Plane free sailing
ROYAL Caribbean is letting visitors have a snoop on their ships – and will throw in a free meal for a lucky few. The Anthem Of The Seas will be open to the public while docked in Southampton next May. And if you share your worst story about flying on a plane, you could get a free lunch at one of its restaurants. Email trybeforeyoubuy@ wcommunications.co.uk to enter.
ONE of the best gifts we get over the Christmas period is time off for adventures. So shake things up this festive season and escape the usual stresses and pressure with an unforgettable break.
Three Kings Salalah, Oman
Swap the Christmas trees for frankincense in Oman, a Middle Eastern country that still has a sense of tradition and true Arabian hospitality.
It is the oldest independent state in the Arab world, has not built shiny tower hotels in the desert and does not rely on immigrants to do all the jobs. In our winter, its southeast-facing coastline – the Dhofar coast – is warmer than Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Here, Salalah is the new resort and also the historic seat of the frankincense industry – the incense comes from tree sap. And in the souks you can also buy myrrh and gold – the whole three kings package.
GO: Rooms are still available over Christmas in the Fanar Residence from £644pp for a week, see fanarhotel.com. Flights with Oman Air from £988 return. See mytrip.com.
Silent nights Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
Instead of reindeer, seek out camels. Ras Al Khaimah is easier to get to than Oman, but also less well known so not as built up compared to Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
This hidden gem is poised between the Hajar Mountains and the Arabian Gulf at the northern tip of the United Arab Emirates.
It is not a shopping destination, although Dubai, where there will be plenty of evidence of Christmas, is only an hour or so away. Instead, it is a more secluded place with pristine beaches and plenty of opportunity for water sports, cookery and arts classes, as well as safaris and nature trails in the desert and mountains.
GO: Five nights at the Hilton al Hamra Beach and Golf Resort on a half board basis costs from £889pp including flights. Travel between December 19 and 26. See travelbag.co.uk.
Jingle beats The Gambia
Try drums instead of carols. This tiny west African country, with broad beaches around the mouth of the Gambia river, is surrounded by the French-speaking nation of Senegal but has retained its English-speaking heritage. It is sleepy, smiley, and inexpensive and although you will not see any African big game, the birdlife on the river is extraordinary.
It is a place for a bit of culture – especially traditional Wolof drumming – and a lot of relaxation, especially because of the daily dose of sun with temperatures up to 30C. And its location south of the UK means no jetlag. GO: A seven-night package with the Gambia Experience, staying in the African Village hotel over Christmas, costs from £949pp, B&B, including flights. See gambia.co.uk.
Shepherds watch Portugal
mainland m Europe, the Cabo da Roca, whose raw beauty, be with raging seas and wind-blasted cliffs, makes m it a memorable detour.
GO: G Eight days of self-guided walking, with ac accommodation and breakfast, costs from £4 £495pp. See utracks.com. Flights to Lisbon over C Christmas from £308. See easyjet.com.
Santa claws Southern Africa
Forget the pudding and get hiking. Spend your Instead In of Attenborough on telly, see the Big Christmas Fi period on the pathways and forested Five beasts live. Sign up for an overlanding trip w hills of Portugal’s Parque Natural de Sintra with an exploration of Kruger National Park in Cascais, making your way towards the rugged So South Africa for a good chance of seeing lions, and dramatic Atlantic coastline. le leopards, rhinos, elephants and Cape buffalo.
Here you will encounter pretty fishing Then head up with the group through the villages, glorious sandy beaches, interesting rh rhino-rich hills of Matobo in Zimbabwe and end rock formations including the Boca do Inferno – up on the shore of the Zambesi at the
Hell’s Mouth – and the most westerly point of st stupendous Victoria Falls. En route you will be