Destination Spotlight of the Month – Mumbai

Situated on a peninsula halfway up the west coast of India, Mumbai is India's economic powerhouse and home to more millionaires than any other city on the Indian sub-continent.

The centre of Imperial Bombay, an area known as Fort, contains a breathtaking array of High Victorian buildings and is reminiscent of a prosperous 19th century English industrial city. The fascinating range of architectural styles reflects the British passion for the Gothic and demonstrates the wealth, panache and confidence of British Bombay. Prosperity has always been considered more important than religious homogeneity in Mumbai, and this is reflected in the range of places of worship throughout the city - churches and cathedrals sit alongside countless mosques, Hindu and Buddhist temples.

Like many Indian cities, the streets of Mumbai are congested with cattle, carts and motor vehicles and the air is thick with smog and the sound of horns, but despite this the city has much to offer and those en route to Goa should take time to discover Mumbai's colourful and fascinating history and its vibrant, energetic and friendly people. At worst, the experience will make Goa's beaches seem even more peaceful.

  Flight Specials

The splendid setting of Sydney Harbour becomes the stage for one of the most spectacular annual fireworks displays in the world, watched by millions of people around the globe. Families with young children can enjoy the celebrations at the 9pm display. Later on is the midnight spectacular - its fireworks, fired from barges on either side of the Harbour Bridge and from the bridge itself, covers a four-mile (7km) stretch of the harbour. There are other activities to take part in throughout the evening including the traditional Tall Ships Parade decorated with lighting effects and various carnival attractions.

Despite the devastating hurricane season in 2005, New Orleans is once again hosting the world-renowned annual Mardi Gras, a carnival that was first celebrated in its present form in 1856 and has earned a reputation for being the most scandalous and sensational annual event on the world's festival calendar. The origins of the carnival can be traced back to Roman times, but the date is based on the Christian calendar. Traditionally Mardi Gras day falls on 'Fat Tuesday', the day before Ash Wednesday, usually occurring during late February or early March each year. The history and traditions of the New Orleans Mardi Gras are complex, but what it all means to revelling visitors is a series of ever-more exciting street parades through the French Quarter starting about 10 days before Fat Tuesday, building up to the big day. The whole affair turns into a major street party with, amongst other things, traditional strings of beads being exchanged in return for favours.

Celebrating the southern right whale, the annual festival offers art and crafts, theatre, music, a half marathon and surf festival in addition to some of the best shore-based whale watching opportunities in the world. Hermanus boasts the world's only whale crier who alerts visitors to whale sightings with a kelp horn every day during whale season. Every year from July to September the southern right whales travel thousands of miles to the southern coast of South Africa to mate and calve in the bays.

  Did you know?

SAA offers the only non-stop direct flight from Johannesburg to Mumbai four times a week.

Flying with SAA to Mumbai

• Outbound flights take a short 9 hours and 20 minutes to reach Mumbai.
• Flights depart from Johannesburg at 11:40 every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
• The even shorter return flight takes 9 hours and 5 minutes to reach Johannesburg.
• Flights from Mumbai depart every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 02:30, arriving back at O.R. Tambo International Airport at 08:05 on the same day, in time for passengers to comfortably connect onward onto SAA domestic and regional connections.

• SAA operates to Mumbai with the Airbus A340-200 with 24 seats in Business Class and 226 seats in Economy Class.
• All seats in Business Class are full lie-flat seats.
• Business Class with window or aisle seats guaranteed.
• All seats in Business Class are forward facing.
• Passengers can earn miles with SAA Voyager on all tickets (except Redemption tickets)
• SAA offers the genuine Proudly South African on-board service.
• Economy class passengers are allowed 30kg checked baggage
• Passengers travelling in Business class are allowed 40kg checked baggage

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