Last week, I was thrilled when some representatives from the Zambezi Queen, a new African river safari vessel, came to our offices to talk about their product. I am very excited about this option and think it would be a perfect addition to a Botswana safari or visit to Victoria Falls!

The sailing vessel is ultra-contemporary, with only 14 suites, and it offers 2- and 3-night safaris down the Chobe River — but it is definitely not your average cruise! It really is more of a floating boutique property, as it offers all of the amenities that one would expect from an intimate safari lodge but the experience takes place on the water. As guests sail from Kasane (Botswana) to the Caprivi Strip (Namibia), they enjoy gourmet meals, twice-daily game viewing opportunities on small boats, land excursions, and a riverside boma dinner. Each evening the boat anchors in the middle of the river, providing a calm oasis and unbeatable views from guests’ private balconies. The Zambezi Queen would be an ideal experience for anyone looking for a relaxing and off the beaten path experience; please feel free to contact me for additional information or to discuss incorporating it into your own safari experience. -Jessica

Though Haiti is not among the destinations in our portfolio, we were (like most people) very upset to learn of the devastating magnitude 7.0 earthquake that struck the island nation yesterday. Death toll estimates are running into the hundreds of thousands and the capital city, Port-au-Prince, has sustained severed damage. If you are looking for a way to help, here are two ways to make a quick donation:

Text “HAITI” to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.
Visit the Partners in Health website to pledge support for their ongoing work in Haiti.

The world’s tallest tower is opening today in Dubai: the Burj Dubai (which will be renamed the Burj Khalifa bin Zayed after the United Arab Emirates’ president) is 2,717 feet tall and has 162 floors. It will have an outdoor observation deck on the 124th floor, a hotel designed by Giorgio Armani, and the world’s highest mosque, on the 158th floor. The opening ceremony is expected to feature an elaborate fireworks display and assorted other festivities. The building was conceived in 2004, during the height of Dubai’s financial boom, but the opening of its doors coincides with a precipitous drop in Dubai’s economic fortunes. The jury is still out on whether the Burj Dubai will be able to fill its floors with tenants, and its status as tallen building in the world may soon be in jeopardy – several construction companies in Kuwait, Bahrain and Argentina have already announced that they will be competing for that honor in the coming years.

Tokyo-bound travelers hoping for something a little different should consider venturing across Rainbow Bridge to Odaiba, an artificial island in Tokyo Bay that is home to a vast entertainment/shopping/dining complex that in its glitzy excess can only be compared to Las Vegas and Dubai. Complete with a ferris wheel, artificial hot springs, countless restaurants, and even a replica of the Statue of Liberty, it is both a magnificent spectacle and a cultural lesson on the Japanese enthusiasm for all things kitschy, over the top, and fun. Unlike tourist attractions that are rarely visited by locals, Odaiba is popular among Tokyo residents, especially young groups and couples.

We think an afternoon at Odaiba would be perfect for a family with children; couples would likely prefer a night-time visit to enjoy dinner and a spin on the ferris wheel. In addition to the restaurants and rides, there are enough shops to satisfy even the most dedicated consumer, so an entire day could easily be spent exploring Odaiba’s many attractions. Visitors can get to Odaiba from Tokyo by monorail, coach or car.

Dear Friends,

What a busy year for Absolute Travel – so much has happened, it’s difficult to know where to start! Perhaps the most important aspect of the year was that it marked our 20th anniversary in travel, a big achievement for a company that started in the New York City studio apartment of its founder!

Our staff had many too adventures this year to mention them all, but highlights included Brooke’s unforgettable journeys to Mali and Chile, Sasha’s exploration of Oman and Dubai, Katie’s visit with Uganda’s lowland mountain gorillas, Chloe’s time in China, and Jessica’s whirlwind trip through India. Additionally, we opened the doors of our brand new office in Cape Town, South Africa, and happily welcomed two tiny new travelers to our team: Leslie debuted fabulous Fergus in April and Daniela introduced adorable Vesper in June. And though we were sad to say farewell to some of our longtime staff members, we supported their decision to pursue new paths and they will always be part of the Absolute Travel family. We are also thrilled to soon be welcoming several new staff members who share our passion for travel.

Absolute Travel also continued to be active in supporting charitable causes in 2009. While in Uganda, Katie became involved with Conservation Through Public Health, an organization that works to save the lowland mountain gorillas. We have been so inspired by Katie’s passion for this cause and the energy she has put into spreading their message. Ken also continued his longtime involvement with the Program for Survivors of Torture, which provides a healing community for survivors of politically motivated torture; we are very glad that he actively supports this important work. In the coming year, we hope to continue our involvement with organizations and people that are so tirelessly working to improve the world.

As part of our foray into “new media,” this year we also launched a blog to further chronicle our adventures and a Facebook page. We will be updating these frequently and invite you to visit both for the latest news and information about Absolute Travel!

In closing, we’d like to toast to a happy holiday season for you – and, hopefully, 20 more years in travel for ourselves!

We were so thrilled to learn that Amanresorts will be opening a new property in Hangzhou, China, next month! We have long admired Amanresorts’ enthusiasm for local architectual detail and impeccable service, and the Amanfayun looks like it will not disappoint. Surrounded by tea fields and a verdant forest, the resort is a 20-minute drive from the center of Hangzhou. The 42 rooms, suites and villas are located in original dwellings that have been updated to incorporate modern amenities like radiant underfloor heating while still maintaining their authenticity and classic charm.

It is exciting to see Hangzhou gaining recognition and we hope that travelers will start considering it as a destination worthy of several days. Readers may recall that in our May 2009 e-newsletter, our intrepid travel specialist and China expert Chloe Marsala encouraged China-bound travelers to consider adding Hangzhou to their itineraries. During her time there, Chloe feasted at Dragon Well Manor, an exclusive private dining venue and serious foodie favorite; took in Zhang Yimou’s Impressions West Lake performance; and saw an albino peacock on a bicycle ride around West Lake. She also inspected Hangzhou’s other luxury property, the Fuchun Resort, and was quite impressed.

We will continue to follow Hangzhou’s blossoming reputation as a luxury destination for visitors to China – the Amanfayun will surely help cement its status as a new must-do!

As a fairly new resident of South Africa, I was excited to attend the FIFA World Cup draw on Friday, December 4, when the 32 participating national teams get drawn into 8 groups of four. This is an important development from a travel planner’s perspective, because now travelers coming to South Africa for the event will know where and when they want to be to see specific matches – and travel planners begin the mad dash to secure accommodations and transportation for them.

I was expecting the streets of Cape Town to be crowded but they were absolutely packed – and not surprisingly, most of the attendees seemed to be fans of the South African national team, as they were proudly decked out in Bafana Bafana shirts. There was a huge street festival on Long Street with screens that projected the draw live and an enormous stage featuring top South African bands playing all day to create an even more festive atmosphere. Artists included Freshly Ground, Jimmy Dludla, Cassettee, TKZee, and Francy Galanda. There were also lots of cultural performances throughout the day but most people were focused on the draw. Though many of the streets were closed and there were tons of people, it was a very peaceful and enjoyable event.

Cape Town was looking absolutely gorgeous and very cosmopolitan already! In many ways, this felt like the “kick-off” for the World Cup activities and all of Cape Town seemed to want to be a part of the action - families with kids, fashionistas, music lovers…everyone descended on Long Street and had a great time. The World Cup is a huge deal for South Africans, who are very proud to have the opportunity to host such an important event. For my part, I was very excited to obtain tickets to the Italy vs. Paraguay, Portugal vs. Korea and England vs. Algeria matches. Being Italian, I am of course most looking forward to the Italy vs. Paraguay match. Now the countdown to the event begins!!

For travelers, Oman pairs perfectly with Dubai. Though geographically close, the traditions and cultures of the two countries are in stark contrast – while Dubai is in hyper-futuristic overdrive, Oman has been more moderate in its embrace of change. From the glistening glass towers of Dubai to the jagged mountain scenery and whitewashed villages in the palm groves of Oman, visitors will find a treasure trove of rich experiences.

My recent journey began in a hidden encampment on Oman’s Musandam Peninsula at the Six Senses at Zighy Bay. The first night, I fell asleep in a beachfront one-bedroom pool villa to the sound of waves lapping against the shore; in the morning, I felt refreshed enough to jump off a mountain – literally! Attached to Svetlo and his trusty paraglide, I ran off a cliff and then floated on thermal waves to the sea and resort below. The experience gave me spectacular views of Zighy Bay but this amazing resort offers plenty of diversions that guests can enjoy with their feet firmly planted on the ground or by exploring the emerald green waters off the coast.

From Zighy Bay, I headed to Oman’s capital, Muscat. Oman is truly a mix of old and new: for example, the men wear traditional white dishdashas but often accessorize them with reflective wrap-around sunglasses! Sandwiched between the Hajar Mountains and turquoise sea, the whitewashed buildings of Muscat are stunning. The Chedi and Al Bustan Palace are the perfect spots from which to explore this ancient port city. Beyond the city limits, easy day trips from Muscat bring visitors to villages set amid wadis (dry river beds) and shady palm groves that offer fascinating insight into desert living.

I concluded my journey in Dubai. Once I embraced the spectacle, I found that Dubai was a lot of fun. The Park Hyatt is set on “the Creek” and offers the perfect contrast to the vertical modernity of most of Dubai’s new construction. For those who really want to be in the thick of things, The Address Downtown Burj is a modern hotel with 68 floors offering 360-degree views of Dubai. This sleek hotel felt comfortable yet incredibly chic and was the ultimate celebration of Dubai’s fearless ambition.

I would be happy to talk more about Oman and Dubai to anyone that is interested in visiting. Feel free to contact me or check out our suggested itineraries to Oman or Dubai online!

SASHA’S NOTES

Where to eat:
The restaurant at the Chedi Muscat offers a candlelit courtyard and a chic Arab flavor. In Dubai, Pierchic quite literally brings the sea to you from its stilted perch over the ocean.

What to do:
Paraglide – it will take your breath away but you won’t regret taking the leap! For those who prefer not to be airborne, head out on a sunset dolphin cruise in Muscat or Zighy Bay.

Special extra:
Visit a bedouin family living in Oman’s Wahiba Sands, a shifting sea of dune mountains.

Holly is currently traveling in Egypt and sending some notes to us along the way!

With 5,000 years of history to cover in Egypt, my days have been full of pyramids, tombs, temples and museums. However, I have also been able to find some down time to relax and reflect along the way. As befitting a country with the Nile River as its lifeblood, two of my most blissful moments have been of an aquatic nature.

To me, there are few activities more relaxing and rejuvenating than snorkeling, but as a New Yorker, it’s not something I get to do very often. So, the prospect of a day at Ras Mohammed National Park near Sharm el-Sheik, considered to be one of the world’s top diving and snorkeling sites (along with Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and the Maldives), was an exciting follow-up to a Nile cruise. Ras Mohammed did not disappoint. The sky was pure blue against the Sinai Mountains in the distance. The temperature was ideal, and the water clear and inviting. That first moment when mask meets water always makes me feel as if I’ve passed through a portal to another world. Floating in the warm water, the body relaxes, senses shift as your ears submerge, your sense of smell is negated with the nose encased in the mask, and it becomes all about vision. And what a vision it is! The coral alone is an array of colors and shapes, while the fish provide a never ending parade of every imaginable color. You never know what you’ll see next—a ray lurking below, a school of juvenile fish hiding in a shallow cave, a flash of lapis blue and a chase. In this womb-like state peering through a looking glass to a universe so close yet so different to ours, all my stress and worries disappear and all the troubles of the world above dissipate until the flippers cone off and I again walk upright on land.

After, it was on to Alexandria and then back to Cairo, where I discovered that the Four Seasons Nile Plaza provides its guests with unlimited complimentary access to its serene spa facilities: whirlpool, cold plunge pool, steam room and sauna. It’s a great way to unwind any time during your stay, whether or not you make an appointment for services. After a long day of sightseeing, hotel inspections, and the city’s rush hour traffic, it was a delight to return to the candle-lit whirlpool. Even better, as no other clients were making use of the facilities, I had the luxury of the entire spa to myself, with a helpful attendant supplying me with fresh towels and cucumber water! Somehow, my impending 4AM wake up call for my departure flight didn’t seem so daunting after all…

Bye for now,
Holly

I recently attended the World Savers Congress as part of my duties as a Conde Nast Top Travel Specialist for 2009, and a hot topic was how the travel industry is promoting philanthropy. Edward Norton spoke of his work in Kenya, which focuses on the social and cultural support of the communities around protected areas and was inspired by his own travels to the region. It made me think about how Absolute Travel tries to incorporate and promote philanthropy.

One of the efforts we have made is encouraging our staff to pursue their own independent philanthropic interests throughout our destinations. Katie Losey took an extended leave in Uganda and Rwanda to work towards gorilla conservation. Volcanoes Safaris was integral to her experience, as through them she was introduced to Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, the founder and CEO of Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH). CTPH is an initiative that achieves gorilla conservation by enabling humans, wildlife and livestock to coexist through improving primary healthcare in and around Africa’s protected areas. When Katie returned we all shared in her adventures and her passion for the work she had done. As a result Katie and our webmaster worked with CTPH to develop a website for their project so they can have greater exposure for their amazing work. Photos from Katie’s adventures are on our website and will hopefully get our clients excited and thinking about what they might want to do while traveling. We can’t always control what our clients want or will do, but we can embrace our own passions for our destinations and work to preserve the communities and places that we love!

- by Leslie Overton