I’m calling it now – at just three hours from Doha and with wine and natural beauty for days, Tbilisi, Georgia could well be the perfect Post- COVID vacation destination. And with the country open to tourism and accepting fully vaccinated travelers (with documentation), there has never been a better time to go. Here’s my guide to getting there, getting in, where to stay and importantly how to get back! Getting there Tbilisi is just three hours and five minutes flight time from Doha on Qatar Airways. At the time of writing flights were arriving at a challenging 1am so factor that into travel plans. Flights start at QR2795 return…
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Seven Reasons to Visit Doha in 2019
It’s official – Doha is one of the world’s hottest destinations right now and this has been confirmed by both the Forbes Travel Guide and the New York Times. And with the 2019 Asian Football Cup under its belt, the 2022 World Cup coming in hot and a string of exciting new openings and events in between, there is no better time to visit Doha. In addition, Qatar has been named one of the safest countries in the world and thanks to the nation’s flagship carrier, you can easily access Doha from one of its 160 plus destinations around the globe. Here are my top reasons by you should visit Doha…
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The Five Best Hotel Loyalty Schemes
As brands fight for our ever diminishing travel dollar, and travelers become more budget savvy, there has never been a better time to be a member of a hotel loyalty program. While you can expect discounted room rates and a chance to earn points for free nights, not all programs are created equal – some offer more freebies for your membership. Here are my top five loyalty schemes and what you can expect to gain from them: Ritz Carlton Rewards/Marriott Rewards/Starwood Preferred Guest Now these three giants of the hotel industry are in the process of merging, you can link your accounts for extra earning power as well as match…
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How to Make the Most of a 48 Hour Stopover in Doha
I love a good stopover – it’s a chance to regroup at the end of a trip or fire up the start of a vacation – get in the mood so to speak. Or just slip in and sample a new destination with minimal fuss. Whatever the reason, a stopover can end up being one of the highlights of your trip. With Qatar now offering visa free travel to Qatar for 80 nationalities and Qatar Airways offering free stopovers, it’s never been easier to visit Doha on a stopover. And why not? The city makes the perfect halfway point between Asia, Africa and Europe and has some great connections to…
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Five Reasons Why India Should Be On Your Travel Bucket List
I have a confession. It wasn’t until I moved to the Middle East that I even considered India as a travel destination. I’d always considered it to be a little too confronting. Too big. Too crazy. Too dirty. Then around five years ago, I finally made a decision. I took a deep breath and booked a trip to Delhi. It was a revelation. Organized chaos and a riot of colors and smells, yet also somehow addictive. So if you are on the fence about India and in honor of their amazing festival Diwali, here’s five reasons why you should take the plunge. THE FOOD: This goes without saying but the…
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Five Reasons Why Dublin Makes the Perfect Summer Getaway
Without delving too far into the implications that this story makes about my current age, I last visited Ireland around 22 years ago as a young, starry-eyed Australian lass. I took the ferry from France, it was a long and choppy crossing but it was very exciting to get a stamp in my then freshly minted passport. “Where are you from then young lady?” the Immigration agent at Rosslare asked. “Australia? Well, it’s changed a lot since when your ancestors probably left here!” (His correct assumption being that my ancestors were Irish and convicts). Fast forward to July 2017 and I am standing at the Immigration counter of the Dublin…
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Seven Hacks to Ensure You Have the Best Hotel Stay Possible
I have to be honest, I am a five star gal. I love a good hotel and all the trimmings that come with it. And who doesn’t? But we all know the five star life comes with a five star price. And while I don’t mind paying for the experience, I also want to ensure I get value for money. With hotels facing competition from the likes of Airbnb and similar, they are working harder than ever to get your business. I’ve compiled my seven best “hotel hacks” for getting the best price, a nice room and even some extra benefits for your next stay: Pay for Club Floor Access As an…
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Five Reasons to Make Bali Your Next Holiday Destination
Bali has long been on my travel radar, primarily because of its proximity to Australia. Mate, Bali is cheaper than many domestic holiday options for Aussies. But since moving to Doha, with Europe and South Asia on my door step, my travel-related attention has been elsewhere. This trip had been long-planned. When I say “planned”, I mean, AZ and I had blocked the time in our busy calendars and had a vague agreement about the destination. But then, as always seems to happen with us, events intervened. After much consternation (I’m going, not going, going, not going), we decided (literally the day before I flew) this would be another solo trip…
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To the Point – Using Qatar Airways Privilege Club Program to Your Advantage
It’s a truth universally acknowledged that I love to travel but loathe having to pay top dollar for it. As a result, I am not one of those people who hoards their frequent flyer points – use them or lose them I say. I used to be promiscuous with my flying habits, spreading my love between many airlines. But around four years ago I decided to be exclusive and pool all my points/credits/hopes and dreams with one airline – Qatar Airways. This made sense for me – I liked direct the flights, loved the product and importantly, they joined the One World alliance, giving me more options for earning points. While people…
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Nine Reasons You Should Be Taking Your Next International Flight on Qatar Airways
Let me give you some (free) advice. Ignore what you are reading about Qatar at the moment. Regardless of what you think you know, it’s been exaggerated (and I should know, I used to be a journalist). Qatar is safe, peaceful and happens to have one of the world’s best airlines, Qatar Airways as its national carrier. I’ve been a customer of the airline for 10 years, exclusively for the past four years, and I can honestly say it’s in a realm of its own. So, with the Summer approaching, you should consider this airline for your next trip for the reasons for the following reasons: Free Stopover You heard me.…
