It’s that time of the year again when the travel bug bites. When you want to get away from it all…far from the madding crowd. When you want to do nothing but while away the long summer days relaxing on some quite, secluded beach with only the sun, sand and sea for company. Ah, bliss! So when it comes to a place that has it all, there’s no better place than Sri Lanka. Well connected to the Gulf, easily accessible, hospitable people, unspoiled beaches and a host of other factors make this island nation irresistible. It’s a land you would want to go to again and again, once you’re captivated by its charms. In this issue of Gulf Traveller, we also cast a quick glance at Russia and Qatar, two countries that won the rights to host the football World Cup in 2018 and 2022 respectively amid much controversy. Then we take a peek at the little-known Comoros islands, with its melange of Arab, African and French influences. So much to do…so little time! We hope we’ve made it easier for you to make a holiday choice this summer. Bon voyage!