₦airaland Forum

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As the festive season is here, work places are closing for the year and taking a break comes to mind. Traveling is at the core of this season. People tend to visit their home town, spend the Christmas and New Year holiday with extended families they probably only get to see around this season before everyone goes back again. Or travel to destinations they have been wishing to visit. Some just love a getaway from the regular scene.



When planning a holiday trip, accommodation should be A on your list – how good the hotels are, is there on site restaurant or a couple of them nearby. There are so many questions to be asked to get a satisfactory accommodation to stay. Unlike some years ago when you will probably have to make calls seeking recommendations, all you now have to do is visit an online hotel booking portal, search and book your choice hotel. It is that simple.



With a few clicks, you can easily filter down to any special services you like in a hotel. One of the very useful options that make Jovago.com a personal favorite is the ease with which you can quickly check the embedded map on the site to see the hotel options available in a particular environment. With this you can pin point proximity of hotel to points of interests in that region you might want to visit.



Yes, the period calls for spending; you might have heard people talk about the need for ‘Christmas money’ because they have to spend. Some hotels might hike their prices during this period but worriless, having to search through a whole lot of hotels anywhere in the world, check prices and facilities within a minute are some of the many benefits of booking hotels online. Getting an advantage of booking earlier even before the hotels change their prices is another plus. But above all, you can take advantage of the hotels discount on Jovago and book a room in that hotel you have always wanted.
Traveling back home to Lagos, Nairobi or exploring Christmas destinations such as Serengeti in Kenya or Zanzibar in Tanzania, a filter through the list of hotels in the area will show you their ratings, prices and a map for navigation. Save yourself some money by looking out for the best prices and the red tag discount percentage.

Lagos, Nigeria is home to some of the best African music and nightlife. It’s no surprise that Lagos comes alive at Christmas. There’s only a few days left till Christmas and if you’re looking for a swell time, Jovago.com has picked out Lagos as the city you should visit. As long as you’re out in Lagos with friends, family or going solo, you wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. Here are some of the things you should look out for while in Lagos. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for beautiful fireworks and amazing street displays.



Weather

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The weather gets cooler and drier during the harmattan season which starts in December just in time for Christmas. It could get a bit foggy in the early hours of the morning but it soon clears up as the sun rises.

There’s less than two rainy days all month which allows for more fun days at the beach. The temperature stays cool so it’s perfect if you’re used to much cooler temperatures. Just remember to stay hydrated.



Getting Around

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Traffic in Lagos can be intense at rush hour even more so in the yuletide season. Good thing you have other options to help you have a merry Christmas. Take a boat cruise to Snake Island or Tarkwa Bay, you will enjoy great views of the Lagos skyline.

Want to travel in style? Hire a limousine with your own chauffeur for the night or take it to the next level with a helicopter ride around the city or anywhere in the country.



Things To Do

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Spending Christmas in Lagos with your family would be spectacular, trust us. Amusement Parks in Lagos have lots of games that you all can enjoy. There is always something for everyone in this West African city; you and your kids can go for fun activities like paintball, Go Kart Racing or meet Santa Claus at a Christmas Grotto.

If you’re travelling as a couple, take a trip to the spa for some intense pampering and a relaxing couples’ massage. You never know what might pop up but expect the very best entertainment as Christmas is the best time to visit Lagos.

The Lagos nightlife gets a boost around Christmas with restaurants and hotels giving discounts. Get the very best that Lagos has to offer by seeing a comedy show or stage play at the Muson Centre, bobbing to the sound of indigenous music at a concert, or set your sights on up and coming Nigerian fashion at one of the beauty and fashion shows around the yuletide.

Your Christmas wouldn’t be complete without a bag full of goodies. Shop till you drop at the Ikeja City Mall or Park ‘n’ Shop then head on down to the beach for a relaxing time with friends.



Where To Eat

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After a day of activities, you can eat good food, have a drink and cool off at any of the restaurants and bars in Lagos. La Mango Restaurant & Bar, and Rodizzio Restaurant & Bar both in Ikeja are cozy places to hide out, watch your favourite sports and eat Nigerian, American, Thai and Malaysian delicacies.

On the Island, visit Ember Creek Ikoyi, a trendy spot by the waterfront or Bangkok Bangkok Restaurant in Victoria Island, providing the very best Thai cuisine.

If you’re up for some real fun, there’s always a party happening at Rhapsody’s on Victoria Island. It is the Nigerian outlet of the famous South African restaurant. Rhapsody’s is the perfect place for dinner and a night out.



Where To Stay

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Depending on your taste, needs, and the number of people you’re travelling with, Lagos has a wide range of hotels for you to choose from this Christmas. If you’re travelling on a tight budget, you can stay at a lodge or guest house at a decent price.

There are also a large number of luxury hotels on the Island and mainland. Some of our top picks include

Radisson Blu Hotel with two saunas, an outdoor infinity pool, a fitness area for working out, and buffets at their Voyage Restaurant.

Lagos Oriental Hotel features a Chinese Restaurant and Japanese Gourmet Restaurant with enchanting views of the Lagos Lagoon.

Four Points by Sheraton Hotel provides simples pleasures like a Swedish massage at the in-house spa and warm Apple signature pies at their Café Cappuccino coupled with 24 hours room service.

When you’re on vacation, you really just want to relax and throw all your dietary problems to the wind. For some of us, the last thing we want to be bothered with is watching what we eat but there are those of us who still remember to count the calories as they count the stars and this post is for them.

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If you want to stay healthy on a business trip or vacation, these tips will show you how easy it is to do it.

Do Your Research
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Doing some personal research about the area you will be staying before your trip can make maintaining your healthy lifestyle a lot easier. You can find nearby grocery stores or health food stores, find out what restaurants are close by and what their menu is like, and what hotels or accommodation options will be best suited for your dietary needs – those who like to cook their own meals will prefer rooms with kitchenettes. If you do your research well, you should have a number of dining options ready for when you finally go on your trip.

Eat Healthy
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When you’re somewhere new, you probably want to check out the food scene. This is perfectly understandable – part of traveling is exploring and trying out new food is its own type of exploration. If you manage to score a room with a kitchenette, you can make your own breakfast and pack a lunch to enjoy while exploring the city. This way, your breakfast and lunch are sure to be healthy and you can leave the nights for all the exotic food experiments you’re willing to indulge in. Even if you don’t have a kitchenette in your room, I’m sure you can reach some sort of arrangement with the hotel to enable your fitness goals. Just try as much as possible to minimize how often you eat out.

Sleep
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When you’re working or having fun, it’s easy to shove a good night’s rest or any rest at all, into the sidelines without fully realizing just how detrimental sleep deprivation is for your health (yes, even for a few days). You should make it a priority to get at least 7 hours of sleep every night. Your body will thank you for this as a well rested body boosts your immune system.

Stay Active
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A great way to keep up your health and fitness regimen is to find activities during your trip that excite you. If you’re into yoga, you can find a studio around where you stay, or you can go cycling or surfing, if you’re into that sort of thing. Some sports centers have great promotions for tourists, and some even allow free drop-ins. Not only will you keep your health up, it’s also a great way to met and interact with new people.

Workout on Your Own
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You can create a workout out of almost every activity, wherever you are; it’s one of the things I find really great about exercise. You can use the hotel pool or gym equipment, or find a nearby park and use the playground equipment, or even stay in your room and do your squats and lifts and cardio. Even walking is a great way to stay fit – grab a map and explore the city on foot. It may not seem like you’re doing something effective but trust me, your muscles are getting the workout they need and even that little bit will keep you on track during your trip.

Drink Lots of Water
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Wherever you are, it’s important to stay hydrated. You should have a water bottle you take with you everywhere so you have no problems taking in enough fluids. This tip is especially helpful if you’re travelling somewhere hotter than you’re used to. Without enough fluids in your system, it’s easy to mistake dehydration for hunger which can cause you to eat more than you should.

Pack all You Need to Keep Your Regimen
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You won’t need to be reminded to work out on your trip if you have your workout equipment in plain sight. It may seem like extra load, but having the stuff you need to maintain your regimen will cut out all the excuses you would make to boycott your healthy habits for the duration of your trip. To cut down load, you can pack only the lightweight stuff like a skipping rope and dumbbells. If you take vitamins and supplements, be sure to pack those as well.

Try these other gifts...

External HDD
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Why is this gift valid for a traveler? The answer is simple; everybody needs space. Being on the move a lot, it would be helpful to have important information and pictures backed-up in case something were to happen to your friend’s laptop or phone.



Books
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Inspire your friend with other travelers’ great adventures. There are books that contain a collection of travelers’ stories specifically for this purpose and you can purchase a great number of them off sites like amazon. Be sure you know your friend’s taste in books first though.

Long flights and train rides are perfect opportunities to delve into some life-changing, motivational books (not necessarily related to travel) or test the mind by solving some puzzles. You might want to consider these as options as well.



Travel-Inspired Décor
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Posters, Decals, models, ornaments, etc are a great way to keep your friend surrounded by the amazing world of travel. It may seem a bit cheesy, but people love cheesy. It’s why they pick up souvenirs on trips, no?



Gadget Organizer
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I don’t know a single person who enjoys tangled plugs and mixed up gadgets occupying space in luggage. A gadget organizer is a great way to keep wires and plug organized, and also save some space. While you’re at it, why not throw in an earphone case as well?



Comfort
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Gift your friend with something to make the trip a bit more comfortable. Travel slippers to wear on the plane or around the hotel, a warm shawl or cardigan to use on the plane, a herbal eye pillow, and a neck pillow and eye mask set are all examples of little gifts you could give that go along way.

Jack188:
As for me, Oh yes, I bought only one present. It's for my uncle, he is a coffee addict, so it was easy to choose. Got him a set of coffee cups from http://coffeehit.co.uk/cafe-supplies/coffee-cups But I have no idea what to get for the rest of my family, it's kinda overwhelming me... Would you please advise me something?

You can't go wrong with the Anti-Theft Bag.

An essential part of the holidays is gift giving. Yes, we love the smells and the color and the lights and the food, but we love the gifts more. You can’t deny you feel a little bit more of the holiday spirit when you open up a brightly wrapped parcel or receive a hamper with all your favorite treats. But lo, it is better to give than to receive, and it’s about that time you start getting your Christmas shopping list together.

Generic gifts and hampers are great for your boss or neighbors you don’t really know that well but feel compelled to gift, but when shopping for a friend you definitely need to put more thought into it. You are reading this article because you have a friend who’s been bitten by the travel bug and you have no idea what to get him/her this Christmas.

It’s perfectly understandable. Sometimes buying gifts for a traveler requires a little bit of research and some creativity. You need to take into consideration what his/her travel style is, if you want to give something useful or inspiring, and your budget.

Thankfully, we’ve done most of the heavy lifting for you, and compiled a great list of budget-friendly items you can gift your traveler friend this Christmas.

A Luggage Scale
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Excess luggage rates are extremely ridiculous right now, and they will not be getting any better this holiday season when everybody’s eye is shining. A luggage scale is a great gift because it can be useful before getting to check-in. Your friend can weigh his/her luggage and be more conscious of what’s being packed



Novelty Maps
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The world scratch map is a fun, colorful way for your friend to document and show off all the places that have been crossed off hi/her bucket list. Every time they go somewhere new, they can scratch off the gold panel to reveal the color-coded areas. Crumpled maps are also fun because you no longer have to worry about your map getting crumpled up and unusable. These are designed to be crumpled and stuffed in your pocket.

Notebooks and Planners
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There are a bunch of notebooks, journals and planners readily available at malls and bookstores all around. All you have to do is find one that has an underlying travel theme. It doesn’t have to be too pronounced – ones with pictures of destinations or travel quotes will do. Or, go the extra mile and get the NAVI planner, which is specially created to remind travelers of the importance of going places, and encourages them to see the world.



Anti-Theft Travel Bag
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Security is often a concern when traveling the world and exploring new cities and constantly worrying about losing stuff can put a damper on the fun of the trip. Give your friend the gift of security this year. Pacsafe Anti-theft travel bags make exploring a city much safer with slash-proof bodies and straps, zipper pullers that ensure thieves can’t dig into the bag, and RFID-blocking pockets that protect against identity theft so that passport and credit card details are not easily stolen.



Selfie Stick
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Because the selfie craze has taken over globally, this is an extremely valid gift this year. Your friend can now take awesome pictures at the amazing places he/she visits without having to deal with the awkwardness of asking strangers for help.

There's more...


A Hot-Air Balloon Ride Above the Masai Mara, Kenya
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Ever since HRH Prince William of Wales’ very romantic proposal to Kate Middleton in Kenya, safaris and adventures can be combined when popping the question. Just imagine this – You’ve enjoyed a week-long safari with the lover exploring, taking awesome pictures, and enjoying drinks overlooking the savanna. All that’s left is making the trip unforgettable. When you’re floating over the Masai Mara at the break of dawn, and can see the trees just below you and the mist rising from the river, you’ll know the time is right.


Vertigo Restaurant, Bangkok
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Some locations speak for themselves, and the Vertigo Grill and Moon Bar is one of such places. The restaurant is what used to be a helipad on the 61st floor (yes) of the Banyan Tree Hotel. Here, you’ll have a shock-inducing view of the city’s lights spread out below you, and the breeze dancing around you. Specific details like flowers, special wine, a private table et al can be arranged with the concierge. Just try not to drop the ring.


Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
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Waterfalls are just majestic and wonderful to behold and secretly very romantic. You can enjoy a moonlit stroll along the illuminated falls at night, or have a romantic dinner in the revolving restaurant on top the Skylon Tower. Plus, it’s undeniable that the falls would make an amazing backdrop in your pictures when they come up in the slides on your wedding day.


Jamaica
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We like to think people love Jamaica because it’s a picturesque island with gorgeous beaches, waterfalls, and mountains. Here, the setting is always right – Citronella Cottages, Mayfield Falls, Couples Tower Isle, Ocho Rios, Negril’s Seven-Mile Beach, East of Eden Villa, to name a few romantic spots – but that’s not the only reason why it made it to our top ten list. Jamaica is a great place for those looking to elope. You can propose, get married and start your honeymoon in as little as two days.


Sydney Harbor Bridge, Sydney, Australia
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The view from the Sydney Harbour Bridge is perfectly stunning. While staring out at the surf and sand, beneath the glistening sun, pop the question with the beautiful country as your backdrop. You can either make your way to Milson’s Point or The Rocks with a packed picnic and pop the question beneath the structure, or do it on the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb, if you can convince her to go with you.

Everyone is looking for the perfect place and time to pop the question. Clichés are fine, yet everyone wants their moment of proposal to be special, unique and most of all – romantic. In no particular order, Jovago.com Africa’s Number 1 Hotel Booking Portal – reveals the top 10 ultimate proposal locations.

The Pont Neuf, Paris
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Paris is one of the most cliché places to propose, but it’s cliché for a reason – it works. The beauty of this city never seizes to amaze, and it’s possibly more famous for proposals than any other place. But, just because you’re doing it in Paris doesn’t mean it HAS to be at the Eiffel Tower. The Pont Neuf (the “New Bridge”) is the oldest standing bridge on the Seine, and we couldn’t think of a better symbol for the union of two loved ones. Want to increase your chances? Visit at sunset when the buildings by the river are bathed in the setting sun’s golden rays.



The Waipi’o Valley (Valley of the Kings), Hawaii
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The Waipi’o Valley, named for the ancient Hawaiian Royals buried there, is on the northeast shore of Hawaii’s Big Island. The beauty of this valley will absolutely take your breath away – lush green landscape with taro ponds and lotus fields, waterfalls cascading down the hillside, streams cutting through the valley, snaking their way towards the ocean, and the longest black sand beach in the state. It’s almost impossible not to find a romantic spot for proposing here. Nature has pretty much done most of the work where mood is concerned. You can take a ride through the valley or get a room at the Waipio Wayside Inn where you have a bird’s eye view of the valley.



Overlooking Big Sur, California
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It may not seem very romantic, proposing on a stretch of highway, but it’s all about perspective. Being on the open road in itself is a great way to really set the mood. You have your music, rocky cliffs on one side, the magnificent Santa Lucia Mountains on the other, each other, and a tank full of gas. There are quite a few spots where you can pop the question here – at a cliff-side yurt or ocean view suite – but I’d rather you opt for the more dramatic option and propose at one of the lookout points seemingly set aside specifically for monumental proposals.

A Sunset Sail in Bora Bora, Tahiti
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French Polynesia is most certainly on the ‘should visit’ list of love-struck couples, and with good reason. Why not make the trip even more memorable by proposing here? A sail around the Motus of Bora Bora is a unique way to ask the woman you love to spend the rest of her life with you. The Le Meridien, Bora Bora can actually arrange a sunset tour of the lagoon for couples, complete with complimentary champagne, with a guide as your only other companion so you can watch the sun dip behind the Otemanu Mountain and pop the question in private.

Giudecca Venice, Italy
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We have a soft spot for this one because we think Italy is just the most beautiful place in the world. How can you not fall (more) in love in a city where you have narrow cobblestoned streets lined with graceful buildings, stalls and shops, and can enjoy a moonlit ride through the city on a gondola? Giudecca in particular is the ideal setting for a proposal, with its panoramic views of the lagoon and a lagoon-front hotel with amazing views of the water.

Kololi, The Gambia

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Kololi is a resort town on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean in Gambia, surrounded by the Bijilo Forest. What initially began as a coastal fishing village has radically transformed into a popular tourist hub. Kololi natives are incredibly laidback and love to live. While there may not be a lot of “touristy” attractions, you can still have loads of fun visiting the crafts market, quad biking, exploring Kololi Village, and chilling on the beach.


Cairo, Egypt

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Cairo is a lively, thrilling, exotic, fascinating and welcoming city for everyone. Whatever your taste, you’ll find accommodation that suits your desires, most often with an incredible view. Exploring the city, you’ll stumble upon so many Pharoic, Coptic and Islamic sights that seem long forgotten, and get the opportunity to mingle with the locals at the medieval markets. The city does not fall short on entertainment – cinemas, theatres, malls, and numerous tourist attractions – and the people are really warm. It’s almost too easy to fit right in here.


Gaborone, Botswana

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Botswana’s fast-growing capital city has come a long way from its inception. Today, what was once a small village is thriving and buzzing with cosmopolitan life. Everyone can feel welcome here, thanks to the friendly nature of the locals, even though there really isn’t that much to do. Entertainment consists mostly of malls and restaurants, but the city is really very rich in history that you will enjoy learning all about from a local. The growing metropolis also boasts some pretty luxurious hotels, perfect for a relaxing trip.


Tunis, Tunisia

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Tunis may not be much for package tourism, but it’s still a pretty intriguing place to visit. The people are very accepting of foreigners, and you’ll observe a couple of unique cultural practices. When you visit, you should explore as much as you can to really appreciate the eccentric feel of the city, as well as soak in its history. Tunis is actually also a pretty affordable place to visit.


Casablanca, Morocco

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The people in this city are known to be quite liberal and open to locals and foreigners alike. Casablanca, Morocco’s largest, city may seem less endearing than nearby cities, but it does have a lot of potential. You’ll be left amazed by the brilliant architecture, diverse culture, magnificent hotels, and great food. Also, there’s so much to explore, and you’ll have local guides who would be more than thrilled to show you around and tell you all about the city.


You haven’t experienced a city until you’ve mingled with a few of the locals and really gotten to experience their culture first-hand. These African cities are the best places to get started.

Are you a young Sales/Marketing Ninja, passionate about the travel industry? Are you looking for a career in a global company? Jovago.com needs you!

Send your resume to careers@jovago.com for a chance to join one of Africa's most exciting start-ups!

rawpadgin:
u guys should please stop including S.A on list like this
never been there but i have heard from friends how those people maltreats Nigerians

Regardless, Cape Town, South Africa is still a choice city to visit with sights like the Table Mountain, Twelve Apostles and white sandy beaches drawing tourists in large numbers.

It was even named Number 1 place to visit in 2014 by New York Times and it was voted best city by UK travellers trailing behind Vancouver, Canada and Venice, Italy.

seankafor:
this list is not complete without sambissa where i schooled

Are you referring to Sambisa in Northern Nigeria? Right now, Sambisa can hardly be called hospitable because of the number of Boko Haram soldiers residing there.

Fried egg sandwich / Chibom
Another meal you can get from a street side vendor. Chibom is egg fried with some pepper, onion and tomato to make a small omelet that is then toasted in the bread (optional). Somehow, it doesn’t taste as good if you try to make it yourself.

If you’re really in the mood, you can explore even more local cuisine, like kenke, groundnut soup, shoko, akotonshi, and a list of others. Always remember to get your food from somewhere clean though and, in the case of street side vendors, always keep an eye on the hands.

It’s no secret that Africans, by nature, are friendly people; the majority, anyway. When you visit an African country, the locals tend to go out of their way to make you feel more than welcome. During your stay, you’re likely to get pulled into participating in several activities that will leave you feeling like one of the natives. This is just one of the things that make a city hospitable. Africa’s Number 1 Hotel Booking Portal, Jovago.com has recommended 10 cities which have proved to be the most hospitable on Africa.

Cape Town, South Africa
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Cape Town is a beautiful city which gives a picturesque definition to the phrase “best of both worlds”. There’s so much history here, and people love to visit to find out all about the country’s rich background as well as the bustling waterfront. Whatever your tourism delight, Cape Town has it – culture, food, daring activities, shopping, wine, and the beach. What gives the city its added kick is how fascinating the mix of cultures is – the way it influences the city’s music and architecture – and the wonderful nature of the people. Let’s not forget the luxurious hotels.

Mombasa, Kenya
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Sometimes described as “the cradle of humanity”, Mombasa has a rich and diverse history which it has managed to hold on to, even as it has continued to evolve. The city definitely has a quiet charm, with locals in traditional Islamic attire and Swahili women in Kanga wraps moving around town. You can’t miss the smell of spice in the air as you stroll past buildings that reflect several cultures, tasting all the wonderful street delicacies, with music playing all around you. If you really want to get into Africa’s heritage, then stop by Mombasa’s Old Town.

Zanzibar, Tanzania
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Zanzibar is an archipelago 20 minutes away from Tanzania, by air, that is as rich in culture as it is beautiful. On the islands, you’ll fall in love with the amazing views, the wide variety of wildlife, and the scent of spices subtly mixed with the fresh ocean air. What’s even more remarkable is how all the different ethnicities that inhabit the city are able to coexist peacefully and together ensure visitors have a memorable time.

Calabar, Nigeria
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Everyone love to be at the Calabar Carnival, but the people aren’t just incredibly receptive at Christmas; all year round, Calabar natives are more than anxious to welcome people into their beloved city and give them an experience worth remembering. You can always find something to do in this fun filled city, and the food is ah-mazing!

Victoria, Seychelles
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Have you been to Seychelles? Or had the pleasure of exploring its capital city, Victoria? Victoria is a small city that packs quite a punch. With one-third of the population of Seychelles based here, the city boasts several activities that could keep even the most wanderlust tourists busy. There are several hotels and resorts that one could feel at home in, and lots of agencies around town that offer snorkeling and diving expeditions, boat rides around the island, and rentals. The atmosphere is so warm and relaxed, and the locals are amazingly friendly. You’ll definitely be tempted to extend your stay.


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Banku
This is possibly Ghana’s most famous local dish. It’s fermented corn prepared into balls and served with shitto, fresh grounded pepper (either red or green), fish, and a mix of vegetables. For some, it takes a little getting used to, but it’s worth a try.

Fried Rice / Jollof Rice
What makes Ghanaian fried or jollof rice different, in my opinion, is the type of rice used – perfumed rice. And the fried rice is actually fried. If you get it at a street vendor, you can actually watch them pour the rice into the pan with the vegetables and fry it. The Jollof is a favorite rice dish in Ghana. The rice is prepared with mostly tomatoes to make it really red. Both rice dishes can be eaten plain or with salad or egg or chicken or fish.

Waakye (pronounced Waa-chi)
You absolutely have to try this! Not only is waa chi a mix of rice and beans, you can throw in a bunch of extras as well – plantain, spaghetti, and even garri. Be careful though. It tends to make a lot of people really sleepy after consumption. As any real food should.

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The best part of going somewhere new is experiencing their culture, and what better way to experience the culture of a country than through their local food?

As a visitor in Ghana, the cost of eating will vary greatly depending on what you choose to eat and where you choose to eat it. But, whatever you choose to eat, there are a couple of things you simply cannot leave Ghana without trying.

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Chichinga
You may be wary about street food, but trust me, this is completely safe. Chichinga is basically beef or sausage kebabs. Why they don’t just call it that, I don’t know. But they’re really good and you can find a vendor on almost every street corner.

Kelewele
As a fried plantain advocate, kelewele has to be on my list of top foods to try. It’s fried plantain with the added bonus of ginger and also prepared by street vendors. You can choose to eat it plain, or you can request for extra pepper (shitto) or nuts.

Red Red
If you’re like me, you are probably not a huge fan of beans. But Red Red, which is fried plantain with beans and red palm oil, somehow managed to get me to reconsider. If prepared properly, it’s a fine bean curry that can either include fish, beef or prawns. Just ensure you’re getting it somewhere clean.


Do you know any more Ghanaian delicacies? Add them to the list.

The United Arab Emirates, more specifically Dubai, is a favored destination for business and leisure among Nigerians firstly because the city is ultra modern with an irresistible Arabian mystique about it, and then because it’s relatively easy to obtain a visa.

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What Type of Visa Do You Need?

Did you know there’s more than one type of visa you can get to gain entry into the UAE?

A 96-hour Visa: This visa is valid for 4 days and non-extendible. It’s mostly acquired by transit passengers who are making a stopover at Dubai International Airport (DXB) for at least 8 hours. In order to be granted this type of visa, your passport must be valid for at least 3 months.


Tourist Visa: This visa is usually valid for about 30 days, but if you plan to stay longer, it can be extended another 30 days at an extra cost.


Visit Visa: This visa has a non-extendible validity period of 90 days. And is issued to people entering the UAE to visit family or for a long business trip.

What Do You Need to Apply?

1) Of course, the first, and most basic, item you require is a valid Passport. If you’ll be staying for up to 3 months, your passport should be valid for 3 months after your date of entry, and 6 months if you’ll be staying longer than that. Don’t have a Nigerian Passport? Visit the immigration office closest to you or apply online.


2) If you have a passport, the next thing you need is a photocopy of its data page, and any visas it may contain (valid or expired). You may need a copy of your ID Card as well.


3) You’ll also need copies of your most recent bank statement, as well as proof of health insurance.

4) You’ll be required to present copies of your confirmed itinerary, which means you will have to purchase round-trip tickets or risk being denied entry at the airport. And you will also have to present evidence of hotel reservations or secure accommodation.


5) If you are applying as a tourist, you will need a letter from your employer stating you are on break and will be returning to your place of work upon return. If you are self-employed, you’ll need to present a copy of your business registration and tax documents.


6) If you are visiting a relative or friend, he/she will need to send you an invitation letter that includes a copy of their UAE passport data page, or residence permit or national passport information page, their contact information, address, signature, and date.

For more details on how to apply and how much it will cost, vis

Watch the video here


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