artificial oasis. It’s an enormous area to explore so make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes.
Petra
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Best for adults
Your perfect week in...
Lebanon Day 1 Your trip begins in Beirut, where you and your family will have a great time wandering around the different neighbourhoods – check out Verdun, Hamra and Achrafieh in particular. The new heart is the Downtown area, where you can saunter around
Downtown
admiring the wonderful 19th-century, French-inspired
Top 21
architecture, and popping in and out of the dozens of boutique and big name stores which line the boulevards. The real joy, though, is in snagging a seat at one of the roadside cafés on the pedestrianised Maarad Street, and settling in for an afternoon of people-watching. In the evening, make reservations for a family dinner at Top 21 at the Crowne Plaza Beirut (00 961 1 754 755) which offers bird’s eye views and delicious Lebanese food. Byblos
Day 2 Spend the morning at the palace at Beiteddine to the south of Beirut, a beautiful 18th-century mix of Arabic and Italian architectural styles. Then in the afternoon, make your way to the ancient town of Byblos, just along the coast from Beirut, where you and your family can spend the afternon marvelling at the wonderfully intact Roman ruins, before heading down to the shorefront for some barbecued fish, freshly caught just a stone’s throw away. Alternatively, spend the afternoon at the extraordinary Jeita Grotto, 15 miles outside of Beirut, an underground network of caves filled with stalactites and stalagmites and beautifully lit throughout. Your family will love taking a boating cruise through these ancient caverns.
Day 3 Back in Beirut, head out in the morning for a trip on the Beirut Balloon, based on Allenby Street – up to 30 passengers at a time go up in this sky-scraping beauty which takes you 300 metres up in the air for fantastic vistas over the city. If your family know how to dive, take them out under the water in the afternon with a scuba session courtesy of Lebanon Divers (www.lebanondivers.com). The shores off Beirut have an incredible number of shipwrecks – including freighters, submarines and flagships – as well as ancient Roman and Phoenician ruins. Finish the day with a sunset coffee at an al fresco café at Pigeon Rocks in the Pigeon Rocks 16
Rawcheh district, overlooking the waterfront.
Baalbeck
Day 4 Today starts off with a road trip through the attractive Lebanese countryside – hire a car and point it in the direction of the Bekaa Valley, where you’ll find the ancient city of Baalbeck. It’s a great place to visit with kids, who can race around the movie-set-like ancient temples and monuments to their hearts’ content. And if you happen to be in the country during the Baalbeck festival (www.baalbeck.org.lb) in the summertime (usually in July-August) then you’ll be in for fun, as hundreds of big-name singers, dancers and artists from
‘It’s a great place to visit with kids, who can race around the movie set-like ancient temples and monuments.’
across the globe descend on the town to perform.
Day 5 It’s time to make the most of Lebanon’s excellent weather with a day at the beach. There are a few beach clubs in Beirut, but they tend not to be that good – you’re better off getting out of the city and exploring the coastline. Your kids will love the beautiful Damour, where the beach tapers down from banana groves to the sea, or Tyre, where there are also
Best for kids
ancient sites with mosaic-lined streets. Kids will also love Waves Aqua Park in Mar Roukoz (www.wavespark.net) with its wave pools and its two kilometres of flumes (including a four lane racing slide). Another big family favourite is Mansourieh’s Splash Mountain Water park (www. splashmountainlb.com), with its hair-raising water slides The beach at Tyre
and multiple pools featuring wave-makers and tube rides.
A family rafting trip
Days 6 and 7: The Bonus Having two extra days gives you a chance to make the most of the country’s myriad adventure activities with your family. Why not go offroad in an ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) in Faraya or take a biplane over the countryside (both can be arranged through www.guidetolebanon. com)? Another great option if you have teenaged children is to take an easy trip from Beirut to Hermel to go rafting on the Orontes river: join up with a group of six or seven people, put on your lifejackets and helmets and head 10 kilometres downstream through rapids and waterfalls – when the pace slows down you’ll be able to take in the attractive countryside all around. 17
Your perfect week in...
Meeting giraffes
Kenya Best for kids
Day 1 Your family will adore the Giraffe Centre (www.giraffecenter.org) in Nairobi. At this extraordinary place, kids can hand-feed or even kiss the placid Rothschild giraffes from special giraffe-sized towers, as well as finding out more about Africa’s natural heritage. While you’re in town, give the kids a dose of local culture at The National Museum of Kenya, which is chockful of interesting artefacts, and the delightful Watatu Art Gallery, where you’ll find traditional Kenyan art. In the afternoon, work up an appetite for dinner with an energetic walk in the Ngong Hills, southwest of the city.
‘Be at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust between 11am and 12 noon when the orphan elephants are on view - if your kids really fall for them they can adopt one!’
Bhandini, InterContinental Nairobi
Day 2 Head out to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, (www.sheldrickwildlife trust.org) where you can find out all about their black rhino and elephant conservation programme (they are pioneers in hand-rearing orphaned Black Rhino calves) and meet beautiful baby rhinos and elephants. Make sure to be there between 11am and 12 noon, when the orphan elephants are on view – if your kids really fall for them they can adopt one! When evening falls, make your way to the InterContinental Nairobi (00 254 20 320 0000) whose Bhandini restaurant is a big family favourite, offering hearty North Indian feasts.
Exploring tribal life
Day 3 Pay a visit to Ngomongo Villages (www.ngomongo.com), a cultural park where you and your family can explore the culture of nine different rural Kenyan tribes. Each of the nine different authentic homesteads at the park showcases the way of life of a different tribe, showing the crops they cultivate, the animals they keep (including crocodiles in some cases) and the food they eat (which you will be offered to try). You can interact with the tribespeople, asking them questions about their traditions and getting involved in their tribe-specific activities, including hook-fishing, pounding maize, rafting, archery and forest-walking. An eye-opening experience.
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Best for adults
Day 4 Take a road trip out from Nairobi in the direction of Naivasha and you’ll come face to face with some of the world’s most imposing views in the form of vistas of the Great Rift Valley, where two-kilometre-high walls descend to a volcano-dotted, highly fertile valley floor. It’s a breathtaking sight: if you’ve brought a guide with you, you can strike off into the countryside for a hike. When you get back in the evening, make The Great Rift Valley
a reservation for a family dinner at The Signature Restaurant at the Crowne Plaza Nairobi (00 254 20 274 6000), which specialises in excellent grills, with both steak and seafood.
‘Visit The Village Market on a Friday when there’s an al fresco Masai market with art and crafts from Masai tribespeople.’
Masai Tribespeople
Wildebeest in the Masai Mara
Day 5 It’s time to pick up some souvenirs – head out to The Village Market in Nairobi, a huge entertainment complex which has in excess of 150 stores, plus nine water slides, a 12-lane bowling alley and a raft of restaurants, plus regular art exhibitions from local artists. Haggling is the order of the day here, particularly if you visit on a Friday when there’s an al fresco Masai market with art and crafts from hundreds of traditional Masai tribespeople. For a really authentic souvenir, get one of the local tailors to make you a ‘kikoy’ (a traditional cotton wrap that’s perfect for the beach) to take home.
Days 6 and 7: The Bonus Your extra days give you time to get to grips with Kenya’s tremendous natural heritage at the Masai Mara National Reserve. Start off your extra time with a hot air balloon journey over the park, watching the lush green wilderness unfold beneath you. Then take your family on a safari – you’ll see ostriches, hyenas, zebras, leopards, lions, giraffes, elephants and more. If you happen to get really lucky, you might even be in the park in time to see the worldfamous Wildebeest Migration, in which tens of thousands of the animals charge across the plains in search of water. It’s absolutely breathtaking. 19
Your perfect week in...
Best for kids
Relaxing on the lazy river
Mauritius Day 1 Mauritius is a wonderful place for a family holiday, especially if you share a love for the great outdoors. Start out at the Casela Nature Park (www.casela yemen.mu), where you can watch or even touch lion and cheetah cubs in their enclosure, before hitting the super chutes at Le Waterpark (www.maurinet. com/waterpark), a small but always fun affair where, chutes aside, adults can squeeze themselves into rubber rings and bob along a lazy river while kids can clamber aboard a pirate ship complete with water-firing cannons. When evening falls, enjoy
‘Squeeze yourself into a rubber ring and bob along a lazy river - or clamber aboard a pirate ship...’
a brilliant family dinner in the garden-side Indian restaurant Veda at the InterContinental Mauritius Resort Balaclava Fort (00 230 261 1200).
Quad biking
Day 2 In the morning, take a bird’s eye view of Mauritius via a helicopter tour for up to four people. The tour takes only 15 minutes, but in that time you’ll see mountains, jungles and beautiful swathes of coastline. If that isn’t enough to satisfy your head for heights, how about a heart-racing walk along a cable-thin wire, which is suspended 30 feet above a river? You can book both of these adventures through White Sand Tours (www.whitesandtours.com). To keep your adrenaline up in the afternoon, climb onto a quad bike and speed through the mountains at Domaine de l’Etoile, also with White Sands: expect to see deer, wild boar and monkeys.
Best for adults
Day 3 This tropical island offers postcard-perfect views around every corner and the best place for you and your family to drink in its charms is from the deck of an outsized catamaran. You can hire one of these from White Sand Tours (www. whitesandtours.com), crew included, for a private cruise across the island’s colourful waters, gliding past striking mountain ranges and jungle terrain. If you’re looking for a really eye-opening experience make sure you book your cruise to depart just before sunset, so you can watch the sun slip into the ocean as its rays take a last dance atop the water. 20
Catamaran cruising
Segala
Day 4 It’s time to show the kids a little bit of the island’s history at L’Aventure Du Sucre (www.aventuredusucre.com), a museum devoted to sugar, the island’s chief export. You’ll learn of epidemics and refineries, slavery and sugar booms in a well-thought-out and surprisingly entertaining museum for kids and adults alike. Another attraction providing an overview of the island’s past – largely through old maps, paintings, etchings and the like – is The Blue Penny Stamp Museum. You’ll find it next to Le Caudan Waterfront in Port Louis, and it houses two of the most famous and expensive stamps in the world, the Penny Stamps. The stamps were
‘Sample truly fantastic seafood at Segala at the InterContinental Mauritius Resort Balaclava Fort.’
originally issued in Mauritius then bought back after they had left the island’s shores for the princely sum of $2
Noble House
million. In the evening, sample truly fantastic seafood at Segala at the InterContinental Mauritius Resort Balaclava Fort (00 230 261 1200).
Day 5 Mauritius is awash with excellent golf courses. Head to the fine, mountain-flanked fairways at the Tamarina Golf Estate (www.tamarina.mu) – the first course on the island unattached to a hotel – which is wonderfully welcoming to visitors and a real joy to play. And when you’ve got your round in you might like to take a ten-minute drive to Flic en Flac, and kick back on what’s indulge in some fine Asian fusion food at Noble House at the
Days 6 and 7: The Bonus
InterContinental Mauritius Resort Balaclava Fort (00 230 261
With your extra two days, you’ve got the time
1200) in a modern space that looks out to a beautiful beach.
to explore some of the intriguing satellite
arguably the best public beach on the island. In the evening,
islands which ring Mauritius, which can be visited as part of a wider fishing, diving or pleasure-cruising trip. Off the north coast you’ll find Coin de Mire, which is an amazing spot for diving and snorkelling – even better than the mainland because there’s so much less development. Off the east coast there’s Ile Aux Cerfs, home to the legendary Le Touessrok golf course and some impressive waterfalls. Also off the east coast is Ile Aux Aigrettes, an unspoilt island which is becoming popular with eco tourists for its incredible birdlife, including several nearly extinct species including the Mauritius kestrel and the uniquely lovely pink pigeon, a relative of the dodo. Ile Aux Cerfs 21
Your perfect week in...
South Africa
Best for kids
Ratanga Junction
Day 1 Start your trip off with a kid-pleasing trip to one of South Africa’s best theme parks, Cape Town’s Ratanga Junction (www.ratanga.co.za) where you’ll spend the day jumping on and off the thirty-plus rides and rollercoasters. Particular favourites include ‘Crocodile Gorge’, a wild water journey through the jungle which is guaranteed to leave you both thrilled and soaked, and ‘The Slingshot’, a bungee-style freefall attraction which the three most intrepid members of your family can ride at the same time. Then there are bumper cars, mini-golf, paintball and more…
A whalewatching cruise
Day 2
‘At Cape Town’s Ratanga Junction you’ll spend the day jumping on and off the thirty-plus rides and rollercoasters.’
Few natural sights have such power to awe both parents and kids as that of whales cruising through the ocean. Happily, South Africa’s Western Cape is the perfect place for some serious whale-spotting. As well as humpback whales, best known for their spectacular outof-water leaping, it’s possible to see the elusive, majestic southern rights. The peak period during which to look for these incredible creatures is between July and October, although smaller species populate the water year-round – try viatour.com, who will get you and your family out on the ocean in search of the big beasts. Do not under any circumstances forget to bring your camera..
Abseiling at Table Mountain
Day 3 After a chilled-out day of whale-watching it’s time to step things back up a notch. If you’ve got adventurous teenaged kids, they’ll love The Long Drop, the second highest commercial abseiling point in the world. It offers a 112m descent from Table Mountain, with stunning views of the city thrown in along the way. Alternatively, you could head to Magaliesberg, 90 minutes from Johannesburg and Pretoria, where Tarzan-type teenagers can swing through treetop canopies along zip wires, hopping from one platform to another in the company of trained tour guides, seeing wonderful wildlife and waterfalls en route (see www. canopytour.co.za for booking details).
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Walking in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Day 4
Best for adults
The kids have had plenty of high-adrenaline fun and now it’s time to soak up the beauty of Africa with a nice relaxing day in the northern city of Pretoria. You’ll find it’s awash with beautiful green spots, including the Pretoria National Botanical Garden, a 76-hectare urban oasis divided into two parts – a frosty south-facing section and warmer north-facing area – by a 50-metre-high quartzite outcrop. Between May and September you can head there and enjoy a Garden Picnic Concert, a magical experience. There are also some lovely family walks on offer in the National Zoological Gardens and nearby Rietvlei Nature Reserve. Bhandini More theme park fun...
‘There are game reserves dotted throughout the country but Kruger National Park is generally acknowledged as the best.’ Day 5 Take your family to the Gold Reef City theme park outside of Johannesburg (www.goldreefcity. co.za), a historically themed attraction based on a 19th-century gold mine. As well as taking a trip through a real gold mine, you’ll have huge fun
Spotted on safari
with the dozens of adventure rides, (don’t miss the ‘Runaway Train’), the Giant Wheel and 4D cinema. Seek out the Big Five on safari
Days 6 and 7: The Bonus Two bonus days on the continent mean that you can get involved in Africa’s most eye-opening experience – a safari. South Africa is the best place for your family to tick off the Big Five – elephants, leopards, buffalo, rhinos and lions. There are game reserves dotted throughout the country but Kruger National Park (www.krugerpark.co.za) is generally acknowledged as the best, boasting vast expanses of unspoilt wilderness. When you’re not wildlife-watching, you can indulge in elephant rides, hot air balloon trips and a visit to local villages and the Cheetah Breeding Project. A wonderful end to your trip. 23
Choose your hotel...
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BAHRAIN (80000 880)
Crowne Plaza Beirut
InterContinental Johannesburg
InterContinental Regency Bahrain
Holiday Inn - Dunes
Sandton Towers
Crowne Plaza Bahrain
MAURITIUS (0800 999 136)
Crowne Plaza Jo’burg - The Rosebank
EGYPT (0800 44 333 220)
InterContinental Mauritius Resort
Holiday Inn Jo’burg-Rosebank
InterContinental Abu Soma
Balacalava Fort
Holiday Inn Express Durban-Umhlanga
InterContinental Cairo Citystars
OMAN (0800 97 1234)
Holiday Inn Express Cape Town
InterContinental The Palace Port
Al Bustan Palace
Holiday Inn Express Jo’burg-Roodeport
Ghalib Resort
InterContinental Muscat
Holiday Inn Express Sandton -
InterContinental Taba Heights Resort
InterContinental Muscat
Woodmead
Semiramis InterContinental Cairo
Crowne Plaza Muscat
Holiday Inn Express Pretoria -
InterContinental Residence Suites
Crowne Plaza Sohar
Sunny Park
Cairo Citystars
Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah
TANZANIA (0800 999 136)
Crowne Plaza Sahara Sands Port
QATAR (0800 97 1234)
Holiday Inn Dar Es Salaam
Ghalib Resort
InterContinental Doha
UAE (800 4642)
Crowne Plaza Sahara Oasis Port
SAUDI ARABIA (800 89 71 465)
InterContinental Abu Dhabi
Ghalib Resort
Al Ahsa InterContinental
InterContinental Al Ain Resort
Holiday Inn Citystars Cairo
Dar Al Hijra
InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Holiday Inn Resort Safaga Palace
InterContinental Madinah
InterContinental Residence Suites
Staybridge Suites Cairo CityStars
Dar Al Iman
Dubai Festival City
GHANA (0800 999 136)
InterContinental Madinah
Crowne Plaza Dubai
Holiday Inn Accra
InterContinental Abha
Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi
JORDAN (0800 22 666)
InterContinental Al Jubail
Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City
InterContinental Aqaba
InterContinental Al Khobar
Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island
InterContinental Jordan
InterContinental Jeddah
Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi
Crowne Plaza Resort Petra
InterContinental Riyadh
Holiday Inn Dubai Al Barsha
Crowne Plaza Amman
InterContinental Taif
Holiday Inn Downtown Dubai
Holiday Inn Amman
Crowne Plaza Al Khobar
Holiday Inn Sharjah
Holiday Inn Resort Dead Sea, Jordan
Crowne Plaza Jeddah
Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi - Al Dana
KENYA (0800 999 136)
Holiday Inn Riyadh-Airport Road
Holiday Inn Express Dubai Airport
InterContinental Nairobi
Minhal Holiday Inn Riyadh
Holiday Inn Express DIC
Crowne Plaza Nairobi
Najran Holiday Inn
Holiday Inn Express Dubai Safa Park
Holiday Inn Nairobi
Olaya Holiday Inn Riyadh
Holiday Inn Express Dubai-Jumeirah
KUWAIT (2473 2100 EXT. 6233)
Radhwa Holiday Inn Yanbu
Staybridge Suites Abu Dhabi
Crowne Plaza Kuwait
Hafr Al Batin Holiday Inn
Yas Island
Holiday Inn Downtown Kuwait
Holiday Inn Riyadh-Izdihar
YEMEN (0800 999 136)
Holiday Inn Kuwait
Airport Road
Holiday Inn Mukalla
LEBANON (01) 426 801 ASK AT&T
Holiday Inn Riyadh Al Qasr
ZAMBIA (0800 999 136)
OPERATOR TO CONNECT 866 866 7556)
Holiday Inn Al Khobar
InterContinental Lusaka
InterContinental Le Vendôme Beirut
Half Moon Bay Holiday Inn Resort
ZIMBABWE (0800 999 136)
InterContinental Mzaar Lebanon
Jeddah-Al Salam Holiday Inn
Crowne Plaza Harare Monomotapa
Mountain Resort & Spa
Holiday Inn Al Khobar - Corniche
Holiday Inn Bulawayo
InterContinental Phoenicia Beirut
SOUTH AFRICA (0800 999 136)
Holiday Inn Harare
InterContinental Residence
Holiday Inn Sandton-Rivonia Road
Holiday Inn Mutare
Suites Beirut
InterContinental Johannesburg
Holiday Inn Express Beitbridge
T H E R E’ S NO SUCH T H I NG A S F R E E R E N T…
Unless you come home to the InterContinental Residence Suites. For a limited period only, book one of our luxurious serviced apartments for six months or more and enjoy one month rent-free!* Make yourself at home in one of our stylish one, two, or three bedroom suites from AED 13,000 per month, and enjoy the following 5 star services: • • • • •
High speed broadband internet, plasma screen TV and fully-equipped kitchen MezzaLuna, our authentic Italian restaurant with 24 hour room service 25m indoor pool and health club Licensed Level 17 lounge with panoramic views 20% discount across all restaurants within the InterContinental Hotels Group at Dubai Festival City
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