Five ‘different’ destinations, direct from Canberra

Posted on 2 April, 2018

It’s been hard to ignore the aggressive advertising campaign that has been flooding the Canberra region for the last six months.

It has been even harder to miss the burgundy Oryx emblazoned on the tail of the Qatar Airways 777 aircraft that has been making a daily visit to our runway.

It has been a little over a month since Qatar Airways touched down in Canberra and it has shaken up our travel industry yet again. Apart from giving Singapore airlines some healthy competition, which can only help keep prices low, Canberrans now have a whole new plethora of worldwide destinations laid out before them.

From Canberra, you will be whisked off (with a very brief stop in Sydney) to Qatar’s hub, Doha. From this central point located in the Middle East the Qatar Airways network branches out like a web across the world taking you to your choice of more than 150 destinations across the globe. No more trawling through customs queues in Sydney, no more hoping your baggage makes the change of aircraft or that you make your connection when your flight is delayed by fog. One aircraft Canberra to Doha door to door.

Qatar Airways services all your mainstream airports such as London, Paris, Rome, New York, Washington but what excites me and what should excite you is those places that are off the well-worn tourist trail.

Canberra has entered a new world of travel, one epitomised by ease and highlighted by choice. The choice is all yours but here are my top picks for the most intriguing places Qatar Airways can take Canberrans.

Zanzibar

When you think of a beach holiday Africa isn’t the first destination to jump to mind but with Canberra’s new Qatar services through Doha to the island of Zanzibar maybe an African beach adventure is just what you need. Start your trip in the historic centre of Stone Town (pictured above), a city rich in history built on the slave and spice trade it won’t fail to impress. Its narrow laneways, bustling and colourful bazaars, mosques, whitewashed colonial buildings and crumbling forts will have you thinking you travelled in time to reach this Tanzanian outpost.

Once you have had your fill of history, head out to one of the many beach resorts along the eastern coastline where the Indian Ocean laps the powdery white sand and luxury resorts await to service your every need. For a world-class resort located on one of Conde Nast’s top beaches of the world, stay at Baraza Resort and Spa, or if the budget is on the leaner side then try out the Zanzibari Hotel which will still satisfy your beach holiday needs at a lower price point.

Baku

If cities are your thing then Baku, the largest city in the Caucasus and the capital of Azerbaijan is an exciting one to get lost in. The city sits at the crossroads of Asia, Europe and the Middle East and is a unique blend of these cultures. You will experience the juxtaposition of old meets new. The old city still surrounded with its towering stone walls is a Unesco world heritage site and the cobblestone paths within will take you amongst temples, palaces and towers. The newer parts of the city feature soviet style buildings alongside capitalist statements like the glass monoliths called the flame towers that rise out of the ground as a statement to the new Azerbaijan. Time your trip with the Formula One race and see the city converted into a race track, a proud statement of the future of the city.

Kigali

It is hard to forget Rwanda’s recent violent history but surprisingly nearly twenty years have passed since those horrific events, the people are moving on and tourism is now a major driver in the countries economy. Jet into Kigali with Qatar and spend a few days soaking up a vibrant restaurant and cafe scene. The volcanic soil in Rwanda produces some of the best coffee in Africa and the barista’s roast the beans in-house for the most full-bodied java possible.

From Kigali, countless tour companies will be able to take you overland into the mountains of neighbouring Uganda or north to Volcanoes National Park where a Gorilla trek is a once in a lifetime bucket trip item. The permit will set you back more than a thousand dollars but you won’t regret a cent of it when you are huddled up in the jungle watching the wild Gorilla population. Be sure to book ahead for this experience. The Gorilla permits are limited and demand is high. Peregrine Adventures, an Australian based tour operator can have you all sorted before you depart Australia.

Larnaca

A popular tourist spot for the British, Cyprus offers all the catchphrases a tourist would want to hear. Beaches, art, history, culture, fresh seafood, swimming, snorkelling, value for money, archaeology, strolls on the promenade, shopping. Do I have your attention yet?

Stay in Larnaca itself where you can wander the long palm tree line promenade or head out to Limassol for its museums, castles and ancient ruins. If you prefer to explore far and wide then grab a car and make your way around the island, stop in at the many fishing villages where you can feast on fish freshly caught that day and see how the locals live.

Muscat

Oman has been the top of my must-do for some time now. It is a world of diversity. Deserts give way to mountains and mountains yield to stunning beaches. You can set out on an adventure style tour of the country or you can head to a six-star beach resort and forget everyday life for a while.

Any trip to Oman will start in Muscat where tradition and modernity sit side by side. It is low key compared to its Emirati neighbours. You won’t find skyscrapers and mega malls. What you will find are whitewashed buildings nestled between barren brown mountains and the ocean. You will find friendly locals, locals souqs (markets) in winding alleys, the unusual Sultan’s Palace and gorgeous spice-filled local delicacies such as Meshkak, the local spiced kebab. Transport through the rest of Oman is not easily obtained on your own and I would strongly recommend booking a tour if you want to get out of Muscat. For a wide range of tours and styles if travel I would recommend letting Adventure World be your guide.

Your local travel agent can hook you up on any of these trips and source the best Qatar pricing to any of their 150 plus destinations so …what are you waiting for?