World Traveller - March/April'22

INSPIRED BY

ISSUE 154 | MARCH-APRIL 2022

On your bike

Produced in Dubai Production City

Tour through the best of Amsterdam

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS NEW ZEALAND MIAMI TRAVEL OFFERS

HIT THE ROAD Cross country from New York to LA

Heartfelt hospitality Extraordinary experiences Whether you’re seeking quality time with loved ones, or simply craving that feeling of the sand beneath your feet, our team are waiting to welcome you to our island homes. With five luxury resorts in Maldives and a beautiful beach retreat on the east coast of Sri Lanka, we’ll make sure that your dream vacation is well worth the wait. sunsiyam.com

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Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives Sun Siyam Olhuveli Maldives Sun Siyam Vilu Reef Maldives Sun Siyam Iru Veli Maldives Sun Siyam Pasikudah Sri Lanka Siyam World, Maldives

THE PLACE TO BE Bask in the joys of travel and escape to your tropical paradise with Centara, The Place to Be in Thailand, the Maldives, Dubai, and more.

With travel restrictions easing, it’s time to rediscover Thailand, where you can enjoy the freedom to be yourself with experiential stays complete with world-class hospitality in Phuket, Samui, Krabi, Pattaya, Hua Hin or Bangkok.

Embark on a sunny adventure in the Maldives, and create unforgettable family memories at Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa, or enjoy the serenity of an adults-only stay at Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa. Or stay closer to home, and explore a world of wonder right at your doorsteps at Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai, a themed destination resort and waterpark inspired by mythical Thai and Arabian adventures.

Wherever you go with Centara, it’s where you truly belong.

Contact your local dnata travel store for the best rates and offers.

CENTARA RESERVE SAMUI, THAILAND

Discover more at www.centarahotelsresorts.com

Managing Director Victoria Thatcher Chief Creative Officer John Thatcher General Manager David Wade Deputy Editor Sophia Dyer Art Director Kerri Bennett Digital Media Manager Muthu Kumar

Welcome note W ith Spring break fast approaching and summer on the horizon, we’re already in holiday mode at World Traveller towers, blindly sticking a pin into a world map to see where our travels may take us.

How else could we explain a trip to the Galapagos Islands? A whole 97% of this volcanic archipelago is national park, which means it takes some beating when it comes to wildlife encounters, as Nigel Tisdall discovers on page 36.

We also hit the road (p24), driving from the streets of New York all the way to the beaches of California, 'Too far, surely?' We hear you cry.

Not so on this route.

And then there's New Zealand (p30): Closed to the outside world since the start of the pandemic, David Whitley marks your card in time for this incredible country's much-awaited reopening.

Until the next time, we wish you safe and happy travels to wherever your own pin lands.

COVER IMAGE Utah, Shutterstock

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New York to LA Road Trip

30

New Zealand

36

Galapagos Islands

The World Traveller Team

INSPIRED BY

Photography credits: Shutterstock, Unsplash, supplied Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from HOT Media is strictly prohibited.

HOT Media does not accept liability for omissions or errors in World Traveller.

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Contents March/April 2022 Amsterdam

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HOW TO DO

regulars 06

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Rethinking that bucket list? Here are a few places to keep in mind for a future trip.

Trending destinations topping our go-to list this month; the UAE's new family hotels; and a caravan holiday with a difference.

We're heading to Miami this issue, where interior design guru Eleanora Cunietti talks us through her favourite city.

A weekend in Abu Dhabi is always a good idea, but staying at this magnificently grand serviced villa makes it even better.

WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD

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GLOBETROTTER

MY CITY

SUITE DREAMS

CONTENTS

features 24

30

36

New York to LA – the ultimate road trip. But surely it takes an age?

Not on this route., a

How to pack the best bits of both islands into one seamless, four-week trip to New Zealand.

Most visitors see the Galapagos Islands on a live-aboard cruise. But a luxury lodge offers another way.

LIFE IN THE FAST LANE

TRY SOMETHING NEW

WANDER NATURAL

36

GALAPAGOS

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WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD Places to inspire your wanderlust

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WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD

Kenya

An undeniably beautiful African country, Kenya offers stirring scenery. It’s the land of the Masai Mara – where immense herds of wildebeest and zebras migrate across the sweeping savannahs with a line of predators in their wake. Once you’ve ticked this wondrous wilderness off your list, venture further to find awe-inspiring sights from snow-capped mountain ranges to palm-fringed beaches. And take every chance you can to meet and learn from the fascinating local people, including the Maasai, the Samburu, the Turkana, Swahili and the Kikuyu tribes.

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WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD

Japan

Spring in Japan is synonymous with the cherry blossom season – the national flower and a symbol of renewal. The whole country waits and watches in anticipation for the first sakura (cherry) trees to burst into bloom. Starting on the southern island of Okinawa at the beginning of the year, in January/ February, the floral spectacle spreads up across the country before presenting a final northern flourish in May. Throughout the season, admirers flock to parks, squares and riverbanks, including the popular Meguro River in Tokyo, for hanami (cherry blossom viewing), and enjoy a picnic packed with the latest blossom-flavoured snacks and drinks. worldtravellerme.com 9

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WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD

Morocco

A North African odyssey, Morocco lures travellers in search of an exotic adventure. To the south of the High Atlas mountains is Ouarzazate, known as a gateway to the Sahara Desert. It’s home to the imposing Taourirt Kasbah, a 19th-century palace. Elsewhere, the rose-hued ramparts and maze-like alleyways of Marrakech are a riot of colour and activity. Indeed, the UNESCO World Heritage site crams chaotic charm into every square inch, starting from the bustling main square and famed Djemaa el-Fna market to its enchanting riads, rooftop cafés and 1,000 years of enduring architectural uniqueness. Look out for ancient Islamic structures such as Mosque du Kasbah and Koutoubia minaret, or marvel at the intricate marquetry and traditional wood-painted ceilings of Bahia Palace, before enjoying some al fresco downtime in the vibrant Jardin Majorelle.

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MAR/APRIL

Globetrotter Be informed, be inspired, be there

JOIN THE CARAVAN The AlUla region of Saudi Arabia continues its hospitality drive with the March opening of glamping hotspot Caravan by Habitas. A cluster of 22 sleek airstreams, inside them you'll find the likes of colouring books, theraguns and scalp massagers, disco lights and a sound system. They're also equipped with air conditioning and wifi, a queen sized bed (or 2 single beds), a lounge and kitchenette stocked with snacks, and a private shower and bathroom.

Dining comes courtesy of three playfully decorated food trucks and a communal food court and fire pit.

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GLOBETROTTER

FAMILY FUN With spring break here, we've rounded up three of the best family-friendly resorts in the UAE PARAMOUNT HOTEL MIDTOWN Like its sister property across town, this new hotel has been designed to give guests a celebrity experience. The bigscreen themed highrise building is packed full of nods to your favourite Paramount films, and boasts a luxury experience with a renowned spa and roster of restaurants.

A TASTE 0F SPAIN Built in 1898, and one of a few heritage properties in San Sebastián, this aristocratic villa has been rebirthed as a beautiful 25-room boutique hotel. The meticulous refurbishment of the villa maintains the spirit of the period by enhancing existing heritage features, which include a grand central staircase, open fireplaces and a stained-glass window from its historic chapel.

One for foodies, San Sebastián is home to the likes of Arzak, Mugaritz and Elkano, and boasts the second-most Michelin stars per capita.

THE WB ABU DHABI An homage to the Warner Bros universe, this hotel and adjacent theme park invites film and TV buffs to get lost in a world of make-believe. From memorabilia to character meet-ups and good-time brunches, there’s always something to see or do here. And while you’re in the capital, grown ups might enjoy the Versailles and the World exhibition (running until 4 June) at the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

LEGOLAND HOTEL, DUBAI PARKS AND RESORTS Opened earlier this year at Dubai Parks and Resorts, the LEGOLAND Hotel is an explosion for the senses. Brightly coloured and playful, each of the 250 rooms are heavily themed to create a magical experience for kids. Plus, with the brick-themed park on your doorstep, you know they’ll be no shortage of fun.

TRENDING DESTINATIONS Emily Jenkins, dnata Travel’s resident globetrotter, reveals the places you should visit next

DOLOMITES, ITALY

MANAMA, BAHRAIN

GALWAY, IRELAND

BELLE MARE, MAURITIUS

As We have witnessed our travellers seeking the best of a city break and mountain escape in Europe over the winter months, and this trend continues on in Italy. A popular itinerary is to start in the beautiful ‘floating city’ of Venice, then take an approximate two hours’ drive north to the Italian Alps.

March remains a wonderful month for winter sports in the Dolomites, while In April, observe as incredible mountain scenery starts to transform for spring.

Manama is proving popular for a weekend getaway. An archipelago of more than 30 islands, Bahrain is best visited during the cooler months, to enjoy its endless list of indoor and outdoor activities. In March, F1 fans are gearing up for the Bahrain Grand Prix. at the Bahrain International Circuit, 30 minutes out of town.

Back in Manama, explore the Adliya area at its heart, for authentic boutiques, art galleries, traditional Bahraini restaurants, and local cafes.

Known as one of Ireland’s most beautiful cities and a cultural hub, Galway is also famed for hosting one of the island’s largest St. Patrick’s Day parades on March 17. Try the famed local seafood — best at the award-winning Ard Bia at Nimmos — enjoy traditional local music across the city, and make sure to follow the Wild Atlantic Way, which serves up some of the most picturesque views of the Irish countryside, including at the dramatic Cliffs of Moher.

The Indian Ocean island of Mauritius is known for its pristine beaches and Belle Mare is one of its best.

Its long stretch of white sands spans 2km on the island’s East Coast, and offers a true natural paradise with excellent conditions for swimming —and a host of water sports. Some of the island’s most glamourous resorts are located here, while you can also catch a boat to postcard-perfect ‘leisure island’ Île aux Cerfs to feel like a castaway.

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GLOBETROTTER

HOW I TRAVEL THE THING I LOVE MOST ABOUT TRAVELLING IS… The new experiences.

Each time you travel it is a new experience. You learn something new — from the people you meet to the culture in the destination.

Such experiences can change your life.

THE STAMP IN MY PASSPORT I’M MOST PROUD OF IS… United Arab Emirates. I feel like this country is my home. This country provides opportunities, and I grew my business here. Dubai is now an international city, like London, Singapore, Paris, and Hong Kong, and it’s achieved it in just fifty years through great leadership and vision. That’s why I’m most proud of this country.

DO YOU ENJOY THE CITY OR THE COAST? The coast, for sure. Last summer I visited Capri for the first time and found it amazing. It has a different vibe to anywhere else I’ve visited and I was amazed by the nature, the people, and the food. I’ve been to many places but Capri is special.

five minutes before they fly), what time you take off, and what you have onboard — right down to the crew you choose to fly with, so it’s really a wish list.

Adel Mardini Founder & Chief Executive Officer of private aviation company Jetex country. The best restaurant I have eaten at recently is Aurora in Capri, a centuryold, family-run restaurant and pizzeria. I’d recommend it to anyone.

THE PLACE THAT INSPIRED ME MOST WAS… Dubai. I have been here for ten years and the city has given me the opportunity to

I KEEP MYSELF ENTERTAINED WHEN I TRAVEL BY… I always like to keep myself busy, usually by eating out as I feel food is reflective of the

Bottom, from left to right: Capri, Japan

grow. I like how it is a melting pot of nationalities and we can learn from each other.

THE BEST THING ABOUT TRAVELLING BY PRIVATE JET IS… Privacy, and the fact that you completely customize your travel — what time you arrive at the terminal (we have guests who arrive only

I GET MY INSPIRATION FOR TRAVEL FROM… Passengers. They come to me every day and we talk about where they are going and which hotel they will stay at, which suite even. Because of this, you can mention any city and I can tell you the most popular hotel among my clients, and the reasons why. For example, in Milan they prefer to stay at Bulgari because of its garden.

THE TRIP THAT CHANGED MY LIFE WAS… 2014. My first family vacation.

I never had time to take a holiday previously and this trip to Bodrum in Turkey made me realise my kids were growing up. I was shocked, and it made me regret not having holidayed before. Every year we now have both a winter and summer vacation.

ON MY BUCKET LIST IS… Japan. It has a unique culture and I’d love to experience it. worldtravellerme.com 15

This page, clockwise from below: Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club; South Beach; Design District, by Tatiana Balletti

MY CITY

Miami

are sadly in the past, so the new Miami checklist for modern travellers should include Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club — a recently-renovated classic — and The Faena Hotel Miami Beach.

Designed by Oscar-winning duo Baz Luhrmann and wife Catherine Martin, it’s every bit as glitzy as it should be.

Eleanora Cunietti is an interior designer and the co-founder of Carden Cunietti What makes Miami special?

Let us count the ways. I’ve been going to Miami since I was a kid as it’s where Canadians (like me) head to in the winter. My sister’s family have a place in Miami and we all convene there once a year. We love the beach, shopping, eating, and I love visiting the art and design areas. We spent time there a few years ago with my husband’s family and rented a house on the waterways near the Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel.

It was classic 1950s style and the cleaner told us that the footballer Neymar had been there the week before us. Then when Covid swept through the US all the venues and the beaches started to close.

It was a crazy, unsettling experience and we almost got stuck there!

My favourite place in Miami The Fontainebleau Miami Beach was ‘the’ hangout in the 1950s, when Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Junior, Peter Lawford and Jerry Lewis could be found propping-up the bar in the lobby. In the 90s, it was the turn of Versace’s Casa Casuarina. Those times 16 worldtravellerme.com

Eleanora Cunietti

My favourite place for culture The Bass Museum is rainbow-bright eye candy. Filled with outdoor and indoor art pieces, this contemporary art museum was completely reinvented recently.

Inside the gift shop, which is more like a boutique, you’ll find one-of-a-kind artist goods, the kind of rarely found art books that look great on a bookshelf, and memento jewels. As an interior designer who loves a great photography book (and a hobbyist jewellery maker) this is as good as it gets for me. Other must-sees include Wynwood Walls, an international street art hotspot in an area that used to be a crime hot spot.

Elsewhere, The Rubell Museum is a private art collection owned by a couple who started with an art-buying budget of just $25. Meanwhile, the Wolfsonian is a great, decorative museum in South Beach, while Vizcaya Museum & Gardens is a grand historic Renaissance-style house set in expansive grounds.

MY CITY Below: Wynwood Walls, by BruceWarrington

My favourite places to eat Etaru is a Japanese restaurant that serves-up beachside fine-dining at its best, courtesy of the Zuma group.

Located on the waterfront, this is where I had my last meal before Miami was locked down. We also went to Pao by Paul Qui at the Faena Hotel Miami Beach. We visited on my birthday and it’s perfect for a special occasion, with its magnificent decor of circular banquettes and dazzling ocean views. We also dined at Los Fuegos in Miami Beach, which is another ‘occasion’ restaurant and the first in North America from Argentine Francis Mallmann. It’s like stepping onto a film set of colour and pattern, with very dramatic chandeliers as the centrepieces. There’s also a pretty Aegean bistro called Mandolin, which does some delicious Greek and Turkish food. If you’re in Miami in winter, make sure you have some stone crab.

My favourite places to shop In the Design District, I shop at Holly Hunt for furniture for my projects.

The Design District itself is a curated walkway of designer labels, luxury brands, galleries, and concept stores.

This is a blow-my-budget shopping destination so, naturally, it has some swanky restaurants. It also boasts some impressive public art, including works

by Buckminster Fuller and Zaha Hadid.

There are also some cool antique shops on North East 125 St, while Stripe Vintage Modern is known for its vintage mid-century furniture, lighting, art, and ceramics. Bal Harbour is the shopping hub for uptown guys and gals, home to every luxury brand you can think of and ones that you can’t — just don’t call it a mall!

My favourite attractions ZZs Club is Miami behind the velvet rope, a hot new members club.

Otherwise, it’s fun to drive up US 1, looking at all the 50s-style motel signs and then walk around the hotels in South beach. The city is an architectural wonder with the highest concentration of Art Deco buildings in the world in pastels and white.

“We love the beach, shopping, eating and I love visiting the art and design areas.”

If you only do one thing in Miami I recommend...

Walking the boardwalk and the beach daily as it goes on for miles — it’s the perfect antidote to jet lag. If you have time, do take a trip to the Florida Keys.

The drive is legendary and the laidback beachcomber vibe of the Keys is just the ultimate wind-down you need before going back to the daily grind. worldtravellerme.com 17

This page: A carpet of colourful tulips Opposite from top: Charming buildings line the canal; Pulitzer Amsterdam

HOW TO DO

Amsterdam From its blooming natural beauty to its artistic treasures, we get under the skin of this creative city's enduring appeal

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AMSTERDAM

Compelling at any time of year, Amsterdam invites you to spend hours wandering through its weave of waterways lined by gabled houses, letting the energy of the creative city wash over you. With museums brimming with captivating artworks by the Dutch greats, a delicious line-up of local delicacies to taste (you won't be able to refuse a crunchy, caramel-filled Stroopwafel), and lush outdoor spaces to unwind in, it's a treat for all the senses.

Spend your days shopping the edgy boutiques in the criss-crossing alleys of The Nine Streets, seek out a future masterpiece at the up-and-coming galleries in trendy Jordaan, and immerse yourself in the lively nightlife around the Southern Canal Ring. All you need to do is hop on a bicycle and let the adventure unfold...

Get set, shop

DRIFT INTO TRANQUILLITY

From art-filled abodes to canal-side views, these stylish hotels get our vote

Overlooking Amsterdam’s historic central canal belt (a UNESCO World Heritage Site, no less), the Pulitzer Amsterdam is set within a cluster of 25 restored 17th and 18th century houses in the effervescent The Nine Streets (De Negen Straatjes) neighbourhood.

Keeping the building's original feel, but with a fresh, sleek atmosphere, rooms come in all shapes and sizes, with modern art on the walls. Courteous service, delightful garden courtyards and delectable food adds to the charm.

Close by, Hotel Seven one Seven is as magical as it gets. The award-winning boutique hotel has named all nine of its guestrooms after legendary literary figures and artists, lending an exclusive ambience to its distinctive brand of old-world romance.

We rate the two Executive Suites, which have premier views over the 17th century Prinsengracht canal.

With an elegant interior, mosaic of fine artworks and a proud history of hosting celebrated 19th century Dutch artists, it’s easy to mistake Breitner House for

a museum. Rise and shine to a luxurious breakfast served in the period dining room, while looking out over the flower-laden park.

At the heart of the city, Soho House Amsterdam puts a contemporary stamp on a grand 19th century building.

With rooms ranging in size, from Tiny to XL Monumental, this hip hotel has a home from home feel complete with a glistening rooftop pool, private cinema and Cowshed Spa.

Retail therapy is easy to come by in the city. If you're an avid collector of art and antiques then you'll be in your element at the historic Spiegelkwartier (which translates to the 'Mirror Quarter'.) This buzzing district is home to more than 70 shops and galleries bursting with treasures you'll want to bring home with you.

Next, seek out some notable homegrown designers, such as Dutch design duo Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren (of Viktor & Rolf fame), who have their headquarters in the city. You can check out their concept store at Danzigerkade 55.

There's an exciting vintage shopping scene to discover, too. The brainchild of entrepreneurial sisters, Jutka & Riska [Haarlemmerdijk 143] is the place to go for coveted pieces from the likes of Jil Sander and Gucci. In addition, The Nine Streets historic canal district is a gem for vintage stores. worldtravellermagazine.com 19

Nature’s way

signature menu, which is the work of chef de cuisine Jurgen van der Zalm and executive chef Dennis Kuipers, features tantalising French delicacies that flirt between classic and contemporary, with highlights including the mackerel with hibiscus, Dutch oyster, goat yoghurt and shiso flower. vinkeles.com

Get outdoors and discover the city’s natural bounty

Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam Established in 1638, this lush attraction is one of the oldest botanical gardens in Europe. Showcasing a treasure trove of rare flora and fauna, there’s a lot for budding botanists to admire here, including ancient varieties of tulips, and wide range of cycads.

Artis Royal Zoo Laid out in grand style in 1838, one of Europe's oldest zoos has something to delight all ages. Watch giraffes, zebras, and springboks mingling on the Savannah, see butterflies flutter in the dedicated Pavilion, and gaze at the tropical fish swimming in the vast aquarium. The zoo is also home to ARTISMicropia, the world's only microbe museum, where you can take a peek at the tiniest organisms.

Lange Bretten Known as 'the last city wilderness of Amsterdam', this verdant park is home to buzzards and falcons, which hunt in the area, while the waters are brimming with frogs, toads and fish. Take the (usually) muddy nature trail for an energetic hike, spotting animals as you go.

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TOP TABLES Bord’Eau, De L'Europe Amsterdam Located on the bank of the Amstel River, this oneMichelin-star restaurant – easily one of the best tables in town – is sure to impress with its inventive dishes crafted by head chef Bas van Kranen.

For an extra memorable meal, book the Bord’Eau sur L’Eau experience – an intimate lunch or dinner on the luxurious Dyos boat so you can soak up spellbinding views of the city's historic centre as

you cruise along its famous canals. bordeau.nl Vinkeles, The Dylan Amsterdam Period charm meets modern French cuisine at this one-Michelin-star restaurant in the hip Dylan hotel. Situated in an 18th century bakery, the interiors reflect the history of the venue, complete with rustic brickwork and cast-iron ovens. The

Ciel Bleu, Hotel Okura Amsterdam Soaring above Amsterdam’s rooftops, this culinary hotspot blends spectacular city views with sublime cuisine served in an elegant setting that pairs muted tones with contemporary flourishes. The creative menu, led by chefs Onno Kokmeijer and Arjan Speelman, certainly lives up to its two-Michelin-star status. Immerse yourself in the exciting ambience by reserving a seat at the chef’s table in the bustling heart of the kitchen. cielbleu.nl

A stroke of genius

Feast your eyes on iconic works of art As you may expect from a country that gave the world some of its greatest art luminaries, Amsterdam is home to breathtakingly magnificent art. At the Van Gogh Museum, you can find the world's largest collection of works by the post-impressionist painter, from mesmerising self-portraits to the uplifting Sunflowers. A few blocks away, Rijksmuseum hangs Vermeer’s The Milkmaid alongside Rembrandts' The Night Watch. If you can’t get enough of Rembrandts' artistic gems, Rembrandt House Museum offers a glimpse of the artist’s etching-packed studio. Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam is the place to go for modern and contemporary art and design, with major pieces by Mondrian, Kandinsky and Malevich in its armoury.

AMSTERDAM This page: Royal Palace Amsterdam; cyclist by the Prinsengracht canal, photo by Koen Smilde Opposite page, from top: Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam; Ciel Bleu; a dish from the Eau season menu at Bord'Eau, a self portrait by Vincent Van Gogh at Rijksmuseum

Ask a local

Words: Habiba Azab

Amsterdam native Iris den Hartog shares her favourite under the radar spots in the city

“Admire the beautiful houses of Ringdijk in Watergraafsmeer. This part of the city was drained in 1629 and the dike that surrounded it is still preserved. End your stroll with a Dutch cheese platter at Vergulden Eenhoorn; a farm established in 1702, which has since been transformed into a restaurant and boutique hotel.

“The resident cat Sammie is waiting to welcome you at Café Hermes [Ceintuurbaan 55]. One of my favourite haunts, in the De Pijp neighbourhood, it is decorated from top to toe with curiosities, such as old instruments, street signs and vintage advertisement posters.

“I also highly recommend Restaurant Sjefietshe [Van Ostadestraat 1]. This cevicheria serves the classic South American dish with a local touch. My personal favourites are the hake ceviche, the pulpo ceviche, the waffle topped with crème fraîche and trout caviar and the fermented fries."

DESIGNS ON LIFE

The devil's in the details at these architectural marvels ROYAL PALACE AMSTERDAM This dazzling palace embodies Amsterdam's 17th century power and wealth in a way that rivalled the grandest European buildings of the time.

Inside, interiors gleam and Golden Age grandeur shines through the marble-encrusted main hall, with sculptures and paintings narrating its story at every turn.

CANAL HOUSES Set off on a stroll along the canalways and admire the charming waterside houses that were built during the height of the Dutch Golden Age. Beyond the historic facades are several museums, including FOAM [Keizersgracht 609], which is dedicated to contemporary photography.

MUSEUM HET SCHIP One of the most prominent buildings showcasing the Amsterdam School style of architecture, this captivating apartment block features a postoffice-turned-museum where you can learn more about the design movement. From here, you can also join a walking tour of other notable buildings in the city.

FAMILY TIME

Fun-packed activities to suit all ages Feel the sand between your toes at Amsterdam Beach For a change of scenery, why not swap the cobblestone city streets for the soft sand along the coast? Around half an hour from the city centre, Amsterdam Beach offers plenty of space to unwind while topping up on vitamin D. You can even test your skills at some of the adventurous activities on offer, such as blokarting.

Set off on a cycling tour Strap the kiddies into their bike seats and join one of the many cycling tours of the city. Yellow Bike operates daily and can guide you on a journey of discovery of some of the city's best sights. From the introductory 90-minute city tour, which you

can take as soon as you arrive (they'll hold onto your luggage for you), to discovering the picturesque Waterland district in the north – it's fun, affordable, and a brilliant way to get some fresh air and exercise while finding your bearings.

Cruise along the canals You simply haven't had

the full Amsterdam experience until you've cruised the historic waterways in a canal boat. All you need to do is buy a Canal Cruise Ticket and hop on a boat at any one of 14 locations across the city. Each cruise lasts around an hour and they depart every 30 minutes so there's no excuse to miss it.

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Wellness Haven at Saray Spa. A relaxing realm of quiet luxury, Saray Spa at the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai is an authentic wellness Spa, where ancient healing techniques and locally sourced natural ingredients are combined to enhance the well-being of each guest. The Spa features 17 treatment rooms, inclusive of two private hammam rooms and two Private Luxury Spa Suites. Experience the wonders of the Middle East through Arabian body rituals and hammams, or benefit from from anti-aging and hydrating facial treatments. An exclusive retail boutique offers luxurious gifts and spa products for every occasion.

JW Marriott® Marquis® Hotel Dubai marriott.com/DXBJW Sheikh Zayed Road, Business Bay, PO Box 121000, Dubai, UAE | T +971.4.414.0000 | jwmarriottmarquisdubai.com

New Zealand

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Postcards Stories from far and wide

USA p24 NEW ZEALAND p30 GALAPAGOS p36

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XXXXXXXXXXXXX This page: Peggy Sue’s roadside diner near Barstow Right: On the open road through Utah

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USA

Life in the

FAST LANE New York to LA – it’s the ultimate American road trip. But surely it takes forever to complete? Not on this route, says Ian Belcher. You just need a week off work and a motor with oomph

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What divine timing. As I burn along a rattlesnake speedway in the Utah desert, a single cloud drifts above Monument Valley’s iconic buttes as if let loose from a Hollywood studio; red-tailed hawks wheel overhead and the iPad shuffle releases the high-octane opening chords of Born to Run, Bruce Springsteen’s paean to the open road. Surely such synchronicity isn’t mere coincidence? I’ve no idea if God’s a DJ, but I’m reliably informed he’s running the show. Just three days before, while driving through Nebraska, I heard Dr Erwin W Lutzer declare that I ‘will face the wrath and judgment of the Lord’.

From Bible-bashing pastors to heavenly landscapes to rock ’n’ roll salvation, there’s nothing that brings the intoxicating, movie-set and occasionally alien world of America to life like a road trip – and there’s no road trip better than New York to LA, the El Classico of drives.

Under cyan skies we’re chasing a route that offers warm sun without the relentless sizzle of the Deep South (come summer, Route 66 just melts).

And ours is the greedy ‘fast food’ option, allowing us to gorge on everything we desire from a trans-America journey –

These pages, clockwise from above: Carhenge; the sun comes down on Manhattan Beach; tackling the burgernator at Denny's Beer Barrel Pub; vintage signs at a roadside gas station

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ROCKS MIMIC A VAST TIRAMISU, CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES AND BLOBS OF WHIPPED CREAM

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hip-as-hell big cities, small-town kitsch, mind-bending western wilderness – and still take only a week off work.

Arrowing out of the Big Apple towards the Great Lakes and Midwestern flatlands provides a blend of kitsch Americana, intriguing roadside culture and refuels in mom-&-pop diners before we vault over the Rockies into movie territory, navigating dramatic cowboy deserts to take the chequered flag on LA’s Manhattan Beach. It also means eight days and 6,500km in a confined space. So pick your travelling companions carefully. I chose familiarity over joy, recruiting two old travelling buddies: Doug, a grouchy Canadian photographer, and Gareth, a

grouchier Welsh accountant, who’ll both lighten the driving load if not the mood.

Our starting line is a hip Downtown hotel, chosen as an opening blast of Manhattan sophistication. After a dawn check-out, departing through the lobby beneath a glass-bottomed swimming pool – you won’t find that in a roadside motel – we set off with a fresh sun winking in our rear-view mirror. And 90 minutes later New York’s concrete canyons morph into New Jersey’s verdant hills, then, remarkably quickly, into our first mountains: Pennsylvania’s Appalachians, with their forested valleys and ridges. It’s not just the scenery that’s expanding. There are huge trucks, enormous road kills – and epic hamburgers. Denny’s Beer Barrel Pub in Clearfield has the biggest on the planet.

It’s our first taste of the unique, sometimes bizarre attractions kissing the highway and I’m not sure my arteries can handle many more. No-one has conquered the 25lb (11kg) Burgernator, but Brad Sciullo scoffed the 15lb (7kg) Belly Buster in two hours and 33 minutes, and hundreds have devoured the 2lb (1kg) Challenger, earning plaques in Denny’s

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Hall of Fame. We won’t be joining them.

Our three-strong team surrenders meekly to the 30cm-wide patty that, with bun and cascading garnish, hits 3.5lbs (1.5kg).

Silent with indigestion, we head west to Ohio, completing a day’s high-calibre nutrition with sacks of cheese and caramel kernels at Chagrin Falls’s renowned 68-year-old popcorn shop. The peachy small town (imagine It’s A Wonderful Life) typifies the quirky Americana we’d hoped for. Nearby Cleveland chips in with two bizarre world records: the biggest rubber stamp (doubling as a celebration of the end of slavery) and the largest outdoor chandelier: a six-metre-high behemoth.

And the heartland idiosyncracy doesn’t let up. Two hours into next day’s drive, as Ohio flattens into farms and barns, I discover, alongside the fast food, fast religion: at Interstate 80’s Toledo rest stop, next to Burger King and Taco Bell, a stationary truck sports a supersized logo – Mobile Chapel. Its carpeted container holds an organ, pulpit and seats for a truckers’ congregation.

Sadly its glass doors are locked.

Perhaps it’s for the best. The clock’s ticking. Our relatively speedy transAmerica adventure mostly allows time for only minor detours, demanding long drives with late finishes. But today is different. We reach Chicago, 1,400km under our belts, before sunset – in time for another of the ‘urban cool’ hits that distinguish this cross-country route from its southern equivalents. This time it’s a chic blend of Art Deco and Neo-Classical architecture as we mingle with the Young Things on the London House hotel’s rooftop bar and lap up its views of the surrounding skyscrapers.

Were this On the Road, Dean Moriarty would charm a dame and find a sweaty jazz dive. Instead, Gareth sips his beer and explains VAT changes for the selfemployed. Jack Kerouac would weep.

He’d also hate our car. We’d considered a convertible, imagining blue horizons, soft breezes and mirrored shades reflecting roadside cactuses, but were told the reality is a rear passenger deafened by wind and crippled by minimal legroom. So we hired a bulky Dodge Journey instead. Youthful abandon trampled by middle-aged pragmatism: good call. Big wheels are de rigueur next day, though. We’ve reached Iowa 80, the world’s largest truck stop. worldtravellermagazine.com 27

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Red Canyon Drive

Americana doesn’t get more classic, but it’s a last slice of ‘hokey’ before things take a turn for the ‘epic’. We drop south to Colorado and, reinvigorated by a night in Denver, rise up the wall of the Rockies along 1-70. Temperatures plummet, forests replace corn, the air reeks of pine. After the Eisenhower Tunnel, at 3,400 metres, we emerge into a light, bright expansive world of snow-kissed peaks and ski-brochure names: Vail, Aspen, Breckenridge. The horizontal Midwest’s already a distant

memory. Glenwood Canyon’s vertiginous walls almost blot out the sky above the seething Colorado River and we begin an exhilarating hour-long descent through enormous rocks. The scenery’s now centre stage. Driving’s a 24-carat joy.

And it gets even more dramatic.

We slink beneath the cappuccinocoloured Grand Mesa, the world’s largest flat-topped mountain, and it turns out to be a mere starter for the main course of the Colorado National Monument. The massive rock’s spires,

Credit: The Sunday Times Travel Magazine/News Licensing

A kerbside city that hasn’t closed in 53 years, that has served more than three million coffees, 18 million eggs and, best not to visualise this, got through 56,000km of loo roll. It boasts a barber, chiropractor, cinema and Dogomat pet wash, and even hosts its own Trucker’s Olympics (the women’s strong pull is a highlight).

I boost my testosterone behind the wheel of its showroom’s mammoth chrome-covered cab and buy my wife a pair of vast elasticated shorts frescoed with three ducks and the words ‘Butt Quack’. I spoil her, I really do.

If Iowa 80 is big and brash, Grinnell, reached by a short detour, is petite and understated. It’s small-town gold dust.

Just behind the near-deserted Main Street, where I’m passed by a pensioner on a motorised lawnmower, the magnificent Merchant’s National Bank sports golden winged lions, glistening Greek columns and striking stained glass. One of the Midwest’s jewelbox banks, its architect, Louis Sullivan, was the father of the modern skyscraper. (Louis would adore tonight’s accommodation: a red-brick mansion in Lincoln, with ballroom, library and creaky floors that were once part of a University of Nebraska frat house.)

We’ve now penetrated the Great Plains.

Coming up to halfway, it’s time to swap I-80, the interstate that has dominated the journey, for gently rolling prairies.

Our pace slows. At a local bakery, our waitress, Michelle, demands I repeat my breakfast order: ‘Your accent makes everything sound so intellectual.’

‘Even toast?’

‘Yep, even toast.’

I’m not sure Michelle’s right, but either way, there’s plenty of time for conversation on this trip. As Doug, Gareth and I meander through Nebraska’s rippling ocean of sandhills, serenaded by the mournful wail of goods trains, talk turns to health concerns, career openings that closed, roads not travelled.

Nebraska, it seems, is the perfect spot for a Midwest mid-life crisis.

Perhaps that’s what inspired Jim Reinders to plant 39 Caddies, Chevvies and Buicks in a circle outside Alliance city, replicating Stonehenge. The offspring of the US automobile industry and British druids, Carhenge is one of the world’s great works of folk art.

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TEMPERATURES PLUMMET, FORESTS REPLACE CORN, THE AIR REEKS OF PINES

monoliths and canyons soar above the surrounding plains. Its scenic drive, snaking along the vertiginous cliff edge, is the very antithesis of I-80.

As the mercury hits 39C, we turn south towards Utah’s Capitol Reef National Park and Salvador Dalí takes over landscaping duties. About 270 million years of sedimentation have been lifted into a shale and sandstone landscape that’s not merely lunar – it’s Mars, Jupiter and Neptune on heavyweight hallucinogens. Towering ochre walls

resemble Rajasthan forts, their fiefdoms protected by thousand-strong battalions of columns, while orange temples spike out of sun-scorched plains.

Rocks mimic a vast tiramisu, chocolate truffles and blobs of whipped cream. All that’s missing is the melting watch.

Linear progress is abandoned. Utah’s too tempting. A night in a wilderness lodge prepares us for a mazy geological tour from Glen Canyon’s watery majesty to Monument Valley’s High Noon drama to Zion’s golden cliffs. It’s

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incredible, but we overindulge. Scenic fatigue sets in. Awe becomes snore.

We need stimulation. And the route that has ticked so many boxes has one more trick up its generous sleeve: Vegas, baby!

We recharge our adrenaline next morning by playing basketball with mechanical diggers – Vegas is nothing if not creative with its charms – before rejoining the open road. California is calling. So is Hollywood. We devour a Marlon Brando Mushroom Burger beneath portraits of James Dean and Marilyn at Peggy Sue’s, a ’50s roadside diner near Barstow, before a night in the revamped Pioneertown Motel.

Opened in 1946 by Roy Rodgers and Gene Autry for fellow stars filming on next door’s Wild West set, it’s now a weekend retreat beloved of Orange County hipsters.

Its clientele suggests the end’s in sight.

A sprint past the spiky Medusas of Joshua Tree National Park delivers an elegy-inducing view across the San Andreas Fault to Mount San Jacinto, then a 1,500-metre slaloming descent into Coachella Valley. We’re clearly demob-happy. In Palm Springs we swap our Dodge for a Mustang convertible.

It’s bright red, of course, as is Gareth after a back-seat snooze under a 43C sun: a small price for the exhilarating cruise into LA along 14-lane highways.

All that’s left is a Pacific dip. But the last morning brings low bruised clouds.

Surely it won’t end like this, not in California? As we drive to Manhattan Beach the gloom shatters, the sun enters stage left and a soft breeze tickles the tall palms: final proof that this is the US road trip that does it all – and proof of a beneficent deity who, this being Tinseltown, just adores a happy ending.

To book a future trip, call 800 DNATA or visit dnatatravel.com worldtravellermagazine.com 29

NEW ZEALAND

Once it reopens its borders, you'll find that New Zealand is the epitome of easygoing, but tackling it in the right order is key. Thankfully, NZ expert David Whitley has packed the best bits of both islands into one seamless bucket list trip

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ew Zealand’s triumph is to cram unparalleled amounts of one-off experiences into a single epic trip. You can’t cover the whole country in a three- to four-week self-drive adventure, but you can give it a darned good shot and pile up top-tier memories in the process. Here’s a route that fits in as much as possible, with the journey broken down into easy chunks – minus the odd tourist trap that’s simply not worth your time or money.

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Days 1-3: Bay of Islands (and beyond)

After what will have felt like an eternity in the air, it might come as a blow to know that the best place to properly start your New Zealand adventure is not in Auckland – where you’ll fly into – but another 227km north, in the Bay of Islands. But it’s worth it – for baize-green hills, stone-walled sheep farms and bountiful sunny beaches.

It’s a short, $100-ish hop on an internal

flight or a three-and-a-half-hour drive (you can pick up a hire car on landing).

If doing the latter, you’ll want to overnight in Auckland first, picking up a hire car the following morning.

Several cruises flit lazily around the Bay of Islands’ jewel-like archipelago, the novelty among them the full-day Cream Trip (dolphincruises.co.nz), which doubles as the local mail run. Dolphin-watching, lounging in the boat’s netting above the

These pages from left: Dusk descends on Auckland, photo

by Chris McLennan; Redwoods Treewalk at Rotorua

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Days 4–5: Auckland beckons

From the Bay of Islands, the next stop lies back the way you came – south again to Auckland. But first, divert west to the Waitakere Ranges, for walks among native rainforest, before taking the winding roads down to the brooding black-sand surf beaches at Piha and Karekare. Should the buzzy restaurants, museums and volcanoes listed in Auckland not sound sufficiently thrilling, sign up to jump from a 192-metre-high platform on the city’s 32 worldtravellermagazine.com

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SPLASHING SEAL PUPS, COVE BEACHES AND DAINTY ROCK ISLANDS LINE UP TO BE GENTLY PADDLED AROUND Sky Tower (skyjump.co.nz), your descent slowed only by wires and a harness.

Days 6–8: Rotorua

Just over a three-hour drive south of Auckland, Rotorua is adventure central. But there are two popular detours to weigh up on the drive down: the Lord of the Rings set at Hobbiton (hobbitontours.com), is, frankly, underwhelming and overpriced. But the Waitomo Caves (waitomo.com), lit by millions of tiny glow-worms, are well worth it. The 45-minute boat tours cater to the timid, while the five-hour, Black Abyss adventure – including abseiling and tubing on the underground river – will appeal to adrenaline junkies.

Rotorua stinks – the sulphurous whiff comes from geothermal activity beneath the town. But there’s a massive menu

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of fun stuff to hold your nose for: everything from Zorbing down hills in giant hamster balls (zorb.com) to tackling terrifyingly high waterfalls on the Kaituna River. Kaitiaki Adventures (kaitiaki.co.nz) runs the hardcore white-water rafting nerve-shredder.

Day 9: Hiking in Taupo

Your next – considerably less whiffy – base is lakeside Taupo, which is also the jumping-off point for NZ’s greatest walk, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.

Over the 19km day-long route, rustcoloured streams, vast lava fields, a gaping crater in the shadow of soaring Ngauruhoe (better known as Mount Doom from the Lord of the Rings movies) and near-luminous-green lakes all make appearances. It’s not circular, so park at the end point – Ketehahi – and

Credit: Alicia Miller / The Sunday Times Travel Magazine / News Licensing

waves, and beach-lazing on lush green Urupukupuka Island are thrown in.

There’s spiritual nourishment, too, at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds (waitangi. org.nz), which cover Maori culture and the often rocky relationship with European settlers. Soul-searchers should try Cape Reinga, further north, at the country’s tip, where the Maori believe the spirits of the deceased depart. Day tours – such as with GreatSights (great sights.co.nz) – take in sacred kauri forests, sandboarding on Sahara-steep dunes and fourwheeldriving along Ninety Mile Beach.

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This page, clockwise from far left: Waiheke Island; zorbing in Rotorua; a vintage car parked outside an Art Deco style cinema in Napier; Hawke's Bay in Napier, photo by Graeme Murray; Sawmill Brewery, photo by Camilla Rutherford

take the shuttle (tongariroexpeditions. com) to the start. Some operators go the opposite way, but that leaves you either rushing to complete the hike or hanging around for a bus when you’ve finished.

Day 10: Art Deco Napier

From destruction comes beauty.

Napier, about two hours southeast of Taupo, responded to a city-wrecking 1931 earthquake by conjuring up what is claimed to be the world’s greatest concentration of Art Deco buildings.

The Art Deco Trust (artdeconapier. com) runs several tours. Pick the hourlong walk at 10am and you’ve got an afternoon free to indulge in the Hawke’s Bay region’s other draw – Bay Tours (baytours.co.nz) runs an afternoon jaunt stopping at a few wineries for tastings.

Days 11–13: Wellington

Trick someone else into being the designated driver on the four-hour drive from Napier to Wellington – there’s more vino to slurp, and the Martinborough region has rock-solid Pinot Noir credentials. Once in the capital create room for daytime cafeworldtravellermagazine.com 33

Arresting architecture of the The Alcázar of Seville These pages, clockwise from inset: Mount Cook in Lake Matheson; yelloweyed penguins; Swing bridge crossing to Hokitika Gorge

hopping and museum stops by visiting Zealandia (visitzealandia.com) at dusk. This is when the resident kiwis inside the giant conservation project tend to come out, making for a far better chance of up-close sightings.

Days 14–15: South Island crossing

Change of island means a change of cars. Most hire arrangements mean dropping yours off at the Wellington ferry terminal prior to the oftenchoppy voyage to Picton at the top of South Island, where you rent a replacement. You’ve landed in the Marlborough wine region – world famous for its Sauvignon Blancs.

But the real star in these parts is the craggily coastlined, forest-shrouded Abel Tasman National Park. Sea caves, cormorant-nesting sites, splashing seal pups, cove beaches and dainty rock islands line up to be gently paddled around, with Kahu Kayaks (kahukayaks. co.nz) running full-day tours and half-day jaunts.

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Days 16–18: Wild west coast

Even by Kiwi standards, the west coast of South Island feels remote, detached, weather-beaten and enigmatically doughty. But many highlights can be combined in a mini road trip. Kick off 90 minutes southwest of Nelson with a stroll in the Nelson Lakes National Park.

The 90-minute Braeburn Walk at Lake Rotoroa passes shimmery waterfalls and the world’s largest fuchsia trees. Bird life is diverse. Now, swing west for a pit stop at Punakaiki’s Pancake Rocks, where the sea mashes away at the weird, pancake stack-like formations and explodes up through blowholes. Forty minutes south, Greymouth counts as a big town in these parts and has an arty streak – check out the Left Bank Art Gallery (bankarts.com) for greenstone carvings and ceramics.

The seemingly supernatural turquoise waters of Hokitika Gorge make a good stop on the way, two hours further south, to glacier country. Then, at the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers, the experiences are similar – a short helicopter flight on to the ice, followed by a few hours’ fully

kitted-out hiking through eerie blue crevasses and ice caves. But Franz Josef has more to do around it – horse-riding, rafting – so makes a better base.

Days 19–20: Queenstown thrills

Queenstown bounces like a student on energy drinks, but its setting – on a splintered lake surrounded by ski fields – is so impressive that the resort town’s enthusiasm becomes endearingly infectious. It’s a four-hour 45-minute drive down from Franz Josef – stop at Monro Beach and check out roadside waterfalls along the Haast Pass highway en route. And, once there, decide how you want to scare yourself.

Commercial bungee-jumping was born in Queenstown, but white-water rafting, sky dives and lurching 300-metre swings into a canyon feature on a lengthy whiteknuckle menu. These work out cheaper when packaged up, which Queenstown Combos (combos.co.nz) specialises in. Daintier options include taking the TSS Earnslaw steamship (realjourneys. co.nz), for a cruise on Lake Wakatipu,

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tiny mid-ocean rock islands. And the Penguin Place Conservation Reserve provides a refuge for the comical, waddling yellow-eyed penguins.

Days 25–26: Alpine adventure

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HOKITIKA GORGE HAS SEEMINGLY SUPERNATURAL TURQUOISE WATERS

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and 4WD tours (nomadsafaris.co.nz) to Lord of the Rings filming locations.

at the Underwater Observatory to wonder at the aquatic life and coral.

Days 21-22: Milford Sound and Te Anau

Days 23–24: Destination Dunedin

Whatever you do, don’t use Queenstown as a base for visiting the fiord that launched a million photos: Milford Sound. Rather than enduring the almost eight-hour round-trip, drive two hours the day before to Te Anau, where you’ll have time to cram in a cruise across Lake Te Anau (realjourneys.co.nz) into Fiordland National Park to explore glow wormcovered caves. Start early the next day north towards Milford Sound and you’ll have the chance to stop at the numerous waterfalls on the precipitous road down, then get on the water when it’s relatively quiet before all the tour buses from Queenstown arrive.

Cruises are fairly interchangeable – most allow for plentiful gawping at seals, dolphins and seemingly vertical rock walls. But Mitre Peak’s small boat jaunt (mitrepeak.com) is less crowded and permits a stop

The Scottish streak is strong and the student population decidedly lively in Dunedin, a three-hour 20-minute drive through bucolic sleepiness from Te Anau. The look is distinctive, too, with a rich line-up of Victorian and Edwardian buildings made from the local bluestone. The railway station is the standout photo-op in this regard, but you’ve come here to explore by boat, not train – that’s the best way to spot the teeming variety of wildlife.

Monarch Wildlife Cruises (wildlife. co.nz) chugs down the coast of the Otago Peninsula, taking in feeding sea birds and galumphing seals. Various combos are available, but the full-day Otago Peninsula Wildlife Tour stops at the two most magical sites. The Royal Albatross Centre is where the giants with three-metre wingspans nest – it’s the only place in the world to see them, as otherwise they hang out on

The drive inland to New Zealand’s highest point, the 4,000-metre Aoraki/ Mount Cook, is a startlingly beautiful journey (three hours 45 minutes) past tussock-grass foothills and milkyblue-white lakes. You’ll not get to the summit without mountaineering in your blood, but you can learn about those who have – who went on to top Everest – at the engrossing Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre.

The half-day hike to Hooker Lake – through alpine meadows, over dainty wooden bridges crossing frigid streams – isn’t in quite the same league, but it’s a fine way to get lungfuls of mountain air. For something more spectacular, there’s kayaking on Tasman Lake around eerie blue icebergs, watching ice calve off the glacier; mtcook.com runs tours.

Lake Tekapo, a 90-minute drive away on the road to Christchurch, twinkles with near-fluorescence, but there’s plenty of twinkling overhead, too. It’s part of a dark sky reserve, and the Dark Sky Project lays on stargazing sessions at the Mount John Observatory that show just how different the heavens look in the southern hemisphere (dark skyproject.co.nz).

Days 27–28: Christchurch and home

Your journey’s end – Christchurch airport – is just under three hours’ away. But there’s a choice to be made for the last two days: city or chilled?

Christchurch will show you postearthquake transformation hipness, but the town of Akaroa, on the neighbouring Banks Peninsula, has craters, coastline and more than a little Gallic flair – imbued by its original French settlers. And snorkelling with the rare, adorable Hector’s dolphin – Black Cat Cruises (blackcat.co.nz) will take you to swim with them – feels like a mighty fine farewell to the country.

Inspired to travel? To book a trip, call +971 4 316 6666 or visit dnatatravel.com worldtravellermagazine.com 35

The remote Pikaia Lodge

Most visitors see the Galápagos on a live-aboard cruise, but there’s another way: mix the creature comforts of a luxury lodge with animal-magic ambles. Nigel Tisdall puts his best foot forward

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GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS

y first encounter with the celebrated wildlife of the Galápagos Islands is a near disaster. Fresh off the plane after the two-hour flight west from the Ecuadorean capital, Quito, I’m thrilled to find that my hotel – the immaculately designed Pikaia Lodge, on Santa Cruz Island – has complimentary mountain bikes. I jump on one, aiming to get a little exercise in before a sunset swim in its inviting infinity pool.

Soon I’m freewheeling through a savannah-like landscape sketched with wriggly branches of Palo Santo trees, chuffed to have made it to this bucketlist volcanic archipelago. After all, these islands "reveal in microcosm the processes that have shaped all life on Earth." So says Sir David Attenborough in his three-part documentary Galápagos 3D, screened on demand at Pikaia Lodge, in a plush lounge with mini-cinema-screen-sized TV. Suddenly, rounding a corner at speed, I happen upon a large and solid specimen of this evolutionary process crouching motionless in the middle of the track.

It’s all I can do not to flip over the handlebars. The giant tortoise springs back into its shell with an almighty hiss, like a burst tyre. I think we’re both as shocked as each other. An ancient eye stares out at me with a look that seems to say ‘idiot!’ It’s a fair cop – from a tortoise’s perspective the world must always be going too damn fast. Still, that’s one true Galápagos highlight ticked off.

Tortoises’ longevity is extraordinary.

When Charles Darwin visited in 1835 aboard HMS Beagle, he shipped three back to England. Waggishly, they were called Tom, Dick and Harry, only the last turned out to be a Harriet and lived to be 175, eventually passing away in a Queensland zoo as recently as 2006.

The next morning, visiting the island’s Charles Darwin Research Station, I find myself peering down at a corral full of sweet baby tortoises milling around with yellow numbers painted on their backs as if about to compete in some hilarious race. Then I join a queue for the other end of the timeline: the reverential death chamber of Lonesome George, so called for his inability to mate. The creature’s worldtravellermagazine.com 37

GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS

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ATHE ISLANDS AREN’T JUST FOR FOLK WITH BINOCULARS. I FIND SEYCHELLES-WHITE BEACHES, FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS AND SOME VERY INDULGENT HOTELS full-beam sunshine (the Galápagos sit right on the equator). Suddenly, everything explodes into life. Flameorange Sally Lightfoot crabs scuttle over the black rocks. A sea lion slips into the cobalt waves. What was that splash?

‘Marble rays mating,’ explains our guide, Mario, as he leads us ashore and along winding paths. ‘Look – love is in the air!’

Scores of male frigate birds perch in the trees, their bright-red throat pouches puffed up like Valentine’s Day balloons.

High above, the females wheel past, sizing up the suitors. Further on we meet blue-footed boobies nursing their eggs, as other would-be couples perform their comic courtship dance. They bow low, then raise each leg with an exaggerated step, like a man with chewing gum stuck to the sole of his shoe.

These are plenty more surprises to come. The following day, we cruise northwest for 90 minutes to Santiago Island. We’re here to walk across the gargantuan swirls of pahoehoe lava at Sullivan Bay, like a petrified cowpat the size of a football pitch. The untouched beach is heavenly, and I can’t wait to dive into the bewitchingly turquoise sea. Warm enough to swim in, it is still sufficiently cool to please

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the penguins that made their way up from Antarctica on the Humboldt Current many moons ago and, understandably, never went back.

They’re smaller, more solitary than their snow-zone counterparts.

Progressing to neighbouring Bartolomé Island for a snorkelling session, we spy a dozen of them on the rocks like a row of black-and-white skittles, cooling their wings in the breeze as we breaststroke past. Abruptly, as if they’d heard a collective cry of ‘That’s enough, guys!’, they dive in with us, darting around with an urgency that seems a mix of playfulness and territorial defence.

‘Wow, I’ve just been swimming with penguins!’ a fellow traveller reflects as we head for home, sunbathing on the top deck.

‘What else is there to do here after that?’ she wonders.

In my case, the answer is an onward journey to my next hotel, on Isabela, the largest of the Galápagos islands.

As I wait at Puerto Ayora to transfer from Santa Cruz, I encounter hulking sea lions fast asleep on a bench surrounded by gaggles of tourists. It’s a delightful snapshot of how refreshingly indifferent nature remains to the

Credit: The Sunday Times Travel Magazine/ News Licensing

demise in 2012 meant extinction for the Pinta Island species: a dark day for conservationists. First, visitors have to enter an acclimatising room, after which we get a few solemn minutes with the corpse before being moved along.

Forget Tutankhamen’s Tomb or Lenin’s Mausoleum. You’ve not seen the world until you’ve stared into the lifeless glassy eye of a century-old stuffed tortoise.

The Galápagos Islands soon reveal themselves as a fine place to slow down. With its uniquely evolved flora and wildlife, I’d assumed this volcanic adventure park was only for seriousminded types clutching field guides and binoculars. Sure, there’s earnest stuff to contemplate: discovering how the 18 main islands vary in age from 3.2 to 0.7 million years; and how the pollinating carpenter bee found its way here (on driftwood). But it turns out you can have a relaxing holiday, too. I find Seychelles-white beaches, well-marked walking trails, friendly restaurants serving fresh tuna for $7 and some very indulgent hotels.

On the lip of an extinct volcano’s crater, with spacious balcony rooms, Pikaia Lodge is a blissfully isolated design hotel, testament to the notion that you can learn about the story of our planet while residing in the lap of luxury. What drew me (and, it seems, most guests) was a horror of spending days on end in confined spaces with strangers on a regimented itinerary. In other words, no week-long cruises. That said, the lodge strikes a happy balance, with day-trips on its boat, Pikaia 1, which has room for 16 guests (conventional cruise vessels take up to 100), and has private cabins and a sundeck. After each exhilarating outing, it was a joy to return to a leisurely dinner of, say, grilled octopus with chimichurri, followed by a tranquil night’s sleep in a big bed that didn’t sway.

True, some sightings are only possible on longer voyages to outlying islands – the red-footed boobies on Genovesa, for instance, and the waved albatrosses of Española. But any fear of missing out as a ‘landlubber’ dissipates the minute I step onto tiny North Seymour Island after a 45-minute trip aboard Pikaia 1 after breakfast on Santa Cruz. We draw up beside what looks like just another guano-splashed bird sanctuary – under

These pages, clockwise from left: a free-roaming tortoise; looking out from a Balcony Room at Pikaia Lodge; colourful red rock crabs; a curious sea lion

Opening pages: grilled prawn salad; climbing a tree against the backdrop of a fiery sunset This page: Petit Piton above Margretoute Bay

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These pages, clockwise from inset: the infinity pool at Pikaia Lodge; Pool Suite at Pikaia Lodge; Amarican flamingos

islands’ 275,000 annual visitors.

In just under two hours, after a bumpy high-speed ride, I reach Puerto Villamil.

My welcome committee: a posse of marine iguanas hanging around the jetty like toughs in black biker leathers.

These ‘imps of darkness’, as Darwin called them, have a mean-as-hell look, with their spiked spines, scaly armour and ‘Reptiles Rule OK’ arrogance. I guess they’re here to scavenge on scraps of dropped baguette – in fact, in an evolutionary plot-twist typical of the Galápagos, they have adapted from land to sea, fine-tuned to dine on seaweed and algae and hold their breath underwater for up to 30 minutes in the process.

A little bigger than Mallorca, Isabela has just one 30km road that runs from the port northwest to the mighty Sierra Negra volcano. Among the many miracles of the Galápagos is just how protected it is: 97% of its land mass is national park and I get a distinct feeling we lucky visitors are merely clinging to its edges, like kids peeping through 40 worldtravellermagazine.com

‘

JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING YOU ENCOUNTER IS SO FASCINATINGLY DIFFERENT TO THE REST OF THE WORLD

’

a window at something they know is wonderful, but can’t fully comprehend.

A 20-minute drive along this road lies Scalesia Lodge, the only place you can stay outside the small port village of Puerto Villamil. For nature-seekers, it’s a dream – guests sleep in handsome safari tents shipped in from South Africa.

They’re fronted with raised decking shaded by fruit trees. A profusion of stars fills a night sky unpolluted by artificial light, and I sit listening to the nightly frog chorus prior to dinner: an agreeable affair featuring swordfish with passionfruit sauce. Heading back

to bed, I find a cushion with a warning: ‘There have been around 13 volcanic eruptions in the Galápagos in the last 100 years’. A good piece of trivia, if hardly conducive to a peaceful night’s sleep.

The dramatic results of such subterranean turbulence are in plain view when I take a tour up to Sierra Negra, which erupted as recently as 2018.

Its vast caldera, which is almost 10km wide, is now a barren lava field that resembles a massive accident involving a hundred lorries loaded with instant coffee granules. Alfredo, my genial guide, who gave up a promising soccer career to live in this eco-paradise, was up here when the volcano kicked off spectacularly in 2005. ‘I told my clients not to worry,’ he chuckled. ‘I explained we get 400 tremors a year. Then there was a second big shake and it was clearly time to go!’

Walking around the rim, admiring the magnificent views, it hits me how immensely rewarding hiking in the Galápagos is – and surely always will be.

Just about everything you encounter is

GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS

so fascinatingly different to the rest of the world. Why are there mostly only white and yellow native flowers here?

Apparently because the majority are self-pollinators, so there’s no need to show off to insects. How did spiders get here from the mainland? Flying on parachutes of silk, or so the story goes.

As Alfredo and I yomp along, our conversation turns to his distaste for the cruise ships that treat Isabela Island ‘as a place to drop their garbage’. Passengers might come up for a panoramic view of the caldera, he explains, but they rarely have the time to explore as we do. Cruise life is in sharp contrast to my experience, travelling group-free, at my own land-based pace, stimulated by thrills, insights and mellow times that leave me relaxed and enriched.

On my final day, I wind up as I began: on a bike, cycling off alongside Alfredo to explore Puerto Villamil, an agreeably sleepy place, with a sandstrewn main street and a lagoon of pink flamingoes striking elegant poses.

Heading west beside its dazzling beach, we pass families picnicking next to the mangroves and birdwatchers climbing a tower for a far-reaching view along the coast. It all seems Edenic, but there’s a sting in the tail. Or tale…

At the end is a cairn-like row of heavy grey rocks, piled high above us. ‘Here

they made hell in paradise,’ Alfredo explains as we contemplate the grim, colossal Muro de las Lágrimas – Wall of Tears. Its construction, by the inmates of a penal camp established in 1946, was ordered with the sole purpose of exhausting and punishing its labourers, whose crimes might be as mundane as stealing a calf. The prison was here for 13 years, and only closed after the convicts made an unsuccessful attempt to murder its governor by pushing a section of the wall onto him, which alerted the government to its iniquities.

As I survey this monument to misery

and folly, it’s obvious that we humans haven’t evolved anywhere near as gracefully as these fabulous creatures now merrily swimming and sunbathing their days away in the Galápagos Islands. Hopefully, we still have time to get it right, but, meanwhile, I’m taking my cue from its loveable giant tortoises. If you want a long happy life, keep your head down and take things slow. Obviously, it’d help to not fall asleep in the middle of the road.

To book a future trip, call 800 DNATA or visit dnatatravel.com

Erimitis beach on the west coast of Paxos; a plate of fried calamari; an elderly local surveys the

worldtravellermagazine.com 41

WORLD TRAVELLER X AL MAHA, A LUXURY COLLECTION DESERT RESORT & SPA

STAYCATION

Al Maha, A Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa A memorable weekend awaits at Dubai's uniquely brilliant desert resort THE ROOMS & SUITES Serenity abounds at enchanting Al Maha, its Bedouin-style suites dotted about the rolling dunes of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR).

Authentic interior decorations include regional antiques and local artefacts, but your suite's exterior is the real draw – dips in your private pool are typically accompanied by the sight of passing Arabian Oryx.

THE FOOD Dining here is arranged around those heart-tugging views of the wildlife-filled desert landscape. Enjoy fine-dining fare on the veranda of signature restaurant Al Diwaan; a private in-suite dining set up beside your pool; or, most memorable of all, an exclusive Dune Dining experience, for which your lone table amidst the desert sands is illuminated by the striking starscape above.

THE ACTIVITIES The surrounding desert is both your playground – camel treks, horse riding, archery, falconry, and dune driving are all options – and stimulus for learning more about the Reserve and wider Bedouin culture. Here, the resort’s expert field guides will take you on educational dune and wildlife drives – stopping for a glass of bubbly to drink in the views at sunset.

To find out more, call +971 4 832 9900 or visit marriott.com 42 worldtravellerme.com

R AR E, IN DIGE NO US , CAPT I VAT I NG Experience the alluring, golden desert landscape, the captivating silence of nature, the free-roaming wildlife in the reserve, all enjoyed from your private suite and pool. Indulge in a luxurious desert adventure with camel treks, horseback riding, falconry, archery, dune drives and more.

HOTELS THAT DEFINE THE DESTINATION FOR RESERVATIONS, PLEASE CALL +971 4 832 9900 OR VISIT AL-MAHA.COM

WORLD TRAVELLER X JW MARRIOTT MARQUIS DUBAI

STAYCATION

JW Marriott Marquis Dubai Why the world's tallest 5-star hotel is also 'The Destination of Exceptional Taste' THE ROOMS & SUITES Standing proud in Downtown Dubai as the world’s tallest 5-star hotel – affording stunning city and sea views – here you can revel in the height of luxury. Contemporary designed rooms and suites come chockful of amenities, with the Executive Rooms and Corner Suites granting access to the Executive Lounge, where complimentary drinks and snacks are served across the day.

THE FOOD Foodies rejoice: no hotel comes close to rivalling JW Marriott Marquis Dubai for elevated dining experiences. Here you’ll find ten award-winning restaurants and the biggest (and best) party brunch in town. Enjoy a sophisticated Sunday Roast at superb steakhouse Prime68; inventive Indian at Rang Mahal, terrific Thai at Tong Thai, or sublime sushi at Japanese hotspot Izakaya.

THE ACTIVITIES With all that food too good to ignore, you'll want to do nothing but relax in between memorable meals.

That makes a trip to the sensational Saray Spa a must-do. Home to 17 treatment rooms, including two for private hammams and a duo of Private Luxury Spa Suites that are perfect for couples, expert treatments here are heavenly.

To find out more, call +971 4 414 0000 or visit marriott.com 44 worldtravellerme.com

Inspiration. Expertly crafted.

Comprising two iconic towers, the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai is centrally located beside the Dubai Water Canal and offers a spectrum of facilities and services for a memorable experience. The hotel features 1,608 luxurious guest rooms and suites, over 12 award-winning restaurants, the renowned Saray Spa with traditional hammams and 17 treatment rooms and 8,000 sqm of spectacular meeting spaces.

JW Marriott® Marquis® Hotel Dubai marriott.com/DXBJW Sheikh Zayed Road, Business Bay, PO Box 121000, Dubai, UAE | T +971.4.414.0000 | jwmarriottmarquisdubai.com

WORLD TRAVELLER X PARAMOUNT HOTEL MIDTOWN

STAYCATION

Paramount Hotel Midtown

Inspired by Paramount Pictures' 110 year history, this hotel speaks to the young at heart THE ROOMS & SUITES Whether you're channelling your inner diva, or looking to relax, one of the modern 281 rooms and suites here will certainly tick your boxes. For city skyline views, you'll want to book into The Scene Room City View which has all the modern comforts. If you've got the kids in tow, the C0-Star Suite can accommodate six, as can the top-tier Paramount Suite.

THE FOOD There are five bespoke dining concepts to choose from, including Paparazzi Tuscan for upscale Italian fare. For a taste of the West Coast, the day-to-night Malibu Sky Lounge & Bar on the 64th floor boasts epic views, a chic pool and summery light bites. While downstairs you'll find CineScope Restaurant and Melrose Bar, both offering a wide selection of food and drinks from around the world.

THE ACTIVITIES Landing you at the centre of all the (lights, camera) action in Business Bay, there's plenty to explore. But for those in search of some celebrity-style R&R, the PAUSE Spa is a must-visit. Created in collaboration with Château Berger, it offers facials for a 'Hollywood glow' and treatments to get you camera-ready.

To find out more and make a reservation, call +971 4 248 3333 or visit paramounthotelsdubai.com/midtown 46 worldtravellerme.com

PARAMOUNT HOTEL MIDTOWN PREMIERES IN DUBAI

Paramount Hotel Midtown reflects the imagination and talent inspired

by Paramount Pictures’ 110 year history. With entertainment at its core and curated for the young at heart, Dubai’s latest spectacular attraction features 281 rooms and suites, bespoke dining concepts and a rooftop infinity pool with awe-inspiring views. Centrally located in Business Bay, just a stones’ throw from Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall.

STEP INTO THE SUN AND SPOTLIGHT AT PARAMOUNT HOTEL MIDTOWN www.paramounthotelsdubai.com/midtown @ParamountMidtownHotel | +971 4 248 3333 Reservations@paramounthotelsdubai.com

SCAN TO VISIT

WORLD TRAVELLER X INTERCONTINENTAL RAS AL KHAIMAH MINA AL ARAB RESORT & SPA Pool Villa Terrace

Club InterContinental

Private dining room at NoHo

STAYCATION

InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa Be among the first to enjoy Ras Al Khaimah's newest luxury hotspot THE ROOMS & SUITES Located on Hayat Island in Mina Al Arab, where it's backdropped by glorious views of the Hajar Mountains, this 'crown jewel' of Ras Al Khaimah resorts offers up island-style living and sea-facing rooms as standard. It also boasts a cluster of beautiful private villas, some with their own pool but all standing just steps from the beach and perfect for families.

THE FOOD This is a culinary haven, home to no fewer than six outlets which take you on a gastronomic odyssey across the globe.

Spectacular 360° views of the ocean are on the menu at Levant & Nar, a fine dining restaurant devoted to Lebanese and Turkish fare. Over at NoHo, a venue inspired by the fashionable New York district of North Houston Street, creative sharing plates are the order of the day.

THE ACTIVITIES There are myriad ways to enjoy this unique island resort, not least via its standout spa. Only select InterContinental resorts boast the brilliant Planet Trekkers Club for kids — this is one of them. For an elevated stay, Club InterContinental, a resort within a resort, offers privileged guests access to a private pool and bespoke food and beverage options.

To find out more, call +971 7 202 6666 or visit icrasalkhaimah.com 48 worldtravellerme.com

EMBRACE THE ISLAND LIFE

LONDON BERLIN

Surrounded by the sparkling shores of the Arabian Gulf, expansive terracotta desert and soaring mountains, InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa is a celebration of Middle Eastern hospitality, escapism, and natural spectacle.

Enjoy luxur y island living, a diverse leisure of fering, six restaurants and bars, and sea-facing rooms, suites, and villas, as you reconnect with yourself and others, just a 45-minute escape from Dubai

ISTANBUL MOSCOW DUBAI RAS AL KHAIMAH MUMBAI MALDIVES

Discover more at www.icrasalkhaimah.com SINGAPORE KOH SAMUI

WORLD TRAVELLER X LE MERIDIEN AL AQAH BEACH RESORT

STAYCATION

Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort Treat the family to an unforgettable escape at the region's best-loved beach resort THE ROOMS & SUITES The word iconic is banded about without due thought these days, but Le Meridien Al Aqah is truly an iconic UAE hotel. Separated from the Indian Ocean by a swathe of private beach (perfect for a moonlit stroll), a great range of spacious rooms and suites (all sea-facing, and many with additional sofa beds and Club Lounge access) make for the perfect family getaway.

THE FOOD The hotel's wide variety of restaurants grants you license to roam – particulary as kids aged under 12 eat for free. For a side order of sea views, head to Gonu Bar & Grill, while never-fail pasta dishes and perfectly crisp pizzas will entice you to chic Italian Sapore. Tempted by Thai?

Enjoy bold flavours at Taste. Big appetites will find their match at Views’ nightly themed buffets.

THE ACTIVITIES Where to begin? Outside of a dedicated kids’ club there’s much a family to enjoy together – not least a round or two of crazy golf. Take a hike through one of Fujairah’s most picturesque trails, or hit the sea for stand-up paddle boarding, canoeing, fishing, or an idyllic sunset cruise. Just don't forget to make a splash in what is one of the UAE’s largest swimming pools.

To find out more, call +971 9 244 9000 or visit marriott.com 50 worldtravellerme.com

LE MERIDIEN AL AQAH BEACH RESORT T +971 9 244 9000 lemeridien-alaqah.com

YOUR ALL-INCLUSIVE STAYCATION Stay and dine at Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort on the East Coast with our All-Inclusive Package. Your stay includes: • Guaranteed sea-facing room overlooking the pristine Indian Ocean • Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner inclusive of house and soft beverages • Access to Al Aqah Spa • Access to the largest swimming pool in Fujairah • Non-motorised watersports • Access to private beach For more information, or to book contact us on: +971 9 244 9000 or visit lemeridien-alaqah.com N 25° 30’ E 56° 21’ DESTINATION UNLOCKED

INSPIRED BY

Reader offers Great deals to get you packing

FOUR FANTASTIC HOLIDAYS 1. OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, MALDIVES

3. OZEN LIFE MAADHOO, MALDIVES

Includes: stay in an Earth Pool Villa Sunrise with an all-inclusive dine-around experience: all meals, unlimited selection of premium beverages, complimentary snorkelling equipment and non-motorised waters-sports, butler service, and luxury catamaran transfers.

Valid: until 31 May 2022

4 Includes: stay in an Earth Villa with Pool with all inclusive dine around experience: all meals, unlimited selection of premium beverages, complimentary snorkelling equipment and nonmotorised waters-sports, luxury speedboat transfers Valid: until 31 May 20224

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3 nights starting from USD 935 per person Includes: Stay in an Ocean Junior Suite with breakfast and dinner daily and private return transfers.

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3 52 worldtravellerme.com

2

DNATA TRAVEL OFFERS

WEEKEND ESCAPES ESCAPES

Six Senses Zighy Bay

UAE

OMAN

INTERCONTINENTAL RAS AL KHAIMAH MINA AL ARAB RESORT & SPA 2 nights starting from USD235 per person Includes: stay in a classic room sea view with with breakfast and dinner daily. Kids stay and eat free.

Valid: until 30 Apr 2022

SIX SENSES ZIGHY BAY 2 nights starting from USD945 per person Includes: stay in a Pool Villa with breakfast daily.

Valid: until 30 Apr 2022

VIDA BEACH RESORT UMM AL QUWAIN 1 night starting from USD70 per person Includes: stay in a Deluxe Room City view with breakfast.

Valid: until 30 Apr 2022 CENTARA MIRAGE BEACH RESORT 1 night starting from USD80 per person Includes: stay in a Double Room partial sea view with breakfast, Valid: until 30 Apr 2022

SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences

SLS Dubai

ANANTARA AL JABAL AL AKHDAR 2 nights starting from USD795 per person Includes: stay in a Premier Room with breakfast and dinner daily.

Valid: until 30 Apr 2022

BAHRAIN

Anantara Jabal Akhda

SOFITEL BAHRAIN ZALLAQ THALASSA SEA & SPA 2 nights starting from USD215 per person Includes: stay 1 night in a Superior Room with breakfast daily Valid: until 30 Apr 2022

The Oberoi Beach Resort Al Zorah, Ajman

Park Hyatt Dubai

TH8 PALM, MANAGED BY ACCOR 1 night starting from USD340 per person Includes: stay in a One Bedroom Suite with breakfast.

Hyde Hotel Dubai30 Apr 2022 Valid: until

Vida Beach Resort Umm Al Quwain

THE DUBAI EDITION 1 night starting from USD 445 per person Includes: stay in a Guest Room City View with breakfast.

Valid: until 30 Apr 2022

How to book

By calling dnata on 800 DNATA

By stepping into a dnata outlet or by visiting dnatatravel.com

On the website you can also sign up to the dnata newsletter and receive more offers direct to your inbox. T&Cs apply.

worldtravellerme.com 53

WORLDWIDE

HOLIDAYS

DISCOVER OVER 70 ALL-INCLUSIVE CLUB MED RESORTS IN DREAM DESTINATIONS AROUND THE WORLD Club Med has something for everyone with curated all-inclusive holiday packages for families and couples to dream destinations around the world. As the pioneers of all-inclusive vacations, they take care of every detail from flights and transfers to gourmet cuisine, daily activities and entertainment, children’s clubs, child care, enhanced COVID-19 coverage* and more! Club Med is the ultimate hassle-free holiday. No stress. No constraints. Just the happiness of renewed spontaneity.

3 nights

3 nights

3 nights

AED 4,955

AED 6,535

AED 6,890

from

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per person

per person

per person

INDONESIA

MALDIVES

MAURITIUS

Includes • Stay in a Superior Room • All-inclusive • Return airport transfers • Return Economy Class flights

Includes • Stay in a Superior Beachfront Room • All-inclusive • Return airport transfers • Return Economy Class flights Special offer • 10% off stay

Includes • Stay in a Superior Room • All-inclusive • Return airport transfers • Return Economy Class flights Special offer • 15% off stay

Club Med La Plantation 5

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OPENING IN MAY 2022

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SEYCHELLES

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5 nights

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AED 6,850

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SPAIN

ITALY

Includes • Stay in a Superior Room • All-inclusive • Return airport transfers • Return Economy Class flights Special offer • 15% off stay

Includes • Stay in a Superior Room • All-inclusive • Return airport transfers • Return Economy Class flights Special offer • 15% off stay

Club Med Magna Marbella 4

Club Med Cefalu 5

*All bookings made with Club Med automatically cover you for enhanced COVID-19 coverage protecting you against additional medical expenses. If a guest in the resort is suspected or has COVID, all costs will be covered by Europ Assistance including medical fees abroad, COVID test, repatriation, and extension costs in the resort.

Book at dnatatravel.com call or WhatsApp 800 DNATA (36282) or visit your nearest dnata Travel outlet Follow us

DIGITAL

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Stay ahead of the travel news by connecting with us on our social platforms and join the conversation by sharing your experiences. Here’s where you can find us…

@worldtravellerme Share some love on our dreamy destinations shots and tag us in your own for a chance to feature on our grid @WorldTravellerME Be the first to see our travel stories when we post them. @WTravellerME Tweet us your best travel moments with the hashtag #WorldTravellerME

Win a two-night stay for two at Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Beach Resort Desperate to get away? We're here to oblige, and have teamed up with the wonderful Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Beach Resort to offer one lucky reader and their guest the chance to spend two nights in a Junior Suite Beach Access Villa on a half-board basis, inclusive of soft drinks. Kick back, relax, and soak up magnificent sea and mountain views. To find out more information and to enter the competition, head to worldtravellerme.com

THERE’S MORE ONLINE Join us on our website for exclusive content, including the breaking travel news and tips on travelling during the pandemic…

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INSPIRE ME Inspiration from the places we can travel to now and those on our postpandemic list.

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TRAVEL NEWS Learn the latest on air-travel, plus breaking stories from the resorts here and around the world.

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HOTELS & RESORTS Your go-to when deciding where to stay in the Middle East and beyond.

worldtravellerme.com 55

Suite dreams Our monthly finish with a flourish, delving into a suite that has a character and style all of its own

RABDAN VILLA

The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal In this expansive resort — some 57 acres peppered with pools and lush foliage – one place is easy to spot: the one-of-a-kind Rabdan Villa. The height of luxury, the villa houses three large bedrooms and enough space to accommodate seven adults in all. Though fear not – five bathrooms (chockful of Asprey products) mean you won’t have to fight to be the first in the shower in the morning. With a Dedicated Villa Ambassador on hand to meet your every need, all you need do is pull up a lounger and soak up the sun from beside your own pool.

56 worldtravellerme.com

SPRING INTO YOUR NEXT HOLIDAY

Book your spring holiday today and explore Europe, enjoy a romantic beach getaway or go on a family adventure at a world-class theme park and more!

SCAN HERE TO VIEW OUR LATEST OFFERS Book at dnatatravel.com call or WhatsApp 800 DNATA (36282) or visit your nearest dnata Travel outlet Follow us