Brazil will soon be within easy reach for Emirates passengers, with just over six weeks to go until the launch of the first ever non-stop flight between Dubai and Sao Paulo. The six-a-week service, which begins on 1st October, will be the first time that the Middle East and Brazil have been connected by a direct air link.

Emirates will operate the technologically-advanced Boeing 777-200LR, the latest addition to its expanding fleet of over 100 wide-bodied aircraft, on the Dubai-Sao Paulo route. This aircraft features eight luxurious private suites in First Class, 42 of its latest lie-flat seats in Business and has a generous space for 216 passengers in Economy. The Boeing 777-200LR will also offer shippers up to 18 tonnes of cargo capacity.

“With the growing demand from leisure and business travellers, both from across the Emirates network and in South America, Emirates is confident that the new service will prove to be a very popular route.”
The schedule for the non-stop service will be:

For some, planning a trip is half the fun while others wish that someone else could take care of it for them. So for those who fall into the latter group I have assembled together a checklist of the things that I've had to deal with in planning an overseas trip.

1. Organizing Your Visa's If Needed
Visas can be a bureaucratic mind field. It can be costly and take days for it to get organized. So it is wise to know before you leave whether or not your intended country you wish to visit requires a visa upon entry.

I know for me I won't be needing any visas for my visit to Hong Kong, Europe and the USA but this could be different depending on which country of origin you come from. I will also be staying in each place for no longer than 2 months which satisfies their requirements. If you are travelling it is wise to check the countries visa conditions just to be sure. You can find out more information from your travel agent or contact the countries embassy or consulate.

2. Getting Immunized
Getting health shots is something many travellers simply ignore or neglect to do prior to their trip. I know I have travelled overseas without getting immunized before and I came back fine without any problems. But it's a risk I probably wouldn't want to take again. The sooner you get your rounds of immunizations started the better, so it is wise that once you have booked your tickets you should make a visit to your local GP and discuss your immunization needs relevant to where you are intending on go.

There are many private health clinics which specialize on providing travel health advice. Personally I think they are overpriced and aren't worth going to considering they have a vested interest in selling you vaccinations whether or not you really need them. Your family doctor is more than capable of helping you out with your immunizations and they will most likely give you better advice as they have your medical history.

The good thing is that many of the shots you need will last you a very long time and others will just be boosters to supplant what you had taken in your childhood days.

3. Organize Travel Insurance
It goes without saying that getting travel insurance is a wise investment to take out on your health and well being. The trip of a lifetime could turn into a journey to hell without adequate insurance. Cancellations, lost luggage, accidents and illnesses can all ruin your dream holiday. Some countries have very expensive medical care and if you get yourself into trouble and require medical care it can really cost you considerably if you hadn't taken out insurance.

Policies and fine print vary from one company to another so its something that you don't want to leave till the last minute.It is worth taking a look and comparing a few policies to determine which one is most suitable for your needs. Remember, it's bad enough having your holiday spoiled. It's even worse to be faced with a huge bill afterwards. The wise say, if you can't afford travel insurance you can't afford the trip.

4. Take Care Of Your Responsibilities While Away
Just because you have taken off on a trip doesn't mean bills and mail cease. For shorter trips this will be less of a concern but for longer travels it's important to consider how your bills and mail will be taken care off. A good idea is to leave it to someone who is responsible that you can trust to pay your bills while you are away. Usually this will be a family member. With the growing use of online banking you can also setup automatic bill payments while you are away.

If you have pets this is a good time to consider how they will be taken care off. Will you leave them with friends or family. You want your holiday to be stress free and knowing that everything is being taken care off at home will provide a good sense of relief.

5. Consider Ways To Stay Connected To Friends And Family While Abroad
For most people staying connected to love ones back home is an important consideration while abroad unless of course they happen to be travelling with you at the time. Since technology has made our lives so much more connected, it is a great way to also utilize it.

Situated above the banks of the Uaso Nyiro River, in the arid heart of Samburu land, SaSaab’s tranquil setting offers views towards the Laikipia plateau and of Mount Kenya. The main area sits on a high rocky ridge allowing one to enjoy the spectacular views through the Moroccan interior and courtyard. The swimming pool is perched on the hill side overlooking the river. Massage & beauty treatments are offered from the privacy of your tent. SaSaab offers a true wilderness experience with excursions into the famous Samburu Reserve known for its large herds of Elephant and the endangered Grevy Zebra.

Accommodation is nine Moroccan tents, each over 100 meters squared comprising of a bedroom, sitting room and fully serviced bathrooms. 5 tents have double beds, 4 tents have twin beds. Electricity is solar powered, offering outlets for charging equipment in each tent. All tents have wireless internet connection, cooling fans and a private plunge pool.

Activities
• Game drives & night game drives
• Game walks along the river or in the dry country
• Day trips to Samburu Reserve
• Mountain biking
• Camel Riding
• Samburu cultural visits
• Beauty therapy

SPECIAL OFFER FOR KENYAN RESIDENTS:
Per Person sharing - Ksh 14,000
Per Single Occupancy - Ksh 17,500
Child Under 12yrs Sharing - ksh 6,000

Park Fees To Be Added:
Ksh 1,300 per adult per day
Ksh 800 per child per day

On-Course
The Arabella Golf Estate has developed an international reputation for its magnificent Peter Matkovich designed golf course set against shores of the Bot River Lagoon and cradled on the lower slopes of the Kogelberg Mountains. Without a doubt one of the Western Cape’s best golf courses it is complemented by superb hotel accommodation with sweeping views across the lagoon and surrounding mountains. Further along the coast the Hermanus Golf Club has for many years been renowned as one of South Africa’s most popular holiday golf courses. This popularity has never diminished its standards and the enjoyment of its gentle tree-lined layout.

A variety of nine-hole golf courses in the Overberg enjoy a similar reputation for hospitality as those of the West Coast set amongst the most splendid indigenous fynbos plants and dramatic sea and mountain landscapes.

Off-Course
The Overberg is one of the most prolific botanical areas in the World especially in the late winter and spring when the splendour of the flowering fynbos plants reaches its climax. The beautiful coastal De Hoop nature reserve amongst others provides access to an aquamarine sea and fields of fynbos and indigenous bontebok and eland antelope. Discover the stately blue crane, South Africa’s national bird, in greater numbers here than anywhere else particularly in the rolling hills and valleys of the area.

From June to November the Whale Coast, as it has become known, with its rugged inlets and bays, acts as a playground and nursery to the Southern Right whales. The towns of hermanus, Gansbaai and Hawston are ideally situated to experience the powerful presence of these spectacular animals. This coast has also witnessed one of the highest incidences of shipwrecks and more than 100 wrecks dating back as far as the sixteenth century litters the coast.

The Atlantic Ocean meets the Indian Ocean at Cape Agulhas at the African continent’s most southerly point with a restive southern ocean stretching unbroken to Antarctica. discover the old Moravian mission stations of Elim and Genadendal, largely unchanged from their beginnings more than 200 years ago and by contrast relax on the white sandy beaches of Arniston- Waenhuiskrans reminiscent of the Greek island and sample local seafood cooked fresh from the sea at a home restaurant in kassiesbaai.

Golf Incentive Travel
Cape Town and the Western Cape can be regarded as one of the most desirable incentive destinations in Africa with its spectacular attractions and activities. With its enormous international appeal golf incentive travel is an increasingly popular reward for top performers and with its superb golfing facilities in Cape Town and across the Western Cape the destination is a natural choice for golf related incentive travel.

Cape Town Routes Unlimited is the official destination marketing organization for Cape Town and the Western Cape and provides destination expertise, destination management companies, event organizers, associations and cooperates with:

- Sourcing great ideas for corporate events and incentives
- Finding the perfect special event or conference venue
- Information provision on support services and professional local service providers
- Accommodation options
- Site inspections
- Marketing collateral
- Destination information
- Facilitation of stakeholder engagement
- Marketing intelligence

If you are organizing an incentive trip contact the Cape Town and Western Cape convention and events Bureau at Cape Town Routes Unlimited for support, advice and information.