Short cuts: Updates from London, Djibouti, Cambodia, Tanzania

Financial Times | 31 October 2014
 

A Paddington Bear tourist experience, direct flights to Djibouti, cruise around Tonlé Sap lake and Phnom Penh, and an opportunity to learn how to become a safari guide

London

The launch of the film Paddington later this month has sparked a slew of bear-related tourist experiences around the world. They range from the obvious (a Paddington tea at the Athenaeum Hotel in Mayfair, complete with marmalade sandwiches) to the spurious (a new trip to “darkest Peru” with Wexas). Tuesday sees the launch of the official Paddington Bear trail, in which 50 statues of the bear have been hidden around London at sites featured in the original books by Michael Bond. The statues have been designed by an illustrious group of artists, and celebrities including David Beckham, Darcey Bussell and Nicole Kidman, and are designed to draw followers to some of London’s key tourist attractions before being auctioned for charity on December 30. visitlondon.com/paddington

Djibouti

Until recently, tourism in Djibouti, the small country on the Horn of Africa, has been low-scale and aimed mainly at budget travellers. However, its attractions – which include world-class snorkelling along the Red Sea coast and dramatic lunar landscapes around the Ardoukoba volcano – may be about to gain wider awareness, helped by more upmarket providers. Qatar Airways has introduced a direct flight to the country from Doha, a thrice-weekly service taking around three hours, while UK-based adventure tour operator Explore is offering the destination for the first time as part of a 12-day tour combined with neighbouring Ethiopia (from £2,676). qatarairways.com ; explore.co.uk; visitdjibouti.dj

Cambodia

Luxury boat operators are rushing to offer ever more exclusive experiences on the Mekong. Aqua Expeditions, a company that made its name with high-end cruises down the Peruvian Amazon, made its inaugural voyage last week with a trip taking in the Tonlé Sap lake and Phnom Penh. Its new boat has staff in designer uniforms, food by the celebrated chef David Thompson and just 20 cabins (from £1,848 per person for three nights). Meanwhile Pandaw, an existing operator, has just launched trips to the river’s remote Kratie region, home of the rare Irrawaddy dolphin. The 11-day cruise (£1,550 per person) also stops at remote floating villages and Koh Trong island where guests can also spot Mekong mud turtles. aquaexpeditions.com; pandaw.com

Tanzania

For Africaphiles wanting a different kind of insight into the safari experience, Gane and Marshall is offering the opportunity to learn how to become a guide. Its “Pyramids of Life” itinerary will take place over three weeks in the Serengeti and the Masai Mara. From £6,495 per person for one week, all inclusive. ganeandmarshall.com