World Traveller July'15

THE REGION’S BIGGEST LUXURY TRAVEL MAGAZINE

Issue Eighty Seven | July 2015

Complimentary Copy

Child's

Play

From sharing breakfast with giraffes to having a waterfight on the streets of NYC: here's what to do with the kids this summer

MILAN An in-the-know guide to Italy's capital of fashion

EGYPT Produced in International Media Production Zone

The picture-perfect wonders you need to explore all over again

PORTUGAL As Six Senses opens up in the beautiful Douro Valley, we dive right in...

July 2015 World Traveller

Editor’s Note Managing Director

Issue eighty seven

Victoria Thatcher

July 2015

Editorial Director

Who’s feeling the heat? Last month temperatures in Dubai reached a sweltering 50 degrees Celsius, which makes it the perfect time to up sticks and explore different parts of the world. Our main focus this month is holidays you can enjoy with the family – whether that’s taking the whole group on a Mafia-style tour of Sicily (page 40), a roundup of great hotels and locations with kid-friendly twists (page 46) or going wild in Malaysia (page 54), there will definitely be something of interest for your group of travellers.

John Thatcher Editor

Richard Jenkins Senior Designer

Andy Knappett Sales Manager

Lisa Price lisa@hotmediapublishing.com +971 4 375 3608

Elsewhere, we’ve got advice for a far-flung Hawaiian getaway, Egypt’s most iconic sights and six of the best mountain retreats to beat the summer heat.

Features Editor

Lara Brunt

I hope you enjoy the issue.

Designer

Emi Dixon Illustrator

Richard Jenkins richard@hotmediapublishing.com

Andrew Thorpe Production Manager

Chalitha Fernando

@wt_magazine

Giraffe Manor, Nairobi

Jun-Dec 2014 | 22,920 | BPA Consumer Audit 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 World Traveller.

Tel: 00971 4 364 2876 Fax: 00971 4 369 7494

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Welcome Contents

Contents

Check In The Sections

8 Be Here Now It’s time for a storybook escape to Bavaria, Germany, while it’s heli-skiing season in Queenstown.

Check In News and inspiration from around the world

11 Globetrotter Off-beat accommodation, a stylish stay at London’s Covent Garden Hotel, and Ramadan retreats in Switzerland.

20 Chef’s Top Tables Destinations In-depth travel features to fuel your wanderlust

Renowned Italian chef Alberico Penati shares his favourite dining spots and dishes across the globe.

22 Spotlight On: Palma Mallorca’s capital is one of Spain’s star attractions, with an historic Old Town and bustling tapas joints.

Weekends Everything you need to know about short-haul escapes 4

25 Style & Wellness Six Senses opens in Portugal’s Douro Valley, while a Dead Sea favourite relaunches its spa in Jordan.

July 2015 World Traveller

Destinations 34 Iconic Egypt From the pyramids of Giza to the temples of Luxor and Abu Simbel, Egypt is bursting with awe-inspiring sights.

40 On Holiday with the Mob Can three generations of one family get along in the Mafia’s backyard? Llen Himelfarb puts Sicily to the test.

Weekends 60 News

46 10 Family Hotels with a Difference

Extreme sports, new restaurants in the region, plus golfing at The Meydan Hotel.

From Kenya to Costa Rica, young travellers are in for a treat at these unique hotels.

62 Man Oman

52 Family-friendly City Breaks How to do Istanbul, Rome, London, Singapore and Los Angeles with the kids in tow.

54 Malaysia’s Wild Side Lisa Markwell and her family were fascinated by the amazing wildlife of Langkawi.

Explore the beautiful and mysterious mountains of Oman.

64 Six of the Best Beat the heat at one of these magical mountain retreats.

72 Suite Dreams A stunning hideaway for honeymooners.

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Check In Be Here Now

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July 2015 World Traveller

Be Here

Now

Bavaria, Germany With its turreted castles, lush alpine forests and dramatic mountain peaks, Bavaria in Germany’s southeast is the ultimate storybook setting. The Palace Department manages 45 fairy-tale castles and palaces including the three Royal residences of ‘Mad King’ Ludwig II: Neuschwanstein (pictured), Linderhof and Herrenchiemsee. Built between 1869 and 1886 on a rugged cliff near Füssen, Neuschwanstein was Ludwig’s dream vision of a 13th-century knight’s castle. Inside, it pays homage to his friend Richard Wagner with paintings depicting scenes from the composer’s various operas.

More than one million people flock here every year, and summer is especially busy, so be sure to reserve your tickets online. neuschwanstein.de

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Check In Be Here Now

Queenstown, New Zealand While the Northern Hemisphere basks in summer sunshine, the ski season is in full swing in New Zealand, typically lasting until mid-October. Clarke Glacier (pictured) near Queenstown in the Southern Alps, where peaks reach more than 3,000 metres, is a top spot for high-altitude heli-skiing.

The long runs and dry powder snow are suitable for intermediate to advanced skiers and snowboarders. Non-skiers can enjoy the views too, with numerous glaciers providing safe landing areas for sightseeing helicopters. Queenstown itself, meanwhile, is known for its lively après ski culture and abundance of off-piste activities, from adrenaline-ďŹ lled (bungy, white-water rafting) to thoroughly chilled (day spas and hot pools).

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July 2015 World Traveller

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July 2015 World Traveller

Globetrotter Here’s what’s hot in travel this month…

Off-beat sleeps The right hotel can make or break a holiday, but staying somewhere quirky can often be more memorable (and Instagrammable to boot).

Here are three weird and wonderful places…

Blackhead Lighthouse, Northern Ireland Part of the new Great Lighthouses of Ireland initiative, you can stay in a restored lightkeepers’ cottage beside Blackhead Lighthouse in Co. Antrim (pictured). Or bed down inside the octagonal stone tower of Wicklow Head Lighthouse in Co. Wicklow, Ireland. greatlighthouses.com

Liberty Hotel, USA

Palacio de Sal, Bolivia

For nearly 150 years, the Charles Street Jail housed some of Boston’s most notorious criminals. Now converted into a high-end hotel, the restaurants and bars play on the building’s colourful past with names like Alibi and Clink, while the public spaces are linked by a walkway once patrolled by prison guards. libertyhotel.com

Located 3,600 metres above sea level in Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat, the Palacio de Sal is made from the mineral.

There are 30 igloo-like rooms built from salt blocks, along with chairs and tables fashioned from salt. Dine on salted llama and enjoy the views of the otherworldly landscape. palaciodesal.com.bo

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Check In Globetrotter

Singapore celebrates

Famous footsteps

Swiss bliss

Ramadan retreat Tschuggen Hotels has launched two packages that are perfect for families travelling to Switzerland over the holy month. Located in the Graubünden mountains, Tschuggen Grand Hotel has a four-night deal that includes breakfast before sunrise, admission to the 5,000sqm spa complex built directly into the mountains, a Thalesebath (sea salt) treatment and free use of the futuristic Tschuggen Express (pictured) that

connects the resort with the surrounding hiking areas (from AED8,600, until September 20). At Hotel Eden Roc on Lake Maggiore, meanwhile, you can checkin for three nights with daily Suhoor and Iftar offerings, access to the 2,000sqm spa and a relaxing massage, plus train tickets or limousine transfer to Expo 2015 in nearby Milan (from AED5,600, until October 31). Halal food and prayer mats are available at both properties, too.

As the Lion City celebrates its Golden Jubilee this year, its most iconic hotel has lined up a special treat for visitors. The Raffles Walk of Fame tour follows in the footsteps of some of the many world leaders, celebrities and members of royalty that have visited Raffles Singapore since it opened in 1887. The 45-minute tour takes visitors behind-the-scenes to areas usually only accessible to in-house guests. Starting in the lobby, the tour continues on to some of the hotel’s 103 suites, including one of its two presidential suites where Queen Elizabeth II and Michael Jackson have stayed. Guides will share fascinating facts about famous guests, along with unbelievable stories including the tiger that hid under the billiard room and the silver beef wagon that was buried during WWII. The tour will also highlight the locations where films such as The Barefoot Contessa and Hawaii Five-O were shot. Tours take place every Saturday at 9am, 11am, 3pm and 5pm until August 29. raffles.com

Travel Download All the media you need, whatever your journey

Duty-free find

Time flies App WayGo Visiting Asia?

Simply point your phone at Chinese, Cantonese, Kanji, Japanese or Korean text and this clever app translates it into English.

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Music The Chemical Brothers Born in the Echoes is the electronic dance duo’s first album since 2010, and is bound to be a summer dancefloor filler.

Film ‘71 A gripping drama about a young British soldier accidentally abandoned by his unit following a riot on the streets of Belfast in 1971.

Book Go Set a Watchman Harper Lee’s newly discovered novel focuses on the characters from To Kill a Mockingbird some 20 years later and all grown up

Inspired by one of its iconic silk scarf designs, the new Cape Cod Zebra Pegasus timepiece from Hermès has got us dreaming of flying away. The decorative dial depicts the mythical winged horse, with engraving and Grand Feu enamelling used to create the miniature painting of the zebra and its 22-carat gold plate wings. Available in four variations, the white gold case houses the signature Hermès H1837 movement crafted in Switzerland. Just one more reason to linger longer in duty free...

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Check In Globetrotter

Inspired design

Parisian perfection Recently renovated by designer Didier Gomez, the Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg combines old-world Parisian architecture with modern interiors in white, beige, grey, black and gold. Located in the fashionable Saint-Honoré district, close to the Louvre and Champs-Élysées, the 18th-century mansion has 147 rooms and

suites decorated with Louis XV-style armchairs and Cecil Beaton for Vogue prints. Three Michelin-starred French chef Yannick Alléno’s new restaurant, STAY Faubourg, is just as eye-catching with sunshine-yellow accents, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a courtyard, and its very own pastry library. sofitel.com Adventure travel

Mongolia beckons

Beach eats

Greek odyssey On a sun-drenched terrace overlooking the Med in Mykonos, the new rustic-chic restaurant Scorpios nails the laidback luxe trend. An offshoot of San Giorgio Mykonos Hotel, the menu blends seasonal Greek produce and Mediterranean flavours with Asian influences to create dishes that are meant for sharing.

After eating, guests can decamp to a hammock or lowslung sofa as international DJs hit the decks every day from 2pm until late. designhotels.com 14

If you’re drawn to the vast steppes, rugged mountains and endless desert of Mongolia, you’ll be pleased to know things just got a little more luxurious in the capital. Opened last month, Shangri-La Ulaanbaatar provides a sanctuary for intrepid travellers who prefer their creature comforts when not riding Bactrian camels across the Gobi or sleeping in a nomadic family’s yurt. The hotel’s arrival is well timed, as the annual Naadam Festival takes place this month from July 11-15. One of the world’s oldest sporting events, it sees the nation’s best athletes compete in archery, horse racing and Mongolian wrestling, while the opening ceremony is a colourful whirl of dancers, athletes, horse riders and musicians.

July 2015 World Traveller

Stylish stay

Covent Garden Hotel, London

Photo by Simon Brown

Two style icons come together this summer, as the Covent Garden Hotel celebrates the life of Audrey Hepburn with a fashionable new package.

Combine your stay at the headturning hotel in the heart of Theatreland with tickets to the National Portrait Gallery’s new exhibition, Audrey Hepburn: Portraits of an Icon. On show are more than 70 classic and rarely-seen photographs of the actress, while the hotel boasts 58 rooms and suites by celebrated designer Kit Kemp, who blends traditional English design with quirky and contemporary accents.

“Every room is like a painted canvas,” says Kemp, “it has to tell a story.” Add in a Vintage Afternoon Tea for two in the hotel’s acclaimed Brasserie Max and you have the ingredients for the perfect girls’ getaway. Until October 18, firmdalehotels.com

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Check In My City

MY C CITY

Milan

Carlo Traglio President and CEO of Italian jewellery brand, Vhernier For visitors to Milan, there are three hotels in the centre of the Quadrilatero d’Oro shopping area that I would recommend: Four Seasons Hotel Milan for its unique atmosphere and 15th-century cloister; the recently refurbished Grand Hotel et de Milan for its traditional décor, history and famous guests like composer Giuseppe Verdi, who stayed at the hotel for several years; and the elegant and relaxed Hotel Manzoni. For a cultural fix, visit the Cloister of Santa Maria delle Grazie to see Il Cenacolo (The Last Supper) by Leonardo da Vinci; I spent hours captivated by this work by one of the greatest Renaissance artists. Pinacoteca di Brera displays works by major Italian artists from the 13th to the 20th centuries, 16

including Andrea Mantegna’s Lamentation over the Dead Christ, a source of inspiration for many painters after him. Another top spot is the Museo Poldi Pezzoli, a ‘house museum’ opened in 1881 that was once a private residence and collection.

For modern and contemporary art, stop by the Museo del Novecento in the Palazzo dell’Arengario, and don’t miss the Milan Expo, which runs until October 31. Art and design fans should also visit Triennale, the most extraordinary museum of art and design, and stroll along Via Solferino in the Brera district, which has many small shops filled with furniture, art and crafts.

Villa Necchi Campiglio, meanwhile, is a treasure of art and architecture where you can see the evolution from Art Deco to rationalist architectural styles. The beautifully-preserved villa belongs to the FAI (Fondo Ambiente Italiano), a private foundation that restores and manages historic houses and castles. Milan is, of course, one of the world’s great fashion capitals and the city’s best luxury boutiques are found in Quadrilatero d’Oro, a square formed by Via Montenapoleone (where you’ll find the flagship Vhernier boutique at number 21), Via Sant’Andrea, Via Monzani and Via della Spiga. For the best fine-dining, make reservations at Baretto al Baglioni at the Carlton

Hotel Baglioni and La Veranda at the Four Seasons (dining in the cloister feels like you’re immersed in a romantic Italian garden). Bice on Via Borgospesso has retro furniture and excellent Milanese food, while Ristorante Solferino, known as Il Solferino, is another top choice for typical Milanese food. For lunch on the run, stop by Conti Cafè Milano in Via Montenapoleone or Il Salumaio in Via Santo Spirito, the latter serving good food in a neoRenaissance courtyard. A dish you must try in Milan is Risotto alla Milanese (saffron-infused risotto) with Cotoletta (Milanese veal cutlet) or Ossobuco (veal shanks). Raise a glass at Il Camparino in Piazza Duomo, the traditional cocktail bar of Milan, and Radetzky for its buzzy and crowded atmosphere. Most people don’t know this about Milan but there is still a system of canals and waterways called Navigli, recently restored, which were designed by Leonardo da Vinci. The district is also home to cosy restaurants and small markets with antiques and other curiosities and is especially nice in the evening.

Finally, don’t leave without experiencing a sumptuous Sunday brunch buffet at Peck, the most extraordinary Italian food emporium near the Duomo, where chef Matteo Vigotti proposes exciting new gourmet dishes.

Check In Ask The Expert

45 Park Lane

Four Seasons Resort Maui

Dinner by Heston Blumenthal

Ask the EXPERT

Rob Arrow is a product manager at dnata and a self-confessed hotel geek. With nearly a decade of experience in the luxury travel industry, Rob loves nothing more than talking hotels and discovering destinations. His favourite country is Lebanon, his favourite city is Los Angeles and his dream is to own a boutique retreat in the Italian Alps.

Q. I ’m planning to visit London this summer. Can you recommend a couple of luxury hotels with great restaurants?

A. There’s no shortage of top quality restaurants within the capital’s hotels.

Starting with the iconic Shangri-La at 18

Four Seasons Resort Maui

the Shard’s signature restaurant, Ting, not only do you get the most amazing views of London, but you can also indulge in one of the best breakfasts, afternoon teas or dinners in town. Closer to the ground and overlooking Hyde Park, there’s the glorious Dorchester Hotel, which has authentic Cantonese food and amazing dim sum at China Tang; contemporary French cuisine at Alain Ducasse; and modern grill dishes cooked with locally sourced ingredients at The Grill. Next door, and owned by the same hotel group, 45 Park Lane is the most luxurious boutique hotel in the world in my opinion. It’s home to Wolfgang Puck’s CUT, where you can enjoy some of the best cuts of meat and fantastic service. If you want to be closer to Knightsbridge’s stores and restaurants (including Mr Chow, Signor Sassi or Zuma), then there’s Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park. A reservation at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal is a must – the historic menu offers some of the finest delicacies including roasted pineapple and snail porridge. Or if you’re after something more casual, Bar Boulud on the lower level has some of the most succulent burgers I’ve ever tasted.

Q. Hawaii is on my bucket list. Which islands would you suggest for a 2-3 week holiday for a couple in their 30s?

CUT at 45 Park Lane

A. While Hawaii is a long way from this region, the trek is worth every moment once you arrive. I’d recommend sticking to two islands, Maui and Kauai, if you only have two weeks. If you can stretch to a third week, add in the Big Island – spend a week or so taking in the history and immersing yourself in modern Hawaiian life, then spend the rest of your time exploring Maui and Kauai. In terms of flights, Hawaiian Airlines operates an excellent inter-island service, and once you’ve picked your entry point from mainland USA or Eastern Asia, you can book a multi-stop ticket.

The Four Seasons offers a great Hawaiian experience with four magical retreats on the Big Island, Maui and the private island of Lana’i – no stay is complete without a few nights at Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea with its beautiful white-sand beach. On the Big Island, The Royal Hawaiian on the fabled Waikiki Beach is a pink palace of a bygone time and mixes the island’s best Mai Tai. Of course, there are some must-dos in Hawaii, including learning to surf; snorkelling at any of the beaches; and mountain biking down the side of one of the volcanoes. Time your visit between January and March to witness the peak of the humpback whale season and, if you’re a scuba diver, I’d recommend a night dive with manta rays.

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Check In Chef’s Top Tables

Café Boulud

Chef’s

TOP TABLES Renowned Italian chef Alberico Penati has worn the whites at some of the finest hotels and most exclusive private members’ clubs in the world. This year, he won a coveted Michelin star for Penati al Baretto in Paris just ten months after opening. Here, he shares his favourites restaurants…

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Tosa, London, England Order: Grilled Salmon cheek with grated radish and lemon When living in Chiswick in London, I discovered this little Japanese grill. It may not be London’s prettiest spot – it resembles an upmarket canteen decorated with Japanese paintings – but the sushi, sashimi and flame-cooked meat are just irresistible.

A Robata grill produces delicious barbecue aromas that are hard to resist, especially the salmon cheek and the fresh asparagus and pork belly skewer.

Caffè la Crepa, Lombardy, Italy Order: Piatto di pesce all’isolana (pike and bitter-sweet eel) and Tortelli di zucca (homemade pasta filled with pumpkin) Situated in a 15th-century palace facing one of the most beautiful squares in northern Italy, Caffè la Crepa serves amazing cuisine based exclusively on ancient recipes and high quality products of the region. The ownersare always ready to welcome, combining kindness and knowledge with a rich list from the restaurant’s cellar.

July 2015 World Traveller

Café Boulud

Homemade pasta

Al Falamanki, Beirut, Lebanon Order: Mini mezza for two and Khalil’s saj with thyme, cheese and vegetables My top spot in Beirut, with a beautiful leafy terrace that is ideal for late-night shisha.

Al Falamanki delivers refined and tasty Lebanese cuisine in a lively and carefree atmosphere. The menu is a tribute to Arabic cuisine and features hot and cold appetizers, rich salads, grill and oven dishes, soup, dessert, and even a traditional breakfast menu with dishes like foul medammas.

Caffè la Crepa

Café Boulud, New York, USA Order: Anything on the menu Inspired by his family’s old farm in France, Daniel Boulud’s upscale café puts a twist on French cuisine, while also remaining true to important traditions. There’s a wonderful selection of dishes such as black squid ink spaghetti with prawns; tender baby squid and mussels; and a fantastic wild loup de mer (European seabass) in a brioche garnished with fluffy gnocchi and ravigote sauce. Cosmopolitan and chic with gracious service.

L’Ami Louis, Paris, France Order: Escargots de Bourgogne and Confit de canard aux pommes béarnaise An authentic Parisian bistro that continues to delight me – and also attracts American presidents and international stars.

Generous portions of fois gras, duck confit and grilled beef are accompanied by a mountain of French fries; roast suckling lamb, sarladaise potatoes and chocolate cake. When eating at L’Ami Louis you have one only desire: to go back again soon.

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Check In Spotlight On

Spotlight On

3DOPD GH 0DOORUFD The Mediterranean island capital is one of Spain’s star attractions

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(DW DQG 'ULQN Simply Fosh

Stay Palacio Ca Sa Galesa

Built between the 13th and 17th centuries on the site of an old Arab mosque, Palma’s majestic Gothic cathedral dominates the waterfront. Gaudí redesigned parts of the interior in the early 20th century with impressive results.

Marc Fosh the first and only British chef to win a Michelin star in Spain. He serves superlative modern Mediterranean cuisine at Hotel Convent de la Missió with the emphasis on simple but imaginative dishes using fresh, seasonal and local ingredients.

With just 12 rooms, this exquisite boutique hotel is the city’s most exclusive. Housed in an opulent 16th-century palace, it has a beautiful inner courtyard, rooftop terrace overlooking the Old Town, and great spa facilities including sauna and steam room.

Bellver Castle

La Taperia

Spain’s only circular castle is so well preserved that it’s hard to believe it was constructed over 700 years ago as a royal palace. Bellver means ‘lovely view’ in Catalan, so be sure to pause to admire the panorama over the city and sea.

Near the cathedral and Old Town, this busy tapas joint offers a more imaginative take on traditional dishes, such as beetroot carpaccio with feta, and manchego with Cognac and orange reduction. Don’t miss the delectable Galician octopus.

Charter a yacht

Opio

The city’s seaside promenade and large marina illustrates Mallorca’s long-standing love affair with the sea. Explore the Bay of Palma and beyond on board a private yacht charter or boat trip.

The lounge bar in the Puro Hotel attracts a cosmopolitan crowd, with great cocktails and tapas and DJs until late. The restaurant is also popular and serves Asian and Mediterranean fusion cuisine.

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ç 'RQàW PLVV Housed in a revamped 16th-century fortress that formed part of the town walls, the excellent Es Baluard Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art has works by the likes of Joan Miró, Picasso and Fernand Léger. The restaurant on the terrace is critically acclaimed, too.

July 2015 World Traveller

Delighting the senses Douro Valley, Portugal Six Senses opens its first resort in Europe this month in Portugal’s beautiful, World Heritage-listed Douro Valley. Housed in a handsomely renovated 19th-century manor house overlooking the vine-covered valley, Six Senses Douro Valley features 51 elegant suites and villas, three restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools, and an organic garden.

But it’s the 2,200-square-metre spa that’s got us excited. As serene as you’d expect, with earthy décor and locally-inspired therapies, we love the quirky touches such as the Alchemy Bar, where exotic ingredients are blended for bespoke scrubs and masks, and the Nail Bar, which offers cheese and grape tastings during your treatment. Hot on Portugal’s heels, Six Senses is also opening in the Seychelles and Chengdu this summer. sixsenses.com

&

Style Wellness 25

Check In Style & Wellness

Passport controll P

Float away Since ancient times, the mineral-rich mud and salty waters of the Dead Sea have lured spa-lovers to Jordan. Lying 400m below sea level, the Dead Sea’s high salinity levels and mix of more than 20 minerals make it super buoyant and fantastic for skin problems like eczema. Located on its shore, Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea has just relaunched its spa. Spread over three floors with 16 treatment rooms and six outdoor areas, The Ishtar Spa by Resense is one of the finest in the region. The 10,000sqm

complex boasts Dead Sea pools, a hydropool, hammam, sauna, steam room and tepidarium heated lounges, plus a separate ladies-only section. Therapies range from Dead Sea salt body scrubs and wraps to traditional Thai massages and bespoke facials, while Ashtanga yoga and meditation help body and mind. Plump for a suite in the main building or go for a two-floor duplex above the spa - whichever you choose, you’re free to wander around the resort in your robe. kempinski.com

Breeze through airport security with this nifty new travel pouch from Stow.

Made from strong PVC and trimmed in Spanish leather, the See-view pouch fits all your travel essentials including your passport, boarding card, mobile phone, earphones and pens. Best of all, you can see them in a flash (so no lost passport panic) and your boarding card can be scanned through the PVC at security and duty free (so no rummaging around your bag for that elusive slip of paper, either).

Available in Ruby red, Topaz blue or Jasper brown with a pop of contrasting goat suede once opened, you can have your initials embossed in gold on the trim and even add your own travel motto on the reverse. stowlondon.co.uk

2..

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Magnificent 7.

City break style

Summer skincare

3.

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(1) Alexander McQueen scarf (2) Monica Vinader bracelet (3) Michael Kors trousers (4) Globe-Trotter case (5) Ancient Greek Sandals slides (6) Theory top (7) Alexander McQueen bag. Available at net-a-porter.com

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Summer staycations can play havoc with your skin, thanks to harsh rays and moisture-sapping AC. Tips & Toes has a range of facials using French skincare brand, Pevonia, which aim to combat dull, dehydrated skin. Our favourite is the Anti Free-Radical Face Treatment, a 75-minute facial that infuses the skin with vitamins A, E and D to help fight free radicals that lead to premature aging. A bi-thermal mask is applied to your face, heated to encourage the vitamins to be absorbed into your skin, and then cooled to seal in hydration and refine your pores. After it hardens, your therapist lifts it off and you’re left with a Tutankhamun-like mask and soft, supple skin. With salons across the UAE offering spa treatments and top-to-toe packages, the local favourite is becoming known for more than just manicures. tipsandtoes.com

Check In World Traveller Promotion

Eid onYas Island Celebrate Eid al-Fitr on Yas Island, the UAE’s ultimate leisure and entertainment destination

Yas Mall

A

s the Holy Month of Ramadan draws to a close, the whole region comes together to rejoice Eid al-Fitr as one. Lights, food and celebration are enjoyed by friends and family, and there’s no better place to come together than Yas Island. Here are some of the highlights on the island over Eid.

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Eat Here

Stay Here

Shop Here

There are over 100 dining options on Yas Island with flavours from around the world, and Yas Island Rotana and Centro Yas Island both have weekend celebrations taking place over Eid. At Yas Island Rotana, the Choices Friday Brunch has international cuisine and is running all weekend long. At c.taste in Centro Yas Island, there’s also a delicious festive buffet to enjoy.

While Yas Island has seven fantastic different accommodation options, Yas Viceroy is Yas Island’s most luxurious hotel, and to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, for the three days of Eid weekend there will be a different international buffet each night with food from around the globe. For entertainment, superstars like Mohammed Abdu will be playing at du Arena.

Yas Mall is the region’s most exciting shopping destination, with over 300 amazing stores open now and 83 different places to eat and drink. As well as shopping at fun stores like Hamleys and Build-A-Bear Workshop, there’s an incredible VOX Cinema and Rogo’s, the amazing rollercoaster restaurant. Don’t miss Fun Works, the region’s biggest kids’ play space.

July 2015 World Traveller

Eid Offers

Enjoy these fantastic Eid Weekend offers. Book by calling dnata on +971 4316 6666 or visiting dnatatravel.com

Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi One night from USD 90 per person

Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island Two nights from USD 100 per person

Radisson Blu Hotel, Abu Dhabi Yas Island Ferrari World Abu Dhabi

Two nights from USD 100 per person

Make it an experience!

Check out the amazing line-up of events at Yas Island this Eid. Mohammed Abdu and Habib Elyasi are sure to keep you entertained at the du Forum, Yas Island!

Summer Offers If you can’t make Eid weekend, these great offers are on all summer. Book by calling dnata on +971 4316 6666 or visiting dnatatravel.com

Radisson Blu Hotel, Abu Dhabi Yas Island Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi

Two nights from USD 173 per person.

Special offers: 36% room rate reduction, two children under 12 years old stay and dine for free, complimentary Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi ticket for all guests once per stay, extend your stay to three nights & receive the fourth night free Includes: Stay in a Standard room with breakfast daily.

Validity: Jul 1-Sep 30, 2015*

Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island

Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi

Play Here There are countless great activities to try out on Yas Island over Eid. For starters, make a visit to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, with its amazing new rides like The Ferrari Experience that puts you behind the wheel of a Ferrari, or the temperature-controlled Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi. Or why not chill out on an awesome Eco-Donut boat that lets you glide over Yas Marina?

Two nights from USD 177 per person.

Special offers: One child under 12 years old stays and dines for free, one complimentary extra bed, complimentary two day Yas Two Park Pass (Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi) for all guests once per stay Includes: Stay in a Superior room with breakfast daily Validity: Jul 1-Sep 14, 2015*

Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi One night from USD 90 per person.

Special offers: Complimentary upgrade to the next room category and late check-out till 3PM plus receive 50% discount on Spa treatments and 25% discount on F&B Includes: Stay in a Marina room with breakfast daily Validity: May 1-Sep 30, 2015* Eco-Donuts

*T&Cs apply 29

Check In dnata Offers

WORLD TRAVELLER

Reader Offers J I A

A USA B United Kingdom Waldorf Astoria Orlando, Brown’s Hotel Rocco Orlando Forte, London

5 nights from USD540 per person Special offer: Stay 4 nights and get the 5th night free. Valid between Aug 1-Oct 3, 2015 Stay 6 nights and get the 7th night free. Valid between Oct 4, 2015-Mar 3, 2016. Cumulative offer. Daily complimentary park transportation is provided Includes: Stay in a King Deluxe Room with airport transfers Validity: Book by Sep 30, 2015.

Black out dates apply 30

3 nights from USD950 per person Special offer: 20% rate reduction on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights Includes: Stay in a Classic King room with breakfast and return airport transfers Validity: Jul 13-Sep 6, 2015 Brown’s Hotel is one of London’s most historied and most luxurious. Any summer city break should take in a stay here.

Austria Meliá Vienna, Vienna 7 nights from USD480 per person Special offer: Stay 6 nights and receive an extra night free Includes: Stay in a Meliá Guest room with breakfast and return airport transfers Validity: Jul 1-Aug 31, 2015.

Take in the gorgeous sights and sounds of Vienna from this glamorous base. The hotel itself is an imposing structure that is right at home in Vienna’s hall of architectural highlights.

South Africa Thornybush Waterside Lodge 3 nights from USD870 per person Special offer: 10% rate reduction Includes: Stay in a Suite including all meals, teas, coffees, sundowner drinks, 2 safaris in open 4x4 and bush walks, conservations and return airport transfers Validity: Jun 1-Sep 30, 2015 Take a walk on the wildside at a fabulous waterside lodge.

July 2015 World Traveller

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How to Book You can book these offers by calling dnata on

K G F

+971 4 316 6666

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E Mauritius Constance Belle Mare Plage

4 night from USD485 per person Special offer: 40% rate reduction plus 1 child under 12 years stays and eatts free Includes: Stay in a Prestige room with breakfast and dinner daily and return airport transfers Validity: Jul 1-Sep 15, 2015 Five-star family luxury at this beautiful restaurant with a wonderful beach restaurant.

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F Maldives Lily Beach Resort & Spa

3 nights from USD1,735 per person Special offer: Best All Inclusive Platinum Plan in the Maldives including All meals and snacks, unlimited premium and soft drinks, mini-bar replenished daily, complimentary excursions and much more…

Includes: Stay in a Beach Villa on the All Inclusive Platinum Plan and return seaplane transfers Validity: Jun 1-Sep 15, 2015

Or by visiting dnatatravel. com. Terms and conditions apply. On the same site you can also sign up to dnata’s newsletter and receive more offers direct to your inbox.

Thailand Movenpick Resort and Spa Karon Beach Phuket

H Indonesia Swiss-Belhotel Rainforest Kuta, Bali

3 nights from USD175 per person Special offer: 25% room rate reduction Includes: Stay in Superior room with breakfast daily and return airport transfers Validity: Jul 17-Aug 31, 2015

3 nights from USD65 per person Special offer: 50% room rate reduction, complimentary return airport transfers, complimentary upgrade to the next best room category Includes: Stay in Deluxe room with breakfast daily and return airport transfers Validity: Jun 1-Sep 30, 2015

Phuket’s popularity shows no signs of waning, and the Movenpick Resort & Spa is a fantastic place to have a relaxing adventure.

Paradise on earth awaits at this jungle retreat.

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Check In dnata Offers

The Peninsula Chicago

The Residence Maldives

Conrad Koh Samui

W Los Angeles

dnata’s FANTASTIC FOUR

Summer Escapes As the weather heats up, hit the skies to find the holiday of a lifetime I

USA W Los Angeles West Beverly Hills 4 nights from USD970 per person Special offer: 10% room rate reduction Includes: Stay in Wonderful Studio and return airport transfers Validity: Jun 1-Aug 31, 2015, book minimum 30 days prior to arrival The City of Angels is everpopular despite its long distance from the Middle East, and the W is a great place to stay.

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USA The Peninsula Chicago 3 nights from USD755 per adult and USD450 per child in a separate room Special offer: 50% reduction off the cost of an adjoining room for children under 12 years old Includes: Stay in a Superior King room with return airport transfers Validity: Jun 15-Aug 31, 2015 Chicago is growing in stature as a tourism destination, with fantastic summer events and a really cool vibe. The Peninsula is utterly luxurious.

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Thailand Conrad Koh Samui, Koh Samui

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Maldives The Residence Maldives

3 nights from USD1,035 per person Special offer: 25% room rate reduction Includes: Stay in an Ocean View Pool Villa with breakfast daily and return airport transfers Validity: Jul 15-Aug 30, 2015

4 nights from USD1,490 per person Special offer: Stay 3 nights and receive an additional night free and complimentary return domestic flights and speedboat transfers Includes: Stay in a Beach Villa with breakfast daily Validity: Jul 1-Sep 30, 2015

Paradise awaits families and smaller groups of travellers at the Conrad in Koh Samui, one of Thailand’s most visited and most beautiful destinations.

For an exclusive and luxurious stay, The Residence ticks all the boxes. Make a visit here if you want a trip to make friends and family extremely jealous.

July 2015 World Traveller Promotion

YouCan Have IT ALL Club Med Bali (4 Trident) Enjoy total serenity between rice fields, temples and beaches, and disocver the wonders of this island from the shore of the Indian Ocean. Once here you’ll be surprised at how swiftly you can relax and recover from your hectic life.

Club Med offers up ideas for the ultimate all-inclusive summer getaway Canonniers provides an idyllic setting for families to share special moments and live out their dreams. Water-skiing, wakeboarding or sailing on beautiful turquoise waters will be the order of the day for adults, whilst their kids are discovering the tropical nature of Mauritius.

Features: · 470m2 area for kids, from Baby Club Med to Junior’s Club · Various sports/activities including a wonderful setting for water skiing and wake boarding

Features: · Set on a wonderful site, in front of the Indian Ocean and next to rice terraces and the Batur volcano · New features include a Zen pool and concept restaurant, which boasts a panoramic terrace. · 6-hole pitch and putt to practice golf and a flying trapeze

Price per person starting from: USD 1670 for 8 days in a Club Room

Price per person starting from: USD 1970 for 8 days in a Club Room

Club Med La Plantation D’Albion, Mauritius (5 Trident)

Club Med Pointe Aux Canonniers, Mauritius (4 Trident) Standing on one of the best, white sand beaches in Mauritius, La Pointe aux

Phuket

Located on the west coast of Mauritius, La Plantation d’Albion is heavenly built in a wild creek area between mountains and sea. Whether you choose to relax aside the main swimming pool or the Bali

Pointe Aux Canonniers, Mauritius

zen pool, you will be amazed by your surroundings full of tropical trees where families and couples will enjoy happiness in paradise.

Features: · A truly luxurious resort in an exceptional location between the sea and the mountains · Sports/activities for all the family, including golf, scuba diving, flying trapeze, tennis and sailing · A CINQ MONDES spa facing the lagoon Price per person starting from: USD 1960 for 8 days in a Club Room

Club Med Phuket (4 Trident) Nestled on one of the most beautiful beaches on Phuket Island, this family resort was freshly renovated in 2013 to now boast a truly modern design inspired by Thai culture.

Features: · Bungalows built in the local ‘long-house’ style, and decorated with teak, silk, and marble. · Golf school inside the resort (pitch and putt, practice filet, putting green) with 5 more golf courses less than half an hour drive Price per person starting from: USD 1250 for 8 days in a Club Room All prices include: · Accommodation · Childcare and children’s club facilities · Club Med baby Welcome · Sports and leisure Activities · Full board meals throughout stay including soft drink with lunch and dinner.

Price per person based on twin sharing basis. For More Information, please call +9714 316 6666 or email contactcentre@dnata.com 33

Destinations Iconic Egypt

The Pyramids The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza Necropolis. It’s the oldest and most well preserved of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and measures 146 metres in height. Due to marks in the an interior chamber, historians believe it to be the tomb of the Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu.

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July 2015 World Traveller Egypt

Iconic

Egypt No self-respecting traveller’s bucket list would be complete without a visit to Egypt, whose sights and sounds are truly one-of-a-kind

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Destinations Iconic Egypt

Luxor’s Karnak Temple The largest religious building ever constructed, The temple of Karnak must have been an awe-inspiring sight thousands of years ago when it was built, and remains an incredible treasure trove of exploration to this day.

Covering some 200 acres, the area of the sacred enclosure alone could hold ten averagesized European cathedrals.

The Hypostyle Hall, left, which features 134 columns, remains the largest room of any religious building on the planet. Its construction took in the reigns of several Egyptian rulers, who all recognised its importance.

Outside is a sacred lake, which was once connected to the Nile.

Deep water diving For divers of all levels of experience, The Red Sea is one that must be ticked off from below sea level. Those reclining on loungers on the beach might not be able to see them, but just a few hundred feet out to sea lies beautiful reefs, schools of colourful ďŹ sh, gardens of coral and even several shipwrecks to explore, spanning centuries.

The Straits of Tiran are spoken of in hushed tones by experienced divers, where barracude and sharks glide.

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July 2015 World Traveller

Cairo Crazy Egypt, and its capital Cairo, has a wonderfully welcoming nightlife. Coffeeshops and cafés stay open into the small hours of the morning where shisha and drinks can be enjoyed, and

Egyptians have a reputation for smart dressing, making Cairo a perhaps unexpectedly chic destination - with plenty of great shopping, it’s not really a surprise everyone looks good.

Temples of Abu Simbel Found on the western bank of Lake Nasser, in southern Egypt near the border of Sudan, the Abu Simbel Temples are somewhat off the beaten track but utterly breathtaking. The complex, known as the “Nubian Monuments” is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the

twin temples were originally carved out of the mountainside during the reign of Pharaoh Rameses II at some point in the 13th century BC, as a lasting monument to himself and his queen, Nefertiti. In 1959, the temples were under threat from the rising waters of the

Nile, and the entire complex was relocated to a new location 65 metres higher and 200 metres further back from the riber. The nearest city to this extraordinary place is Aswan, and flights to a specially constructed airfield arrive frequently.

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Find a NEW

perspective on

ABU DHABI this

summer Great summer savings only from dnata

Visit dnatatravel.com or your nearest dnata outlet

Call +971 4 389 8444 for the best summer offers

our dnata Travel app

July 2015 World Traveller

Family Special

Grab the kids and get ready to explore

40 Sicily for all ages 46 Unique experiences for kids 50 Family-friendly city guides 54 Going wild on Langkawi

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Destinations: Family Special Sicily

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July 2015 World Traveller

On

Holiday with the

mob

In the Mafia’s backyard, can three generations of one family get along without bloodshed?

Sicily’s mind-blowing history (and sweet stuff) might help, reckons Llen Himelfarb

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Destinations: Family Special Sicily

“F

ragole! Fragole! Fragole fresche!” The vendor had us pegged before our eyes had adjusted from the morning sun to the dank, narrow marketplace. My daughters, familiar with the Italian word for strawberries practically since birth, ran towards him.

Within moments their chins were stained red from berries the size of their fists, as we peered into buckets swimming with clams, hauled from a boat 30m away. One mollusc spat out a plume of water and the kids shrieked.

We tracked the origins of last night’s epic artichokes and scouted for our next meal, stall by stall. Each was lit with the sort of fishermen’s lanterns interior designers salvage for their clients, their plaster worn to a patina.

“That tuna,” said my husband, Jason, to Lola, 7, “is bigger than you.” “Of course it is!” bellowed the fishmonger. His strapping apprentice, strumming his guitar, winked at us.

The market in Syracuse’s old city, Ortigia, stretches for a mere two blocks — tiny compared with its peers on Italy’s boot, yet equally abundant. As we marvelled at a catch of pesci spatola, spatula-flat eels as shiny as silver leaf, my dad forged ahead to a deli called Caseificio Borderi. Here Signora Borderi, a tot clinging to her leg, plied him with homemade tricotta — ricotta baked to a crispiness resembling crème brûlée.

Dad waved us over. The signora’s husband, Gaetano, was inside, slicing tissue-fine prosciutto and smoked mozzarella for tasting. Then he walked out with a bowl of iced biscuits called ossa dei morti: bones of the dead. Facing his 80th birthday, Dad demurred.

This milestone, along with my mother’s 70th, was the reason we’d gathered here, in a part of the world she’d always talked about visiting. Bringing together three generations to an island notorious for dysfunction sounds like the makings of a comedy of errors. But since the days of Shakespeare’s farce, Syracuse has aged gracefully in its ancient skin.

At least, it has learned to cultivate its assets in a way that pleases both capricious

In a lesser town, my family would have gone full Woody Allen children and pensioners disinclined to dwell on old bones. Ortigia, a 2km spit off Syracuse, comes with a heavy dusting of Greek, Roman, Norman and Moorish antiquity. Yet fresh blood pumps down arteries such as Via Cavour and Via Roma; it courses along lanes that start as narrow as mules, then open onto secret gardens.

I’d expected a land of nonnas in black.

But a younger demographic inspired my mother to accessorise a new silk scarf with a necklace from the concept store Atelier 42

Opening pages: The World Heritage-listed town of Ragusa, Sicily. Clockwise from top left: Coast of Syracuse; Piazza Duomo and cathedral in Ortigia; Oranges for sale at a market in Syracuse; Greek amphitheatre in Syracuse; Gelateria; Piazza Archimede, Ortigia.

Sicilia. Indeed, the entire town gleamed like a jewel, as if someone had scrubbed its fluted columns with a toothbrush.

From the market that first morning we shopped the windows of Corso Giacomo Matteotti, arriving at ‘Ortigia’s living room’, Piazza Archimede, where students play table-football and girls toss pennies at the Fountain of Diana. My mother, the only one of us to have remembered Archimedes’ Principle, enlightened us: legend has it that when he noticed his bathwater rising as he settled into it, he ran, naked and euphoric, through these same streets.

In a lesser town, my family would have gone full Woody Allen by now. But easygoing Ortigia brought out the best of our temperaments. Dad chatted to waiters.

Mum pointed out cute boutiques. Jason carried Camilla, 5, on his shoulders when she couldn’t be bribed with more gelato. I kept everyone together.

It didn’t hurt that the layout was idiotproof. We followed a coastal road over volcanic outcrops from which boys dived into the sea fully clothed. At the millennium old Greek fortress Maniace, we found a chapel in ruins, the stones etched with graffiti dating from the 1800s. Then, after the flat-capped attendant had waved us in for free, we scaled the ramparts. Across the bay to the west was outer Syracuse; to the east, beyond the horizon, was Greece. For

July 2015 World Traveller

this view, we would have paid.

Back up at the Duomo, a fabulously Baroque cathedral built on a foundation of Greek columns from the 5th century BC, a young boy with an accordion played the Godfather theme. My mother wandered into the Galleria Regionale to sit before its massive Caravaggio. The girls orchestrated a game of hide ‘n’ seek around the old columns. Jason, who never met a church he didn’t want to lose an hour in, pulled me into the Byzantine chapel. When we emerged, the girls had followed my dad to watch a marionette perform Sinatra’s My Way. At breakfast the next day, my mother broke my reverie: “So we’ve done Ortigia.

Now what?” Under my breath, I cursed the woman who’d neglected to read the literature about the place she’d allegedly dreamt about visiting.

“Not even close,” I said. Even the girls had swotted up on gladiators and Greek tragedy in anticipation of today. Only 10 minutes away was the Temple of Apollo, built by the Greeks in the 6th century BC, its remarkable ruins nearly close enough to touch from the fence.

Apollo was just a taster. Jason hoisted Camilla onto his shoulders for the 20-minute walk to the Archaeological Park and the grandparents dutifully followed.

As we wound through orchards of lemon trees, Jason read aloud the events that went down here. We skulked into a dramatic cave once said to have been used by the tyrant Dionysius the Elder to imprison his enemies — the cathedral-like acoustics allowed him to eavesdrop on their secret conversations.

Caravaggio, during a tour in 1608, called it the Ear of Dionysius and the name stuck.

The gruesome gladiator games took place at the Roman amphitheatre, although the Greek one is more imposing and still operational. Back when its 15,000 seats were constructed, Syracuse had more than twice its current population. We found that hard to fathom skittering up the aisles with only a stray dog as our audience. When a FaceTime call came from Jason’s parents, we patched them into the scene.

And still Ortigia wasn’t ‘done’. My parents, getting wind that our B&B sat virtually on top of ancient Jewish baths, made the pilgrimage with a guide. We, meanwhile, walked over to the Opera dei Pupi, where a troupe of puppeteers had announced a performance of Orlando Furioso, an Italian epic poem. Despite the language barrier, the girls craned forward to follow the action, then inched back gradually as the violence gathered momentum. We’d lost count of the decapitated marionette heads when one nearly fell into our lap.

That evening, dining under the stars on the terrace at Oinos restaurant, we applauded our own stamina. The grandparents would spend the next day recovering, and we four would retreat to the beach at Vendicari, a natural reserve with boardwalks that unfold for kilometres.

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Destinations: Family Special Sicily Clockwise from right: Piazza Duomo in Ortigia; Bruschetta with tomatoes; The town of Ragusa; The local market in Ortigia; View of the Temple of Apollo.

Where To Stay Syracuse Algilà Ortigia Charme Hotel is a Baroque palazzo with sea views, where you can pick up a bicycle to get around town after taking advantage of their valet parking (a big perk around these parts). In Syracuse, Hotel Gutkowski has a blue-and-white maritime theme in a former fisherman’s cottage. A local family has converted old stables next to a former synagogue into the B&B La Via della Giudecca.

It has a simple, white, almost Scandinavian aesthetic: fringe curtains and relaxed upholstery.

For more information visit dnatatravel.com or call +971 4 316 6666.

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Our cabbie, Angelo, became our de facto driver. He appeared the next morning at daybreak, having swapped his sedan for a seven-seater, and belted in the girls for a tour of the Val di Noto. The region is known for its eight magnificent Baroque villages, rebuilt after a 1693 earthquake flattened them. Ragusa, Modica and Noto were, we’d read, the finest. Jason, our only Italianspeaker, rode shotgun with Angelo and my mother flinched each time his gesticulations took his hands from the wheel.

We alighted at Ragusa’s Giardino Ibleo and followed the Corso XXV Aprile through a set straight out of Rome’s Cinecittà film studios: wandering up the hill, we ducked out of the paths of Vespas, the great, pillared Duomo San Giorgio poised like a candelabra at the end of every vista. My dad squatted on the bottom step and watched over the

The region is known for its magnificent Baroque villages girls, who sketched the gargoyles in their notebooks. The rest of us mounted further, to wedding-cake chapels, Palladian villas and cottages with tiny windows.

The entire Val di Noto is Unesco-anointed, and later, as Angelo freewheeled past olive and almond groves, we wondered why we were the only ones on the road. Of course: it was siesta. Trying to cover off the trinity of Baroque towns in a day means you’ll likely arrive in the second, Modica, in silence. It worked for us. We discovered the cliffside gem in stages: from a roadside lookout over the canyon; from Duomo San Giorgio, the town’s highest point; and then from the Corso Umberto.

The extravagant balconies along the Corso were empty but for the laundry flapping in the wind. But what was this? Dolcerias, pasticcerias, cioccolaterias... Flanking the boulevard were scores of them. Modica is known for its chocolate, a leftover from the Spanish, who imported cacao from Latin America when they ruled the region.

Modica ran with it, developing Aztec recipes

laced with chilli, cinnamon, vanilla and other exotica.

At No. 135, L’Antica Dolceria Bonajuto is Modica’s oldest purveyor — and generous with samples. We chose a bar apiece with various degrees of success — my mother handed over her nutmeg as we left, defeated — but it sustained most of us until we jumped out, an hour on, at Noto’s gourmet market, awash in golden late-day sun.

And that’s where Mum came into her own, haggling over bags of almonds and bloodorange marmalade. Lola ploughed through throngs of teens doing the passeggiata down Corso Vittorio Emanuele. We moved with the crowd, examining the classical facades.

Camilla chose a spot on the steps of the cathedral to spread out her colouring tools, and every toddler within eyeshot sidled over to join in.

For family fun it would be hard to top.

All too aware, my parents and I spent our last breakfast in Ortigia squabbling over our final move — until Jason intervened. A gentle cruise of the harbour would iron us all out.

Out past Syracuse we sailed. ‘Behold — the lover’s grotto,’ our skipper announced when we’d arrived at a series of caves. ‘Can you see, the opening is shape of the heart.’

For the children’s sake we squinched up our eyes and decided that yes, it was heartshaped.

The sea got choppy. I held on to Lola, who’d been jumping around the cabin.

Mum was lost in thought. Dad pointed out the castle lighthouse as we circled back to Ortigia’s coast. And Camilla... Camilla? The little one — overcome by the waves, the sun and last night’s rich custard Zabaione — was drooped over the side, hurling the latter into the wake.

OK, Camilla had done Ortigia. Boat tethered, we headed back up to the hotel.

Camilla recovered swiftly. At the Gelateria Bel Bon, spilling forth with tubs of velvety chocolate, hazelnut, raspberry, she hung back.

‘Can we have some, Mama?’ Not the obvious choice for a last meal, perhaps, but it was something at least we could all agree on.

July 2015 World Traveller

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Destinations: Family Special 10 Hotels with a Difference

10

Hotels with a Difference

Young travellers are in for a treat with fun-ďŹ lled adventures and out-of-thisworld experiences at these top hotels

46 Sasaab Lodge

July 2015 World Traveller Atlantis The Palm

The one with the… warrior school Sasaab Lodge, Kenya

The one with the… awesome kids’ club Atlantis The Palm, Dubai

Perched on a rocky ridge above the mighty Ewaso Nyiro River, this nine-bedroom lodge has superb game viewing and close ties with the local Samburu tribes. Children can learn how to make a traditional bow and arrow or a toothbrush from a native tree.

The tribesmen also teach would-be warriors how to collect water, make a fire and survive in the bush with the help of special ‘medicine trees’. Meanwhile, the fabulous family suite comes with a private plunge pool and magnificent views, plus kids underthree stay for free. thesafaricollection.com

Dubai’s sprawling family resort has plenty of waterborne fun with Aquaventure Waterpark, The Lost Chambers Aquarium and marine mammal experiences at Dolphin Bay and Sea Lion Point. It’s also got two dedicated kids’ clubs, one for 3-12-year-olds and the other for teens aged 13-18. Whether it’s indoor rock climbing or wheelbarrow relays, learning origami or decorating freshly-baked cookie, you’ll find something for everyone here. There’s even a ‘nightclub’ for teens with music and mocktails. atlantisthepalm.com 47

Destinations: Family Special 10 Hotels with a Difference

The one with the… indoor camping The Bloomsbury Hotel, London This chic hotel lies at the heart of literary London, just down the road from the British Museum. Little ones can ‘camp out’ in their very own tepee bed, which can be set up in mum and dad’s suite or in an interconnecting room. The tepee comes with a mattress and bedding, indoor camping lamp, hotel teddy bear, and a gourmet ‘midnight feast’ of cookies and a flask of warm milk. Under-5s eat for free in the hotel restaurant, too. doylecollection. com

The one with the… old-school activities Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, USA

The Bloomsbury Hotel

After you’ve done Walt Disney World, head two hours southeast to this hideaway on Florida’s scenic Atlantic Treasure Coast.

It’s the perfect spot for low-key family activities like miniature golf, beachcombing, bike riding, campfire sing-a-longs and kayaking adventures. There’s a Mickey Mouse-shaped pool, Disney Discovery Club and sea turtle beach walks, while teens will love the GPS-aided scavenger hunt and surf school. Parents, meanwhile, can indulge in spa treatments or a round of golf. disneybeachresorts.com

The one with the… mini-rangers’ course Singita Boulders Lodge, South Africa

Disney’s Vero Beach Resort

Revamped in 2014, this 12-bedroom lodge in the private Sabi Sand Game Reserve bordering Kruger National Park welcomes kids of all ages. Young adventurers can sign up for the mini rangers’ course where they’ll track animals and learn bush survival techniques. There’s also flower-pressing, game-spotting competitions and nature quizzes, followed by a Ranger’s Test and certificate to recognise their newfound knowledge. Other activities include baking lessons, swimming, archery, mountain biking and visiting a local school. singita. com

The one with the… unique breakfast Giraffe Manor, Kenya Set in a forest on the outskirts of Nairobi, this elegant manor house has ten rooms, landscaped gardens and sunny terraces.

Its main draw, however, is the resident herd of Rothschild giraffe that often visit morning and evening, poking their long necks into the windows in the hope of a treat. Families can visit the AFEW Giraffe Centre next door and then take a jeep to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, where they can meet, feed and even adopt baby elephants. thesafaricollection.com

Giraffe Manor

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Le Royal Monceau, Raffles

July 2015 World Traveller

The one with the… cultural classes Alila Villas Soori, Bali Located on the beachfront in southwest Bali and surrounded by World Heritage-listed rice fields, Alila is the ultimate place for parents to recharge their batteries. Kids can learn how to make and fly a traditional Bebean (fish-shaped) kite, or take lessons from a local painter. For a true cultural immersion, young travellers can visit a village to spend the day with local children, listening to Balinese music, learning traditional dances, picking fruits and feeding the fish. alilahotels.com

The one with the… jungle adventures Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort, Costa Rica Sandwiched between ocean and mountains, this upmarket resort is made for tropical adventures. Zip-line between tree canopies and monkeys, spend the afternoon at an indigenous reserve, and explore the incredible slopes of the Rincón de la Vieja volcano. Hike on forest trails and soak in hot springs, or try stand-up paddling, snorkelling and kayaking. Cambi Kids’ Club will keep 4-12-year-olds entertained while mum and dad enjoy the adults-only infinity pool and spa. papagayo.andaz.hyatt.com

The one with the… creative workshops Le Royal Monceau, Raffles Paris, France This palatial hotel in the 8th arrondissement is renowned for its Philippe Starck-designed rooms and Michelinstarred restaurants. Le Petit Royal kids’ club is just as inspirational, with a line-up of fun workshops held during Saturday Brunch so mum and dad can relax. Led by professional artists, each one is inspired by major exhibitions happening in the city.

There are also pizza-making classes and DJ lessons for teens, along with treasure hunts through the Louvre and ‘pirate’ boat trips down the Seine. raffles.com Singita Boulders Lodge

The one with the… teen arcade Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen, Mexico Just opened on Mexico’s famed Riviera Maya, this beautiful beach resort has striking design, lavish swim-up suites, three spectacular infinity pools and a 6,000 square-foot spa. As stylish as it may be, it’s also family-friendly with the state-of-theart #Hashtag teen arcade, complete with table tennis, foosball, video games and 10-seat cinema. Younger guests, meanwhile, can enjoy wildlife shows, games, crafts and activities at the Camp Hyatt kids’ club. hyattplaya.com

Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort

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Destinations: Family Special Family Events & Festivals

Summertime

Family events No matter where in the world you’re heading this summer, you’ll find something special taking place

European Balloon Festival, July 8-12, Barcelona, Spain

Camp Bestival, July 30 – August 2, Lulworth Castle, Dorset, UK

Go up, up and away in the heart of Europe where more than fifty hot air balloons take to the blue skies with the largest concentration of balloonists in the world.

Visitors can enjoy the majestic spectacle of dozens of balloons taking flight at once, and for those who take it seriously, there are tests and competitions taking place too. And of course, if you want to enjoy Spain’s stunning scenery from above then booking a flight for your family is a matter of moments. ebf.cat

It’s the biggest and best of the UK’s numerous festivals for kids, with an avalanche of entertainment for kids from one to 92. From BigTopMania where circus skills are taught, bouncy castles, biking and go-kart areas as well as a baby chill-out tent, the UK’s long summer afternoons are perfectly spent here. For the grown-ups there’s a world of musical acts to enjoy, this year sees Underworld, Kaiser Chiefs and Clean Bandit play headlining slots. campbestival.net

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Waterfight NYC, July 25, Great Lawn, Central Park, New York, USA If your family has a trip the USA planned over summer, make sure you’re fully equipped for Waterfight NYC, a rigorously organised yet totally chaotic battle where the only goal is to stay dry for as long as you can – while soaking others using water pistols. Water balloons are outlawed, but this is an amazing experience for families to team up and take on others – or even turn on themselves, in New York’s sizzling summer. centralpark.com

July 2015 World Traveller

Lollapalooza, July 31 – August 2, Grant Park, Chicago, USA Lollapalooza is for music fans of all ages, and its Kidzapalooza area is a festival within a festival for parents who want to teach their kids what it’s like to experience one of the most special events in the world.

Located in its own enclosed area of Grant Park, Kidzapalooza opens at 11AM and closes at 5PM each day of the Fest, and offers parents and kids the opportunity to catch family-friendly music on its own stage plus various activities including creating their own music. lollapalooza.com

Red Bull Air Race World Championship August 15, Royal Ascot, UK It’s loud, it’s fast and it’s totally exhilarating – even seeing it from the ground. Daredevil pilots negotiate the racecourse in their tiny planes just a few metres above the ground, doing loops, barrel rolls and dodging obstacles at speeds of up to 230mph. The roaring engines are brilliant for youngsters interested in engineering or flight, and some of the stuntwork will make the entire family gasp with delight. redbullairrace.com

Beautiful Days, 21-23 August 2015, Escot Park, Devon, UK It’s been widely hailed as the best family festival in the UK, with a stellar musical lineup and a sprawling children’s area co-ordinated by the excellent Majical Youth Theatre. Activities, workshops and entertainment is laid on throughout the entire weekend, and is smartly placed right in the middle of the festival site. Fancy dress is encouraged, making for a fun, friendly and safe carnival atmosphere for the family to enjoy. beautifuldays.org

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Destinations: Family Special Mini City Guides

Expert Family City Guides These high-class hotel concierges know the secret gems of their cities

Rome

London

Markus Dobritzhofer is Chief Concierge at Rome Cavalieri, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts

Darren Cousins is Head of Concierge at Corinthia Hotel London

Villa Borghese

ZSL London Zoo

Villa Borghese offers many activities for families, with its playgrounds, amusement rides, bikes for hire, miniature train, lake with rowing boats and the smallest children’s cinema in the world.

London Zoo is the world’s oldest scientific zoo, opening to the public in 1847. Situated in Regent’s Park, it houses a collection of 806 species of animals, making it one of the largest collections in the United Kingdom.

The Coliseum

Harrods

The Coliseum is the largest amphitheater in the world, used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles and drama.

If you need some retail therapy, Harrods has something for all of the family. Whilst Corinthia London is the only hotel in London with a Harrods concession, it is also worth seeing the ‘real thing’.

Gladiator lessons for kids and parents

The London Eye

Held both in the Rome Cavalieri Hotel and at the Gladiator school on the Appian Way. Instructors from Rome’s Gladiatorial School will instruct guests in ancient combat techniques, with gladiator kit included.

Singapore Zoo

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The London Eye on the South Bank is only a stone’s throw away from Corinthia London.

This giant Ferris wheel is 135 metres (443 ft) tall, making it Europe’s tallest. Offering the second highest public viewing point in London (after The Shard).

Gulhane Park, around Topkapi Palace, Istanbul

July 2015 World Traveller

Singapore Suresh Singh is the Chief Concierge at Meritus Hotel, Singapore Singapore Zoo & Philatelic Museum

Istanbul

Los Angeles

The Singapore Zoo is a definite must to visit, especially with its world class reputation. Families will be able to spend the whole day here, with plenty of shows, animal feedings and even a water splash park for the children.

Singapore’s philatelic museum shows us the history of stamps in Singapore and all around the world. With interactive displays and stations, children can learn and have fun at the same time. This is a definite mustgo for all stamp collectors. The museum also has shifting exhibits brought in every now and then, so do check their webpage for more information.

Kaan Ozkan is Head of Concierge at Raffles Istanbul Hotel

James Little is Chief Concierge at The Peninsula Beverly Hills

Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden

View from the London Eye

Raffles Istanbul Hotel and Zorlu Universal Studios Performing Art Center Universal Studios combines the iconic sets Raffles Istanbul is located in the Zorlu Center, at the intersection of Istanbul’s best connections. The hotel is perfectly positioned to experience this timeless place above the Bosphorus where high fashion, performance and art converge.

of their back lot with the most cutting edge new rides for kids and adults alike. You can reserve the VIP tour that offers a more extensive back lot tour, or purchase front of the line passes if you prefer to experience the park on your own.

Park Events at Zorlu Center

Disneyland Adventure

Throughout July and August, Zorlu Center will be hosting free admission events for your whole family in The Park area on the Meydan Floor. From kids’ activities to concerts and film screenings, you will find an event for everyone to benefit from.

Disneyland has expanded dramatically since they opened in 1955, but it still holds the same nostalgia and joy that only the happiest place on earth can provide.

Istanbul Sightseeing

California Science Center/ Natural History Museum of Los Angeles

Raffles being in the centre of Istanbul makes it easy to visit historical sites such as the Topkapi Palace and Sultan Ahmed Mosque, the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque; the Grand Bazaar and the Dolmabahce Palace.

Exposition Park is the home to two of the best family museums in Los Angeles. The California Science Center is the permanent home of The Space Shuttle Endeavour as well as a host of interactive exhibits.

Families can bring their children to the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden to spend the day filled with nature. Take a picnic out and feed the swans, climb up a tree house or splash around at the water playground, all while learning more about Singapore’s ecosystem and nature through the interactive displays present throughout the garden.

Gardens By The Bay & ArtScience Museum Unlike the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden, Gardens By The Bay is catered to both adults and children. With highlights such as the Cloud Dome, Flower Dome and of course a children’s garden, this breathtaking attraction really reflects Singapore as a Garden City. With constantly updated exhibitions, the ArtScience museum gives a very interactive and fun way to view the history and details in many different aspects of the arts and the sciences.

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Destinations: Family Special Malaysia

The

Wild

Side

Lisa Markwell and her family were fascinated by hornbills, geckos and baby tiger sharks on an extraordinary visit to the Malaysian island of Langkawi

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T

July 2015 World Traveller

he first few pictures are of our stunning family beach villa (“Ooh, look at the plunge pool… Wow, the size of the bath… Let’s all get in the giant hammock…”) Next is the first, ridiculously picturesque, sunset, followed at sunrise by an even more breathtaking, 50 shades of blue sun-and-sea combination.

Then something funny happens. Our smartphone albums start filling up with photographs of animals. We capture sealife in the morning, run back from the beach to see the troop of monkeys that passes the villa in the afternoon, and sit out on the verandah at dusk, the better to try to snap the swooping bats. Who have we turned into?

To backtrack: Malaysia has so much of what we wanted: a luxurious resort/ watersports/spa/beautiful, safe beach/ interesting food. And after a couple of dud summers in Europe, the lure of emerald waters, lush rainforest and blazing sunshine was too much to resist.

As parents of teenagers, we don’t expect to see too much of P and T during this holiday. Our son will be using the jet skis, or learning to wakeboard; our daughter will be rock-climbing or taking a cookery class, if she can be dragged out of the swimming pool.

We have a blissful first evening at the Four Seasons Resort Langkawi – the island off the west coast of Malaysia, just a hop, skip and jump south of Thailand – during which we eat fried red snapper with honey chilli sauce and lots of other local delicacies in the open-air restaurant Ikan-Ikan. And we go to bed with thoughts of lying in our swim-up cabana by the adults-only pool/trying to make it to the island at the edge of the bay by jet ski (delete as appropriate).

But first, an activity we’ve signed up for with what it’s fair to say are muted expectations: a “mangrove and eagle safari excursion with resident naturalist Aidi Abdullah”. The children mooch along the beach after breakfast, one with headphones in, the other waving forlornly to a pal she has made the evening before, studying nature being deemed dangerously close to homework. As Aidi makes his way down to greet us at the boat, we consider how quickly we can rattle through this and get back to the glamorous goodies around the resort.

And then something magical happens.

Certainly Aidi’s job is made easier by the fact that the resort and neighbouring mangroves are part of a Unesco geopark, where nature is preserved in all its glory: a giant rock shaped like a brooding gorilla looms over the area, a labyrinth of waterways and forest 550 million years old.

But it is more than that: Aidi brings the experience alive, and soon P and T are either side of him, agog as he points out walking fish (mudskippers), feisty little fiddler crabs, and a huge monitor lizard swimming casually beside us.

There are gasps as we see a macaque – one 55

Destinations: Family Special Malaysia

Destination Dish Nyonya Laksa Laksa is a spicy noodle soup, popular in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.

The local favourite is nyonya laksa made with strongly spiced coconut gravy, fish or chicken broth, bean sprouts, tofu, prawns or poached chicken, hard-boiled eggs and laksa leaves.

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of many gazing impassively as we pass – suddenly start to swim behind our boat in search of fruit. Amazed silence greets the spectacle of fish eagles soaring across the landscape.

On the way back to the hotel, Aidi stops off at a fish farm to show us rays and a baby tiger shark being nurtured before returning to the open sea. It sits a little awkwardly with the bustling fish restaurant steps away, but this demonstrates what we come to discover as the Langkawi way – pragmatism and protection in one.

After warning us to keep our hotel doors closed against more cheeky monkeys in search of fruit, Aidi wonders whether, since we seem to have enjoyed the safari, we would like to do a “rainforest immersion”.

T answers yes for us all, without hesitation.

And that’s that.

We spend an afternoon on a long, looping cycle ride around the area, happily drenched by a tropical rainstorm until our Four Seasons rescuer Indran pulls rain capes from his backpack. There is precious

little wildlife on show, but cattle happily meandering near the rice paddies are a reminder of how important agriculture and farming are to this little island, which prides itself on self-sufficiency.

Our eyes are now “in” for Creature Watch: those bats skimming the surface of the pool as the sun goes down, a gecko silhouetted inside the lampshade at night and, as we

There are gasps as we see a macaque suddenly start to swim behind our boat in search of fruit breakfast on Malay roti and dhal (highly recommended and selected from a buffet of everything from pain au chocolat to sushi to eggs on toast), small, ground-feeding birds compete for every fallen crumb at our outdoor tables.

We leap into the minivan with Aidi for the

July 2015 World Traveller

Where To Stay Langkawi and Kuala Lumpur Four Seasons Resort Langkawi has 91 villas and pavilions (those aged 18-years and under can stay for free in their parents’ accommodation).

The resort has a family pool, archery, bicycles and the complimentary Kids for All Seasons programme with activities from batik painting to kids’ yoga. In the capital, Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur has 412 contemporary rooms and suites and is close to family-friendly attractions such as Aquaria KLCC aquarium and KL Bird Park. For more information visit dnatatravel.com or call +971 4 316 6666.

Opening page: Mangroves surrounding Four Seasons Resort Langkawi. This page, clockwise from far left: Rhinocerous Hornbill; Sunset at Cenang beach; Wildlife spotting with a guide from Four Seasons; Chicken satay.

“immersion”, and take the winding road up to a desolate hilltop resort. Here the canopy of the rainforest stretches below us, and P, easily the best of us at identifying wildlife, immediately spots a pair of hornbills. These huge, showy birds are astonishing to look at, and we have a perfect view. But beneath them soon the trees are rustling, as shy langur monkeys appear.

The only other sound is the click-click of Aidi’s camera, with its long lens (some of his pictures adorn this feature). Our phones may have been filling up with OK snaps of iridescent birds and tiddly frogs, but our pictures are no match for the pin-sharp precision of the expert’s. There is wonder in the little things, such as a slug that looks exactly like a leaf. We have time to study myriad life – during a blissful beauty treatment in the Geo spa later at the hotel, as I lie in a petal-filled bath by open doors, I watch butterflies and birds dance around the flower-filled garden.

One day we stop off for lunch at the Bon Ton resort on the other side of the island,

where we have a very different, but equally noteworthy, animal adventure. The hotel – and its Temple Tree sister next door – is run by intrepid Australian Narelle McMurtrie expressly to fund an animal shelter. The setting is blissful, the buildings (rescued traditional Malay wooden houses) superb, but most memorable are the chorus of dogs barking and the parade of cats slinking about the place. It is very hard not to fall in love with one of these adorable foundlings, whether it’s Moccha the dog with distorted feet, or the nameless brown cat with a unique, frizzy tail. It’s only a shame that the shelter needs to exist at all.

Back on the road, a pit stop at one of the island’s luscious waterfalls. On the path to the largest pool, Creature Watch is back: there are monkey-paw prints in the cement.

Aidi has taught us to look everywhere, to be prepared to capture the moment, and to tread lightly in this wildlife paradise.

Not all of Langkawi is as nature-friendly as the northern coast, where Unesco protects the environment. On the main

tourist strip, south of the airport, huge development is under way. But it’s still possible to get up close and personal with a breathtaking array of animals.

Don’t get me wrong, we still find time to give the watersports a good going over, and eat ourselves into a stupor both in the resort restaurants and, on one very memorable night, at a barbecue set up on the beach outside our villa – and T learns to cook her own chicken satay and a prawn curry. Managed by a Brit but with almost all local staff, the Four Seasons has invested in making guests feel at home on the island.

We spend a couple of days in Kuala Lumpur before flying home, but our closest encounters with wildlife here are gargantuan cows’ heads in the market, and wild chickens improbably guarding a vast Hindu temple.

We prefer, on reflection, the birds, bugs and beasts – and have the photos to prove it. And now my daughter is reading Gerald Durrell. Uh oh. I think we’ve potentially started something.

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Destinations World Traveller Promotion

A Family Paradise The Maldives is much more than honeymooners’ heaven

W

hen people think of the Maldives, what normally comes to mind is a beautiful couple lying back on the beach enjoying aperitifs and reading paperbacks. The Small Maldives Island Co. is living proof that in Amilla Fushi, there’s so much more to discover.

The stunning resort offers flexible accommodation from one to six bedrooms, including the only 12 metres high, Two Bedroom Family Tree Houses treehouses in the Maldives. For larger families or groups, the bespoke Private Beach Residences with three to six bedrooms are ideal, as are the beautiful Ocean Lagoon Houses that can accommodate up to six people.

Think that the kids might get bored on a Maldivian holiday? Think again. There are fully trained nannies and au pairs on site, and the Kids Club FUN has its own kids pool, play and activity area. Non-motorized watersports are unlimited and for older children there’s tennis, badminton, beach volleyball and even a mini futsal pitch.

Finally, the amazingly flexible dining options will suit even the fussiest eaters.

The British-inspired “Fish&Chip Shop” is a family favourite, or if you’d prefer, beach barbeques can be set up anywhere, any time. If you want a family-style dinner in your own home, why not order some Home Delivery from any of the island’s restaurants, at no extra charge?

Amilla Fushi is the place where family dreams will be made this summer.

Visit amilla.mv or call +960 6606 444 to book your stay 58

EID OFFER Jet to Amilla Fushi this Eid for a memorable family holiday For just US $14,500 a family of two adults and two children, get: ç Four nights accommodation in a two bedroom Ocean Lagoon House with private pool ç Daily breakfast ç Daily 50 minute spa treatment per person ç Unlimited use of motorized and nonmotorized water sports ç Return Seaplane transfer for two adults and two children ç All taxes and service charges included ç PLUS! Add an extra night to the package for just US$3000

July 2015 World Traveller

Weekends

Two days is still plenty of time to travel

Vivanta by Taj, Dal View, Srinagar

60 Top tips for a thrilling weekend 64 Six of the Best Mountain Retreats 69 The Great Escape 70 Reader Offers

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Weekends News

POSTRAMADAN RESTAURANTS After Eid, our appetites are set to return at these restaurants that all have exciting news

Thrill Seekers Across the UAE, there are plenty of extreme adventures to try Flyboarding, Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah Jump onto the E311 north of Dubai, hit the road for an hour and you’re in the glamorous surroundings of RAK’s Waldorf Astoria.

There you can try flyboarding, the closest thing to a jetpack yet available. It’s the coolest way to enjoy the sea this summer.

Skydiving, Skydive Dubai It’s still the premier spot in the region to take up the exciting sport of skydiving, and its incredible location – right beside the world-famous Palm Jumeirah – means that it’s unlikely to lose that distinction any time soon. It’s a Dubai must-try.

Le Serre Bistro Breakfast The Dubai favourite has launched a weekend breakfast menu. Served from 10am to 1pm in sophisticated surrounds overlooking the boulevard in Downtown Dubai, the menu includes French-inspired favourites such as Eggs Benedict, alongside soon-to-be classics like fried eggs with foie gras. laserre.ae

JazzArabia at p&c by Sergi Arola After the launch of p&c by Sergi Arola at the Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri in Abu Dhabi, the restaurant is hitting all the right notes with the launch of JazzArabia, the Middle East’s first jazz radio station, which will actually broadcast from inside the restaurant. shangrila.com

Bateaux Dubai Gliding seamlessly through the waters of Dubai Creek, this flat-bottomed boat has become one of Dubai’s most famous haunts. During summer, the scheduled cruises are also available at fantastic prices – just AED 295 for a soft drink package, or AED 395 including unlimited house beverages. bateauxdubai.com

Motocross, Jebel Ali The Dubai MotoCross Club provides facilities and equipment for a rip-roaring adventure. Open 7 days a week, beginners who want to practise or pros that want to compete are free to use the dirtbike track to see what kind of speeds can be achieved.

Freediving, Khor Fakkan Imagine descending to the ocean depths without any oxygen, on the hunt for pearls. Foundation courses are available to give newcomers the chance to try this magical type of diving that’s incredibly popular thanks to the lack of bulky equipment.

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Get Set For Golf The Meydan Hotel, Dubai This summer the “Unlimited Golf Wildcard” is a special offer that provides golfers with unlimited access to The Track,

Meydan Golf’s award-winning nine-hole golf course, for a superlow fee. Golf buggies are also free, as is access to the driving

range. Starting from AED 1250, the cards are valid until September 30. meydangolf.com

July 2015 World Traveller

Mr Director Zighy Bay, Oman

Six Senses Zighy Bay has recently announced a hugely experienced new Spa Director for their ultra-luxe resort, making it the region’s most glamorous wellness retreat.

Bruce Lawrence brings a wealth of experience from other 5* resorts to the role, and has plenty of tips for staying healthy and nourished during summertime, like

maintaining sunblock even under cloud cover, and making sure lips are protected with a shea-butter based balm with SPF protection. Sunrise yoga is a sensational way to increase mobility and flexibility, and Lawrence’s holistic approach will see wellheeled guests flocking to Zighy Bay to try it for themselves. sixsenses.com

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Weekends World Traveller Promotion

Magical

Musandam This little pocket of Oman makes a perfect summer escape

T

hanks to its magnificent khors (fjords), the Omani enclave of Musandam is known as the ‘Norway of Arabia’. Just two hours’ drive from Dubai, the peninsula makes a wonderful weekend break. Here are four things to do in Musandam this summer…

Cruise majestic fjords

Explore historic forts

Dive coral reefs

Enjoy mountain scenery

Some of Musandam’s most beautiful spots are only accessible by dhow. Join a dhow cruise and explore hidden bays and watch dolphins at play alongside the boat. As the dhow drops anchor for lunch, laze on deck under the shade of a canopy or swim in the turquoise waters.

Khasab, the capital of the Musandam region, has a splendid fort, built by the Portuguese to keep their sailors supplied with dates and fresh water. About 25km south of here, you’ll find the small town of Bukha where two forts await your exploration.

Musandam has over 20 dive sites that are ideal for both snorkelling and diving.

The vibrant coral reefs are overflowing with fish, turtles, rays, morays, barracuda, shrimp and nearly a dozen different species of dolphin, while gentle whale sharks also visit during summer.

Musandam boasts dramatic mountains that are made for hiking, mountain biking and archaeological exploration.

While the coastline is made up of khors, inland you’ll find wadis. Explore the valleys, gorges and historic ruins of Wadi Rawdah during a mountain safari tour.

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July 2015 World Traveller

Where to stay Atana Musandam Resort Opened in 2014, this four-star resort has 105 rooms and suites overlooking the Musandam Sea or surrounding mountains.

Popular with families, there’s a shaded, temperature controlled pool, kids’ club and playground.

The signature restaurant, Al Mawra, offers all-day dining in air-conditioned comfort, with international and Omani specialties on the menu. Free WiFi means you can keep on top of business during your stay, while the hotel can organise excursions such as diving and dhow cruises. atanahotels.com

Atana Musandam Resort

Atana Khasab Hotel Perched on a rock face, Atana Khasab offers panoramic views of the spectacular Musandam shoreline. This four-star hotel has 60 modern and spacious rooms, all with private balconies, and a beautiful clifftop pool. There’s a signature all-day dining restaurant where you can enjoy the catch of the day, along with a shisha tent and bar. Book tours and activities at the excursion desk in the lobby, and take advantage of free WiFi throughout the hotel. atanahotels.com

Offer

Summer special Stay at Atana Musandam or Atana Khasab this summer and receive 50AED per person credit to use at any of the hotel restaurants, equivalent to the cost of your Oman Entry Visa if passing via the RAK border only.

Atana Khasab Hotel

Offer is valid for UAE nationals and residents driving from the UAE to Musandam until September 30, 2015.

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Weekends Six Of The Best

SIX OF THE BEST

MOUNTAIN RETREATS Beat the heat and head for cooler heights over the summer months

1.

Heritance Kandalama, Sri Lanka Sri Lanka is an ever-popular escape for travellers, and its fertile greenery is breathtaking no matter how many times you visit. The Heritance Kandalama proudly claims not to sit on the landscape, but to be part of it. Monkeys swing off balcony pillars as if they were trees, swifts nest in quiet corners and the trees themselves form part of the foundations, all in the highest standards of luxury. heritancehotels.com

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July 2015 World Traveller

2.

3.

2.

3.

Just an hour’s drive from Dubai, the majestic Hajar mountains hide this beautifully quaint hotel that features 48 deluxe chalet-style rooms, plus gorgeous suites and villas with private balconies or terraces.

The resort is set in 80 acres of manicured gardens surrounded by the imposing mountains, while the rock feature swimming pools are perfect for cooling off.jaresortshotels.com

An almighty 8000ft high in the Himalayas near Shimla, this is luxury at unexpected altitude.

Nature walks, rafting, cycling and sunrise yoga classes are all recommended to let travellers recharge and relax, the best room in the house is the Lord Kitchener Suite that spreads across 1450 square feet with walk-in wardrobes and an inďŹ nity pool with Himalayan views. oberoihotels.com

Hatta Fort Hotel, UAE

1.

Wildflower Hall, India

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Weekends Six Of The Best

4.

Alila Jabal Akhdar, Oman Jabal Akhdar means “The Green Mountain” in Arabic, and it’s clear to see why. Perched 2,000 metres above sea level in the Al Hajar Mountain Range, this Oman resort is quite literally a breath of fresh air and makes an ideal base for some unforgettable experiences. The Alila Spa, Juniper Restaurant and exclusive Jabal Villas are the best way to experience this luxury on a high. alilahotels.com

5.

Astra Suites, Greece The jawdropping volcanic cliffs of Santorini offer the finest views and most luxurious experiences in Greece.

TripAdvisor ranks Astra Suites as one of the top 25 hotels in the world, and from the moment guests set foot in the cool white interiors it’s easy to see why.

For a start, it’s got the best views of the glittering Aegean Sea and caldera of any hotel on the island, and the suites’ private balconies and pools are an ultra-glamorous way to enjoy a day lazing in the sunshine. astrasuites.com 66

5.

July 2015 World Traveller

4.

6.

Vivanta by Taj, Dal View, India

6.

This incredible property is perched on Kralsangri Hill, which captures the ďŹ nest panoramic views of the Dal Lake, surrounded by the majesty of the Zabarwan Mountains. It is a modern and contemporary space with the essence of Kashmir wonderfully woven in. The views from the resort change with the season, with the golden glow of the Chinars visible in Autumn, giving way to the snow-capped peaks of the Zabarwan mountain range in winter. vivantabytaj.com 67

Check In Abu Dhabi News

July 2015 World Traveller

Abu Dhabi’s Summer Season Continues

The UAE’s capital is still the place to be throughout July and August

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The party is just beginning in Abu Dhabi as the incredible Summer Season kicks into overdrive. July sees live performances from the sensational Mohamed Abdo at du Forum, Barney’s Live World Tour at Madinat Zayed Theatre, and Shaun the Sheep Live: Save Our Tree at Al Raha Theatre and Al Ain Municipality Theatre all throughout the month, as well as plenty more. So why not get the family together to celebrate Eid al-Fitr in Abu Dhabi, where the fun never stops? abudhabievents.ae

July 2015 World Traveller

The

Great

Escape

The St. Regis Doha, Qatar

At a

GLANCE Fast facts about The St. Regis Doha, with concierge Ferran Vilaplana ç The world-class Remède spa features 22 private treatment rooms and a signature pearl facial We want a GCC escape that’s not in the usual places like Dubai and Abu Dhabi…

Doha is a terrific option to consider. The capital of Qatar is also the state’s largest city, and the economic centre of the country. The city itself is packed with beautiful hotels, restaurants and museums, making a weekend trip a mustdo for any visitor to the region.

So there are lots of hotels – what makes The St. Regis stand out?

Its location, for a start. The St. Regis Doha is part of Al Gassar Resort, located in the heart of West Bay, adjacent to the Pearl Island and close to the imposing Diplomatic Area. The rooms all have incredible views of either the city or the sea, making it really relaxing.

Are there any special events happening during Ramadan?

Plenty. The Al Gassar ballroom has been exclusively transformed into an elegant yet discreet ladies-only Majlis with

a stunning catwalk entry, and the Grand Ballroom takes on the form of an ancient souk, where local and international dishes are served.

ç Each of the 336 rooms and suites comes with the famous St. Regis Butler service for round-the-clock care

Sounds great. Where else is there to dine?

ç The hotel is the home of jazz in the Middle East and has its own jazz club, Jazz at the Lincoln Centre Doha

The St. Regis Doha redefines fine-dining, with a sumptuous modern steakhouse, Astor Grill, at the top of the list. It also offers two spaces designed

by Gordon Ramsay, along with The Rooftop, a casual yet sophisticated terrace oasis that’s perfect for a nightcap.

ç All 336 rooms and suites at the hotel offer extensive and beautiful sea views, so there’s no way you’ll be disappointed on arrival 69

Weekends dnata Offers

WORLD TRAVELLER

Weekend Reader Offers Oman Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa - Al Waha Hotel 2 nights from USD367 per person Special offer: 20% room rate reduction, complimentary upgrade to half board Includes: Stay in an Al Waha Family room with breakfast daily Validity*: Now until Sep 30, 2015

UAE Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah

Yas Island Rotana

The Oberoi, Dubai

1 night from USD133 per person Special offer: 20% room rate reduction Includes: Stay in a Classic room including breakfast daily and lunch or dinner Validity*: Now until Sep 30, 2015

UAE Yas Rotana, Abu Dhabi 2 nights from USD145 per person Special offer: Complimentary 2 day Yas Two Park Pass (Yas Waterworld and Ferrari World) per guest once per stay, children under 12 years old stay and dine for free Includes: Stay in a Family room with breakfast daily (can accommodate up to 4 adults & 4 children) Validity*: Now ‘til Sep 15, 2015

Waldor Astoria, Ras al Khaimah

Mariott Marquis City Centre Doha

UAE Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach 1 night from USD231 per person Special offer: 30% room rate reduction, complimentary upgrade to half board and guaranteed upgrade to the next available room category, 90min spa treatment when a 60min treatment is booked Includes: Stay in a Deluxe room with breakfast daily Validity: Jul 1-Sep 21, 2015

UAE Al Raha Beach Hotel, Abu Dhabi 1 night from USD60 per person Special offer: 35% room rate reduction, 2 children up to 12 years old eats, sleeps and stays for free when sharing with parents, 40% discount on food and beverage (minimum spend AED100), buy one spa treatment and get another treatment complimentary, stay 2 nights and receive an additional night free Includes: Stay in a Gulf View room with breakfast daily Validity*: Now until Sep 15, 2015 (book by Jul 31, 2015) 70

Bentota Beach Hotel, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Bentota Beach Hotel 3 nights from USD249 per person Special offer: 15% room rate reduction Includes: Stay in a Standard room with breakfast daily and return airport transfers Validity*: Now until Aug 31, 2015

Qatar Marriott Marquis City Centre Doha Hotel 2 nights from USD220 per person Special offer: 30% room rate reduction Includes: Stay in Deluxe room with breakfast daily Validity*: Now until Sep 4, 2015

UAE The Oberoi, Dubai 1 night from USD93 per person Special offer: 45% room rate reduction Includes: Stay in a Deluxe room with breakfast daily Validity*: Jul 15-Aug 30, 2015 *Eid blackouts or supplements may apply for these offers.

July 2015 World Traveller

WIN! The Regency Kuwait One of Kuwait’s most stylish hotels, The Regency is five stars of pure luxury.

From the moment you set foot in the white marble lobby, with its 22-metre tall glass atrium, you’ll be in relaxation heaven. We’re offering a two-night stay in a superior room including breakfast for two at this beautiful venue.

To be in with a chance of winning, just answer this question: How tall is the atrium in the hotel?

A) 21 metres B) 33 metres C) 22 metres Email your answer to easywin@ hotmediapublishing.com by July 31, 2015

Value, Trust & Convenience

3 * 2 , ( (. * . !" % + *(& ! .*(% , ( (* (' 1 ",+- "+!" "++ ' (0(, (%$+/ ' 3 *+ + '+ -++ + *- $+ . "% % (* !(*, , *& * ', %+ (' , *& % +"' 3 * + ', "' (. * %( ,"('+ "' ,! "' %- "' %% "*)(*,+ & #(* +!())"' & %%+ * ,* 1(' + !(, %+ (/',(/'

CALL: 8004770 800701 Dubai & Northern Emirates Abu Dhabi & Al Ain

w w w. t h r i ft yuae.c om

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Weekends Suite Dreams

Suite Dreams

What: Romantic Pool Residence Where: Velaa Private Island, Maldives About: Accessible only by boat, this ultra-private villa is perfect for honeymooners. Suspended above the lagoon, every door opens onto a terrace, where you’ll find the Jacuzzi, plunge pool and sunken bath. Enjoy sundowners on the sumptuous daybeds, then ask your private chef to whip up a romantic meal for two, served by your very own butler in the secluded dining gazebo. With a personal gym and spa treatment rooms inside the villa, the only time you’ll want to leave is to explore the underwater world and this magical Maldivian island. velaaprivateisland.com 72

Mohamed Abdo

Habib Elyasi

Barney

Shaun the Sheep

Sesame Street

Mythbusters

Shreya Ghoshal

Hans Klok

The Illuminaire

Bader Saleh

Mummenschanz

Comedy Friday

FUN FOR ALL Enjoy three months of entertainment and fun for all the family at this year's Abu Dhabi Summer Season in Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain and the Western Region.

Bringing together star-studded concerts and international performances by leading artists, superb comedy acts, world famous children's shows combined with the best summer special deals in hotels, malls and attractions across Abu Dhabi.

Offering mega promotions and raffle draws across the emirate's shopping malls and the chance to win throughout 12 weeks!

800 555 abudhabisummerseason.ae @abudhabievents

Make sure you are part of the fun this summer, there's more to the emirate-wide festivities than ever before.

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