Varun is taking a break from his Daily Diary for a few days and has entrusted this responsibility to Tim & James
Filming of the 2010 series of Inside Luxury Travel is near completion. During 2010 Varun and the Inside Luxury Travel film crew travelled to Melbourne, Hawaii, KwaZulu-Natal, Quebec, Istanbul, Prague, Edinburgh, Abu Dhabi, Mexico, French Polynesia, Barcelona and Tasmania.
We are pleased to announce the filming locations for 2011 - Malaysia, Antigua, Napa Valley, Sydney, Big Sur, Wales, Geneva, Sweden, Botswana, Egypt, New Delhi and Mumbai.
Over the next few weeks there will be a series of Look Back Diary entries. Our ninth filming location was Abu Dhabi.
The two properties that we filmed in Abu Dhabi were Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara (http://desertislands.anantara.com) and Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort (http://qasralsarab.anantara.com/)
off we went!
"It's always sad to wave farewell to a property and I genuinely was when bidding adieu to Desert Island this morning. As I mentioned yesterday, without exception, the staff were brilliant!" - Varun
champagne and blackberry!
"The property is managed by Anantara and if the staff is as lovely as the other place ... this just maybe THE best property in the UAE ... if not Middle East." - Varun
"It's been another long and weary day. The heat was almost unbearable and I am sure that I sweated at least my body weight ... well, it felt like that." - Varun
"I have a 3-bedroom villa here ... for just me ... with a private pool ... for just me ... There is something quiet lovely going for a dip at all times of day (even 3 am) by yourself ... and the air is hotter than the water!" - Varun
"general manager - the lovely Didier Tourneboeuf" - Varun
"i have just hit James ... and Tim is running for it ...!" - Varun
We also visited the Yas Hotel on our stay in Abu Dhabi.
"The Yas is a total lifestyle experience ... it's one of those hotels you have to visit before you die ... I am not saying it's the most amazing place on Earth BUT it certainly is set to become an icon." - Varun
"I was met by Peter Rae from the Yas Circuit and after interviewing him, I was instructed by Tony Whittaker in a stunning Aston Martin Vantage .. top speed 280 mph ... I now want one.
I was allowed to drive the F1 circuit ... the longest straight (there are 21 bends) is 1.2 kms ... and I zoooooooooooomed like I have never zoomed before! I was FABULOUS ... well, apparently, I was ok ... but the experience was FABULOUS!" - Varun
So - Abu Dhabi. It was hot. I thoroughly LOVED Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara ... the finest property in the UAE, hands down. The staff, the accommodation, the facilities, the amenities, all perfect. The Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara was okay ... the staff were amazing, the cuisine superb ... but I felt like something was not quite right ... hmmmm ...
