|
|
Alternatives for Business Travelers
"I'm coming home. I've been away too long. Been away so long. I'm coming home" – Ian Thomas, in Coming Home
I still recall my road warrior days. It seemed like every other week, I was hopping on a plane for Orlando or Vancouver or Palm...
Benidorm And Alicante Are Like Child's Play
Everything seems to be ideal when planning your holidays in Benidorm and the its surrounding towns. The geographical location between two mountain ranges gives it its fantastic climate; over 356 days of sunshine and comfortable temperatures in...
Costa Rica Visitors Guide
Costa Rica is a wonderful place to visit with your family or even alone. Many couples honeymoon in Costa Rica combining romance, adventure and mystical visits to volcanoes, rainforest's, waterfalls, and secluded beaches. Our goal here is to provide...
Spain´s Hotels - Why Not Pick A Parador
Spain has a super selection of hotels and you will surely discover something to suit all tastes and pockets. Whilst most visitors holidaying in Spain from abroad tend to stick to the stereo-typed hotel chains for their vacations, Paradores make a...
Three ‘HOT TICKET’ events from Superbreak
Guys And Dolls, Ascot @ York And The Grand Prix Three of the UK’s ‘hot tickets’ events of 2005 are available from Superbreak http://www.superbreak.com. The short break specialist has put together accommodation packages to the new Guys and Dolls...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Zanzibar - A Magnet for Adventurers, Men-of God, Explorers and Conquerors
Those who have not been to Zanzibar will be surprised that despite its big name, it is only a small part of Tanzania. Zanzibar encompasses the main island of Ugunja, its twin Pemba and several small islets. A shallow channel 37km across at the nearest point separates it from the African mainland. As the crow flies, it is 73 km from Dar es Salaam and 219 km from Mombasa in Kenya.
Zanzibar is referred to as the Spice Islands with good reason. The fragrant scents of cloves, cardamom, nutmeg and vanilla hung in the warm tropical air. To this day sailors claim that they can recognise the aroma of the islands even when far out at sea. Surely, not even die-hard fans of the Spice Girls can claim anything similar. But the spice business is relatively recent, less than 200 years old. It is the fascinating history of the islands that evokes the image of magic and romance in the minds of visitors.
The charms of Zanzibar have at one time or another lured a vast array of adventurers, men-of God, explorers, traders and conquerors. The diligent time traveler will sight footprints of Bantu Africans, Phoenicians, Persians, Assyrians, Sumerians, Egyptians, Chinese, Indians, Malays, Portuguese, English, Dutch and Omani Arabs. That is why a visit to Zanzibar leaves a much more lasting impression than your usual island destination.
The first people to settle on the islands were Bantu Africans from the continental mainland. The assistance of the trade winds eventually brought in Shirazi Persians and Omani Arabs from about AD 700. Then commencing early sixteenth century, the Portuguese dominated the East African coast including Zanzibar for nearly 200 years. Sensing the decline of Portugal as a world power Omani Arabs invaded and subdued the Islands. The Omani Sultan was so excited about the prospects of riches from the Islands that he actually relocated here. The magnet was ivory and slaves.
The slave business was thoroughly unwholesome as you can well imagine. Zanzibar was the transit market of slaves coming over from raids in the interior. David Livingstone, the missionary and explorer had traveled extensively in the interior and was greatly offended by the practice and impact of the slave trade. This man-of-God managed to provoke liberal opinion in Britain, which led to action by the Royal Navy. For the sake of humanity, Zanzibar became a British Protectorate in 1890. And for the sake of smooth administration, power was finally transferred to the gentle hands of the King of England in 1913.
As a modern day explorer, Zanzibar welcomes you to peek at the rich heritage whose testimony is in the architecture and culture of its people. The cultural heart of Zanzibar is Stone Town, which is little touched by the hand of time. It is here that the association with "a thousand and one nights" comes alive. You will find narrow winding streets, bazaars, mosques, fortresses and a Persian style public bathhouse.
There are also palaces and grand houses whose magnificent proportions and extravagant decor does justice to the term "oriental splendour". Remember to pay homage to Dr. Livingstone by visiting the house named after him - where he stayed for 3 months in 1866. The Cathedral Church of Christ, on the site of the open slave market, is of historical interest and for the devout is the appropriate place to pray for the souls of those who perished in the slave trade.
For an all-in view of Zanzibar, a "Spice Tour" is recommended. This will include ruins of palaces and ancient mosques', a Sultans harem, the Mangapwani slave
caves and of course the spice plantations after which Zanzibar takes its trade name. Nature lovers may also want to take in Jozani Forest located 35 km from the city. This area of thick forest is one of the few remaining sanctuaries of the red colobus monkey.
Zanzibar is after all an island and the usual delights of a beach destination are available. Break your sight seeing by relaxing at the brilliant white beaches and soak in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. The choice for Zanzibar hotels and resorts is wide ranging. There are also plenty of opportunities for fishing and watersports. Pemba Island has its own unique attractions and snorkeling and scuba diving are particularly good here. The Pemba channel across from the main island is reputed to have some of the best game fishing anywhere in the world.
Mnemba Island, off the north coast of the main island is very exclusive. Condé Nast Traveller has picked it as one of the three most romantic ocean destinations in the world. That super model Naomi Campbell and her beautiful friends have been here is proof enough for me. I also think the earlier Sultan's would be much pleased to know that the Sultan of Software, Bill Gates has been on holiday in this very island.
To further enhance your experience in this part of the world consider making Zanzibar your base to partake of a Tanzania safari or scale mighty Kilimanjaro. You will be following in the footsteps of David Livingstone and the earlier explorers who used Zanzibar as their base for expeditions to the African mainland.
Zanzibar has two main festivals of interest to visitors: the Zanzibar Cultural Festival and The Zanzibar International Film Festival. The cultural festival is held in the July-August period and is marked with taarab traditional music and dance and display of arts and crafts. It also includes street carnivals, canoe races, bull fighting and fairs. Participants come from as far away as Germany and China though most are from Zanzibar itself and nearby countries.
The film festival celebrates the culture of the "Dhow Countries" and is staged in the first week of July. I can inform the curious that the countries enjoined here include those on the eastern seaboard of the African continent, India, Pakistan, the Gulf states, Iran and the Indian Ocean. Participants come from the world over. The heart of the event is the screening of competition and non-competition events. Other activities associated with the festival are dance and music performance, workshops and exhibitions on the culture of the Dhow countries. Zanzibar is a hot and humid place, tempered only by sea breezes. The wettest period is April and May with a shorter and lighter wet season in November. The mean minimum and maximum temperatures are between 30 and 33 degrees centigrade. December to March is hot and dry while June to October is the period when it is coolest and driest.
Copyright © Africa Point
About the Author
Andrew Muigai is editor of AfricaPoint Insider online newsletter. It is part of AfricaPoint.com- the Africa travel website that has helped thousands of travelers discover Africa. You can view more info on Tanzania safari and tours at the website.
|
|
|
|
|
Holidays on the Net - Welcome |
Includes music, graphics, historical information, suggested activities, kids pages, links, and other features for most holidays. |
www.holidays.net |
  |
Kids Domain - Holidays |
HOLIDAY FUN with crafts, recipes, printables, games and activity suggestions for your family to enjoy. |
www.kidsdomain.com |
  |
Earth Calendar |
Every day is a celebration! The Earth Calendar is an online calendar of holidays and observances around the world. |
www.earthcalendar.net |
  |
Federal Holidays Calendars from 1997 to 2010 |
Offers a list of federally-recognized holidays celebrated in the United States. |
www.opm.gov |
  |
TELETEXT HOLIDAYS : Cheap Flights, Last Minute Deals, Ski Holidays ... |
Search for package holidays from over 250 tour operators, find last minute charter flights, ski holidays, snow reports, cruises, destination guides and ... |
www.teletextholidays.co.uk |
  |
Thomson.co.uk - Great Value Holidays from the UK's no.1 Tour Operator |
Thomson Holidays Online offer cheap package holidays, flights, sun holidays, faraway holidays to exotic destinations, late deals, city breaks, hotel booking ... |
www.thomson.co.uk |
  |
Holiday - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
4.1 Holidays traditionally in the winter holiday season ... Public holidays can be either religious, in which case they reflect the dominant religion in a ... |
en.wikipedia.org |
  |
Bargain holidays and cheap flights from Bargainholidays.com |
Choose from 2 million+ late availability cheap flights and last minute bargain holiday packages departing from the UK. Order online from an ABTA bonded and ... |
www.bargainholidays.com |
  |
First Choice - Book your dream holiday online - Great value ... |
Find great value package holidays online with First Choice. Book last-minute holidays, all inclusive holidays, family holidays and villa holidays. |
www.firstchoice.co.uk |
  |
Holidays Around the World for K-12 |
Holiday Internet links for US and international holidays, religious holidays, and a holiday calendar for K-12. |
falcon.jmu.edu |
  |
Holidays - cheap holidays, bargain holidays and bank holiday deals ... |
Book your cheap holidays and bargain bank holidays at lastminute.com. |
www.lastminute.com |
  |
Cheap holidays and package holiday discounts - Holiday.co.uk |
Cheap Holidays and package deals from all the major UK tour operators including Airtours, Argo, Avro, Balkan, Club 18-30, Cosmos, Crystal, First Choice, ... |
www.holiday.co.uk |
  |
Virgin Holidays |
Tour operator offering holidays to mainland USA, the Caribbean, the Far East, South Africa and Mauritius as well as a ski programme in California and New ... |
www.virginholidays.co.uk |
  |
Saga Holidays, Travel Insurance, Short Breaks, Vacations, cruises |
Specialists in providing travel services to people over 50. Details of river and sea cruises, resort holidays, tours, short breaks, special interest and ... |
holidays.saga.co.uk |
  |
Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators - Holiday Information |
A categorized, annotated list of over 2500 sites to help educators, teachers, and parents enhance instruction and support the curriculum. |
school.discovery.com |
  |
Queensland Holidays - Queensland Holidays |
Queensland Tourism & Travel Advice - Find accommodation, events & activities as well as special packages & deals - Queensland Holidays. |
www.queenslandholidays.com.au |
  |
BBC - Holiday |
Information on worldwide destinations as covered in the series, plus advice and travel information, presenters, message boards and postcards. |
www.bbc.co.uk |
  |
COSMOS - Package Holidays, All Inclusive Holidays, Self Catering ... |
Looking for cheap holidays online? COSMOS offer great value deals on package holidays, all inclusive holidays self catering holidays, villa holidays ... |
www.cosmos.co.uk |
  |
Late Holiday Deals and Discount Holidays at DirectHolidays.co.uk |
Book late holiday deals online at Direct Holidays - discount breaks to destinations around the world. |
www.directholidays.co.uk |
  |
Contiki Holidays - Holiday packages for 18 to 35 Year Olds |
Contiki Holidays offers holiday packages and budget travel tours for 18 - 35 year olds including destinations to Europe and the UK, Asia, Latin America, ... |
www.contiki.com |
  |
|