Abu Dhabi is the capital and the second-most populous city of the United Arab Emirates (after Dubai). The city of Abu Dhabi is located on an island in the Persian Gulf, off the Central West Coast. Most of the city and the Emirate reside on the mainland connected to the rest of the country.
Anantara Qasr Al Sarab
Among all beautiful desert resorts in the UAE, Anantara Qasr Al Sarab probably is one of the UAE’s best-loved Arabian escapes.[2]
Driving from Abu Dhabi, Anantara Qasr Al Sarab can be reached in two hours. It is hidden among the sea of rolling, flame-orange dunes of the Empty Quarter. A secluded desert oasis, there are 140 rooms, 14 suites and 52 pool villas on offer, all decorated with traditional arabesque touches with endless vistas out across the dunes. Separated from the main resort, the rooms are described as ‘secluded desert sanctuaries’, each with private pool.
Video 1. Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara (YouTube link)
The Seychelles lie east of Kenya, near the equator. People around the world aren't alone in loving the remote beauty of this African nation: Prince William and Kate Middleton, and Victoria and David Beckham spent their honeymoons on the North Island of The Seychelles.
Getting there: Air France, Air Seychelles, and Turkish Airlines have regular flights that connect to Seychelles International Airport (SEZ), just south of the capital of Victoria.
Stunning and unspoiled, the Seychelles star in countless tropical island fantasies. Beautiful boulder-strewn beaches, virgin jungles, thriving coral reefs, and UNESCO-listed nature reserves are just some of the many attractions of the archipelago's 115 coral and granite islands, which are the peaks of a vast underwater plateau.
Popular things to do in the Seychelles include hiking the mountain trails, basking on the ravishing beaches, rock climbing, photographing the unique flora and fauna, and dining on mouthwatering Créole cuisine.
Aquatic pursuits abound in the clear, azure water. Diving, snorkeling, surfing, and sailing are all world class, and the Seychelles encompass some of the richest fishing grounds in the world.[7]
In fact, the UNESCO-listed Vallée de Mai is so transcendently beautiful many locals believe it to be the true site of the Garden of Eden.
Where to Visit
The Seychelles islands are often referred to in two separate groups. Most travelers limit their exploration to the 43 Inner Islands, basing themselves on one of the group's three main isles:[2]
A quiet island where bicycles reign supreme and the sands of Anse Source d'Argent beach remain unspoiled.
Charter a private yacht further out to sea and you'll likely stumble across one of the 72 Outer Islands, low-lying, sandy cays ruled by wildlife. It doesn't get more remote than that.
Figure 1. Anse Source d'Argent (Seychelles)
Anse Source d'Argent
La Digue is a haven for nature lovers. It's also a great place to visit for anyone seeking a glimpse of traditional island life - bicycles and oxcarts are popular modes of transport.
Stunning white-sand beaches and granite rock outcrops rim the coast, and beach connoisseurs will find one of the planet's most picturesque stretches of sand and sea here: Anse Source d'Argent. You do need to pay to access the beach at the nearby L'Union Estate, where your admission includes a tour through this old copra factory and vanilla plantation.
Diving and rock climbing are also popular things to do on the island, and hikers will enjoy La Pass to Grand Anse Trail, which threads past French colonial houses through woodlands and marsh areas to gorgeous Grand Anse beach.
Bird Island is named in honor of its spectacular colony of around 700,000 pairs of sooty tern that nest on the island. The birds arrive from late March, laying eggs in May and remaining until October before leaving the island. Birders and photographers can climb raised observation platforms for clear views of the nests.
Other species on the island include fairy and noddy terns, cardinals, ground doves, mynas, crested terns, and plovers. Giant land tortoises are also in residence, and the nearby Seychelles Bank is renowned for its big-game fishing.
Weather
During the coolest months, July and August, the average low is about 24 °C (75 °F). The southeast trade winds blow regularly from May to November, and this is the most pleasant time of the year. The hot months are from December to April, with higher humidity (80%). March and April are the hottest months, but the temperature seldom exceeds 31 °C (88 °F). Most of the islands lie outside the cyclone belt, so high winds are rare.
Video 2. Most beautiful beach in the world: Anse Source D'Argent (Seychelles; YouTube link)
It's been more than a decade since the end of Sri Lanka's civil war, and the country has bounced back to become one of the favorite travel destinations.
With countless sacred sites, boundless crystal blue waters, and picturesque jade green tea estates, Sri Lanka offers myriad charms to those willing to explore.[1] The axiom “big things come in small packages” certainly applies here:
For tea lovers
If you want to see tea being grown and made, Sri Lanka is one of the best destinations for the tea loving traveler to visit as there are numerous tea factories offering tours and tastings as well as the chance to walk through beautiful tea estates.
For animal lovers
There are lots of options for wildlife viewing in Sri Lanka. Both Udawalawe and Gal Oya national parks contain hundreds of elephants, while Yala National Park is home to the world's highest concentration of leopards.
Sri Lanka was the first Asian country known to have a female ruler: Anula of Anuradhapura (r. 47–42 BCE). Sri Lankan monarchs undertook some remarkable construction projects such as Sigiriya, the so-called "Fortress in the Sky", built during the reign of Kashyapa I of Anuradhapura, who ruled between 477 and 495.
The Sigiriya rock is located near the town of Dambulla in the Central Province, Sri Lanka. The name refers to a site of historical and archaeological significance that is dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 meters high. It is surrounded by an extensive network of ramparts and moats. Inside this protective enclosure were gardens, ponds, pavilions, palaces and other structures.
Video 2. 10 Best Places to Visit in Sri Lanka (YouTube link)
Where to Stay
In recent years, a hotel boom has led to the opening of wellness resorts and high-end spas that all put you within arm’s reach of your dream vacation.
Geoffrey Bawa is a Legendary Sri Lankan architect who was born in 1972. He has explored modernism and its local cultural implications and created a uniquely recognizable style of design. Bawa’s architecture influenced the formation of a new architectural identity and aesthetic for many tropical backgrounds. These made him win recognition and awards. The below hotels are the ones recommended in the TV series—RAKUEN The Secret of Paradise (Amazon link):
For tea lovers, you can base yourself at Thotalagala, a seven-suite hotel near Dambatenne, the world’s most famous tea estate, planted in 1890 by Sir Thomas Lipton.
