Kanoo World Traveller_June'13

THE MIDDLE EAST’S BIGGEST TRAVEL MAGAZINE

JuNE 2013

Splash landing

Adrian Bridge bathes with Thai elephants

Going for a song

Texan coastal city Galveston finds its voice Produced in International Media Production Zone

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Queensland Explore the many charms of

luxurious reasons to stay put this summer

W

IN

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Al A tw Gh o ur -nig ai r R ht ay sta ha y a an t D by ub Ro ai’ ta s na

Australia’s Surfer’s Paradise

SoPHIStIcAted leISuRe At tHe fIneSt AddReSS In QAtAR Escape to an exclusive beach with private oceanfront cabanas.

Slip into an Olympic-size pool or take a dip in the inviting blue waters of the Arabian Gulf.

Revel in water sports that excite or soothe, arranged by a St. Regis Butler. Savor flavors from ten extraordinary restaurants including Gordon Ramsay, the master chef’s signature ode to Qatar. The joy of leisure redefined by The St. Regis Doha.

Come, explore.

Reserve a suite and stay the second night for QR 4, just as it was in 1904 when the first St. Regis hotel opened its doors in New York.

al gassar resort at west bay stregisdoha.com 974.4446.0000

a legacy of luxury . now at over

30

of the world ’ s

finest hotels africa europe ©2010–2012 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Preferred Guest, SPG, St. Regis and their logos are the trademarks of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., or its affiliates.

&

resorts .

the americas

asia

the middle east

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Kanoo World Traveller

Welcome to the issue

The summer is here, and the heat is on. Welcome to our June issue.

At the outset, I would like to congratulate the organisers and the extended travel community in the Middle East region for once again celebrating a successful Arabian Travel Market in Dubai this year.

The event gave us the opportunity to meet new partners, renew old relationships and be informed of the latest developments in the global travel & tourism industry. The event also offered our team the opportunity to partner with international tourism companies and select hotels to offer our customers exclusive summer promotions.

Today, our global partners and the Kanoo Travel team are well equipped to satisfy you, our customers, with the very best holiday products from around the world. Reach out to us, talk to us, and let us arrange your dream vacation for you.

In this issue we revel in a walking tour of ever-changing Marseille, this year’s European Capital of Culture, get up close and personal (and wet) with elephants in Thailand, and enjoy the very best of Queensland in Australia. We also detail the best places to head this summer to see some of the natural world’s greatest spectacles.

Wherever you travel, I wish you a safe and enjoyable journey. nabeel Kanoo Director Kanoo Travel

June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller 3

Book a suite at the new Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates Hotel Amazing family suite offers including Iftar and Suhoor with all the entertainment of the Mall of the Emirates at your doorstep.

For reservation please call +971 4 377 2000 or visit sheraton.com/dubaimalloftheemirates

Š2013 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Preferred Guest, SPG, Sheraton and their logos are the trademarks of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., or its affiliates. For full terms and conditions, visit sheraton.com/dubaimalloftheemirates

KaNOO WOrld TravEllEr JUNE 2013

CONTENTS TRAvEL bITES 07 check in

We reveal the most luxurious spots to witness nature’s greatest wonders and celebrate 100 years of Italian opera

21 Where to Stay

Looking for a decadent retreat in the heart of hectic New Delhi? We can help

23 competition

Win a relaxing two-night break at Dubai’s Al Ghurair Rayhaan by Rotana

36 picture thiS

This spectacular image will leave you planning a Latin American escape

62 ViSit: neWcaStle

This often overlooked northern England city has plenty to please visitors

64 ViSit: WaShington, dc

KWT discovers the myriad charms of the United States’ capital city

48

68 Suite dreamS

The Sultan Suite at Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul serves up style and views fit for a king

fEATURES 39 marSeille A walk through the European Capital of Culture unveils artistic delights galore

44 galVeSton

44

Simon Calder follows singer Jimmy Webb’s lyrics to this Texan seaside town

48 queenSland

Discover the rugged natural beauty of one of Australia’s finest destinations

54 thailand

KWT goes on a wet and wild adventure with the country’s largest residents

54

Surfer on blue ocean wave in the tube getting barrelled

39

Managing Director: Victoria Thatcher

Editor: Leah Oatway

Production Manager: Haneef Abdul

Editorial Director: John Thatcher

leah@hotmediapublishing.com

Senior Advertisement Manager:

Advertisement Director: Chris Capstick

Writer: Grace Hyne

Stefanie Morgner

chris@hotmediapublishing.com

grace@hotmediapublishing.com

stefanie@hotmediapublishing.com

+971 4 369 0917

Designers: Adam Sneade, Andy Knappett

+971 4 446 1558

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from HOT Media Publishing is strictly prohibited. All prices mentioned are correct at time of press but may change. HOT Media Publishing does not accept liability for omissions or errors in Kanoo World Traveller.

Jun-Dec 2012 22,920 BPA Consumer Audit Produced by: HOT Media Publishing FZ LLC

June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller 5

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CHECK IN

BE INformEd, BE INspIrEd, BE THErE

On the waterfront

A new resort provides yet another beautiful reason to visit Italy’s City of Water this month…

There has never been a better time to visit Venice. Every two years, in June, the beautiful, waterfront city is transformed into one of the world’s most prestigious contemporary art exhibitions, courtesy of the Venetian Biennale.

As artists and galleries from around the world descend on the city this year for the 2013 edition, which counts the famous Venice Film Festival among its many draws, they’ll find a new destination tempting them inside: Aman Canal Grande Venice.

Situated on the iconic Grand Canal, within one of the centuries-old regal homes that line the s-shaped waterway, you’ll arrive, romantically, by gondola – immediately struck by the soaring ceilings and historic frescos of its striking reception hall.

It sets the tone for what follows. There are 24 suites, each with a unique layout and design; each with alluring views of the Grand Canal and each breathtakingly beautiful: from silk wall coverings and chandeliers to lofty, frescoed ceilings and even an original

fireplace designed by one of Venice’s most famous 16th-century architects, Jacopo d’Antonio Sansovino.

Perhaps the crowning glory of this hotel, though, is the hidden garden and its terrace.

It is one of the very few private gardens on the canal. Then there’s the secluded spa, the sweeping staircases… There is little doubt that this new resort is as elegant

Images, left to right: Jing An Shangri-La, West Shanghai; Regent Bali.

Ones to watch...

KWT rounds up the best of what’s new around the world this month…

and aesthetically pleasing as its immediate surroundings.

Situated in one of the oldest parts of the city, known for its pretty palaces, churches and markets, the hotel has direct city and water access, and attractions such as the Rialto Bridge, the House of Goldoni, and Saint Mark’s Basilica are all nearby. Venice boltholes don’t come much better than this.

This month sees the eagerly anticipated opening of The oberoi, dubai. In typical Oberoi fashion, the luxurious 252room, 29-suite hotel is perfectly located in the heart of the city and boasts incredible views of the iconic Burj Khalifa. Among its many highlights is expected to be Indian restaurant Ananta (one of three signature restaurants), complete with show kitchen and traditional tandoors. Further afield, Jing An shangri-La, West shanghai is expected to open its doors toward the end of this

month. The focal point of the city’s Jing An Kerry Centre, this contemporary, 508-room hotel sees staff sporting uniforms designed by Chinese fashion maestro Han Feng and 80 silk lanterns appear to float above its Summer Palace Chinese restaurant. Finally, regent Bali is now open for business. The allsuites beachfront resort on Bali’s eastern coast offers turquoise waters, beautiful sandy beaches and five-star luxury at every turn. For the ultimate indulgence, reserve its Regent Villa.

June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller 7

In fair Verona, where we lay our scene…

All eyes turn to the northern Italian city this month as its operatic festival celebrates a century of greatness…

For 100 years crowds have flocked to the breathtaking Arena di Verona, in Italy, to watch the very best in opera perform some of the most famous music in the world under warm, starry night skies.

This year the city’s opera festival celebrates its centennial year with a blistering schedule of incredible titles and gala nights dedicated to the great composer Giuseppe Verdi, who was born 200 years ago.

Opera star Placido Domingo will inaugurate the event as honorary artistic director, singing and conducting on arguably the world’s greatest stage ahead of two months of performances. Among the titles on offer are Aida, La Traviata, Rigoletto and Romeo and Juliet.

The spellbinding music is likely to be rivalled only by the historic setting – the first open-air opera house in Italy and the world’s largest, with candles lit before each performance and the stage alive with a century’s worth of magnificent performances by opera’s elite: from Maria Callas to Carlo Tagliabue.

Images, far left story, clockwise from top: 2012 Arena di Verona; Arena di Verona orchestra; 2011 Aida 1913 stage design; 2010 Il Trovatore. All images by Ennevi and courtesy of Fondazione Arena di Verona

As the temperature heats up, KWT rounds up the hottest sporting action worldwide this summer

Wimbledon The English tennis championship can’t guarantee fantastic weather but it always serves up incredible tennis. Wimbledon is the oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament in the world. Just hope for sun between June 25 and July 8.

The Tour de France The festival was the brain child of tenor Giovanni Zenatello who, after testing the arena’s acoustics with his own rendition of Aida, saw how perfect a place it would be for musical performances. On August 10, 1913, 100 years after the birth of Verdi, Zenatello and theatrical impresario Ottone Rovato organised the Arena’s first opera performance. It was a financial risk that paid off: the event was a resounding success and every year since it has attracted a crowd.

Among the many highlights of this year’s event will be the unveiling of the muchawaited new Aida set design by renowned Catalan theatrical group La Fura dels Baus, and the presence of South Korean star Myung-Whun Chung, who will conduct Verdi’s Messa da Requiem. Another must-see is a gala dedicated to the German composer Richard Wagner, as it’s also the bicentennial year of his birth. Achingly beautiful performances in stunning surrounds?

Irresistible.

8 June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller

Summer

SportIng hIghlIghtS

The 100th edition of the famous biking event runs June 29 to July 21, with cyclists battling thigh-burning hills and a 3,360-kilometre route from Corsica to Paris. Top athletes and stunning French scenery?

Sounds perfect to us.

The US Open Some of the biggest names in golf –Tiger Woods among them – will take to the greens at the legendary Merion Golf Club in Pennsylvania June 13-16. And with Woods after his first major championship in years, it’s set to be an exhilarating battle.

CheCk in | news

Where to go From Great Migrations to wonders of the deep, the summer season bears witness to some of nature’s greatest spectacles.

Get a front row seat on one of these luxurious escapes, says Hazel Plush

June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller 11

Best for…

witnessing a smOking vOlcanO Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort, Costa Rica It’s the green season in Costa Rica, when the first of the summer rains hit – rousing the rainforest’s colourful critters, and providing the best wildlife watching conditions yearround. Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort, in the heart of the Fortuna de San Carlos region, is fringed by such forest, making it

the perfect place from which to spot lowswinging monkeys, slinky jaguars and the jazzy beak of the raucous toucan birds.

You’ll be hard pressed to keep your eye on the wildlife, though, when the hotel’s location affords uninterrupted views of Volcán Arenal, one of the most active volcanoes in the world.

As smoke plumes from its 1,670-metre-high peak, rest assured that eruptions are unlikely: although it was once one of the most active volcanoes in the world, it’s now thought to be entering a dormant – but smoky – period.

Best for…

Observing the big thaw North Knife Lake Wilderness Lodge, Canada Canadian wilderness retreats may not be known for their sumptuous standards, but this remote timber lodge is a true Arctic jewel. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, the cosy residence is the perfect base from which to experience the gradual summer awakening of the dense boreal forest, bringing hardy packs of moose, wolves and black bears to North Knife Lake’s shores.

For the most breathtaking of wild encounters, however, take the short flight to Churchill, where clans of polar bears can be seen roaming wildflower-strewn fields.

The sight of playful cubs hiding among the magenta fireweed blooms offers a rare perspective on the frozen north – and an irresistible photo opportunity.

12 June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller

JW MARRIOT T® MARQUIS DUBAI

Stay longer this summer

at JW Marriott Marquis Dubai.

Located near some of the city’s best attractions, the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai is home to unsurpassed luxury, offering a spectrum of business and leisure facilities for the most discerning travellers.

FROM 1ST JUNE - 31ST AUGUST 2013, STAY 3 NIGHTS AND ONLY PAY FOR 2.* ENJOY 20% OFF FOOD AND BEVERAGE AND SPA TREATMENTS, PLUS KIDS EAT FREE.* STAY CONNECTED WITH COMPLIMENTARY UNLIMITED INTERNET ACCESS. BOOK USING PROMO CODE: SUM

Sheikh Zayed Road, Business Bay PO Box 121000 Dubai, UAE T +971 4 414 0000, F +971 4 414 0001 jwmarriottmarquisdubai.com jwmarquis.dubai@marriott.com

* The 3 nights for the price of 2 offer is available on Executive Rooms and Suites only. Offer valid for stays between 1 June and 31 August 2013. 20% food and beverage discount applicable at Kitchen 6, La Farine, The Lounge, Velocity, Tong Thai, Rang Mahal, Izakaya, Aqua, Vault (food only). 20% spa discount applicable on treatments and massages at Saray Spa. Kids under the age of 12 eat for free. All offers are subject to availability.

Best for…

DoDging the commute Singita Serengeti House, Tanzania It’s one of nature’s greatest shows, but to catch the Great Migration in full flow requires some careful planning. The 1.5 million-strong stampede of Wildebeest and zebras passes through a whopping 150,000 square miles of woodlands, hills and open plains, as the leggy runners chase the rains through East Africa’s Kenya and Tanzania.

Come June and July, pull up a pew in the luxe Singita Serengeti House – at this time of year precisely, the entire migration squeezes through the Western Corridor into the hotel’s private reserve, making for a truly almighty spectacle. Guests are limited to 70 at a time, so you’re guaranteed a front-row spot – and if getting up-close on a four-wheel-drive safari is too adventurous, watching the dust rise from under the stomping masses while you recline in the infinity pool is a suitably serene alternative.

14 June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller

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Best for…

Diving with sea turtles North Island, Seychelles In the early summer months, the diving visibility around the Seychelles islands is second to none: expect views of up to 30 metres, and a host of weird and wonderful creatures providing a truly colourful cast.

North Island, a plush retreat with just eleven serviced villas, is not only a beautiful tropical getaway but also a haven for endangered flora and fauna.

On the private isle, careful forestry provides a natural habitat for rare birdlife, such as the black paradise flycatcher and magpie robin which can often be seen circling overhead.

And on the beach, green and hawksbill turtles make their nests year-round, protected under the watchful eyes of the dedicated rangers.

The best way to see the turtles up close, though, is by taking to those crystal-clear waters: swimming alongside the gentle paddlers is a truly humbling experience.

Best for…

chasing Dolphins Safari Quest, Mexico Reeling off the list of creatures that call Mexico’s Sea of Cortez home, it’s no surprise that this azure straight is one of Unesco’s treasured World Heritage sites. Among the star attractions you’ll find thousands of dolphins, twelve whale species, sharks and countless seals, as well as a well-fed population of ospreys, frigates and pelicans, fat from the abundance of fish and flora.

The best spot from which to observe the waterborne riot is a private yacht: commandeer luxury private vessel Safari Quest locally for a truly lavish voyage, with staff to cater to your every whim, and guides to track down everything from bottlenose dolphin pods to lone blue whales. Through the summer months, both endangered species are known to frolic alongside passing boats – so you’re guaranteed a spine-tingling wild encounter.

June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller 15

hot offers

picture-perfect portugal Discover the myriad charms of this European country with one of these great deals from Kanoo Travel

Portugal’s south 8 days, 7 nights From AED 5,695 p/p (excluding flights)

The Algarve’s coastlines are renowned for their warmth and beauty, but there’s far more to southern Portugal than pretty beaches, as you’ll discover on this week-long tour of its highlights.

You’ll begin your Portuguese experience in the ancient hilltop town of Beja, in the country’s Alentejo region. With its roots in Celtic times and having been named Pax Julia

by Julius Caesar in 48BCE, there’s plenty of history to be found here.

After checking in to the luxurious Vila Gale Clube de Campo Hotel, head into town to explore: discover the castle that, perched on a hill, overlooks the town; admire the architecture of one of only four remaining pre-Romanesque churches in the country; or discover 15th to 18th century art at the 16 June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller

regional museum Museu da Rainha Dona Leonor. It’s not the only historic venue you’ll explore during the week. After checking out of Beja it’s on to one of the oldest Portuguese settlements in the south, Monsaraz. A trip to this beautiful medieval town is like taking a trip back in time and in July the town becomes an open-air museum. Among the highlights of its architectural heritage are the medieval castle, the former court building and the parish church.

From here you’ll make your way to the so-called ‘museum city’ of Évora, which dates back to Roman times and is described by Unesco as “the finest example of a city of the golden age of Portugal” after the earthquake of 1755 destroyed Lisbon. On a guided tour you’ll see the Chapel of Bones, where the

interior walls are covered with human skulls and bones - it’s one of a host of fascinating architectural wonders.

From here the tour takes you to the enchanting city of Lisbon. Get lost in the city’s historic centre, Alfama, with its many streets and alleyways while admiring its historic buildings – which range from late medieval times to the 19th century. There are umpteen restaurants and cafes to enjoy here as well as landmark monuments and attractions, such as the Castle of Sao Jorge. Nearby, in the Belem area, you’ll find cultural and artistic delights.

Before leaving Portugal there’s just enough time to spend a day at Lisbon’s coast, taking in the picturesque town of Sintra – once described by Lord Byron as “the most beautiful in the world”.

hot offers

A TASTE OF PORTUGAL 8 days, 7 nights From AED 6,060 p/p (excluding flights)

From its medieval villages to its breathtaking coastline and granite peaks: Portugal may be a relatively small country but it has plenty to offer curious visitors.

This taster tour begins in Lisbon, its capital, where a guide will point out the city’s many highlights – including its historic old centre, where buildings date from medieval times and hours can be whiled away at pretty cafes admiring the surrounding architecture.

From Lisbon it’s on to the town of Alcobaca and Batalha: visit the tombs of King Peter I and his murdered mistress at the former, and wonder at one of Europe’s most fascinating Gothic monuments, the Unesco-listed Batalha Monastery.

With Portugal’s second city Porto as your base, more historic wonder awaits in the centuries-old region of Braga, which has been inhabited since the Neolithic era (New Stone age), and in Guimaraes, the country’s first capital.

A romantic train ride will transport you to the dramatic, verdant landscape of the Douro Valley: one of the Iberian Peninsula’s major rivers, the Douro’s surrounding scenery is breathtaking. You’ll spend some time here before it’s time to finally head south.

More beauty waits amid the Unesco-listed hills of Sintra, not least Pena National Palace.

A national monument, the palace stands on the top of a hill and, despite its history starting in the Middle Ages, it is a Disney-like expression of 19th-century Romanticism.

Before heading home, there’s just enough time to visit Cabo da Roca, the westernmost tip of mainland Portugal and Europe.

18 June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller

Business Travel Made Easy!

Bed. Breakfast. Broadband.

We make your business travel smooth and easy with the Triple B Package: • • FREE breakfast and broadband • FREE airport transfers www.millenniumhotels.com Terms and conditions apply

Al Garhoud, Dubai, United Arab Emirates T: +971 4 70 28 888 F: +971 4 28 26 220 res@mill-airportdubai.com www.millenniumhotels.ae/millenniumdubai

MAGICAL SUMMER TIMES AT JUMEIRAH AT ETIHAD TOWERS.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SPECIAL ROOM RATES STARTING AT AED 630 PER NIGHT. Create timeless memories this summer as you indulge in exemplary experiences in Abu Dhabi.

Our guests from the GCC will receive 10% off our Best Available Rate as well as a host of exclusive complimentary benefits.

Daily breakfast buffet at Rosewater Complimentary access to Observation Deck at 300 Complimentary shuttle service to Yas Waterworld and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi Avenue at Etihad Towers with over 35 high-end boutiques

For bookings or more information please call +971 2 811 5888 or visit jumeirah.com/summerbreaks

check in | where to stay

WheRe To STAy...

neW delhi

Amid the hustle and bustle of this thriving metropolis, there are plenty of hotel gems to tempt the discerning traveller to stay a little longer...

START

Trendsetters

Art and design

OR OR

Green living

OR

Classic beauties

Regal treat

OR

The Leela Palace

Fine dining

The Taj Mahal Hotel

theleela.com

tajhotels.com

For guilt-free luxury, there’s India’s first ‘green’ hotel.

Perfectly situated for exploring the city, it may have a gas turbine and rainwater harvest machine, but that doesn’t mean it’s scrimped on glamour.

Its architecture and art are breathtaking and did we mention the incredible spa?

In the exclusive residential area of Lutyens, the design and decor of this luxurious abode is inspired by India’s magnificent Mughal history. Stay in the Grand Presidential Suite, which has furniture and artefacts designed by British architect Sir Edwin Lutyen, and dine like a king at Wasabi by Morimoto.

Luxurious oasis

Colonial decadence

Sweet treat

Shangri-La’s Eros Hotel

The Imperial

The LaLiT

The Oberoi

shangri-la.com/newdelhi

theimperialindia.com

thelalit.com

oberoihotels.com

Set amidst landscaped gardens, in the heart of New Delhi, it offers a sanctuary from hectic city life.

And its private gallery, Art 19, is sure to delight art lovers.

Built in 1931, this award-winning historic hotel is simply beautiful.

If its bespoke decor doesn’t win you over, its 18th and 19th century art collection will.

Near to shops and cultural sights such as the Presidential Palace and Humayun’s tomb, The LaLIT has the only patisserie in India that’s open 24/7. Delicious.

A mix of traditional and contemporary decor, it’s the home of India’s first gourmet store. And the hotel spa is one of the best in the country.

OR

OR

Gourmet delight

June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller 21

GET SO MUCH MORE OUT OF SUMMER WITH INTERCONTINENTAL ABU DHABI

With room rates starting at AED 450++, InterContinental Abu Dhabi is the smart choice for your summer break.

Rate includes breakfast, free internet, next level room upgrade (subject to availability) and a Club Room upgrade for only AED 300++. Offer valid from 9th May to 6th September 2013. ++ Rates exclude 10% service charge and 6% tourism fee.

For further information or to make a reservation please call +971 2 666 6888 or email reservations.icabudhabi@ihg.com intercontinentalabudhabi.com dining-intercontinental-ad.ae Terms and conditions apply. ©2013 InterContinental Hotels Group.

All Rights Reserved. Most hotels independently owned and/or operated.

In over 170 locations across the globe including HONG KONG • LONDON • NEW YORK • PARIS

CheCk in | news Hot offers

Win a two-night stay at Al Ghurair Rayhaan by Rotana Set in the heart of the ever-bustling Deira, just a few kilometres away from Dubai International Airport, you won’t have to travel far to find a luxurious home away from home at Al Ghurair Rayhaan by Rotana. This modern hotel offers sleek, contemporary design warmed by touches of rich colour and plush fabrics and is perfectly situated to make the most of this exciting part of the city. Direct access to the Al Ghurair Centre allows you to spend the day exploring more than 200 retail outlets, which offer up the best of fashion, accessories, and home décor. Alternatively, a short taxi ride sees you at major cultural attractions, such as the Dubai Museum and the Gold Souk as well as the ever glistening Dubai Creek. After a busy day in the city, head to Zen the spa, by Rotana, where holistic Asian treatments and therapies using indigenous ingredients, such as rose and frankincense, promise to instill an inner sense of harmony. When night falls, there are ample dining options to suit every taste. At Shayan, the hotel’s authentic Persian restaurant, an open-plan kitchen provides the perfect view of the talented chefs cooking up a storm. For a more casual experience, Liwan fits the bill, providing delicious buffet meals throughout the day. For something a little lighter, tasty bites can be found at Buzz Deli Café, or take a coffee and pastry at Yasmine Lounge and watch the world go by. Even the pickiest of travellers will leave satisfied. rotana.com

The Prize A two-night stay for two adults at Al Ghurair Rayhaan by Rotana, Dubai, including breakfast at Liwan restaurant. To enter, email easywin@ hotmediapublishing.com with your answer before June 30, 2013.

Q. How many restaurants does Al Ghurair Rayhaan have and what are they called?

TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Prize is valid until the end of August 2013 and is subject to availability. It includes tax/service charges, is non-transferable and is not exchangeable for cash. Advance reservation is required.

June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller 23

Make it a complete holiday in the heart of Dubai.

Welcome to Al Ghurair Rayhaan and Al Ghurair Arjaan by Rotana.

Nestled in the historical heart of the city, in Dubai’s bustling Deira district, Al Ghurair Rayhaan and Al Ghurair Arjaan by Rotana are adjacent to one of Dubai’s famous malls – Al Ghurair Centre.

Their unique positioning makes them an attractive property for business and leisure travellers.

Make your stay an experience to cherish with a choice of our fine dining outlets. For an authentic taste of Persia, step into Shayan Restaurant and choose from an extensive menu over a sit-down dinner. Or choose to spend time with family and friends at Liwan, our all day dining restaurant and its various theme nights.

What’s more, should you choose to, spend a day at the beach or shop, with our free shuttle bus to Mamzar Beach and Dubai Mall through the day.

Complete the experience and indulge yourself in our first Zen the spa at Rotana in Dubai.

The very tranquil and luxurious spa offers signature treatments designed to relax your mind, revive your soul and rejuvenate your body.

For your booking and reservations, please call +971 4 293 3000 or visit rotana.com

P.O.Box 185051, Dubai U.A.E, T:+971 (0)4 293 3000, F:+971 (0)4 293 3555, alghurair.rayhaan@rotana.com

kwt promotion

home for the holidays: dubai KWT rounds up the coolest city boltholes as the weather heats up...

June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller 25

Crowne Plaza dubai – deira crowneplaza.com/deira

Those seeking an authentic Old Dubai experience this summer could ask for no better place to base themselves than the ever-elegant Crowne Plaza Dubai – Deira.

Beat the heat of the sun and rise from your newly refurbished room early, enjoying breakfast before making your way to the nearby souks where golden treasures, richlycoloured spices and the finest textiles await.

As the sun rises, take an abra across the Creek and, after enjoying an Arabic coffee at a waterfront cafe, spend time bartering for goods, soaking up the jovial atmosphere with traders and embracing the leisurely pace that inevitably comes with summer in the desert.

26 June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller

When the heat sets in, retreat to the splendour of the hotel where you can cool off with a dip in the outdoor pool and admire rooftop views of the city. Peckish? Then enjoy a light bite and a drink at the hotel’s coffee shop. Those with work to do can take advantage of free internet access throughout.

How you choose to spend your afternoon is up to you: those wishing to relax could take advantage of the many blissful treatments on offer. Alternatively, if you’re feeling energetic, take advantage of free access to Hero’s Health Club, onsite, or head to one of the nearby shopping malls or beaches courtesy of a free shuttle bus.

When night falls, and hunger sets in, there is no better place to dine than Spice Island.

If you’re in town on a Friday then the brunch is a must: a local legend, you’ll find delicious food here from Italy, China, Japan, Mongolia and India, to name but a few. For sweet snacks at any time, there’s Aquarium Lounge.

If all of this hasn’t convinced you then perhaps the incredible prices will: until September 15, room rates start at just AED 499 per night, including free breakfast, internet access and a 20 per cent discount on food and beverages throughout your stay. cpdeira.reservations@ihg.com +971 4 262 5555

kwt promotion

Kempinski hotel & residences Palm Jumeirah kempinski.com The inevitable comfort and pampering that accompanies being a guest at one of the world’s most luxurious hotels is usually reward in itself for booking a stay. Yet this summer one of Dubai’s leading five-star hotels – the Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah – not only promises impeccable service and the most sumptuous of breaks, but also a 17 per cent discount on the best available rate of a two-night stay and an extra gift from its special Summer A La Carte menu.

Between June 1 and August 31 pay as little as AED 1,350 (excluding taxes) and choose from either complimentary WiFi internet connection, AED 200 credit on food and beverage during your stay, AED 200 credit to use on treatments at Cinq Mondes Spa or a one-day complimentary use of a Beach Cabana.

Feel any remaining stress melt away as you arrive by limousine at the resort’s lavish lobby. Whether you choose to reserve an exclusive suite, penthouse or villa, you’ll not be disappointed by the decadent furnishings and unrivalled comfort that greets you.

As the sun rises, head to the private beach: recline on a luxury lounger in the shade of one of five Beach Cabanas, each boasting a hard wood floor and finely upholstered drapes. Alternatively, head to the huge, temperature-controlled, free form swimming pool, which is framed by tropical gardens and lawns and accompanied by a shaded children’s pool area.

After a leisurely lunch at Brunello, the hotel’s elegant Italian restaurant, there’s still time for a full body massage, or soothing body wrap, at Cinq Mondes Spa, where experienced therapists make it their duty to ensure you leave rejuvenated.

By night, as the sun sets, indulge in a private in-room dining experience. Perfect.

June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller 27

radisson blu hotel, dubai media City radissonblu.com/hotel-mediacitydubai

Whether you’re in town to hit the shops, spend time with the family or enjoy good food and a much-earned rest, the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City, has your every need covered.

Perfectly positioned in the heart of Dubai’s busy media hub, some of the emirate’s finest beaches, as well its most popular shopping destinations (think Mall of the Emirates, Ibn Battuta Mall and Marina Mall) are just a short taxi ride away. And during the summer months there are great deals for families with rates starting from as low as Dhs550 (excluding taxes) per night and children under 12 staying free with paying parents.

28 June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller

Stylish travellers will love the décor here – Swarovski crystal chandeliers in the lobby, warm wood and stone accents, clean lines, not to mention ultra comfortable furniture.

And when it comes to relaxing, there’s ample to satisfy. Senso Wellness Centre, with its five, Asian-themed treatment rooms and endless list of bliss-inducing delights, is a revelation. For some down time, curl up in a leather chair with a good book at the elegant Library Lounge – where speciality teas and coffees, along with light bites, are the order of the day. Alternatively, there are the hotel’s two outdoor pools: sunbathe, soak or swim before grabbing a drink and something light

at the Dusk Terrace, where everything comes with a side order of impressive views, both of the Palm Jumeirah and Arabian Gulf.

If you’re feeling particularly energetic, or need to work up an appetite before indulging in a hearty dinner, head to the hotel gym.

Speaking of dinner, the hotel prides itself on its top-tier dining options, not least its awardwinning Italian restaurant Certo, where the food tastes as great as the restaurant looks, and Chef’s House, where live cooking stations ensure its all-day buffet remains sensational, whenever you dine. reservations.dubai@radissonblu.com +971 4 366 9111

kwt promotion

shangri-la hotel, dubai

Images: Clockwise from top: Deluxe room; Shang Palace; View from pool.

shangri-la.com/dubai

Few hotels can boast as perfect a city-centre location as the ShangriLa Hotel. Half way along Dubai’s main artery – Sheikh Zayed Road – it’s just moments away from all of the city’s main attractions, and yet also has spectacular sea views, making it the perfect destination for a cool family getaway this summer.

For those in town to shop, one of the world’s largest malls, The Dubai Mall, is just a stone’s throw away and is filled with an incredible array of designer and high-street brands, as well as umpteen eateries and entertainment outlets for younger guests.

Meanwhile, those seeking a calm and peaceful cultural retreat could visit the nearby Jumeirah Mosque or Dubai Museum before returning to the hotel for a cooling dip in its outdoor pool. If you’re looking to relax and revitalise your senses then why not shun the summer heat for a few hours at The Spa at Shangri-La? Enjoy a welcoming drink and footbath before embarking on one of the many journeys tailormade to ensure you leave feeling like the best version of yourself.

When it comes to dining options, prepare to be spoilt for choice: the Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai, boasts some of the city’s finest, and most popular, restaurants. There’s the award-winning Hoi An, which serves authentic Vietnamese cuisine under open rafters and ceiling fans; its signature restaurant Shang Palace delivers the finest Cantonese delicacies – and a mouthwatering Dim Sum menu; and for incredible seafood try Amwaj, which means waves, where fresh fish and seafood is prepared to perfection. Before deciding which tickles your taste buds, though, toast the incredible price you managed to snag for your stay – with up to 50 per cent off the best available rates this summer – as you watch the sun set over the sea from your balcony.

June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller 29

Ja oasis beach tower jaresortshotels.com

JA Ocean View Hotel

For a family-friendly room with a view, reserve an apartment at the award-winning JA Oasis Beach Tower. Situated on The Walk, in Dubai Marina, the deluxe hotel apartment tower offers superb views of the Arabian Gulf, Dubai Marina and The Palm Jumeirah, along with luxurious comforts and spacious living quarters that help to ensure a stay here will feel like a home away from home.

After a leisurely breakfast at the property’s main restaurant, make the short stroll to the beach, or go for a refreshing dip in one of the hotel’s private swimming pools while younger family members enjoy the waterslide.

If you’re in town to shop, or are looking for more high octane entertainment there’s a plethora of air-conditioned shopping malls just a short taxi ride away that can oblige – including 30 June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller

Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Marina Mall and Ibn Battuta Mall. Among the very best high street and high-end fashion brands, you’ll also find cinemas and games zones that have plenty to offer all ages. For a more serene family day out, make use of complementary access to the facilities at JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort: with four swimming pools and a spa, it’s a great city escape.

Dining options are plentiful too. In addition to the fresh Mediterranean fare served up by JA Oasis Beach Tower’s renowned ‘thyme’ restaurant, there are a plethora of mouthwatering restaurants around the property to explore.

And the best news? This summer, rates start at AED 1,536 (including taxes) per night for a twobedroom apartment, ideal for up to four adults, a child and infant (including all taxes).

Dubai’s newest beachfront abode, located on The Walk, offers plenty to get excited about this summer – including six restaurants, a seaside location and a pool with great sea views.

Special summer rates give the perfect excuse to stay, with rooms starting at AED 564 (including taxes) per night for two adults and one child under 12.

kwt promotion

Ja Palm tree Court jaresortshotels.com

Five-star luxury needn’t be pretentious: just ask anyone who’s had the pleasure of staying at JA Palm Tree Court. At this family-friendly beachside retreat, luxury comes laid-back and comfortable, with friendly discreet service ensuring a perfect stay.

Amid an oasis of green, with winding walkways, soothing waterfalls and fish-filled streams, sits the all-suite property – each suite boasting a terrace or balcony overlooking the grounds, and all just steps away from the beach.

Those seeking the ultimate in luxurious living should opt for a stay within The Residence, a beachfront villa with a limited number of spacious two-bedroom, one-bedroom and junior suites that count a butler service and a complimentary massage for all guests aged over 13 amid the many perks.

There’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained here. If you’re into golf then you’ll love the championship-standard, nine-hole golf course (complete with practice facilities and an academy if you’re a bit rusty); there’s fun to be had at sea with deep-sea fishing trips, boat rides, sea plane flights and water sports; and then there’s horse riding stables, a shooting club, diving centre and floodlit tennis courts. If all that sounds too energetic, simply stretch out on the 800-metre palmlined private beach, cool off in one of four swimming pools or unwind in the spa with its sauna, jacuzzi, steam room and hammam.

There are myriad dining options too, all using produce grown in the resort’s organic bio-garden: choose from Japanese teppanuaki, Italian cuisine or Middle Eastern fare, to name but a few.

Until August 6 special summer rates mean suite prices start at just AED 820 per room, per night (including taxes and breakfast for two adults and two children under the age of 12).

June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller 31

atlantis, the Palm atlantisthepalm.com

Whether you’re a foodie with cravings for something special or a family looking for entertainment through the hot summer months, Atlantis, The Palm is guaranteed to fit the bill. Pay as little as AED 995 per room, per night, and you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to ways to keep the entire family entertained as the weather heats up.

Start the day with a visit to the Aquaventure Waterpark (free for resort guests), where you’re sure to be amazed by 42-acres of slides, shark-filled lagoons, rapid river adventures and water rollercoasters.

Splashers, a children’s play area, will keep younger guests, amused.

For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, head to Dolphin Bay where you can meet the friendly residents (guests enjoy preferential rates), or come fin-to-fin with the myriad 32 June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller

fish that inhabit The Ambassador Lagoon during The Ultimate Snorkel experience.

Here you can swim with rays, sharks and tens of thousands of other marine animals as well as learn more about them and how to help protect their natural habitat. If you are not keen to get wet, however, there’s still opportunity to discover the fish that live within the Lost Chambers Aquarium from the underwater tunnels.

Naturally, there are times when even the most devoted of parents need some time out and the resort not only boasts the best Kids’ Club in the GCC but also The Zone, where you’ll find all manner of arcade games, and Club Rush, an exclusive hangout for 13- to 18-year-olds that’s open until midnight.

In addition, this summer special guests SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star,

will be around the resort daily to meet and greet little guests and there are special SpongeBob-themed Atlantis Kids Club activities. A range of camps have also been designed for children through to teens to help them beat the heat and make new friends, including those focused on sports.

Numerous family packages are available to enhance your stay, including The Visa Family Fun package. For as little as AED 1,595 a family of four (two adults and two children under 12) can enjoy a one-night stay in a deluxe room, as well as AED 800 of dinner vouchers, breakfast and an afternoon session at Kids Club that allows tired parents to make use of a two-for-one treatment voucher at the resort’s ShuiQi Spa & Fitness. Bliss.

For more information or to book visit us online or call+971 4 426 1000.

Meliá Dubai melia.com

Just a stone’s throw from the Dubai Creek and the city’s new Gold Souk sits Meliá Dubai, the emirate’s first Spanish five-star hotel and a luxurious retreat for the entire family.

At the heart of bustling Bur Dubai, it is just minutes away from the city’s historic centre as well as its thriving downtown area, both of which are filled with opportunities to shop and sight see. Sharpen your barter skills and head to the Gold Souk, explore the wealth of artistic talent on display at Al Bastakiya area, or discover the city’s history at the Dubai Museum and Dubai Heritage and Diving Village.

Of course, there’s no reason to ever leave your hotel: its rooftop swimming pool offers the perfect place to unwind and cool off, boasting beautiful views of the skyline. And those in need of pampering can indulge in some quality me time at the hotel’s YHI Spa: we recommend you nourish your skin and soul with its superb Queen of the Desert treatment – a unique underwater massage with chromotherapy. For the ultimate in exclusive stays, book a Grand Luxe suite on The Level: if the aroma menu doesn’t steal your heart, then the designer bathtub certainly will.

Watch the sun set over the city from Estrellas, the rooftop lounge, before heading for an unforgettable dining experience at Signature by Sanjeev Kapoor. The celebrity chef’s creative Indian specialities are renowned: enjoy special summer discounts on his interactive kitchen experience or head there during Iftar for special post-fast dinners. Delicious.

34 June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller

Picture this

bolivia

Laguna Colorada, Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve Among the rarest species in the world, this colony of Andean and James’ flamingos thrive in the peace and security offered to them by Bolivia’s most popular national park. Replete with natural springs, volcanoes, lakes and mountains, its incredible flamingo residents are perhaps the reserve’s most alluring draw. The vast 60-metre-square Laguna Colorada is shallow and has pink algae (responsible for the water’s pretty hue) – making it the perfect home for the James’s flamingos (which sport pale pink plumage with black accents and bright red streaks around their neck and back) to walk across.

Image: Corbis / Arabian Eye

THE LUXURY OF A HOTEL WITH THE COMFORTS OF HOME Enjoy panoramic views over the sparkling coastline and stunning cityscape at Fraser Suites Dubai. With award-winning service and extensive gold-standard facilities including swimming pools, steam & sauna, Kid’s Club, tennis & squash courts; conference rooms that can cater up to 200 delegates; relaxed dining in Aqua Café and the exclusive Awazen Spa - Fraser Suites Dubai has it all.

FRASER SUITES DUBAI - Sheikh Zayed Road, Media City, Dubai, UAE Reservations: +971 4 440 1400 Email: reservations.dubai@frasershospitality.com

Look us up. Wherever you are at m.frasershospitality.com

Dubai’s Leading Serviced Apartments

WALK THIS WAY | frAnce

WALK THIS WAY Exciting new projects herald Marseille’s year as European Capital of Culture. Mick Webb enjoys a stroll to experience its artistic awakening

June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller 39

J

ust last month, Marseille’s new exhibition and conference centre, Villa Méditerranée opened its doors to the public. With its upper storey poised like a diving board over a pool of water, it’s the latest in a series of exciting buildings designed to bring life back to the city’s waterfront and celebrate Marseille’s year in the spotlight as joint European Capital of Culture for 2013. The perfect way to appreciate the makeover of France’s oldest city is on the urban stretch of a new longdistance footpath, the GR2013.

Begin the walk at the neo-Byzantine basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde, location for the best view in town. From the terrace, you can take in the shiny new dockside development, the encircling mountains and the blue sea. Then follow the discreet redand-yellow markings of the GR2013 downhill to the Old Port, with its huge silvered sunshade (L’Ombrière). This was designed

by Sir Norman Foster as the centrepiece of a paved piazza, which stretches alongside the Old Port. Known as the Quai de la Fraternité, the area has been reclaimed for pedestrians from the mayhem of Marseille’s traffic. Carry on past the fish market, an institution where the day’s catch is still landed and sold, and follow the Quai du Port round the harbour.

After a few hundred metres the line of 40 June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller

cafés, ice-cream parlours and restaurants is interrupted by the 17th-century Town Hall, beside which a long wooden-framed building stretches caterpillar-like inland. This is Pavillon Marseille, the welcome bureau for Marseille 2013. Tourist information is dispensed on the upper floor, while in the cavernous lower levels are exhibitions by local artists and videos about Marseille’s history and famous sons, among them the actor Yves Montand.

On the other side of the Town Hall, the GR2013 leads up the Rue de la Prison, into Marseille’s Old Town, also known as “le

Panier” (the basket). Its honey-hued stone buildings, steep narrow streets and tiny unexpected squares are home to numerous small, quirky shops. Turn left along Rue Caisserie to find a clutch of local treats. At No 1 is Savon de Marseille, selling Marseille’s renowned olive oil-based soap, the city’s oldest industrial product. At No 21, the lunchtime clientele are already sitting down at Le Protis by noon. Don’t expect the city’s extravagant speciality, bouillabaisse, but a three-course meal including a main course such as sirloin steak or stuffed veal escalope is yours for €12.

WALK THIS WAY | frAnce Opposite page, clockwise from top left: Cathedral Notre-Dame de la Garde; Marseille fish market; Marseille town hall; Panier district, Rue du Petit Puits, Chocolaterie du Panier.

‘From the terrace, you can take in the shiny new dockside development, the encircling mountains and the blue sea’

June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller 41

At the end of Rue Caisserie, a pedestrian bridge takes you into the heart of the portside development. Beside the massive Fort St-Jean (built by Louis XIV) are two eyecatching new buildings. The white concrete and glass of the Villa Méditerranée contrasts dramatically with the dust-coloured cube of the MuCEM, encased in extraordinary concrete latticework, inspired by North African architecture and reminiscent of a fishing net. It is due to open this month.

Continue down the Boulevard du Littoral, alongside the Quai de la Joliette. On the right is a long, low building, which in its previous incarnation was the maritime health and sanitation centre. Now it’s the Musée Regards de Provence, which exhibits works by artists from the region, including Raoul Dufy. Towering above it is the city’s cathedral, Cathédrale de la Major. Built in the second half of the 19th century in a medley of styles, its most impressive facet is its size – locals call it la gare, the railway station.

The next stretch of waterfront is scheduled for further refurbishment over the next few years, but has not lost its primary purpose as a harbour. Five hundred metres further along the esplanade is the berth of the ferry to Algiers. Beside it, an enormous warehouse, known as J1, has been given a new life as an exhibition centre.

And speaking of which, the major exhibition of the summer starts this month (June 13 to October 13), when the Musée de Beaux Arts, in the freshly renovated Palais de Longchamps, hosts De Van Gogh à Bonnard, an exhibition of 100 great paintings.

42 June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller

Images: Corbis / Arabian Eye; Shutterstock Text: Mick Webb / The Independent / The Interview People

This page, from top to bottom: Medieval fortress and cathedral on the waterfront; Marseille Marina.

Have you decided where to go this summer?

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Dammam: +966 3 8355642 / 632 / 8355645 Riyadh: +966 1 4634454 / 2933740 / 4652834 Jeddah: +966 2 2632875 / 2633040 Mahooz, Bahrain: +973 17 828801 / 792 / 793 Doha, Qatar: +974 4483704 Dubai, UAE: +971 4 3653270 Abu Dhabi: +971 2 6780400 Muscat, Oman: +968 24700249 / 24700279 Email: holidays@kanoo.ae

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44 June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller

HOUSTON DYNAMO | UNiTeD STATeS

Houston Dynamo Follow the lyrics of a great songwriter to discover fine beaches and rich heritage. Simon Calder is a fellow down Galveston way

J

immy Webb has surely done more for US tourism than any other songwriter. Countless lovestruck tourists have aimed for the industrial city of Wichita in Kansas, celebrated in Webb’s “Wichita Lineman”.

MacArthur Park in Los Angeles receives many more visitors than a modest municipal open space might expect. And by the time you get to Phoenix you’ll find music fans in the Arizona state capital simply because of Webb’s heartbreaking lyrics (“By the time I get to Phoenix she’ll be rising/She’ll find the note I left hanging on her door”).

Yet from the traveller’s perspective, the seaside town in Texas that is the backdrop for what is arguably Webb’s most poignant song is far more intriguing and compelling: “Galveston, oh Galveston, I still hear your sea waves crashing”.

Those waves crash against one of America’s finest beaches, backed by a historic commercial heart and fabulous seafood, all sprinkled with a frisson of laid-

June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller 45

back hippiedom.

Strangely, you will look in vain in Galveston for any tribute to the man who put the Texas resort back on the map. That map is an odd one. Galveston is unlike anywhere you have been in America. The city – or port, or resort – lies on the Gulf Coast, that hot-headed body of water that delivers the Gulf Stream.

It comprises an island that is anchored to the rest of Texas by a bridge misnamed the Galveston Causeway. This is also the last gasp of Interstate 45 on its journey from Dallas and Houston.

All of Galveston Island is low lying – which, over the centuries, has proved a problem.

Most of the 32-mile southern shore is a soft, sandy beach. Yet because of its position guarding the waterways stretching inland to Houston, in its time Galveston was an international hub.

The golden age of Galveston still resonates along The Strand, as the main street is known. It is flanked by handsome banks that would not look out of place in New York – and indeed, for a time, it was known as the Wall Street of Texas because of the huddle of financial institutions.

The bankers were attracted by Galveston’s primacy as the port for the south-central US, and its status as a gateway for migrants second only to Ellis Island in New York.

It is also on an avian superhighway, making it one of the best birding destinations in the US. In the late 19th century, Galveston was one big get-rich-quick scheme, with thousands of immigrants arriving from Europe and a thriving trade with the East Coast ports of Boston, New York and Philadelphia. The performing arts thrived, thanks to the 1894 Grand Opera House – still the Official Opera House of Texas.

Galveston acquired millionaires, and those millionaires acquired palaces around the eastern end of Broadway. The most notable is the Bishop’s Palace, built in 1892 by the railroad magnate Walter Gresham.

It resembles a Scottish baronial castle transplanted from Tayside to the Gulf of Mexico. But as the 19th century ended, so did 46 June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller

Images: Supplied Text: Simon Calder / The Independent / The Interview People

HOUSTON DYNAMO | GALVESTON

Galveston’s good fortune. The 1900 “Great Storm” was the worst natural disaster in US history. Some 8,000 residents, onethird of the island’s population, died when 100mph winds and a 15ft surge of water slammed into the frail structures in which most people lived. The redbrick testaments to prosperity along The Strand survived. So did an assortment of less robust premises.

Twentieth-century developers focused their demolition squads in more profitable

Second World War, the island’s breezy shores became the answer to the question “How do we escape the city this weekend?”, and the Texan Riviera flourished.

Galveston still fulfils the role of the ideal antidote to high-rise, high-energy Houston.

It has a pleasure pier and six million visitors a year, and Gaido’s has been dispensing succulent seafood for a century at 3828 Seawall Boulevard.

From the restaurant you can gaze across

Opposite page from top: Stewart Beach Pavilion; Moody Mansion; Snowy Egret on the beach; Seafood. This page : City view.

‘One of America’s finest beaches, backed by a historic commercial heart and fabulous seafood, all sprinkled with a frisson of laid-back hippiedom’ locations, and as a result these relics have endured to the 21st century to become bars, restaurants and art galleries. The tight 30-block grid of historic Galveston is a joy to wander through, with little sign of damage from Hurricane Rita in 2005.

The coming of the freeway brought Galveston within an hour of Houston. As the biggest Texan city mushroomed after the

to the beach. Jimmy Webb’s haunting lyrics may return – a soldier’s lament for a girl left behind. “I am so afraid of dying/Before I dry the tears she’s crying.” Or you may instead find yourself humming the line from Dr Hook’s big hit: “Sylvia’s mother says Sylvia’s marrying a fellow down Galveston way.”

Whichever you prefer, tune in to this singular slice of Texas.

June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller 47

Golden wonders

From Surfers Paradise to a koala sanctuary and the world’s largest sand island, Tom Peck is captivated by Queensland

I

n a country that so loves to live outdoors, there is no better place to immerse yourself than its natural backyard, a great hunk of rugged outback, glittering coastline and pristine rainforest in the tropical north-east: the sunshine state of Queensland.

Scores of tropical paradise islands are dotted against the coast, as it stretches more than 2,000 miles from Brisbane in the south and on past Cairns. Charting its course in almost exact parallel is the natural marvel of the Great Barrier Reef. It’s among the key sights that most come to see – but unsurprisingly, there is another side to a state the size of Sudan.

Surfers Paradise is an hour to the south of central Brisbane, the suburban centre of 35 miles of sand that make up the Gold Coast.

48 June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller

Goldern Wonders | australia

It is Australia’s Miami Beach; the name was changed from the rather more pedestrian Elston in the 1930s in an attempt to lure more holidaymakers to its hotels, nightclubs, long miles of crashing waves and spotless sand. It was here, in 1965, that the “meter maids” were born. Gold-bikini-clad women were paid for by businesses and deployed to abate anger at the introduction of parking charges. They still stroll along the promenade gratuitously topping up expired meters.

From a distance, Surfers Paradise looks like some mushrooming mega city. One of its many skyscrapers is Australia’s tallest building, the 1,058ft-high Q1 tower. But this is no centre of high finance. The towers are all residential, for the most part hotels and holiday homes.

In late November thousands of 18 year olds

‘From a distance, Surfer’s Paradise looks like some mushrooming mega city’ descend on Surfers for “schoolies”, the weeklong party that marks the end of high school.

There is still much to like. I stayed at the new QT hotel, a boutique property where kitsch meets chic. Lemons to make your own lemon juice are delivered on your arrival, and the concierge staff dress in what look to be Thunderbirds outfits. Though the near limitless options at the morning buffet made this the finest breakfast that I have ever consumed, it was a curious preparation for my first attempt at that most Australian of pastimes: surfing.

“Looking cool is important,” was the main instruction from Hamish, my Gold Coast surf teacher. The main focus of Lesson One was simply to achieve verticality, for however

June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller 49

‘In Noosa, on the Sunshine Coast, there are trendy boutiques and superb restaurants’

short a time. I managed this for about a nanosecond, looking marginally less cool than the Hunchback of Notre Dame. “The kids round here start learning at age seven,” explained Hamish. “By the time they’re 10, they’re pros.” It was pretty demoralising when a chap half a decade away from picking up his first razor zipped past on the curl of a big breaker, while I splashed forlornly about in the shallows like a walrus rejected by its harem.

Not far from Surfers is the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, known since the 1950s as the place to feed huge flocks of free-flying wild rainbow lorikeets. At night it hosts performances of native Australian dancing, with Aboriginal cuisine, and the chance to feed the kangaroos and have your picture taken holding a koala and a baby saltwater crocodile. As far as getting up close and personal with wildlife goes, it could hardly be less authentic, but the koalas – with their impossibly soft fur – are adorable.

Australia’s traditional wine country is well to the south, among the luscious landscapes of the Hunter Valley, McLaren Vale and Margaret River. But Queensland is vying for attention. Returning north from Surfers in the direction of the hippie seaside town of Noosa, I stopped for lunch at the Flame Hill vineyard at Montville, a pretty one-road town of shops and cafés a quarter-mile above sea level, and a reminder of something else Australians take very seriously: eating.

Off the restaurant terrace, guinea fowl and chickens were roaming among the vines, the view descending towards bread-loaf-shaped mountains, and beyond them, inevitably, the ocean. I dined handsomely.

In Noosa on the Sunshine Coast, trendy boutiques and superb restaurants run all the way down Hastings Street, parallel to yet more perfect beach. In this case the beach 50 June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller

Goldern Wonders | australia

faces north, a rarity on the east coast, which means it basks in the sun all day. To the east is Noosa National Park, where on the untouched headland the air smells of eucalyptus, koalas lollop in the canopy and paddle-boarders splash around off yet more white-sand beaches that stretch on and on. On a warm Sunday morning stroll, just off the pathway, I saw the six-inch-thick diamond-marked midriff of a sizeable carpet python, five feet long at least.

From Noosa I drove north for 120 miles, past road signs offering trivia questions to keep drivers alert. Here lies Hervey Bay, the jumping-off point for one of Australia’s great natural wonders, Fraser Island – and the jumping-out point of something utterly spectacular. Thousands of humpback whales migrate up the coast every year to escape the Antarctic winter. While I was there, a CNN report named Hervey Bay the world’s best humpback whale-watching destination.

The whales hang out about an hour’s speedboat ride out into the bay. From July to October you are pretty much guaranteed to see them. “These are humpback whales up here,” the captain told us. “Sometimes we see minke whales too. If you head further south, you’ll see New South Wales.” A well-tested gag, but a good one.

Opening page: Bodyboarder in a wave.

Opposite page, from bottom left: FIXX cafe at QT hotel; QT hotel King Ocean view room; Surfers Paradise, Brisbane; QT restaurant. This page from top: QT hotel lobby; Gold Coast King Mountain River Room, QT Hotel; Gold Coast King Suite, QT Hotel.

June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller 51

52 June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller

Goldern Wonders | australia

Images: Corbis / Arabian Eye; Shutterstock; Supplied Text: Tom Peck / The Independent / The Interview People

Opposite page, clockwise from top: Whale watching, Fraser Island; Koala and baby; Indigenous dancers; Feeding the lorikeet birds with sunflower seeds.

This page: Noosa Heads.

On our trip, a blowhole noisily evacuating itself in the far distance was the first sign of them. Then we saw a pair of giant black shadows underneath the boat. They flashed white as the whales rolled over, revealing their underside.

We were encouraged by our captain to wave, shout and jump to get the whales’ attention. “Whales enjoy people watching just as much as we enjoy whale watching,” we were told. Eventually they emerged for a good look at us, their black bodies covered in barnacles like ageing Soviet submarines. At one point two emerged head first, in perfect unison, their lined white bellies like a cheap lino floor. As they resubmerged, the tail fin of one flicked vertical in the air, indicating a deep dive – the sign, the captain pointed out, of something spectacular still to come.

Sure enough, about a minute later, a single animal – 10 elephants’ worth of whale – fired clear of the water, twisted in mid-air and

then smacked against the surface with an enormous splash.

From Hervey Bay, it’s about an hour’s ferry crossing to Fraser Island: the largest sand island in the world. It is not hard to see why the Aboriginal people that lived there for 5,000 years (before logging stations in the 19th century displaced them) called it K’Gari, meaning “paradise”. There are no roads, as such. Instead, the 75-mile-long beach is an official gazetted highway.

On an organised sightseeing tour, I was driven inland along sandy roadways, our 4x4 ex-army truck rocking and jolting like a flight simulator. I swam in Lake McKenzie, a shimmering freshwater lake, surrounded by powder-soft sand where tiny turtles live. Naturally occurring fungi produce nutrients deep in the dunes, which mean that Fraser Island is the only place in the world where rainforest grows in sand.

Paperbark and scribbly gum trees (so called

because patterns on their bark give them the appearance of having been graffitied by a toddler) conceal packs of dingos, and many species of deadly snakes.

I took a scenic flight in a tiny propeller plane and saw hidden heart-shaped lakes and the thick rainforest canopy spread out like a head of broccoli. Later, I dined at the Kingfisher Bay Resort, with a superb restaurant serving emu, crocodile and kangaroo, and a sunset bar on wooden stilts over the beach.

Paradise, or K’Gari, doesn’t come cheap anymore, neither at Fraser Island nor elsewhere, thanks to the soaring Australian dollar. Their athletes may not be getting their hands on quite so much precious metal in the form of Olympic medals, but there is plenty of the stuff under the Australian soil, which saw the nation emerge triumphant from recent economic woes. But whatever happens in the money markets, a visit to Australia remains priceless.

June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller 53

Water For

ELEPHANTS Adrian Bridge enjoys an intimate – and rather wet – encounter with Yuki, his new four–ton friend, in beautiful northern Thailand 54 June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller

Bath time with the elephants | thailand

June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller 55

56 June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller

Bath time with the elephants | thailand

i

ntimate though I felt I had become with Yuki over the course of a two– hour getting–to-know–you meander along some of Thailand’s most idyllic tropical pathways, I was not sure we were ready to share a bath.

What with her massive frame (Yuki, you really need to lose a pound or two), brittle, spiky hair and unbelievably thick skin, we hardly seemed compatible. Then there was the tricky question of whether to confine it to a quick, partial dip, or go the whole hog: total immersion, followed by a shower.

Yuki had no such qualms. As soon as she saw the flowing brown water of the River

With those great lumbering legs, Yuki was soon up to her neck in the water and enjoying cooling off. She was playful, too, dipping her trunk into the river and flicking it back to spray all those behind her.

Within minutes, I and the 10 others who had entered the water perched precariously on our pachyderms were drenched – and laughing hysterically. Fears allayed that we might find ourselves trapped underneath an almighty weight, we relaxed and went with the flow. “Wow, this is like a bath party!” declared one of the Americans.

The communal splash came at the end of a day spent interacting with some of the 25

‘It is a wonderful sensation. The world looks very different from the top of an elephant’ Ruak she proceeded to wade in. I had little choice: I tightened my thigh muscles around her upper head, and gripped her vast ears.

I was about to enter untested territory – bath time with an elephant – and with Yuki weighing in at just under four tons, I just hoped she didn’t want to create too much of a splash.

Initial reservations aside, bathing in a river with an elephant – and indeed several of her friends – turned out to be a genuinely thrilling experience.

or so elephants kept in the 160–acre grounds surrounding the Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa, close to Chiang Rai. It had involved learning some of the different ways you can mount an elephant – climbing up a leg, leaping on top of the lowered head or getting it to lie down and approaching from the side. There had been lessons on their diets (on average elephants consume 550lb of vegetables a day) and their medical needs. We had heard about the historical role of elephants in Thailand,

used variously in warfare, for heavy lifting and for logging. And we had learnt some key commands: pai (forward), ben (turn) and, most crucially, how (stop).

The tuition came courtesy of the elephants’ mahouts (driver/owners) and the resort’s English–speaking staff, many of whom have built up considerable expertise over the 10 years that experiences of this kind have been offered to guests.

Sitting bareback on an elephant is not easy. For a start you do not sit on its back, but rather as far forward as you can, on its head. Staying there involves a constant clenching of the leg muscles and keeping a firm grip on those ears. You have to be alert, too (elephants are easily distracted by the sight of sugar cane).

It is not exactly comfortable, but far more authentic than the alternative, which involves sitting in an attached chair. And it is a wonderful sensation. The world looks very different from the top of an elephant, and this part of the world, the Golden Triangle, where the Mekong river touches Thailand, Laos and Burma, is a particularly enchanting one.

Before venturing too far afield with Yuki, I put her through her paces around a sort of slalom course at the resort’s elephant camp.

It was most satisfying when she responded to my commands. “Pai,” I said, and off she plodded. “Ben,” I ventured, and turn she did.

Should things have gone awry, Yuki’s mahout was nearby, but for a moment I did feel I was at the controls.

June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller 57

58 June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller

Bath time with the elephants | thailand

‘I made sure she was rewarded with a plentiful supply of bananas and constant encouragement’

Opening page: Elephant and mahout. Previous page, clockwise from bottom right: VIP arrival; Elephant bath time fun; Yoga at the pool; Anantara Three Country View Suite; Elephants and mahouts.

This page: Country view.

Roberts insists that giving tourists rides does not hurt the animals and is a small price to pay for the benefits they receive at Anantara, not least in the form of regular inspections by vets (those doing the three– day mahout course get to see this side of the operation up close; in the case of temperature readings, perhaps closer than they’d like).

Certainly in her slow, leisurely sort of way, Yuki gave the impression of being contented – even if for part of her day she had to put up with the likes of me sitting on her head.

I made sure she was rewarded with a plentiful supply of bananas and constant words of encouragement. And she got her own back when it came to giving me a good dousing in the River Ruak.

“That,” declared my American friend over delicious fried rice back in the comfort zone of the Anantara resort, “was a lifechanging experience.”

I’m not sure I’d go that far, but it was pretty special. And bath time will never be quite the same again.

June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller 59

Images: Corbis / Arabian Eye; Shutterstock Text: Adrian Bridge / The Telegraph / The Interview People

There are many who question this sort of activity; animal rights activists who argue that laying on elephant rides for tourists is cruel: not as bad as using them in circuses, but nevertheless exploitative.

John Roberts, the ‘director of elephants’ at the Anantara, is sensitive to the criticism but points out that all the elephants at the resort have been rescued from bad situations – some from the streets of Bangkok where they were used to entertain tourists in a demeaning way; some from illegal logging operations (the practice was banned in Thailand in 1989); some from being sent to Chinese circuses.

He points out, too, that rather than simply taking on the elephants, the Anantara resort also adopts their mahouts – people for whom earning a living from elephants has been a tradition for 4,000 years.

“Mahouts need to make an income from their elephants and we give them a better option than some of the others,” said Roberts. “Compared with most of Thailand’s captive elephants, ours are very well looked after. They are fed and cared for, and with all the land here they can lead something of a normal ‘elephant life’.”

He acknowledges that the resort’s mahouts still sometimes use their metal hooks for control (“let’s not forget that elephants can be dangerous”), but says that in general, nonphysical methods of “positive reinforcement” are encouraged.

Roberts comes across as a man who is genuinely concerned about the welfare of his charges. Alongside the camp at Anantara, he was instrumental in setting up the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation, a charity that aims to help elephants in need throughout Thailand. In his ideal world, there would be no elephants in captivity.

ConCierge | opener

CoNCiERGE

CoLombiA | NEWCASTLE | WAShiNGToN DC | iSTANbuL

the 30-second concierge

RAFAEL PEREZ, SoFiTEL LEGEND SANTA CLARA CARTAGENA

Originally built as a convent in 1621, this historic hotel has far more to offer than just a luxurious stay...

Stay at the Sofitel if... you want to experience the real Cartagena.

Discover local traditions, fascinating history and the inspiration for Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s famous novel Of Love and Other Demons.

For the best room in the hotel... book the Imperial Suite, where you can experience art created by the daughter of Colombian artist Fernando Botero and enjoy breathtaking pool views.

For the finest dining... eat at our hotel restaurant 1621. It serves up exotic Caribbean food with French delicacy based on ancient recipes.

For the best view of the city... there is nothing like relaxing at sunset on a sailboat in Cartagena’s bay with magical views of the old city.

To relax... our So Spa is the perfect solution. From facials to our signature emerald treatment, unwind in our expert hands.

For a taste of Colombia... try Restaurant Cande, in the old town, or, for a more casual experience, El Gallinero de Mila, on Calle del Arzobispado.

For a special souvenir... buy a sombrero vueltiao, a traditional Colombian hat. Go to Artesanias de Colombia and take your pick.

The best place to enjoy magical views... is the bay. There is nothing like relaxing at sunset on a sailboat enjoying views of the old city.

June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller 61

visit

NeWcasTle-UpoN-TyNe Rachael Bell enjoys the myriad trappings of England’s North East

N

Images: Corbis / Arabian Eye; Shutterstock; Supplied

ewcastle’s reputation as one of England’s must-see cities comes from its vibrant nightlife and friendly locals, but from gourmands and shopaholics to art lovers and theatre goers, this North East metropolis offers something for everyone. Start off in the city centre: amidst the regency architecture and cobbled streets you’ll find high-street and designer stores, restaurants and street performers aplenty. A short walk from here is the city’s famous Quayside, where concert halls and art centres ensure it’s an area that’s always animated and packed; or head over to Jesmond, where stylish hotels sit aside boutique shops. If the weather is good (unlikely), or you just want to escape the city and explore some of the region’s historical treasures, spend the day in Durham or Alnwick, home to the North East’s best castles. Newcastle’s lure comes from its laidback approach to sophistication and its picturesque landscapes, and with it boasting the appeal of London but none of the rush, you will never want to leave.

62 June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller

Newcastle-upoN-tyNe | uK

MUST-DOS Theatre Royal (1) is the regional home of the Royal Shakespeare Company and provides world-class entertainment for all tastes. The North East holds more theatres per person than anywhere else in the UK, so don’t miss out on seeing a play in the most beautiful theatre in the area. The BalTIc (2) is every art lover’s dream: it has previously exhibited the work of Damien Hirst and Yoko Ono and

displays all year round to those who wander in from the Quayside. castle Keep (3) reveals some of Newcastle’s heritage. Founded in 1168 by Henry II, it reminds onlookers of the city’s riotous past. st. James’ (4) is home to Newcastle United FC, and an important part of what the locals are about. If you’re here mid-football season you can catch a match.

Newcastle’s fiercest rivals are Sunderland, and their stadium’s close by too if you fancy watching another Premiership team.

The stand (5) is the region’s capital of comedy and where Newcastle’s most popular acts perform. Pop in and watch a side-splitting show or head here for a nice lunch at the Stand bistro. eldon square (6) is the city centre’s main location for shopping. Just off the high-street, it is bound to satisfy any shopper’s fancy. Likewise, The Metro centre (7) is Europe’s largest retail park and the perfect place for browsing both high-street and high-end brands. angel of the North (8) is the North East’s most famous sculpture; and one of the UK’s most talked about pieces of public art. Made from 200 tonnes of steel, and at 20m high with a 54m wingspan, it took flight in 1998 and was designed by Antony Gromley.

WHERE TO STAY

Opposite page: Angel of the North photographed from the west. This page, from top: View of the iconic Tyne bridge with Gateshead Sage below it; Blackfriars; Gateshead Millennium Bridge; St James’ Park, the home of Newcastle United Football Club.

9

Newcastle-Upon-Tyne

Leazes Park

WHERE TO EAT

Princess Square

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7

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Kensington House aparthotel (9) (kensingtonaparthotel.com) sees each apartment individually designed and furnished with impeccable standards. The apartments are self-catered but, if you don’t feel like cooking, the cosmopolitan area of Jesmond offers a wide variety of places to dine.

Malmaison (10) (malmaison.com), located on the Quayside, is the height of luxury. The 122 rooms and suites look over the Tyne River and Newcastle’s famous Millennium Bridge. With a superb brasserie and spa on the premises, this is the perfect place to spoil yourself.

2

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six at BalTIc (11) (sixbaltic.com) gives panoramic views of Newcastle and fresh, reasonably-priced food. The menu offers British modern cuisine in a tranquil setting at the top floor of the BALTIC art gallery.

Blackfriars (12) (blackfriarsrestaurant.co.uk) is the city’s oldest restaurant, established in 1239. The wooded dining area serves Michelinrecognised, traditional British food.

June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller 63

visit

WashingTon, D.C.

There are umpteen reasons to explore this thriving city, says Grace Hyne. Here are just a few..

H

ome to some of the country’s most important national monuments and memorials, as well as three houses of government, Washington, D.C. has been captivating visitors for decades. To discover its rich history, head straight to the National Mall, an open-air national park at the centre of most sightseeing tours: it’s here you’ll find some of America’s most iconic sights – from the White House to the Smithsonian museums. And then there are the countless monuments: take a memorable moonlit walking tour and see them all - from the memorials of Martin Luther King Jr and Abraham Lincoln to the Washington Monument, honouring the first president of the United States, George Washington.

The city aspires to be one of the country’s greenest – both visually and environmentally.

The United States Capitol building and Smithsonian museum complex are set amid a sprawling green expanse and the city’s famous cherry blossoms in bloom are a sight not to be missed. Nature lovers can also stroll alongside the city’s canals, hike or horse ride along scenic trails, or head to the top of the Meridian Hill Park (also known as Malcolm X Park) for unique city views. When night falls, Washington, D.C. has plenty more to offer.

Food connoisseurs will not be disappointed by the plethora of fine dining options available, and discerning music fans will be spoilt for choice – from orchestras and opera to ballet and musicals, there’s something for every taste.

64 June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller

Washington DC | Usa

10

WASHingTOn DC’S BEST… MEMORiAlS Theodore Roosevelt island is a 91-acre wilderness preserve in honour of the 26th president’s conservation efforts.

With two-and-a-half miles of foot trails, be sure to find the 17-foot bronze statue of Roosevelt in the centre of the island.

Lincoln memorial is seated on a tenfoot-high marble base surrounded by 38 Grecian columns.

With murals by French painter Jules Guerin placed around the structure, the first President’s monument is truly awe-inspiring.

Martin Luther King Jr. national Memorial was erected in honour of the legendary civil rights activist.

With the ‘Stone of Hope’ at its centre, the 30-foot statue is inscribed with his sermons and public addresses.

8 15

Washington DC 13

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3

Smithsonian Institution

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Foggy Bottom

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Images: Shutterstock

MUST-DOS With so much to see and discover, we’ll cut right to the chase. History and culture lovers should head straight to the tree-lined national Mall (1). Perhaps the most impressive sight is the Washington Monument: at 555 feet above the National Mall, it’s the capital’s tallest structure. Nearby is the United states Capitol building (2), the meeting chambers for the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Browse exhibitions at the Library of Congress and watch live video feeds of the government in session. Next, visit the smithsonian (3) complex, which features 19 museums and galleries. Favourites include the National Air and Space Museum, which offers 22 exhibition galleries and includes flight simulators, and the National Museum of Natural History, which displays everything from prehistoric white sharks to dinosaurs. No trip to Washington DC is complete without a visit to the White house (4) - unfortunately, tours are no longer available but it’s still a sight to behold. From there, you can head to the nearby newseum (5), which explores how and why news is made: head to the News History Gallery to see the taped door that led to Richard Nixon’s resignation. For something a little different, there’s the international spy Museum (6): marvel at the kooky exhibits – everything from lipstick pistols to invisible ink letters. For those who want to enjoy the great outdoors, the Chesapeake and ohio Canal (7) offers plenty of scenic trails to be enjoyed on foot or by horse. A visit to Malcolm X Park (8) is also worthwhile: enjoy its 13-basin cascading

waterfall and scale the hill in the park’s centre for breathtaking views of downtown Washington. Feeling peckish? Why not picnic alongside the Potomac River (9) at Great Falls Park? The series of 20-foot falls there are spectacular. For a great family day out, take a walk on the wild side at the smithsonian national Zoological Park (10): keep your eyes peeled for giant pandas and orangutans.

And finally, music and theatre connoisseurs should try to catch a performance at the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing arts (11): home to the National Symphony Orchestra, national ballet and opera houses.

meats and fresh seafood with internationallyinspired flavours. With locally sourced ingredients, every meal is melt-in-your-mouth. inn at Little Washington restaurant (15) (theinnatlittlewashington.com) creates sumptuous food to alight all senses. Just an hour’s drive from Washington, D.C. at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, its refined American cuisine has become worldrenowned.

WHERE TO STAY The hay-adams (12) (hayadams.com) offers unparalleled panoramic views of the White House, and is moments away from favourite cultural attractions. With decorations inspired by the 1920s, it’s little wonder the boutique abode has attracted such illustrious past visitors as Amelia Earhart.

Loews Madison hotel (13) (loewshotels.com) has housed the likes of Elizabeth Taylor and Michael Jackson – leaving little doubt of its luxury status. With modern, clean lines, eat at the Federalist for inventive 18th century American cuisine.

WHERE TO EAT J & g steakhouse (14) (jgsteakhousedc.com) is one of the city’s most popular steakhouses.

Created by renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, the menu serves up premium

Opposite page, from top: Mammoth skeletons in the American Museum of Natural History; Military branches displaying flag colors on the South Lawn of the White House; Lincoln Memorial; Panda at The National Zoo; Downtown Washington DC. This page: US Capitol Building.

June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller 65

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June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller 67

SuiTe dreamS

SulTan SuiTe, Çirağan Palace KemPinSKi, iSTanbul

Those seeking a regal abode in which to unwind this summer need look no further than the palatial Sultan Suite at this incredible Turkish palace. One of the largest suites in Europe, the Sultan Suite offers 376 square metres of pure luxury on the palace’s second floor – with floor-to-ceiling windows boasting awe-inspiring views over the Bosphorus. Replica paintings of renowned Ottoman court artist Fausto Zanaro, along with antique Turkish furniture, extravagant chandeliers, decorative fireplaces and regal columns, mean the sights inside the suite are just as beautiful. Host extravagant dinners in its expansive dining room, which sits 12 people, or unwind in the master 68 June 2013 Kanoo World Traveller

bedroom’s handmade marble hammam, with its own private steam room and rain shower complete with gold plated and crystal bathtub facets. Take a personalised tour of the city, courtesy of the hotel’s ever-obliging staff, before heading back for a cooling dip in the infinity pool. Rejuvenated, dine like a king at Tugra restaurant – located on the hotel’s majestic summer terrace, it offers yet more stunning views of the Bosphorus. From the moment you arrive you’ll be treated like royalty, with a 24-hour butler on hand to cater to your every need.

And with a prestigious list of former guests, including royalty and Oprah Winfrey, you know you’re in safe hands… kempinski.com

GRAN MELIÁ Starting from Gran Meliá Villa Agrippina

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PICTURED: GRAN MELIÁ VILLA AGRIPPINA, ROME

A lavish selection with your client in mind.

MELIÁ Starting from

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ME BY MELIÁ Starting from ME London

US$ 443

ME Madrid

US$ 198

PICTURED: ME LONDON

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Daily rates based on Double occupancy per room. Breakfast included. Offers available for travel between 1 June and 30 September 2013. Subject to availability.