Cape Town to Doha

Sprawling across endless, staggeringly blue coastline, and watched over by the iconic plane of Table Mountain, Cape Town is without doubt one of the world’s most beautiful cities. A blend of spectacular mountain scenery, multiculturalism and relaxed ocean charm awaits in the Mother City, where you can venture out to rolling vineyards, dine in laid back sea suburbs, or spend days exploring cool urban culture. Cape Town’s natural splendour fully reveals itself as the cable car rears sharply to the top of Table Mountain.

From the summit, 3,500 feet above sea level, you can let the scale of the panoramic vistas of the city rolling down towards the ocean wash over you. Another heavenly perspective waits at the top of Lion’s Head’s tapering peak. A sharp hike and an early start is required, but the views of the morning sun painting Table Mountain honey-gold are some of Cape Town’s finest. Cape Town’s glorious sunshine and inviting blue rollers can be a little deceiving – these oceans are anything but warm at times, with nothing between the peninsula’s end and Antarctica’s icy chill. This cool water has upsides though, bringing a colony of adorably cute African penguins to Boulders Beach. Boarded walkways offer the perfect vantage point to see the cute creatures dipping into the sea and lounging in the sun. Nearby, journey to the end of Africa at the Cape of Good Hope, where you can stand at the bottom of this mighty continent, watching out over the merging waves of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Cape Town’s beauty is counterpointed by the ominous island form, which sits four miles offshore from the bustling restaurants and lazy seals of the lively V&A Waterfront. A living history lesson, you can sail in the ships that transported prisoners out to Robben Island, before a former prisoner tells of the traumas of life on this offshore prison. Your guide will show you the cramped cells, and render Mandela’s long walk to freedom in heartbreaking, visceral clarity.

Sprawling across endless, staggeringly blue coastline, and watched over by the iconic plane of Table Mountain, Cape Town is without doubt one of the world’s most beautiful cities. A blend of spectacular mountain scenery, multiculturalism and relaxed ocean charm awaits in the Mother City, where you can venture out to rolling vineyards, dine in laid back sea suburbs, or spend days exploring cool urban culture. Cape Town’s natural splendour fully reveals itself as the cable car rears sharply to the top of Table Mountain.

From the summit, 3,500 feet above sea level, you can let the scale of the panoramic vistas of the city rolling down towards the ocean wash over you. Another heavenly perspective waits at the top of Lion’s Head’s tapering peak. A sharp hike and an early start is required, but the views of the morning sun painting Table Mountain honey-gold are some of Cape Town’s finest. Cape Town’s glorious sunshine and inviting blue rollers can be a little deceiving – these oceans are anything but warm at times, with nothing between the peninsula’s end and Antarctica’s icy chill. This cool water has upsides though, bringing a colony of adorably cute African penguins to Boulders Beach. Boarded walkways offer the perfect vantage point to see the cute creatures dipping into the sea and lounging in the sun. Nearby, journey to the end of Africa at the Cape of Good Hope, where you can stand at the bottom of this mighty continent, watching out over the merging waves of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Cape Town’s beauty is counterpointed by the ominous island form, which sits four miles offshore from the bustling restaurants and lazy seals of the lively V&A Waterfront. A living history lesson, you can sail in the ships that transported prisoners out to Robben Island, before a former prisoner tells of the traumas of life on this offshore prison. Your guide will show you the cramped cells, and render Mandela’s long walk to freedom in heartbreaking, visceral clarity.

Mossel Bay, located at the western-most end of the Garden Route, is known as the site of the 1488 landing of the Portuguese explorer Bartholomeu Dias. From then on, many ships stopped here to get fresh water or barter with the Khoikhoi tribe. However, Mossel Bay remained pretty much a fishing and whaling backwater until its discovery as a holiday resort in the 1930s because of its beautiful beach.

Maputo is not known for being the capital of Mozambique, but also for the buzzing vitality that is unfound elsewhere in Africa. The end of 15 years of civil war in 1992 saw an economic uprising and visitors to Maputo today are just as likely to come for the busy bars and restaurants as they are to enjoy colonial architecture worthy of the Mediterranean. Maputo is different from other cities in the region. It’s magical.

Trips into the lush countryside may include a ride up to Mt. Passot. At 950 feet, this is the highest point on the island. The view from the top offers an extensive panorama of crater lakes nestled between verdant hills.
Most visitors make the boat trip to Nosy Komba. The tiny island is known for its lemur reserve. These arboreal primates, with their large eyes, soft fur and long curling tails, have lived unharmed for centuries in the forest behind Ampangorina village. The lemurs are a popular tourist attraction and a profitable source of income to the small local community.

Trips into the lush countryside may include a ride up to Mt. Passot. At 950 feet, this is the highest point on the island. The view from the top offers an extensive panorama of crater lakes nestled between verdant hills.
Most visitors make the boat trip to Nosy Komba. The tiny island is known for its lemur reserve. These arboreal primates, with their large eyes, soft fur and long curling tails, have lived unharmed for centuries in the forest behind Ampangorina village. The lemurs are a popular tourist attraction and a profitable source of income to the small local community.

Antsiranana, also known as Diego Suarez, is a port city in northern Madagascar. It sits on Antsiranana Bay, a vast natural harbor made up of several smaller bays. Offshore, conical Nosy Lonja, or Sugar Loaf Island, is considered sacred by locals. Long, sandy Ramena Beach lies to the northeast. The city’s French colonial architecture is highlighted by the old covered market and the ruins of the Hôtel de la Marine.

This tropical Eden covers 14.5 square miles and lies a mere 28 miles from the island of Mahé. In addition to glorious beaches and fantastic marine life, Praslin is best known for the Vallée de Mai World Heritage Site where the botanical rarity, the coco de mer, grows wild. In fact, this incredible palm forest earned the island its original name of “Isle de Palme,” accorded by the French navigator Lazare Picault who had to carve his way through the tangled undergrowth of the inland hills. In 1768 Marion Dufresne led an expedition to the island and renamed it Praslin. He placed a Deed of Possession in a bottle which he buried in the sands of the northern coast. In the early 1800s the total population of the island amounted to ten families. Nothing noteworthy happened through most of the century, except for the arrival of General Charles Gordon in 1881. The hero of Khartoum thought he had found the biblical Garden of Eden and pronounced that the coco de mer was the biblical tree of knowledge

This small island, no more than four square miles in size, is Praslin’s beautiful neighbor and presents a picture of peaceful seclusion. Apart from a few minivans, the only other means of transport here are ox carts or bicycles. The island has two centers, La Passe where you come ashore via the ship’s tender and, just half a mile to the south, La Réunion. Both are on the island’s west coast and neither has more than a handful of dwellings, a few shops, bicycle and oxcart rentals. A perfect place to explore on one’s own, some of the beaches near La Passe are within easy walking distance. To venture further you may want to hire an oxcart or a bicycle. There is good diving practically anywhere in the waters around La Digue, as well as excellent snorkeling at Anse Patates and Anse La Réunion. Protected on all but its southeast shores by a magnificent encircling coral reef, La Digue retains all the fascination of an untouched world.
The road leading south from La Passe takes you past the charming La Digue Island Lodge and continues to L’Union Estate. The grounds feature a copra factory and an impressive tumble of granite rocks, at the foot of which live several giant tortoises. (There is a fee to enter L’Union Estate.) Further along the beach at Source d’Argent, a dirt path winds around heaps of giant granite boulders which present a popular subject for photo buffs.

Like jade-colored jewels in the Indian Ocean, the more than 100 Seychelles Islands are often regarded as the Garden of Eden. Lying just four degrees south of the equator, the Seychelles are some 1,000 miles from the nearest mainland Africa. Little more than 200 years ago, all 115 islands were uninhabited.Then in 1742 a French ship dispatched from Mauritius sailed into one of the small bays. Captain Lazare Picault was the first to explore these unnamed islands. He encountered breathtaking vistas of rugged mountains, lagoons, coral atolls, splendid beaches and secluded coves. After Picault sailed away, the islands remained untouched for the next 14 years. Then France took possession of the seven islands in the Mahé group. During an expedition Captain Morphey named them the Sechelles, in honor of Vicomte Moreau de Sechelles.This name was later anglicized to Seychelles.
The first settlers arrived at St. Anne’s Island in 1770; 15 years later the population of Mahé consisted of seven Europeans and 123 slaves. Today there are about 80,000 Seychellois, the majority of whom live on Mahé; the rest are scattered in small communities throughout the archipelago.The people are a fusion of three continents — Africa, Asia and Europe.This has created a unique culture and the use of three languages — Creole, French and English.

Mahé is the largest island in the archipelago and the location of the capital,Victoria. Ringed by steep, magnificent mountains, few capitals can claim a more beautiful backdrop.The town features a mixture of modern and indigenous architecture; it is the center of business and commerce thanks to the extensive port facilities. Noteworthy sites in Victoria are the museum, cathedral, government house, clock tower, botanical gardens and an open-air market.

The Maldives encompass a chain of more than a thousand small, low-lying coral islands. Created by the peaks of an ancient submerged volcanic mountain range, the islands are protected from the open ocean by barrier reefs that enclose crystal-clear lagoons and brilliant white beaches. The atoll stretches across the equator in a thin strip 452 miles long and 70 miles wide. There are no hills or rivers in the Maldives and none of the islands rise more than nine feet above sea level. It is feared that the whole archipelago could be submerged within 30 years because of the rising sea level caused by the greenhouse effect.
The history of the Maldives can be divided into two stages – before and after the conversion to Islam in 1153. According to a theory by Kon-Tiki explorer Thor Heyerdahl, the islands lying at the trading crossroads of several ancient maritime nations date from around 2000 BC. The first settlers are thought to have arrived from Ceylon and southern India at around 500 BC. While there is no concrete information of the pre-Muslim period, the second stage is well documented through a series of sultanic dynasties to the recent birth and rebirth of the republic. In the long history of the Maldives little interference was experienced from colonial powers except for a 15-year occupation by the Portuguese in the mid-16th century; it was a British protectorate from 1887 to 1965.

A hodgepodge of cultures collide on the banks of the estuary where Cochin carves out her home. Chinese fishing nets the size of skyscrapers, boxy Dutch architecture and pretty Portuguese palaces point to the blend of influence here, while the Raj era remnants, soaring spires of old-world mosques, and near-abandoned synagogues all add to the dense, varied tapestry of inspirations and imprints.

Founded by a prince in the 15th century, Cochin immediately became a favoured anchorage for sailors and traders from every far-flung corner – even taking nearby Kerala’s crown as the world’s first global port city. Now, fragrant spice markets cut the hot air with cardamom and clove, while antique stores groan beneath the weight of singing copper. Hit the backstreets of Fort Kochi for a deep and dreamy Ayurvedic massage, marvel at the Krishna murals that adorn the bedchamber walls of the Mattancherry Palace, or admire India’s one of the oldest European-built Christian churches – as you duck into the cool hues of St Francis. A day can easily meander past on a backwater cruise, spreading south from Cochin, and gliding down a lacy network of creeks, lagoons, lakes and rivers. Surrounded by swaying palms and rice paddies – you’ll experience rural India in her best dress. When daylight dwindles, taste the soft spicy kick of dal roti, followed by Firni – almonds, apricots, and sweet milk crushed with pastel green pistachios for a silky light finish.

Mumbai, or Bombay as it is more commonly known, is India’s business capital. In the 500 years since its “discovery” by the Portuguese, Mumbai has been transformed from an aboriginal fishing village into a sprawling metropolis of some 14 million people. It is the money capital of India, a magnet for entrepreneurs, the home of India’s stock exchange, and headquarters for many national and international companies.

Mumbai, or Bombay as it is more commonly known, is India’s business capital. In the 500 years since its “discovery” by the Portuguese, Mumbai has been transformed from an aboriginal fishing village into a sprawling metropolis of some 14 million people. It is the money capital of India, a magnet for entrepreneurs, the home of India’s stock exchange, and headquarters for many national and international companies.

Surrounded by striking mountains on one side and soft sandy shores along the coast, Muscat was already a thriving port in ancient times. As the capital of modern Oman with wide avenues and architecture that features both contemporary and traditional design, parts of the city still retain their medieval appearance, including two ancient Portuguese forts flanking the rocky cove around which the city is built. During the 14th and 15th centuries, Muscat was an important outpost for the powerful kings of Hormuz. In the 16th century, the Portuguese took possession of Muscat, but lost their dominance in the Gulf when the city came again under Omani rule in 1650.
Since the mid-18th century, members of the Al-Busaidy dynasty have been the rulers of Oman. From the time of Sultan Qaboos Bin Said’s accession to the throne in 1970, the Sultanate has gone from an underdeveloped country to a modern state with imposing government buildings, hospitals, new roads, a university and a sport complex. Muscat’s picturesque old buildings still co-exist with modern commercial and residential quarters, giving the city an ambiance all its own. The seaside palace of His Majesty, Sultan Qaboos, offers a spectacular sight, as it stands between steep rocky hills.

Greater Muscat covers a huge area divided into three sections: the old port area, the main trading and residential area, and the modern Central Banking District. Sumptuous villas and deluxe hotels are part of an ongoing building boom. Strong development in tourism has gained Oman a new role as an intriguing, fascinating and safe destination.
Oman is full of treasures – from historic palaces and traditional buildings to captivating landscapes and gracious people. Its advent into modern age has managed beautifully to blend age-old mystique with a taste of the 21st century.

Emerging from the desert’s sands like a mirage, Abu Dhabi’s bold, brash and brilliant skyline continues to reach new heights. The extravagance on show can be dizzying at times, but it’s counterpointed by authentic history and culture, and majestic religious statements. You’ll shrink before the scale of the 50 exquisite, pearl-white domes of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, which is the UAE’s largest and most revered religious space.

A healthy pearl trade, and strategic location, brought prosperity in the 19th century, before the discovery of rich oil reserves propelled the city giddily skywards in the latter half of the 20th century. Nowadays, palatial hotels tower above dazzling ocean and white sands, while ever-reliable weather and remarkable extravagances, make Abu Dhabi a location of unbridled opulence and intrigue. The city’s cultural scene is also burgeoning, with a stunning Louvre outpost recently opening for business. Find your bearings by ascending 300 metres to the heights of the Etihad Towers’ viewing platform – where you can butter scones while enjoying a ‘high tea’ in every sense. The relentlessly glorious weather makes the coral-blue sea’s sparkle ever-tempting, and at Saadiyat Public Beach you’ll find clear blue waves lapping soft, sugar-white sand. Wade out to enjoy bath-like temperatures of 30 degrees. The Corniche, meanwhile, is a sweeping coastal walkway, stretching for eight kilometres and offering rich views of the coral-blue ocean back-dropped by jagged skyscrapers.

Extravagant shopping malls, gleaming skyscrapers and mosques studded with intricate carvings all contribute to the Pearl of Qatar’s flourishing skyline. A futuristic vision kept grounded by its heritage, this sprawling metropolis’s ambitious structures echo the ancient Arabic art that long preceded its rise. Explore the luxurious and fascinating tapestry of interwoven extravagance and tradition that is Doha’s trademark, as you soak up the sun, sea and skyline of this ever-sparkling city. Founded in the 1820s, Doha has grown apace from its pearl-farming village origins.

A well of oil riches helped to propel the city on its upward trajectory, fuelling a cityscape of twisted metal and glass that shimmers amid the peninsula’s desert blaze. Despite the vertical ambitions, you can quickly lose yourself in Doha’s tight web of alleyways, as you delve into the oldest souk in Qatar – which swallows visitors up in a cacophony of bartering and bantering. Goods have traded hands here for over a hundred years, and it’s still, the place to pick out handfuls of fresh dates and nuts, or perch at restaurants serving up saloona – a heavily spiced and perfumed broth of lamb and soft aubergine. Wander the Corniche’s four-mile parade, which unspools at the feet of skyscrapers that glow, jewel-like with multicoloured allure as night descends. You’ll walk with the vibrant colours of the Persian Bay stretching out next to you. The palm-tree-lined boulevard culminates in the spectacular Museum of Islamic Art, which stands proudly like a giant, glinting sandcastle. Doha may have blossomed rapidly, but it’s clear that the ambition doesn’t stop here – and the city’s boom continues as its time in the sun of the 2022 FIFA World Cup draws ever closer.