wakeboarding dubai

A thrill-seekers guide to Dubai

See & Do

It may be best known for its malls and man-made beaches, but when it comes to outdoor activities, Dubai has a ‘go hard or go home’ kind of ethos. If you’re looking for heart-pumping action and epic adventure, the city promises the trip of a lifetime. All of the shisha and selfies by the pool can wait – it’s time to channel your inner Stallone. From quad biking to wakeboarding, Dubai is truly a thrill-seeker’s dream. Here are the best ways to get your adrenaline fix in the desert city.

Marrakech

Destination

Let’s get one thing clear. Marrakech holidays aren’t all souqs and spices. Yes, you can liven up your Middle Eastern dishes with some aromatic purchases from a Moroccan gent, but your suitcase may never smell the same again. Far better to appreciate those heady scents and save your dirhams for something even Ocado’s well stocked shelves can’t provide. Adventures. Surf some of Africa’s longest waves, tee off on some very well-to-do golf courses or hike to – and gawp at – some plunging waterfalls.

Tokyo sun down

Tokyo

Destination

The bright lights of Tokyo are as alluring as they are blinding, but it isn’t all skyscrapers, sushi, and singing toilets. The Japanese capital is full of amazing natural beauties, quirky little stores, and enough cool hole in the wall bars to satiate anybody’s hankering for a drink. You can go from feeling anonymous with the hordes at Shibuya Crossing to frolicking around in nature within half an hour, and all on some of the quickest, cleanest, and most reliable public transport in the world.

Golf des dunes

Golf in Morocco: Teeing off in Marrakech

See & Do

Sweeping Sahara dunes, camel rides and souq shopping rarely lend themselves to a sturdy 18 holes of technical golf. But from the arid ground of Marrakech, a golfing mecca has risen from the dusty, red streets. Gone are the barren wastes. Well, mostly. There’s still a chance to get trapped in some pretty horrific desert rough if your swing has a touch of slice. But keep on the straight and narrow and some world class fairways and pacey greens are yours to stride through.

Eating in Tokyo

Three courses, one city: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner in Tokyo

Food & Drink

The magic of Japanese food cannot be overstated. From the moreish umami of soy sauce to the lighter than air takes on western baked goods, there really is something for everyone in this vast sea of flavour. Naturally, Tokyo is the epicentre of the Japanese food scene: it’s home to some of the best restaurants, cafes, and confectionary stores in the world, as well as fish and seafood markets that stretch farther than the eye can see. Trying to figure out where to eat here can be a battle with choice fatigue, especially when convenience stores sell better food than most restaurants in other countries. However, even in this foodie utopia there are some restaurants that stand out. If you’re looking for an unforgettable week of meals, then we’ve got you covered.

Konica Minolta Planetarium

Weird & Wonderful Tokyo

See & Do

Gaijin’s galore always wax lyrical about all the crazy things to do in Tokyo, and their amazement isn’t without reason. Japanese culture is very alien to the West in many ways, but this doesn’t always mean eating raw fish or sleeping during your fifteen-hour shift at work. The weird and wonderful activities you can get up to whilst visiting are a massive tourism draw in Tokyo, and even if you’re the most ardent lover of Japanese culture, you’re bound to find something unique and, in many ways, shocking when you visit. These delights range from the sublime to the ridiculous, but, like most things in Tokyo, are easily accessible for a memorable experience. Hold onto your hats, because we’re delving deep into Tokyo culture to show you the strangest things the Japanese capital has to offer.

Rainbow Bridge

3 days in Tokyo

Guides & Tips

In a city of almost ten million that spans just over 2,000 square kilometres, trying to figure out the ideal Tokyo itinerary can feel a bit daunting. This is doubly the case when you only have limited time, which many do as their trip to the Japanese capital is part of a larger adventure in which they’ve planned to see the entire country. It can be overwhelming to try and cram in all the sights, sounds, and tastes that Tokyo has to offer, but we’re here to help you with our perfect three-day Tokyo itinerary.

Sensoji Temple

Through the lens: Tokyo photography

Guides & Tips

Tokyo is a city of extremes, housing thousand-year-old temples and towering skyscrapers. It’s an urban jungle with enough green space to escape into. All in all, it’s an excellent place to snap a few photos, no matter what type of photography you’re into. Cityscapes, natural splendour, and intriguing street photography: you can do it all in a day here, if you so please. Of course, some shots are overdone and, frankly, overrated, but we’ve developed our knowledge to show you the best places to memorialise your Tokyo adventure.

Meguro River

Tokyo cherry blossoms in bloom

Guides & Tips

The blooming of the cherry blossom (or Sakura, as they’re known in the native language) is one of the most anticipated and famous events in Japan, especially in the capital city. Those who venture to Tokyo in early spring are rewarded with the gentle beauty of this natural phenomenon, as the plants bud and burst into life and colour. The custom of attributing importance to these trees started with “hanami”, or drinking under the blooming trees to bring good luck, and has now exploded into a national trend which vast swathes of the population indulge in.