Latest news with #Anantara
Listly
3 days ago
- Listly
How to Experience the Soul of Zambia Through Its Time-Honoured Festivals
REPORT Listly by Joanna James Zambia, a country in the southern part of Africa, is a magical place and should be next on your bucket list. This land-locked country borders on Zimbabwe and has much to offer travellers in terms of safaris, wildlife, and nature in general. While Zambia's natural beauty may attract more of the first-time travellers, the country's cultural depth truly captivates those who are able to see past the superficial layers. With over 70 ethnic groups and a history that includes ancient customs, royal legacies, and spiritual practices, Zambia offers a cultural journey like no other in southern Africa. From dynamic public festivals to deeply spiritual masked dances, experiencing this living heritage is one of the most rewarding things to do in Zambia. Zambia's Culture Unveiled While wildlife safaris and visits to Victoria Falls dominate many itineraries, the nation's festivals offer something less expected and far more intimate. These ceremonies provide priceless insight into the values, ancestry as well as communal traditions of Zambia's people. The important thing to note is that the ceremonies performed aren't meant to be tourist attractions or entertainment in any way. They are authentic celebrations that carry a lot of meaning to the local population. Enjoying Culture in Comfort For those looking to experience the traditions and cultural ceremonies of Zambia, while enjoying world-class accommodation, staying in Livingstone offers the perfect location to be in proximity to them. The Royal Livingstone Hotel by Anantara, located on the banks of the Zambezi River and just minutes from Victoria Falls, provides a sophisticated base for cultural and natural exploration alike. The Spectacle of Kuomboka Perhaps the most well-known traditional ceremony is Kuomboka, which is held each year by the Lozi people of Western Province. The ceremony's name translates to 'getting out of water,' and it commemorates the annual move of the Litunga, the Lozi king, from his palace in the Barotse floodplains to higher ground. When water levels rise during the rainy season, a grand procession sets out: the king aboard the royal barge Nalikwanda, decorated with a black-and-white elephant and paddled by oarsmen dressed in traditional scarlet and white. Thousands of spectators gather along the Zambezi River's edge to watch this journey unfold to the sound of ancient drums and royal pageantry. Mutomboko: A Celebration of Legacy In the north-eastern Luapula Province, the Mutomboko Festival offers quite a contrasting but equally spectacular insight into Zambia's traditional leadership and warrior history. Held in the month of July, the ceremony celebrates the historic migration and triumph of the Lunda people, which the legendary Mwata Kazembe leads. The festival is locally referred to as the 'Dance of Victory.' Visitors can expect dance performances, battle reenactments, and a rare public appearance by the current Mwata Kazembe as well. Shimunenga and the Spirit of the South Further south in the Namwala District, the Shimunenga Ceremony of the Ba-Ila people showcases Zambia's pastoralist roots. Taking place during the full moon in either the months of September or October, Shimunenga is steeped in ancestral respect and community solidarity. Usually beginning at dawn with traditional hymns being sung at a shrine, the ceremony is then followed by a parade of decorated cattle, symbolising wealth and social status. Participants then engage in rituals and communal activities ranging from mock lion hunts to fishing expeditions and feasting on traditional dishes. Gule Wamkulu: Dance of the Ancestors Among the Chewa people in the Eastern Province, the Gule Wamkulu, also known as the 'Great Dance', offers one of Zambia's most unique cultural experiences. This sacred masked performance is conducted by members of the Nyau secret society, whose dancers wear elaborate costumes representing spirits, animals, and mythical beings. Performed during funerals, initiations, and public holidays, the Gule Wamkulu blends moral storytelling with spiritual reverence. Dancers often move in trance-like states, embodying their characters as they weave between rhythm and ritual. Though traditionally restricted, some performances are now included in national cultural events, allowing outsiders to observe respectfully. Recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, this dance is a vivid reminder of the enduring connection between Zambians and their ancestors.
Metro
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
British man 'devastated' after being kicked out of Dubai for face tattoos
A British man's dream holiday to Dubai was ruined after he was refused entry because of his tattoos. Jordan Howman, 34, landed at Dubai International Airport for a week-long getaway with his fiancée Theresa, 38, and daughter Kaic, 16. Jordan, from Crewe, had forked out £3,000 for his third trip to the United Arab Emirates, his 'favourite country in the world.' But on arrival, he was pulled over by customs officers, before being refused entry after a six-hour wait due to his face tattoos. Jordan got the markings on his face around eight or nine years ago alongside words like 'blessed', 'family' and 'crazy life' and said it has never caused problems during his previous two visits to Dubai. He said: 'It has absolutely devastated me. I feel like I've been massively discriminated against. 'My missus has been crying her eyes out.' 'There's no law against face tattoos – there's nothing like that. The plasterer said the experience had made him feel 'absolutely rubbish' and had put him off travelling to Dubai again. He added: 'It was my favourite country, but this has absolutely ruined it. Now I'll never go again. I've lost all of my money because of a pattern on my face.' The UAE has become one of the go-to destinations for wealthy British expats and holidaymakers alike. But the state's socially conservative policies can cause problems for visiting foreigners. Britons have previously faced arrest for public displays of affection, including kissing. The UAE also has a zero tolerance for drugs, with passengers found with even residual amounts of illegal substances facing a prison sentence. Jordan's Emirates airline touched down at Dubai International Airport on Wednesday, June 111, at 7.30am. 'It was my third trip to Dubai,' he said. 'I'd had no problems all the other times. But this time, as we got in, I scanned my passport and was just about to go through security when an airport worker pulled us aside. 'We were about to put our hand luggage on the conveyor belt when the man said: 'Follow me'.' After taking Jordan aside, the man asked if he'd had his passport stamped before taking it from him. 'Then he snatched my passport out of my hand,' he said. 'There had been nowhere to stamp it – we'd used the electronic gates. It was just an excuse to get the passport out of my hand.' After being held in a waiting room for over four hours, Jordan was transferred to immigration at around 12pm, he said. By this time, his family had reached the five-star Anantara hotel. He called his partner and she got a taxi to the airport but he says 'they wouldn't let me see her' and she got a taxi back to the hotel, costing a total of £250. Jordan said he was not given his passport back for some time which was 'terrifying'. 'A woman came and took me upstairs to immigration, where they said: 'He's not coming in because of his face tattoos – you're not coming in because of the way you look',' he said. 'One of the staff behind the desk said a more senior immigration officer made the decision, saying I was not to enter Dubai and that I must leave the country immediately.' More Trending At 2.30pm, Jordan was put on another Emirates flight heading back to the UK. 'They sent me on a flight back to Manchester. It was only when I landed that I got my passport back. Friday morning was the first time I got to see my daughter, over Facetime', he said. Metro approached Dubai Airports for a comment and an attempt was made to contact the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigh Affairs Dubai. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Is it safe to travel to Dubai right now? Latest Foreign Office tourist advice after US strikes Iran MORE: Florida attorney general offers Trump 'Alligator Alcatraz' prison to hold immigrants MORE: Why I keep going back to the world's 'most overrated' city
Times
20-06-2025
- Times
Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky review: a grand, stylish Amsterdam stay
The scene is set inside this hotel's belle époque-era Winter Garden: an exclusive jewel box courtyard of palms and peacock colours, accented beneath a 19th-century glass roof. As for the clientele, this is where dapper chaps and well-heeled ladies breakfast late and attend evening high society balls. The lavish restaurant is surely the Dutch capital's best example of turn-of-the-century ambience and both the Winter Garden and its encompassing hotel owe much of their charm to the name above the entrance: Adolf Wilhelm Krasnapolsky, a Polish tailor who arrived in the city in 1856 and set about creating a swinging scene that's lasted until today. But that's not to say Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky is old-fashioned. Yes, it's wonderfully nostalgic, but that marries with Anantara's renowned light touch to make it a classically modern affair, and its rooms and dinner jaunts are a rare and luxurious thing. As for service, it's refreshingly hands-off, unlike so much of Amsterdam's cut and thrust these days. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue Score 8/10If you're familiar with the Anantara brand, you'll know it for its plush hotels in Thailand, the Maldives and the UAE. It's a similar deal here, as there are 402 rooms, the largest of any in the company's globe-trotting portfolio, and they are spread across 55 canal houses, all of which have been geometrically puzzled together like one giant optical illusion from the Dutch mind-bender MC Escher. The silky colour scheme in each of the rooms is soft and neutral — swan white, porcelain, chiffon and chrome. There is also modern ergonomic Dutch design and a spectrum of deluxe and premium rooms that come with oversized windows, rooftop or canal views and bathrooms of ivory marble and polished wood. For the pick of the bunch, opt for the bumper-sized Grand Premium Dam View, with bathtub basking in natural light. Score 9/10 That Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky has become the focus of chit-chat in the Amsterdam food scene is largely because of the chef Tristan de Boer, born and bred in the city. He is chef de cuisine at the one-Michelin-star White Room, a restaurant as beautiful as the Winter Garden and an ode to the history of the French brasserie. The original restaurant, De Witte Zaal, opened in 1885 and maintains its handsome look with gilded mirrors, marble pillars and striking torso sculptures. Food-wise, it unites the best French ingredients (macarons, ceps, artichokes à la barigoule) with the Dutch kitchen (smoked mackerel, north sea crab, black caviar). Whatever you do, dress up. The hotel's other two talking points are Grand Café Krasnapolsky, a Viennese-style fantasy of cakes, macarons and meringues and a bar focusing on the art of tailoring and created as a hat's tip to Krasnapolsky. Though it's short on subtlety (spot the thimble lights, sewing machine, jumbo pair of scissors, measuring tape edging the counter bar), the Tailor is still fresh and fun for a hotel bar. • Read our full guide to Amsterdam• Best boutique hotels in Amsterdam Score 8/10With so much history, this is a hotel that has a lot to say. Cue a hotel archivist who puts on mini exhibitions (free, year-round) and with snippets that you actually want to know about (Martin Luther King once gave a speech here, for instance). There is also a spa (no pool) and a fitness centre with a 360-degree climbing wall. Bicycles can be booked too. Score 9/10Over the years, Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky has become a monument for locals, with 'Meet me by Kras' becoming a common shorthand. For that reason, there's collective gratitude for its location, right on Dam Square, facing the National Royal Palace, ten minutes' walk from Amsterdam Centraal station and in the mix of the city's loveliest streets. Next door is Wynand Fockink, opened in 1679 and the oldest distillery in Amsterdam. Price B&B doubles from £264Restaurant YFamily-friendly YAccessible Y Mike MacEacheran was a guest of Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky ( • Best boat hotels in Amsterdam• Best hostels in Amsterdam for a backpacking break
Listly
18-06-2025
- Listly
First Time in Vietnam? Don't Miss These 5 Must-Dos - Discovering
Hoi An is a charming riverside town renowned for its well-preserved Old Town, lantern-lined streets, and rich cultural heritage. The fusion of French colonial, Chinese, and Japanese influences creates a unique architectural fabric. Whether shopping in tailor shops, sipping Vietnamese coffee, or floating lanterns on the river, Hoi An possesses an entrancing atmosphere that is one of a kind in Vietnam. For a touch of glamour during your stay, consider The Vietage by Anantara, an upscale train experience that connects Hoi An (through local Da Nang) to Quy Nhon in comfort and style.
Harpers Bazaar Arabia
09-06-2025
- Harpers Bazaar Arabia
Love To Meditate? Make Anantara Mina Ras Al Khaimah Resort Your Next Escape
Mindfulness and holistic healing amidst a natural sanctuary, Anantara Mina Ras Al Khaimah Resort offers a curated journey you didn't know you needed Cocooned in an abundance of nature, Anantara Mina Ras Al Khaimah Resort evokes a feeling of home amidst the expansive tranquillity of the beach, mountains and desert. Designed for guests to reset and unwind, the resort's philosophy is centred on healing and harmony – it's a private peninsula that overlooks the vast open ocean and serves as a reminder of our oneness. Whether you're new to your wellness journey or have been conscious of it for a long time, this is a retreat that beckons reflection and connection to your inner self through a meditative approach coupled with seclusion. The over-water pool villas boast a Maldivian-chic, nature-inspired aesthetic intended to transport guests to an idyllic island haven. Gaze at the endless waters of the Arabian Gulf through the floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room, or from your generously sized bathtub, surrounded by lush green mangroves and the sea. Serene cream and wood shades mingle in the room, inviting the outdoors in. Several intricately designed décor pieces adorn the shelves in the kitchen area, a testament to the resort's commitment to the arts and creativity. The soft golden lighting complements the colour palette, further urging a lasting sense of inner calm. Start the morning with a regional and international breakfast at Sea Breeze; from fresh pastries and pancakes to a range of colourful fruits, teas and juices, the selection ensures a variety of palates are catered to, with health at the forefront. To fully immerse in the resort's belief in relaxation, head to Anantara Spa – a natural sanctuary that delves into the world of traditional Thai healing, returning harmony to the mind, body and soul with a special focus on your mental state. The choice of natural, organic products restores one's inner glow, while the techniques of yogic stretching and Chinese-style acupressure correct the flow of energy all around the body to create a deeper state of peace. The signature massage is ideal for clearing energy blockages and enhancing overall wellbeing; a combination of Western and Eastern massage techniques, the full-body treatment blends the brand's signature oils to stimulate circulation and relax the muscles. Also of note is the 'Rebalance Ritual', which harmonises the body's seven energy centres through guided breathing and visualisation, combined with a therapeutic massage and chakra balancing. Welcome the evening with outdoor sunset yoga to further soften the mind and body. Dinner is served at Mekong, perched at the edge of the water with an al fresco terrace. The chef prepares a range of favourites from Anantara's native Thailand, Vietnam and China, with exotic flavours reinterpreted for the modern diner. End the day with a leisurely night stroll around the property, observing the fleeting flamingos and fully absorbing nature's spirit within your body – a gift you can take home. From Harper's Bazaar Arabia Interiors Summer 2025 Issue.
