TRAVEL NEWS Burma: back on the travel map
TRAVEL 67
ING HOPPgato CLUB 30/0 r Split 7 - Navi WEEK to Dubrovnik • Makarska - Arrivals Hall @ Club Deep featuring Tony Juranovic
BURMA BACK ON TRACK
• Bol - Tiki Night. Hawaiian Shirts &
Explore is re-introducing tours to Burma after a 16-year absence. The adventure travel company is relaunching the destination in response to a relaxation of the boycott on tourism to the country. “Rich in colonial history, it is almost as if Burma has been left in a timewarp. Largely untouched by tourism, it currently offers just 9000 hotel beds,” Explore managing director Ashley Toft said. After the appeals of Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Explore will not be using junta-owned hotels, flights or other services. The operator plans to minimise customer contact with the government as much as possible. Toft added: “In a recent interview for the BBC’s Reith Lectures, Aung San Suu Kyi
• Korcula - Dos Locos Street Party • Mljet - Captains Party @ The Dock • Dubrovnik - Slims Cocktail Mixer
encouraged (tourism) institutions to help the people of Burma, while conserving its environment.” Explore’s new two-week tour of Burma costs from £1922, including flights, B&B accommodation and transport. Trip highlights include Inle Lake, home to stilted villages and floating gardens, where fishermen are famous for the “leg-rowing” style they have developed. Travellers will also see Mandalay, the last royal capital of the Burmese kingdom, and Rangoon (Yangon), Burma’s former capital. Customers can enjoy a £100 discount on all November departure dates booked by August 15 if they quote “Burma offer” at the time of booking. See explore.co.uk.
Sharm top for scuba diving
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Sharm El Sheikh has swum to the top of a list of top scubadiving spots. In spite of Egypt’s political problems earlier this year, the Red Sea resort has increased its strength as a diver’s paradise, according to search figures by Cheapflights.co.uk. Famous for its variety of coral and first-class wreck dives, the resort’s marine life includes clownfish, sea eels and blacktip reef sharks. Sharm also boasts a lively nightlife scene, with a raft of bars and clubs.
Dive in
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef was the next popular dive site thanks to its 1500 species of fish including dolphins, sea turtles and whales. Other top dive destinations were Cuba’s Pinar Del Rio region, the Maldives and Malaysian Borneo, a hit with advanced divers.
SEXY SWEDES Sweden has been hailed the best-looking nation in the world, following closely by Brazil, Italy and Spain. That’s the verdict by holidaymakers who voted in a sunshine.co.uk poll. Also in the top 10 list of sexy countries were Australia, England, Austria, Cuba, Russia and Singapore.
VLOG ON DUDE Busabout is encouraging its past, present and future passengers to share their travel experiences with
Grass Skirts
• Vis - Mutiny Boat Party @ The Dock • Hvar - Nautica Bar & Veranda Club featuring Fredja & Baéko c Dior
@ Sky Bar featuring Slim
7 Days from £669 (Split to Dubrovnik on a Premier Boat)
4 Days from £339 (Split to Hvar or Hvar to Dubrovnik)
Other Event Dates: 24.09: Endless Summer Week 01.10: Rocktober Fest
See our website for details:
www.sail-croatia.com Aussie vloggers Louna and Stefan who will be uploading video blogs about their tour through Europe this summer. The pair will be travelling with Busabout for two months from July 7. See youtube.com/user/ Busabout TV.
DUBLIN HOSTEL Generator Hostels is offering 500 beds from £8.90 at its new Dublin hostel. Facilities include a VIP suite with its own jacuzzi, and a selfservice Guinness bar. See generatorhostels.com.
tntmagazine.com