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[10 Things I love About...] Destinations I've visited, the experiences

Mohamed Hamza, an MBA graduate from the University of Strathclyde Business School, began his career with Hilton Worldwide in 1990. During his tenure with Hilton, he played an active role in supporting the food and beverage functions for several pre-opening hotels and in 2010, accepted his fifth assignment as General Manager when he joined Hilton Durban. Contributing Editor Brian Berkman asked him about the 10 things he loved about destinations he's visited and the experiences he's had.
[10 Things I love About...] Destinations I've visited, the experiences

10 things I love about the destinations I have visited and experiences encountered during my travels

By Mohamed Hamza, General Manager at Hilton Durban - www.hilton.com

1. Snorkelling at the Blue Hole in Dahab on the south east coast of Sinai, Egypt. The amount of fish and coral species visible through the crystal-clear waters is truly amazing, making it one of my favourite snorkelling spots. It's a remarkable underwater experience - http://en.egypt.travel/attraction/index/the-blue-hole.

2. Space Mountain at Euro Disney, Paris, France. This was such an exhilarating experience that gave me an incredible adrenaline rush. 24 passengers were grouped in a large dome and sprung into the air by a large catapult. The experience was great fun and brought out my inner child - http://us.parks.disneylandparis.com/disneyland-park/lands/discoveryland/attractions/space-mountain-mission2.xhtml

3. Elephant trekking in the forests of Phuket, Thailand. Together with my family, we spent 14 days visiting Phuket. During our visit, we took an elephant ride through the forest and local village. Great memories with my girls who still can't stop talking about the experience.

4. The Pyramids in Cairo, Egypt. My trip to the pyramids was probably one of the biggest highlights for me during the course of my travels. It's an incredible feeling to have experienced one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

5. The Garden Route, South Africa. When I arrived in South Africa the first trip I wanted to take with my family was along the Garden Route. So many of my friends and colleagues told me about this amazing journey through the Cape and I couldn't be more blessed having had the opportunity to experience it for myself. I can't wait to go back.

6. Zip lining through Oribi Gorge, South Africa. Sliding down a cable for 4.5km above the tree-tops...what more can I say! - http://www.oribi.net/activities-at-oribi-gorge/.

7. Indoor snow skiing in Dubai, UAE. I know it's not the Alps, but Ski Dubai almost felt as if we were skiing down the slopes in France. It's a great afternoon out for the entire family and a fun way to learn how to ski - http://www.skidubai.com/ski-dubai/snowpark/.

8. Desert camping in the Empty Quarter at Al Ain, UAE. I love camping and what better place to experience the outdoors than in a tent in the middle of the desert. The only piece of advice I have for those planning a trip out into the desert, is make sure you are prepared for the sand storms. Overall however, it made my top 10 list!

9. Inland sea dune bashing at Doha, Qatar. Racing through the dunes is certainly not a sport for the faint-hearted but what a fun activity. If you are ever in the Middle East, there are plenty of outlets that provide recreational activities like this, and I encourage you to sign up - what fun! - http://www.qataradventure.com/items.asp?cid=58&scid=187.

10. Strolling the streets of the Champs-Élysées in Paris, France. Paris is one of my favourite cities and my wife loves the Champs-Élysées, and not just for the shopping. This small part of Paris is filled with things to do and every time we visit, we make sure we stroll past the Arc de Triomphe and enjoy a coffee and croissant at one of the many Patisseries in the area.

About Brian Berkman: contributing editor, travel

Brian Berkman can be contacted on 083-441-8765 or email moc.namkreBnairB@nairB.
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