30 Destinations


Bahrain translates from Arabic as ‘two seas’. The Middle Eastern country measures just 301 square miles, making it Asia’s third smallest nation after the Maldives and Singapore


BAHRAIN Bahrain Economic Development Board / ME1410


With more than 4,000 years of history to explore, Bahrain is a destination of untold wonder. Its warm climate, combined with sandy beaches, excellent diving and fishing oppor- tunities, make it an alluring holiday hotspot, while tourist attractions such as the Al Fateh Grand Mosque and Bahrain Fort and Museum are steeped in tradition and history. Measuring 301 square miles, Bahrain is the


smallest country and the only island-state in the Arabian Gulf, but its size belies its potential. The Bahraini tourism industry is on course to reach $US1 billion (BHD380 million) per year by 2020, as visitor numbers continue to grow for the coastal nation. In 2016, inbound tourists totalled 12.2


million, a significant six percent increase from the year before, while the number of hotel guests rose by five percent to reach 1.3 million. The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Author- ity (BTEA) is looking to increase annual visitor numbers to 15.8 million by 2018.


Last year, capital city Manama was named


the 2016 Gulf Capital for Tourism as part of an initiative to strengthen ties between GCC coun- tries and promote the region’s historic destina- tions. Meanwhile, the pinnacle of the country’s yearly events programme remains the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, which takes place at Bahrain International Circuit. Visitors can apply for special multiple-entry F1 visas for the two weeks surrounding the event, which usually takes place in April. For visitors more focused on leisure, the


Royal Golf Club boasts the country’s only 18-hole championship standard golf course, in addition to a par three, nine-hole course, both of which were designed by Scottish golfing legend Colin Montgomerie. New projects in the pipeline include the


Bahrain is an archipelago of 33 islands in the Arabian Gulf, and sits between Qatar and Saudi Arabia. It declared independence from Britain in 1971


Avenues at Bahrain Bay Corniche, a 38,000 square-metre development which will open partially in late 2017, as well as the largest IKEA store in the Middle East at 37,000 square metres (opening in 2018) and the 150,000 square-metre Bahrain Marina (opening in 2020). Properties scheduled to open their doors


this year include Wyndham Grand Hotel at Bahrain Bay, Marriott Residence Inn at Water Garden City and One&Only Seef, which marks One&Only Resorts’ debut in Bahrain. The following year will see the opening of proper- ties such as Anantara Durrat Al Bahrain Resort and Fairmont Bahrain Resort.


Al Fateh Grand Mosque, Manama


Sheikh Isa Bin Salman causeway bridge linking Manama and Muharraq


Manama City


France is the European Union’s largest country with a land mass of 211,209 square miles. The mainland is divided into a total of 18 regions, with 13 on the mainland and a further five overseas


FRANCE Atout France / EU6530


The world’s most popular tourism destina- tion, France offers the perfect combination of modern chic, historical landmarks, cultural muscle, fine dining and diverse landscapes. Paris, an undoubted culinary capital,


boasts 94 Michelin-starred restaurants for foodies to indulge in. The world-renowned gastronomic scene offers everything from quirky cafés to trendy brasseries to explore. Elsewhere, Paris possesses a dream check-


list of classic tourist sites such as the Eiffel Tower, which opened in 1889 for the World’s Fair, and the Arc de Triomphe war memo- rial which was originally commissioned by Napoleon and unveiled to the public in 1836. For those with artistic inclinations, the


Louvre Museum is another globally revered attraction. Opened in 1793, the iconic art space by the River Seine now measures almost 73,000 square metres and boasts the world’s most famous work of art, Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci.


Beyond the capital, another visitor favour-


ite is the Palace of Versailles, a majestic royal chateau built in the 17th


century and boasting


2,300 stunning rooms. The ornate palace has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site for 30 years. Elsewhere in the country, skiing is a hugely


popular tourist activity and attracts millions of people a year to hit the slopes. In 2016, Val Thorens in the French Alps was named the world’s best ski resort at the World Ski Awards, while the nearby Courchevel is another favour- ite with seasoned skiers. For a warmer escape, the south of France


boasts stunning destinations such as the charm- ingly rustic Provence and the popular summer- time beach getaway Nice. Cannes, whose annual film festival is one of the world’s most respected, as well as the glitzy St Tropez, a well-known millionaire’s playground, also stand out on every holiday itinerary. Sightseers in the south may want to take


France has been awarded more Nobel Prizes for Literature than any other nation, with 15 awards to date, most recently Patrick Modiano in 2014


in UNESCO World Heritage Site the Théâtre Antique d’Orange in Vaucluse. Built by the Romans in the first century, the structure is one of the best preserved of its kind and tourists can still wander around its open-air auditorium. The French government revealed that more


than 82.5 million tourists came to the country last year. This news arrived despite figures being lower than 2015, when 85 million people visited. Tourism authorities now aim to have 100 million travellers by the year 2020.


Palace of Versailles, France


The Eiffel Tower, as seen from the Pont Alexandre III bridge in Paris


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36