Cruise news
Explore the former Kingdom of Prussia on a 10-night Teutonic tonic.
Fred Olsen’s Braemar will sail from Edinburgh in August 2022 with a call at Kaliningrad, which is now in Russia but was once known as Konigsberg and the capital of mighty Prussia from 1525 to 1701. She will also visit Travemünde for excursions to Berlin, which became the capital after Konigsberg, and Szczecin and Gdansk in Poland, which were once key Prussian ports.
A spokesman said: ‘’This is set to be a really immersive, cultural sailing aboard our wonderful Braemar, taking our guests on a journey through the rise and fall of the vanished kingdom of Prussia.’’
Prices start at £1,499 per person, with up to £150 per person to spend on board for bookings made by January 29, and the itinerary also includes a transit of the Kiel Canal. fredolsencruises.com Book by March 1 to get seven-night voyages from £499 per person in the new Princess Cruises ‘Dream with Us’ sale. Reduced fares are on offer on more than 950 cruises in 2021 and 2022, including 100-plus no-fly ex-UK itineraries. princess.com
rise. r Accounting for less than 10% of o the population, their story represents s hidden gems on the tourist trail t of this fascinating part of the Arabian A Peninsula.
Most of the construction in the Al F Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood t took place in the 20th century but b beneath the sound of the Islamic c call to prayers, a real sense of h history still prevails among the s sandstone architecture.
In order to get a grip on the u unique lifestyle of the Bedouin p people I head for a traditional b banquet at the Sheikh Mohammed C Centre for Cultural Understanding in the old town.
Sitting on cushions in a traditional indoor courtyard, an abundance of silver platters are laid before our group stacked with rice-based chicken, lamb and vegetarian dishes named machboos. We eagerly tuck in while enjoying conversation with our hosts about their ancient culture and how it has adapted to the world around them.
Rounding off with syrup-soaked doughnut desserts, we are then given the chance to play dressing up in traditional Emirati attire – great for that holiday selfie.
Next we set off to explore the fascinating back alleys where courtyard cafes, a coffee museum and art galleries take you by surprise. The atmosphere is relaxed and absorbing – a complete contrast to the hive of activity after catching an abra (wooden motor boat) across the Creek to the spice, textile and gold souqs of Bur Dubai and Deira.
These bustling markets are filled with the incessant quick-witted traders’ banter which proves impossible to ignore.
Completely different in vibe is the uber cool Alserkal Avenue, where the warehouses have been transformed into contemporary art installations, micro museums, a chocolate factory and an art-house cinema.
We book on to a desert safari experience which begins with some dune-buggying, before taking a rather more refined mode of transport to reach the traditional Al Marmoom camp – camels. I’m at the back of the caravan and watch with trepidation as the rest of our party skilfully navigates the sudden moment the camel rises to its feet. Terrified of becoming an internet meme as phone cameras are suddenly thrust in my direction, I lean back as instructed and cling on as the beast beneath me stands up at breakneck speed.
Safely navigated, the journey begins. It is a delightful experience however my inner thighs tell me the 40-minute trek is ample time to
It is vital people who grew up in Bedouin culture keep history alive
HOT ROD Hurtle through the dunes in a buggy
FLY HIGH Sunset falcon show at Bedouin Experience enjoy the highlights. At the camp we take part in traditions such as coffee-making and henna art.
Our host Ali, a former sports channel commentator, says: “Because we have so many people coming to live here there is a danger the past will be forgotten. It is vital people who grew up in the Bedouin culture are the ones who accurately keep our history alive.”
We enjoy a dancing display before another Bedouin-style feast is laid before us, followed by hookah.
As night falls and the searing heat vanishes, we wrap up in blankets for an astronomy show which reveals how the stars provided maps for the people of the desert.
Dubai’s transformation from humble fishing port to global hub was
SPICY The exotic souqs of Bur Dubai and Deira kick-started by the discovery of oil in the 1960s. This enabled former ruler Sheikh Rashid to lay the foundations upon which his son, Sheikh Mohammed, created the lavish tourist facilities and free-trade and enterprise zones, bringing more than 200 nationalities here.
Impossible to miss, towering above the mass of skyscrapers, is the Burj Khalifa – at 2,722ft the world’s tallest building. Taking to the observation deck is a mind-blowing experience as the rest of the city appears Lego-size as you tentatively glance downwards.
We spend two nights at the Address Fountain Views hotel, which has an infinity pool looking out at the tower and the dining balcony gives a perfect view of the night-time light show.
But joining the throng is a great experience in this 24-hour city. Even at 2am boutique shops remain open alongside the bars and restaurants.
For families, Aquaventure Waterpark at the Atlantis, The Palm hotel is a must. There are more than 30 flumes and slides – my personal highlight a tube that passes through a clear viewing section in a shark tank!
An exhilarating way to get a different perspective is to jump on board one of the self-drive Hero OdySea vessels. These two-man boats are untippable but reach top speeds of 30mph as you cut through the waves for an unforgettable 90-minute jaunt.
A guide is on-hand to assist and will take your camera to film some high-octane shots as you pass landmarks such as the Burj Al Arab hotel, Atlantis and The World islands.
So when you already have the world’s tallest building, what next? Build an even bigger one. The billiondollar Dubai Creek Tower will have a 360-degree observation deck for sunset views when it’s finally completed in 2022.
We enjoy this glorious spectacle staying at the Vida Creek Harbour hotel, a swish four-star property on a new waterfront section, 10 minutes from downtown.
The astonishing emergence of Dubai as one of the world’s most prominent tourist and economic epicentres is clear after it was chosen to host Expo 2020, a six-month showcase of how 192 countries plan to live in the future.
Now postponed because of Covid-19, it is set to take place from October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022.
With its far-reaching vision and deep pockets, all eyes will be on this superlative-craving society for the next game-changer. Watch this space.
A waterpark highlight is a tube that passes through a shark tank
MAGICAL Dazzling Dubai skyline at sunset