A few years ago, if you asked someone what they thought of the Middle East, chances are they would tell you about vast deserts, Middle Eastern Arabian Knights and magic flying carpets. Very little was known about Middle Eastern travel destinations. Fast forward to the 21^st century, and it’s a whole different story. Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Qatar and Egypt among others are slowly carving a name for themselves as top Middle East travel and Middle East tour destinations.

This week, we will focus on Qatar. The tiny nation has grown to become one of the wealthiest in the world, thanks to its vast oil reserves.  Qatar has something for everyone – from the traveler who just wants to sit back and relax, to the adventure seeking, sight seers.

Doha is a must do in Qatar. Any visitor must pass by the Museum of Islamic Art. The Museum was opened in 2008 and built on an artificial island at the entrance to the harbor. It contains one of the world’s foremost collections of Islamic artifacts from the Qatari royal family as well as metal work, ceramics, jewelry, woodwork, glass, etc. The Museum and gardens are open every day except Tuesday. Entrance is free, although there may be a charge for special exhibitions. Meals, drinks and snacks can be purchased in the cafe on the ground floor, and there is a well stocked book and gift shop.

For the shoppers, the shopping City Center-Doha is the closest thing to paradise. You can literally find anything you want, at fantastic prices. The food courts cater to different tastes, ranging from traditional Middle Eastern food, to western, Indian and Chinese. Your taste buds will be spoilt for choice. The best cinemas are located in this area, so if you have time, you can check out the latest flick.

The Souq Waqif is a wonderful place to explore. There has been a souq on this site for centuries, as this was the spot where the Bedouin would bring their sheep, goats and wool to trade for essentials. It is now one of the most popular markets in Qatar today, and attracts a huge number of Tourists.  The city centre is

if this sounds too laid back and relaxed, there are lots of adrenalin filled activities. One can choose to take a flight over Qatar, go to the races, ride a horse, go fishing, Jet skiing, Motor racing, Para sailing, wind surfing, sand boarding and of course swimming – It is a desert after all.

With all this awaiting you, you would have to be crazy to pass up the chance to visit Qatar.

What lies beyond the ocean? This is the question people have been asking themselves, since the beginning of time. In an attempt to find the answer, rafts were built, then canoes, then boats and eventually ships. Originally, ships were strictly used for commercial and exploration purposes. Then, along the way, someone somewhere realized that people were willing to pay good money to experience the rush of sailing across the ocean, and cruise ships were born.

The first cruise ship was the S/S Prinzessin Victoria Luise, built in 1900. The ship housed 120 first-class cabins to accommodate only wealthy travelers. Cruising has come a long way since then. The industry has evolved to cater for the up market luxury market, the budget traveler, the adventure seeker, honeymooners & the family holiday makers.

How does one go about cruising? Well, the first step is looking at your budget and seeing how much you are able to set aside. The cost of a cruise is determined by several variable factors, like the time of the year, how long you’d like to get away, where you’d like to go, how old you are, how fast you make the first payment, which cruise line you like, the ship you pick among others. The list is endless. It is therefore important to plan in advance to allow you to evaluate all your options, and get the best possible deal you can.

Then of course, you are expected to pick a destination. You can choose to take a short one-two week cruise, or take a round the world trip – your options are limitless. Once you have selected your ship and destination, you are good to go, right? Wrong.

If you asked a seasoned cruiser what you need on a cruise, they will most likely tell you “Nothing. Just sit back, relax and have fun.” This is not exactly true. Of course you will have fun, but you will have even more fun if you do the following:

a) Ensure that your travel insurance covers expenses outside your home country

b) Pack a basic first aid kit – Inclusive of bandages, painkillers, antihistamines, sunscreen, toiletries etc. These may be available on your ship, but at ridiculously marked up prices

c) Find out if there will be any theme nights on the cruise. Most cruise liners throw great theme parties & it would be a shame to miss out. It is also important that you dress for the weather.

d) Buy the most sturdy and least expensive baggage you can find, anything can happen to your luggage.

Robert N. Rose is remembered for saying “Ships are the nearest thing to dreams that hands have ever made.” Take a cruise and test out his theory.

Safari is the Kiswahili word for Journey or trip. African safari as a name has been adapted into English vocabulary for a trip to Africa by tourists. Africa is a continent dotted with safari parks and game reserves all over. This makes it a bit confusing when it comes to deciding where to go and why to go there. Therefore, we decided to highlight top African safari destinations, based on the unique experience that each place offers.

Kenya is actually home to the idea of safari holidays in Africa. It is home to the legendary Masai Mara, which is the most popular game parks in Kenya, for good reasons. Not only are visitors treated to spectacular views of the Big five – Lions, Elephants, Rhinos, leopards and buffalos – but, if you plan your trip right, you may just witness the annual “Great Migration”. During this migration, from July to October, millions of wildebeest and zebra migrate from the Serengeti in Tanzania. There are also lots of other wild animals to be spotted.

Kruger National Park is located in South Africa, and is arguably one of the best maintained parks on the continent. This makes it possible for you to hire a car and drive without a guide on the African safari. There are also several private game reserves on location, providing luxury accommodation for those who can’t “rough it out”. Game viewing can be at its best during the dry winter months; however the wet summer season brings full waterholes, lush bushveld (woodland), newborn wildlife and the summer migrant birds.

Then we have the Okavango delta in Botswana, which is the world’s largest inland delta. It provides a unique safari experience because it’s in a swamp area, making the environment around lush, green and fresh. You have the option of cruising through the maze-like channels of the delta in a traditional boat, as you explore the lagoons & islands. The game does not disappoint, making game drives a must, as well as horseback and Elephant back safaris.

And to top it all off, there is Uganda’s Bwindi forest, providing you with a chance to experience a Gorilla safari, where you get the chance to go gorilla trekking, and see the famous climbing monkeys and other species of Monkeys. There are several quality lodges providing you with good accommodation, so you get the chance to spend a night or two in the area.

When you finally go on an African safari, remember, “Don’t leave anything but your footprints, and don’t take anything but your memory” Safari Njema (Safe Journey in Kiswahili)