De Luxe
Editors Letter Time and time again we have seen people making the classic mistake where Africa & the Middle East is concerned – dismissing it as nothing more than a destination for desert tours and safaris. If you are dead set on sticking to this misconception then we aim to please with our coverage of everything from the Kruger National Park in South Africa through to camel tours in the Negev Desert of Israel. However, if you are looking for inspiration and want to open your eyes to the bigger picture then there is a whole new world out there to discover. Take Morocco for example, from huge mountain regions to wide beautiful beaches, which pass over to endless desert – you have everything you could possibly want to whet your appetite. While we are on the subject of appetite we have also thrown in a look at the famous cuisine of this fantastic North African country courtesy of Faim d’Epices. The Luxury Travel Guide – Africa & Middle East Edition is here to show you the spectacular variety that you can find across the entire region. Although we aim to take some of the strain off you when it comes to picking between the vital itineraries and must see attractions we also anticipate that we will cause a headache or two by serving up some unexpected treats and intriguing alternatives such as Iraq and Namibia. Yet again we have utilised the extensive knowledge and unbounded enthusiasm offered by some of the best experts from around the continent such as Deen Samson of Africa Origin in Ghana and the returning Andre Hunter whose company Hunter1 Enterprises offers a luxury concierge and security service across the Middle East. With over 100 years experience and several thousand accumulative tours our many experts live and breathe for this life so there really is no better way to unlock the secrets of your chosen destination. As well as our countless experts we have also tapped into the knowledge of our well travelled editorial team to take a look at everything from the pyramids of Egypt to the Winelands of the Cape. Given the fact that Africa has gained the royal approval – with Prince William and Kate Middleton honeymooning in the Seychelles last year – it would be crazy for us not to follow up our previous guides feature on weddings and honeymoons. We have also continued to showcase the very finest hotels and spas as well as honouring those companies that have offered a standout service across the entire tourism industry with our Africa Travel Awards. For now though, the time has come to consider where your next excursion will take place. Do you want to go in search of the Big Five in the safari hotspots like Kenya and South Africa? Or maybe even the desert heartlands of the Sahara and Kalahari? Then there’s the colourful culture and tribal traditions dotted around the entire continent. Either way, we hope you enjoy this guide as much as we know you will enjoy your African & Middle Eastern excursion.
James Drakeford
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