Monthly Archives: June 2020

When thinking of a tourist destination, you have without a doubt dreamed of picturesque islands with soft sandy beaches, and crystal clear waters, all accompanied by cool crisp air that can only come from relaxing in front of the calming waves of the Indian Ocean. Zanzibar, the name alone evokes images of a calming tropical paradise worth your time.

The Zanzibar Archipelago is one of the best tourist destinations for people who love sand, sun, and swimming. The island offers smells, sights, tastes, and experiences that will relax and feed your soul; while at the same time offer you the much-needed rejuvenation of creativity, and passion. It is the ideal place to get away from busy city life, and it has a lot more to offer than you think.

The Blissful Beaches

Situated on the Swahili Coast, Zanzibar is home to some of the most blissful beaches in the world. The balmy weather, paired with warm tropical waters creates the ultimate tropical paradise. The archipelago is known for clear waters, rich marine diversity, and abundance in thriving coral reefs making it a perfect underwater destination. You expect to enjoy snorkelling, diving, swimming, windsurfing, kite-boarding water-skiing, and even island hopping. The calming sound of gentle waves and cool breeze make the perfect conditions for sunbathing on the beach on a lazy day.

One of the best things about Zanzibar is that you can escape the crowds to do your own thing. The neighbouring islands of Pemba, Mafia, Chumbe, and Mnemba are the perfect places to get away and enjoy stretches of beach to yourself. There are over 50 islands in this archipelago, each with many charming lodging places to choose from. You can rent a scooter to explore the coastline at your own pace or go on tailor-made adventures to the lesser-known corners of the islands.

The Culture, and Architecture

Zanzibar has a colourful history and rich heritage thanks to strong Arabic, Indian, African, Persian, and European influences. The unique history of the town will add a vibrant dimension to the island. One of the most famous historic hubs is Stone Town’s old quarter, where you can explore a captivating mix of diverse architecture represented in mosques, and houses.

It is here that you will also find old mansions and houses such as the old Turkish Baths, and the House of Wonders. Finally, be sure to visit the lively bazaars, market stalls, and shops where you will interact with the locals and experience Taraab music; a blend of classical Swahili poetry, percussion, and rhythm infused with a myriad of influences from the Middle East, Africa, India, and the West.

The Exotic Spices

A trip to Zanzibar is not complete without the unique scents of spice farms and processing plants to fulfil your aroma aesthetic needs. Zanzibar is popularly known as the spice island. It is where most farming and processing of aromatic spices such as cloves, turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemongrass, and black pepper takes place. Anticipate visiting plantations to learn about the history of these crops and their medicinal and culinary uses.

There are probably a thousand reasons why you should hop on a plane and head floating down the Mississippi River. Perhaps the most compelling reason is the vibrant and eccentric city of New Orleans. Filled with friendly people, lively music, and divine delicacies, New Orleans is the city where anyone can find something to enjoy. In this city, adventures are constantly underway, and you will always find jazz music on every corner you turn.

The French founded this city, then spent a few years under Spanish rule before the French took over again just before the Louisiana Purchase. You will notice that the French law played a big part in how the streets are named. Moreover, the city has a blend of influences, including African, Caribbean, Irish, German, and Sicilian. This combination of forces led to development over the years, represented in cuisine, art, festivals, beliefs, and of course, music.

The Haven of Live Music

Whatever genre you prefer, New Orleans is always serving up a variety of live music shows at day and night. Known as the birthplace of Jazz, the streets of New Orleans are crawling with talented musicians who fill the air with musical tunes. The ambiance of this city is unlike any other, as you will always hear catchy and vibrant music everywhere you go. It is a go-to destination for music lovers and people who love to dance. Best of all, the locals are always dancing and will encourage you to join them in this engaging experience.

Moreover, annually, during the last weekend of April and the first weekend of May, you can experience the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. The festival hosts thousands of local bands, artists, cultural displays and performances as well as a slew of international headliners in a vibrant, friendly, mostly outdoor atmosphere.

Tantalize Your Taste Buds

Expect nothing but spicy food when you try any of the New Orleans signature dishes. The springtime comes with the abundant blessing of crawfish boils in restaurants, street places, and residences. Who makes the best? It is hard to tell because you will rarely find bad crawfish in this city. Learn for the locals how to accurately ‘pinch the tails and suck the heads’; you will be rewarded with a mouthful of spicy flavor.

The Greatest Free Show on Earth

Your trip to New Orleans would not end without experiencing the famous Mardi Gras festival. This city-wide celebration is unlike no other and runs for two weeks. The celebrations include almost daily parades where you are free to wear colorful costumes. Entertainment and festivities increase the intensity of the festival, as onlookers crowd balconies and sidewalks to catch strings of beaded necklaces tossed from the outrageously decorated floats. Best of all, you can drink as much as is humanly possible thanks to the beauty of a legal drink ‘to-go.’ Also, be prepared to experience real southern hospitality from the locals. The residents of New Orleans share good-natured humor, eccentricities, and a fondness for all of the attractions above. Best of all, they have a sense of pride that is infectious and memorable.