By Shereen Shabnam Dubrovnik in Croatia is a city for all seasons and one of the world’s most prominent tourist destinations. Surrounded by unique medieval ramparts, Dubrovnik attracts visitors for its rich history, mild climate, traditional hospitality and its many festivals, open-air events and architectural treasures. I spent a few days exploring Dubrovnik, a UNESCO registered protected world heritage site during the evening and enjoyed the charm of bustling streets, historic buildings, colourful art and different cultural events. Walking along the promenade during the day meant coming across various art and artefacts on sale as well as live music performances. The … Continue reading Historic Grandeur: Dubrovnik, Croatia

Seville, Granada and Cordoba By Shereen Shabnam Ever since I bought a home in Spain, visiting Andalusia, a Moorish empire named for Al-Andalus (Arabic for “land of the west”) has always been top of my agenda to immerse myself in the history and character of the Iberian Peninsula. My last Andalusian road adventure lasted three weeks filled wandering through narrow, white washed alleys, relaxing siesta, tapas bars, historical monuments, lush green gardens and so much more. I drove to over nine cities but my experiences in Seville, Granada and Cordoba were the most memorable. Seville I started my journey from … Continue reading On The Road in Andalusia

Shereen Shabnam I fell in love with Biarritz the minute I got off the train. Facing the Ocean Atlantic and on the beach “La Grande Plage de Biarritz” near the city center of Biarritz, the prestigious sea side deluxe Hotel du Palais of Biarritz was breathtaking at first sight. Walking into the reception area, I had images of the past filled with memories of Gala evenings and stately affairs of the past era. During one of my visits to France over the last few years, I go back in time when I experienced the best of all that a luxury … Continue reading An Aura of Elegance: Hotel Du Palais

Shereen Shabnam After a few delightful days in Prague, we took a train to Budapest to experience the city’s rich history, natural sites and their thermal springs.  I expected my second visit to Budapest to be an adventure going into areas not discovered in my first trip but I was drawn once again into doing everything I did before and more.  The Danube cruise is magical and the view of the city from Gellert Hill is a breathtaking experience as always but Budapest has so much more to offer. My first task was to find a hotel conveniently located in … Continue reading Return to Budapest

Shereen Shabnam India has always been an interesting destination with fascinating diversity but now it is on the top of the list for tour operators and others in the industry for short breaks and wellness retreats. Regional residents always look at India for medical tourism and wellness sector. It is a multi-faceted tourist destination for Luxury, Wildlife and Wellness. India is also poised to become the hub for medical tourism because of several factors. World class hospitals with latest technology, highly skilled Indian physicians and surgeons, low cost of treatment, excellent quality of care, nursing and Indian hospitality, comparatively less … Continue reading Incredible India: A sanctuary for wellness retreats

Shereen Shabnam As a Lifestyle, Travel and Motoring journalist, I spend a substantial amount of time on the road and recently, I decided to do my test drives with a purpose and with the aim of getting to a new or attraction around the different Emirates. Below are some of my favourite places in the different Emirates. Al Khor Kayak – Al Rafisah Dam During a recent test drive with the Nissan Xterra, I stopped at the Al Rafisah Dam in Khor Fakkan with my daughter and enjoyed kayaking amidst stunning hilly landscapes complete with a mini waterfall followed by … Continue reading Top five places to visit in the UAE