Clever technology? Not always…..

As you may have read, some of the Serendipity team were in Morocco last week checking out cool new halal destinations to feature on our website. Unfortunately, a technology fail meant we came a cropper once or twice on our journey (!) but more on that later.

One of our favourite stops on this trip was the teeny-tiny hamlet of Sidi Kaouki, just 20 minutes south of funky Essaouira. The reason it takes 20 minutes to get there is the road to Sidi Kaouki is single-track, haphazardly paved and was loads of fun to hare down in our hired Dacia Sandero! Once there, the bracing Atlantic breeze, laid-back vibe, private pool villa and charmingly personal service at the halal friendly Rebali Riads (our stop for the night), meant we didn’t want to leave. Our favourite view was overlooking the ocean from the terrace of the Surfer Cafe with a plate of freshly-caught grilled fish, watching the donkeys, dogs, horses, cats and camels (we kid you not) amble along the main road, while the local surfer dudes and dudettes caught some serious wave action.

Essaouira itself is famous for being chilled (and chilly, thanks to the strong Atlantic breeze) and amazing fish and seafood at the portside restaurants. After praying Maghreb in the ancient medina mosque, we headed to retro Chez Sam for a gorgeously simple meal of grilled sole and turbot. If you’re after luxury, the Sofitel just on the outskirts of town is one of the nicest hotels we’ve ever seen, and well worth splashing the cash. For a more authentic vibe, Riad Zahra, run by the entertaining Xavier, gives you the feel of a traditional Moroccan riad with all the mod cons. The best bit about eating out in Morocco is you know that everything is halal, which makes picking a restaurant easy.

The time had come for us to leave the west coast and make the 2 hour journey back to Marrakesh to return the hire car.  We found out that driving in Morocco is quite fun, as long as you have map and a sense of humor about being overtaken by a couple of kids on the back of a donkey! At this point, we also made another discovery; a technology fail meant that our iPhone and Blackberry times didn’t update with the new time zone, so we were always an hour behind the actual time. Our top tip from this trip is to always ask the locals for the time, until you’re sure you’re in line with everyone else!

Back in Marrakesh, we once again headed to the madness of Djema El Fna for some last minute haggling and atmospheric views from one of the many cafes overlooking the square, before heading over to the airport for our flight home to wet, cold England. Needless to say, we wished we could have stayed an extra week or two!

One of the Serendipity team is Moroccan, so these are her tips for getting the best out of your trip:

1. Haggling is all part of the fun in Morocco, so go for it. Whatever price the shopkeepers and stallholders ask will be far higher than the item’s worth, so start bidding at 50% or even 30% and stick with it for as long as possible. If you can’t agree on a price, move on, as many shops sell exactly the same items.
2. Always accept a cup of mint tea if offered. It is considered an insult to refuse. If you’d rather not overload yourself with sugar, as for it to be made sugar-free, or m’sous.
3. Foods to try are the world famous tagine (chicken and lemon is a particular favourite), the southern speciality of tanjia (similar to a tajine but cooked for 24 hours and bursting with flavour), Royal couscous (best on Fridays after prayers), gorgeously fluffly and flaky breakfast pancakes known as msemmen in the south of the country and mlawi in the north and last but certainly not least, Moroccan pastries like Cornes de Gazelles and shebekkia.
4. If you’re getting into a taxi that doesn’t have a meter, always agree the price in advance with the driver. If the taxi does have a meter, make sure it has been re-set!
5. Moroccan are naturally friendly and curious, so be prepared to answer lots of questions about yourself, your family and anything else!

For more halal friendly Morocco tips and ideas, head over to www.serendipity.travel/morocco

It’s toasty in Marrakech

Oh yes, it’s very toasty. Over the past few days the city has seen heats of 48 degrees. That’s ludicrous!

Thankfully, on day one of our four-day escape to the crazy city in the heart of Morocco, it’s been a cool 38 degrees, and to be honest it’s been quite pleasant until around 5pm.

It’s been 4 years or so since I last came to Marrakech, and nothing has really changed too drastically. Jemma El Fna is the same chaos as it always is, but the food stalls are still worth a every dirham you pay for the experience. So far, the laid back feel of this famous city is the ideal backdrop to the next few days. We’ll be heading to Essoauira and the tiny village of Sidi Kaouki, where I heard the surfer community thrives on the windy shores.

Keep following for more posts on our Morocco experience…

For more halal friendly Morocco experiences visit http://www.serendipity.travel

Tips for a halal friendly and comfortable flight

We at Serendipity love everything about travelling, from meeting new people and seeing new places to trying new halal food, but for us the fun starts as soon as we reach the airport. Some people see flying as a chore but we think it’s a pleasure. How often do you get the chance to really switch off from the world around you and just relax while being conveyed somewhere new? As we travel so much, we like to think we’ve got it down to an art so, here are some tips to make your time in the air blissful (and halal friendly too).

Before you get to the airport, try to check in online 24 hours before. Not only do you get to pick your seat, but you might also be able to skip the queues at the check-in desk by going straight to bag drop. We like to go for the very last row, as the back of the plane is usually emptier and you might get extra seats. Be warned, though, that as there will almost certainly be toilets nearby, it can get noisy if people congregate. If you haven’t already done so through us, you can also go online to request a halal meal as not all airlines offer a fish or veggie alternative as standard.

Another useful thing to try doing before you even leave the house (after checking for the millionth time that you’ve arranged for someone to feed the fish and you have your passport!) is gather all your liquids, pastes, gels etc into a see-through bag, as this will save you the time and hassle of trying to do it while shuffling through passport control.

It may sound obvious, but by the time you’ve reached security, make sure you’ve emptied your pockets of keys, coins, phones and anything else you may be carrying, as well as removing all jackets, jewellery and high heels or clumpy boots. As well as avoiding the potential embarrassment of being sent through the machine again, it means the people behind won’t be shaking their heads and tutting at you for holding up the queue. Just in case you do have to remove your shoes, it’s a good idea to wear matching socks!

Once you’ve had your fill of duty free, buy a bottle of water on the way to the departure gate. If you have a long flight, buy two bottles. You’ll be amazed how much you’ll drink, as flying is dehydrating for the body and skin. We also like to pack at least one good book, a small toothbrush and toothpaste, an extra shawl in case it gets cold, warm socks so we can kick off our shoes, an eye-mask, earplugs and noise cancelling headphones so you can get some shut eye. If you wear a hijab, it’s also a good idea to carry a soft hat so you can remove your scarf and wrap it loosely around your neck when you want to sleep. Other essentials for us are Vaseline and hand cream (again, to combat dehydrated, dry skin) and antibacterial wipes as we like to wipe down all the hard surfaces to get rid of any stray bugs. We also take chewing gum, as it helps ‘pop’ your ears as the plane ascends and descends.

To make your flight more comfortable, leave glamour at home and wear flat shoes and loose, comfortable clothes (try to avoid jeans), glasses instead of contact lenses and don’t bother with makeup, as by the time you reach your destination it will have all been rubbed off anyway! If you’re travelling with young children, pack a large towel that can double up as a blanket and colouring books/pencils to keep them entertained at least some of the time.

What are your top travel tips? Share them with us, and we’ll include them in a future post.

Serendipity Tailormade take care of making your journey a halal friendly one. For more information visit http://www.serendipity.travel

Top 5 halal friendly shopping destinations

For some reason, holidays bring out the shopping bug in most of us and whether you want to or not, you always end up…shopping. So apart from the souvenirs, there are plenty of bargains to be had and we have been waiting to spring this blog piece on our readers for a while. By popular demand, here are the team’s top five halal friendly shopping experiences

Chatuchak weekend market – Bangkok

Shop ’til you drop at Chatuchak – simple as that. Bargain hard and you’ll find yourself there for hours haggling and buying things you didn’t even want, like the 7th handbag in four hours. You can buy everything from a vintage lamp to a python here, but be careful as there are a lot of items that are ‘not quite genuine’ so avoid them like the plague. A further word of warning, stay to the main market stalls and avoid wandering to the alleyways. Afterwards head to some of Bangkok’s brilliant halal restaurants.

Manhattan – New York

Soon to be featured on the Serendipity site (we’re very excited) is New York, and rightly so as one of the top shopping mega streets in the world. From the nostalgic and awesome FAO Schwarz toy store on 5th and 58th, to the famous Macy’s, one of the largest department stores in the world, New York is London super-sized. It’s not all about Saks, Bloomingdales and Fifth Avenue though; head to Soho or the Lower East Side for an alternative shopping experience.

Bang Bang Market – Singapore

Ok, so it has a downright silly name, but we love Bang Bang Market located at Bugis Junction. Here you will find everything from clothes to shoes to iPhone covers. It’s now spread over three floors, with the ground floor a covered marketplace dotted with $1 fruit juice stalls. Bugis is a must-do on a trip to Singapore and at the end of the shopping spree, stop at the Albert Centre for some halal hawker food. Oh and if you’re into cameras, then the Sim Lim Centre is the place to go just round the corner!

Marrakech or Fez Medina – Morocco

For the ultimate market experience, head to a Moroccan medina for everything to kit our your home with that Middle Eastern feel. From hand made lamps to large comfy seating, you can spend hours wandering the alleyways looking for a bargain. A note of caution, some items you might want to buy may be a little large to send through checked luggage, so arrange a courier service through a reputable vendor where you’re purchasing your items.

Dubai Shopping Festival – Dubai

The Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) takes place every winter where outlets go a little crazy with discounts, incentives and offers to tempt shoppers. The month-long festival is part of Dubai’s longest running campaign, and attracts tourists by the plane load. With plenty of entertainment throughout the period, DSF provides not only an opportunity to grab a bargain, but also to enjoy a family holiday in the Emirati winter (a cool 22 degrees…nice)

If you have any further suggestions, email us at mail@serendipity.travel or share it on our facebook page, and for more holiday inspiration visit our website

http://www.serendipity.travel

Shopping…the Serendipity way

Halal Friendly China: Emperors, Noodles and Super-Highways

The guys as Serendipity are in unison that China (the halal friendly way) is an awesome spectacle of Emperors, Noodles, and Super-Highways. Of course it’s fair to say there is an air of communism about the place, however China still maintains it’s grasp on tourism and rightly so, otherwise there is so much to miss out on.

Our Muslim friendly tours encompasses one of the oldest civilisations in the world. China has thousands of years of history to explore, from Tiananmen Square to The Silk Road, the country has oodles of the ancient, the weird and the wonderful.  The Great Wall of China is an incredible feat of engineering as it’s historical importance, and a short climb is well worth the experience. Beijing is also home to the oldest mosque in China, home to millions of Muslims that live in the city; the Niujie mosque which was first built in 966 during the Liao dynasty. At that time, it was forbidden to from constructing other than in the Chinese style, and hence today the Nuijie mosque is eclectic and the most unique place of worship in the Muslim world we have come across.

Shanghai, the largest city in Asia, is the modern capital and home to some cool architecture, as well as the amazing 400/kph bullet train. A short hop away is Xi’an, home to The Terracotta Warriors, is also home to the largest Muslim population in China. To really experience the Muslim diaspora in this country, then a visit along the Silk Route or into Tibet will make your halal friendly holiday complete. We’ll take care of obtaining your travel permit to Tibet, and you can spend a couple of nights marvelling at the Patola Palace. The small but friendly Muslim community provides great company, and is one of the highlights of our Tibet itinerary.

For more on our Muslim China Tours visit our site

www.serendipity.travel/china

The Great Wall that goes on and on and on....

Praying in the clouds…

The Singapore based firm, Crescent Ratings, launched their beta version of their air travel prayer calculator earlier this month. The online tool takes data such as prayer times in the country of origin, the destination city and in countries on the flight path and uses an algorithm to plot exact prayer hours during a flight.

This gadget is pretty cool, super useful and innovative to ensure Muslims manage to pray on time 30’000 ft up in the air. This always poses a challenge when you’ve just taken off and suddenly the sun is setting a couple of hours into your flight. It messes with your head a little, because you have a set routine and are generally comfortable with that. The algorithm may not be minute perfect, but it’s an impressive step towards solving a dilemma few have even thought of addressing.

To my knowledge only Saudi Arabian Airlines offer a small space at the back of the plane for praying. You can see why as so few planes actually have enough space in the cabin to accommodate the cattle it’s ferrying, so most of the time Muslims have to settle for praying sitting in their chair. It would be nice however for maybe a few more airlines to dedicate a tiny oblong of cabin space, particularly on pilgrimage routes.

So another turn for halal-friendly travel? Lets hope so, and lets hope it’s not another reason for the few ignorant travellers who are scared of even flying with a Muslim on their flight to get the jeepers. “Oh my, what is he doing nodding his head like that every few seconds?!?”  We can see it now cant we? Thankfully the majority of people are cool enough to realise it’s all kosher…well halal.

 

 

 

 

If you’ve been for Hajj or Umrah – share your experiences!

Salams all

We’re putting together some top tips to help prospective pilgrims on their journey to the sacred pilgrimage this year. If you’ve been, and have any top tips you would like to share, head over to the below link on our facebook page and add your top tip. The most liked comment will win a travel prayer mat and a copy of “The Messenger” by Tariq Ramadhan.

https://www.facebook.com/dipitytravel/posts/320693664661765

Your tip can be as simple as best things to carry with you, to how to keep yourself hydrated !

Dont forget to like our FB page too 🙂

Travel Tale #5 – The stale bread versus the Chinese cracker-pot

Travel Tale #5 – The stale bread versus the Chinese cracker-pot

The “Moslem” halal meal on British Airways was supposed to be today’s topic but I’m saving that for another day. This travel tale all started when a friend of mine shared his concept of airline food. I honestly feel that sometimes there is a vendetta against airline food, and in most cases I can understand why. The nostalgic aroma of economy tin foil over molten hot cauliflower is often one that doesn’t dissipate with time. I particularly enjoy the bits on the side though, and have a quiet liking to uncovering the desert which tends to be a no-no in normal life, but because you’re stuck 30’000ft in the air, its acceptable to indulge in double chocolate mousse otherwise you will die of starvation. The little bread roll that comes on the tray has somewhat petrified my friend, so much so that the mere taste may in fact put the whole meal in jeopardy. This made me think, in what kitchen in the world is that scarily perfectly round roll made to taste exactly the same on whatever flight you go on? I want to know, and I will find out the secret to the most consistent bread roll on the planet. Watch this space.

My favourite story though is one a colleague told me about on a China Air flight in business class. She loves the crackers and cheese, but for some reason the cheese outnumbered the crackers. You may think this is well…crackers, but she kindly asked for one more cracker to have the remaining twenty five pieces of brie left on her foldable tray. When she asked for this extra cracker she was met by the Chinese air steward’s frown saying – “only one packet per person”. My colleague was a little shaken by her abrupt defiance in extending one more 12p packet of crackers to her business class client. If she was asking for a kilo of camembert she would understand, but the 12p packet of crackers was the tipping point of this rather irate stewardess. After a bit of banter, the answer was still the same as the initial one – “grrr…only one packet per person…grrr”. So the lesson learned here is don’t annoy a Chinese air stewardess otherwise you will be frowned at for six remaining hours of flying, and that China Air has a one cracker policy  – who would’ve known.

Halal Travel encouraged in Taiwan

The Tourism Bureau (of Taiwan) said it hopes to increase the number of eateries certified to serve halal food to attract more visitors from Muslim nations.

The Tourism Bureau yesterday said it aimed to have 50 restaurants certified as Muslim-friendly as it looks at options to further tap into the Muslim tourist market. Eric Lin (林坤源), director of the bureau’s international travel division, said Muslim tourists visiting Taiwan mainly come from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei and northwest China.

The bureau hopes to see 10 percent growth in tourist arrivals from each of those countries this year, Lin said. The frequency of broadcasts of television commercials on traveling in Taiwan in Malaysia has increased, he said, adding that the bureau has also worked with travel agencies to organize tours. “The nation drew about 6 million tourists last year,” Lin said. “The population of Muslim countries is approximately 1.7 billion, which presents a high potential for international visitors.”

The “Muslim-Friendly Restaurant” certification was handled by the Chinese Muslim Association. Association secretary-general Salahuddin Ma Chao-yen (馬超彥) said the main purpose of the certification was to let Muslims around the world know that there are Muslims in Taiwan as well.

Based on the certification guidelines, restaurants must ensure that the food offered to Muslims is prepared according to Islamic law. The guidelines also have specific instructions for various items, ranging from buying from certified halal food suppliers and seasonings to cookware. The service personnel must also receive training on the “dos and don’ts” of hosting according to Muslim customs.

Eleven restaurants nationwide have already been certified as Muslim-only businesses — which serve only halal food — while there are seven Muslim-friendly eateries — businesses that serve both halal and non-halal food. Restaurants in some amusement parks, such as Leofoo Village Theme Park in Hsinchu County, are among those that have been certified.

Jozo Chen (陳怡穎), marketing specialist at Shangrila Leisure Farm in Yilan County, said the farm hosted about 1,000 Muslim tourists last year. “Apart from the food, they [Muslim tourists] also require a separate dining area to eat,” Chen said. “We must also have arrow signs [pointing to Mecca] for their daily prayers and proper washing facilities in the hotel rooms.”

Chen said the cost of hosting Muslims is slightly higher than that of non-Muslim tourists, but the certification would help the hotel attract more tourists from Muslim nations.

By Shelly Shan

Source: Taipei Times

Why is halal friendly travel becoming so popular?

Halal friendly holidays are gaining popularity in the UK as Muslim families seek welcoming travel destinations across the globe for modest dress, Halal food and other Muslim-friendly vacation activities. There are several Halal friendly hotels that provide facilities and services for Muslim travellers across the world.

The services offered by Halal friendly hotels differ – some may provide information on Halal services and facilities in the vicinity of the hotel, whilst others include Qiblah direction marked in hotel rooms and serve Halal food. Certain hotels even have segregated spas, open-air pools exclusively for women and Halal beaches.  There are some hotels that prohibit alcohol in their premises, so Muslim travellers do not have to worry about relaxing next to other hotel guests that are consuming alcohol.

Here are some Halal travel destinations worth visiting along with Halal friendly hotels and resorts.

Maldives: Located in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is made up of hundreds of islands, and is the ultimate getaway location for rest and relaxation. The islands feature a range of resorts and hotels, which are very private and luxurious. Bandos Island is a superb Halal resort, with stunning private over water villas. Other resorts which would cater to Muslims include Soneva Gili, Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi and Zithali.

Tanzania: This beautiful island of Zanzibar lies to the east of Tanzania, and has some of the best beaches in the world. The island has a dash of the Middle East, as several descendants originated from Oman. There are many resorts and hotels here that cater to Halal tourists including the Ocean Paradise Resort and for those looking for a safari experience, the Saadani Lodge offers halal friendly services.

The UAE: The United Arab Emirates is one of the most popular Halal tourist destinations. With towering skyscrapers, gorgeous beaches and expansive shopping malls, Emirates is a must visit country. There are several hotels here that have Halal facilities – these include the BurJumanArjaan by Rotana Suites, the Tamani, Taj Palace and the Six Senses at Zighy Bay in nearby Oman.

Serendipity provides great deals on Halal friendly hotels to tourists interested in travelling to Halal friendly holiday destinations across the world. Serendipity also offers information and bookings for Halal resorts.

Halal Friendly Tips to enjoy Hong Kong

Here’s out top 5 tips on how to enjoy a halal friendly holiday in Hong Kong. For more inspiring ideas visit http://www.serendipity.travel or give us a call on 0203 397 4397

Travel Tale # 2 – “Clear, well-seasoned perspective”

Travel Tale # 2 – Clear, well-seasoned perspective

Mid November in Thailand and we were on a mission; a Pad Thai mission. Well less specifically to eat our way around Thailand. I honestly am a sucker when it comes to good food, and it becomes an eager challenge when it needs to be quality halal food. Pad Thai is also one of my wife’s favourite nosh, so even more incentive to be The Number One Pad Thai Detective Agency.

Halal outlets in Bangkok are quite prevalent, which was a pleasant surprise. After a quick Google search we narrowed it down to a handful of outlets to visit during our time in Thailand. We came across the weird (future travel tale #11), and the downright ‘in your face’ (possibly future travel tale #18). However in Bangkok, we came across a little restaurant in Silom, called Deen Restaurant. The owner was this lovely Muslim lady, tiny in stature, with a soy sauce stained apron on for good measure, which boasted “I’m the cook, you will like my food. End of”. She reminding me  a little of my mum, a bit stern, and even more so when she broke a wee smile hearing us try to speak Thai.

We sat down in two of the eight seats, and took some time to look interested in the other dishes on the menu. After hastily closing the ruffled sheets 30 seconds later, we asked for two Chicken Pad Thai’s. A few minutes later, two plates full the brim came along. We both took one bite, and what happened next was reminiscent of Anton Ego sampling Remi’s ratatouille, as we paused for a moment to look up and wander into a fleeting daydream. Now I’m not calling the little lady a rodent, far from it, she would probably smack me over the head with her rolling pin, for her Pad Thai was then engulfed within minutes.  Shamefully for us her kitchen was asked to make one more for the road. We had found our best Pad Thai, mission complete.

Live happy, travel happy – The Serendipity Team

The little lady armed with a rolling pin

Travel Tale #1 – The dreadlock conundrum

Travel Tale #1

Let me introduce to you our travel tales, a collection of events that we’ve encountered on our travels. In all honesty, we think it’s what makes a travel experience. The unexpected weirdness is something that often makes a journey memorable, sometimes for better and sometimes for worse.

It was May, and I was on my way back from the Caribbean; Trinidad to be exact. The night flight is around 10 hours long, on a nice new Virgin Atlantic plane. Now the last time I took this flight is was a touch bumpy, and I expected a bit of turbulence for a few minutes here and there. I never expected hours of turbulence. No kidding, it was probably about six of the ten hours of gentle bumpiness to violent bumpiness. I don’t mind it too much, and as long as you understand what is actually happening to the aircraft there is little worry about. Clear Air Turbulence, or CAT, is where moving air in a jet stream rubs along still air. Aircrafts are apparently built to withstand twice the worst turbulence possible, so with that piece of knowledge in mind I had no problems getting through the flight. However on this particular flight I was wedged between two fellow Trinis. On my right was a burly fellow with dreadlocks down to the armrest, who knew that each dread would be bouncing around when it got a bit bumpy. On my left was a lady who wouldn’t stop talking, to herself. “Ya know why dem planes be going up and down like dis, its ‘caus its not supposed to be up ‘ere” and blah blah blah with only a few hours of sleep to stop the onslaught of chatter.

I learnt two things from this trip. Airlines should put a little memo in the seatback pocket explaining what turbulence is, to stop old ladies scaring themselves. The other is that my halal meal on the return flight was from a well known takeaway in Southall (it had their sticker on the front). Spicy food and bumpy air equals another version of turbulence. All in all it didn’t bode well having to climb over my dreadlocked friend twice an hour for the next eight hours to visit the lavatory.

Live Happy Travel Happy – The halal friendly travel team

Once upon a time in a rainforest far far away….

Love wildlife? Well here are our best wildlife destinations to enjoy a halal friendly holiday to in 2012. Lets find out who made our list.

Sri Lanka is just too hot to handle right now, with the super elusive wild leopard in Yala and Wilpattu, to some of the world’s best Blue Whale spotting off the coast of Mirissa. If that’s not enough, then for all you David Lindo wannabe twitchers out there, Sinharaja has some of the best birdlife experiences around. In our opinion Sri Lanka provides some of the best wildlife sightings outside of Africa, and is a great destination for a halal friendly honeymoon or holiday too.

Rawanda has a chequered past, but don’t let that stop you from discovering the elusive Gorilla tracking safaris in Parc National des Volcans. As the most iconic of the Ape family, Gorillas are immense in their own right. Seeing them interact in the wild is one of the best experiences, period. With everything else you’d expect from an African safari, Rwanda is on most peoples bucket list I’m sure.

For those who love diving, then Sipadan Island takes gold in our long haul underwater adventure options. The only oceanic island in Malaysia, it was formed by living corals on top of an existing volcanic cone. Highlights include the wall of Barracuda that surround you at Barracuda point, the abundance of sea turtles and the nurse sharks at the 2000ft drop off. Being so close to Borneo means you’re close by to some halal Nasi Goreng and can even find time to visit the Orangutans sanctuary near Kota Kinabalu.

Tanzania just had to make our list for Africa, especially the Saadani National Park. Ok, the big five may not be as easy to spot as say in the Serengeti, but Saadani has a nice trick up it’s sleeve. The Wami river nearby is perfect for spotting Hippos and Crocs, as it flows into the Indian Ocean you’ll also find dolphins easy to see as well. The mix of savannah, river and ocean is a nature lovers dream, and the Saadani lodge is ideal for Muslim travellers.

So there really is only one real draw to Oman’s wildlife scene, but wow did they bring a piece to the party! Oman has five of the seven species of sea turtles. They include the Green Turtle, found on most Omani beaches and plentiful in Ras Al Hadd, Ras Al Jinz, Masirah Island and Ad Daymaniyat Islands. Others that find their way to Oman include the Loggerhead Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle & the Olive Ridley Turtle. Watching the hatchlings daring dash back to the ocean is one of the most popular sights, and well worth a visit to halal friendly Oman.

For more information on halal friendly wildlife experiences visit www.serendipity.travel

Five of the best emerging Halal travel destinations in the world

Five of the best emerging Halal travel destinations in the world

Halal friendly travel is a new product introduced in the travel industry which caters to Muslims, who are Halal-conscious tourists. Halal is an Arabic term that means ‘lawful’ and designates an object or action permissible to use according to Islamic law. The term is commonly used to designate food seen as permissible according to Islamic law, as well as industries such as banking. Today, even the travel and tourism industry can be designated as Halal, and this enables Halal conscious travellers to explore the world while enjoying services and travel facilities that cater to their religious beliefs. There are several countries across the world that are becoming Halal friendly – here are some of the best emerging Halal travel destinations in the world.

China: Generally unknown for it’s 27 million strong Muslim population, China encompasses an authentic Asian holiday – from skyscrapers and bustling cities to ancient history and lush fields, mosques dating thousands of years and, of course, authentic Chinese cuisine.  Without local knowledge, finding halal options in China is difficult (unless you can read Chinese!), so using a halal-friendly operator can free up your time enabling you to just enjoy exploring one of the world’s oldest civilisations.

Sri Lanka: This pearl of the Indian Ocean has grown as a tourist destination due to it’s ancient history, beautiful landscapes and friendly people. In recent years, Sri Lanka has become a prime wildlife destination where you can spot Leopards, Blue Whales, Elephants and Sloth Bears in the wild. With many hotels catering for Muslim travellers, Sri Lanka is fast becoming a premier halal-friendly destination.

Thailand: With a varied reputation, Thailand has often been demoted in the list of halal friendly destinations. However every country is diverse and Thailand is no exception. From the Muslim majority islands of Phuket and Koh Yao Noi to the south, to the bustling city of Bangkok further north, halal food and activities are available in Asia’s most exciting city.

Argentina: Buenos Aires is home to the largest mosque in Latin America, and is fast catering for Muslim travellers. With so much to see, from the immense Iguassu falls, to the simply jaw-dropping regions of Patagonia and Ushuaia, the ‘Long Country’ is an experience not be missed. Whilst halal meats are not readily available, Argentina is fast catering for vegetarian diets in a carnivorous society.

South Africa: A country full of history, from the modern times to the Zululand battlefields, South Africa is much more than great Safari experiences. Hire a car and travel at your own pace along the garden route from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, before heading to Durban, the surfing capital. With many Muslims of South Asian decent in the major cities, halal options are growing in South Africa. Make sure you try some halal biltong!

Serendipity provides Halal travel options to Halal conscious tourists interested in travelling to various holiday destinations around the world. Serendipity is an excellent option for Halal honeymoons and other leisure holidays. Visit http://www.serendipity.travel for more information

 

Hip Hong Kong

Last month we visited Hong Kong, the vibrant city of the east famous for all sorts from Jackie Chan to British Imperialism.  We knew sourcing halal options might be tricky, but to our pleasant surprise there is plenty for the Muslim traveller. There’s a full article due out in next month’s Emel Magazine however as a teaser take a look at our vlog at www.serendipity.travel/hongkong

 

 

Heading to the Middle East – Oman is the place to go!

When we first visited Oman, we were not sure what to expect, it is after all only a few hours from the cosmopolitan Dubai. However I guarantee you it’s a million miles apart.  Located to the east of the emirates, Oman is a vast halal friendly country full of beautiful heritage, stunning wildlife and truly hospitable people.  Muscat, the capital, is home to the Sultan Qaboos Mosque, a grand design on the outskirts of the city. The main musalla is perfectly square and contains the second largest hand-woven carpet. Alongside the manicured grounds are four flanking minarets, with the main minaret rising 90 metres. Over 20’000 Muslim worshippers can pray here, and is Muscat’s flagship attraction in this halal friendly destination.

Heading out of the city, Oman is a strikingly rich country for nature and the outdoors. From Caves to Lagoons and Canyons, Oman has it all with its rich and diverse biodiversity. Head towards Bandar Khayran Reserve where blue seas meet the friendly dolphins swimming alongside your boat. If you prefer to be land based, visit the cave structures at Abu Habban or head into desert for an overnight stay in a desert camp in a traditional bedouin camp. If you are visiting Oman during nesting season, the visit Ras Al Jinz where the amazing Green Turtles come to nest their eggs. If you’re there 55 days later, then you may just witness the baby hatchlings start their daring dash back to the waters.

After all that adventuring, if you need to recharge your batteries, then Muscat is home to an array of halal conscious resorts and hotels from the Six Senses Zighy Bay to the Al-Bustan Palace. As a Muslim country it maintains it’s long heritage, however has an open outlook which blends both the old and the new. So whether you’re looking for adventure, nature, Islamic heritage, history or just plain RnR, then Oman has it all. Go before everyone else discovers Oman

For more information on a halal friendly Oman holiday, visit http://www.serendipity.travel or call 0203 397 4397

6 Tips for eating Halal even when you cannot find Halal restaurants…

Our friends at Crescentrating put together a handy article on tips when you cant find Halal food, as travelling to some countries can be be an issue…

http://www.crescentrating.com/en/six-tips-for-eating-halal-even-when-you-cannot-find-halal.html

For more ideas on finding halal friendly travel destination visit http://www.serendipity.travel