Cape Town: The Must-See City of Africa

April 25, 2010 by  
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Mention Cape Town, South Africa, and perhaps the first thing that comes into your mind will be the growling lions and the running gazelles. It could be true that much of the popularity South Africa is brought by its safari, but there is definitely than meets the eye whilst visiting Cape Town.

And the Adventure Begins

Cape Town has something in store for adventure lovers from all over the world. For one, the beaches are very inviting, especially when it comes to various water sports activities such as kayaking, parasailing, water skiing, scuba diving, and snorkeling. In fact, you can just simply ride a yacht or a chartered boat and watch the dolphins and whales having fun, and enjoy the bounties of the sea.

Your Cape Town travel will also never be complete without taking the off-beaten paths and hiking trails that lead up to the gorgeous Table Mountain where you can see lush vegetation and exotic floral and animal species. Do you want to be the next Tiger Woods? You can also take delight in a quiet tee time amongst the vast greens of Cape Town golf courses, which are actually some of the best if not the best in the entire world.

The South African arts and culture will be one thing that you do not want to miss. In Cape Town, you can take your pick amongst the wide varieties of cultural and entertainment performances of different artists. You can amuse yourself to real African music, humor, dances, and arts. At daytime, meanwhile, you can feast your eyes amongst the historical galleries, museums, and exhibits found all over the city such as the Gold of Africa Museum, or Robben Island Museum. You can also proceed to Hout Bay and Kalk Bay in Cape Town if you would like to take some paintings or souvenirs back home.

Cape Town also never sleeps, as the bars, restaurants, clubs and cafes will keep you entertained, well into the night. This is also a very good opportunity to meet interesting folk and exchange stories. You can dine at fine international restaurants, or sample the local cuisine. The V&A Waterfront is one of the premier attractions in Africa, where you will find entertainment, and activities galore.

The fertile mountains, plains, and valleys all over Cape Town make them perfect for the cultivation of the most delicious wines in the world. During your trip, you can visit the Cape Winelands region which offers rolling mountains and historic wine cellars, offering free samples of local wine. Food, cocktails & other refreshments are also on offer.

Find Cape Town Accommodation Now

There are millions of people all over the world that visit the city every year, so you may want to secure yourself an early spot in one of the fine Cape Town hotels or other accommodation options. Many Cape Town Hotels permit online booking, which saves time & hassle once you arrive. With the most courteous staff and world-class amenities, you are in for a pleasant surprise!

With all this excitement, your Cape Town Travel experience, is something you would not soon forget!



The Wine Regions of South Africa

April 23, 2010 by  
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Who can forget such striking names as Meerlust, Rustenberg, Vergelegen, Steenberg and Mulderbosch…? Certainly not those with an interest in New World wines, amongst which the vineyards of South Africa stand as tall as any. The regions that produce these wines are some of the most beautiful in South Africa, holidays to visit them being an equally large industry. The following is an introduction to this world of green slopes, light breezes and world-class produce.

The Wine Regions of South Africa

The first wine grown in South Africa was that of Jan Van Riebeek, the founder of Cape Town, in 1659. The earliest estate, Constantia, was born just 26 years later in 1685. So, while the wines of South Africa may be ‘New World’ there’s really very little ‘new’ about them. Most of the vineyards are based in the Western Cape, surrounding Cape Town, a top location for luxury holidays, South Africa’s best-known tourist destination, and a stunning example of the country’s landscape. However, the Northern Cape, fed by the Orange River, is starting to be developed, as well as the eastern region of the KwaZulu-Natal. Early efforts appear promising, but as the vast majority of wines comes from the Western Cape the following areas are all based in the lush surroundings of Cape Town:

Constantia

In an affluent suburb of grand houses and luxury hotels, South Africa’s Constantia region is famed as a pedigree of their wine market. South African wine finds its origins here and the area is currently undergoing a popular revival. The vineyards are ideally placed on the side of the Constantia Mountain where they are cooled by gentle sea breezes. Despite these ideal conditions only five estates are based locally: Klein Constantia, Groot Constantia, Buitervenwachting, Constantia Uitsig and Steenberg.

Stellenbosch

Based just 50km south-east of Cape Town, Stellenbosch is famed as the country’s greatest wine-producing region and as the largest university town in South Africa, holidays here being based around the fertile valleys and historical towns of the agricultural heartland. With over 200 producers based in the area, Stellenbosch is the established capital of South African viniculture. Fringed by mountains that afford spectacular views, the geology of the area is of particular interest; the granite-based soils in the east are ideal for the cultivation of red wines, while the sandstone soils in the east lend themselves more easily to whites.

Franschhoek

To the west of Stellenbosch and by no means as large, Franschhoek lies surrounded by the Drakenstein mountains and enjoys relatively high levels of rainfall and warm temperatures. Because of this producers here have the freedom to cultivate a wide variety of wine styles. Being only 50km east of Cape Town, and boasting a wide range of chic restaurants, it is also included on the itinerary of many luxury holidays. South Africa can offer few better gourmet experiences.

Walker Bay

A cool coastal region that is very much on the up, Walker Bay houses such varieties as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and other traditional Burgundy grapes. Local estates include Hamilton Russell and Bouchard Finlayson.

Paarl

To the north-west of Cape Town, this famous region boasts a selection of leading producers such as Veenwouden, Nederburg, Fairview, Glen Carlou and Plaisir de Merle. Rhone-style grapes are being grown here, such as Syrah and Pinotage, representing a move from traditional white cultivation to reds. The summer heat in the area means that the best produce comes from the more elevated vineyards.

If the visitor wants to complement their stay in one of the country’s fine luxury hotels, South Africa’s wines are the very finest choice. Not only are they an example of real local work and ingenuity, but they give a real taste of the culture. Make sure not to miss out on your next visit to the Southern land.



Safari South Africa

April 14, 2010 by  
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Geographically South Africa is a vast country and also a very beautiful place to visit. For British people its very nice place to visit because there is a common language and also same time means virtually there is no time difference between Southern Africa and UK. So planning a holiday trip to South Africa for the first time can be a difficult task. Before going to you should know geography and climate of Southern Africa. Then only you can make your trip enjoyable.

There are lots of tour promoters are available with attractive offers. You can decide your tour programmers by online also. Tour promoters will help you to get a good accommodation, travel facility that is any vehicle you want. So in all cases they will help you. Mostly all of the promoters give attractive tour packages that help you in financially and here you can select your package depend on the places you like to visit in Southern Africa. You can have an option of the hotel type you want to reside in South Africa, number of days you like to spend there. Once you decided your trip just inform the corresponding agencies and fix your tour.

In South Africa you will get classic hotels, private villas, guest houses and lodges to stay. South African foods are so nice and delicious especially wines. Most of the Europeans are now becoming aware of these wines. You will get a train journey offers also like luxury train trips, blue train and Rovos rails. The important thing is that you should check whether the tour arrangers or promoters would provide any finance security, because some promoters are providing finance security. So plan your trip well and decide a suitable tour package from good tour arrangers who provide all the securities and best trip and make your trip enjoyable.



Top Five Cities to Visit on a Holiday in North Africa

April 12, 2010 by  
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Top Five Cities to Visit on a Holiday in North Africa

North Africa is a veritable treasure trove of amazing sights, sounds and situations for you to explore. From the shifting sands of the Sahara Desert to the crowded city streets of the area’s Kasbahs, there is no end to the wonders and excitement that you can discover. However, most people don’t have the time to spend experiencing the whole of the region (which would take a lifetime!), so how do you decide where to go? Well, to help narrow it down we’ve put together a list of the top five cities in that you can visit on your holidays to North Africa.

5.Marrakech

Marrakech is a hub of culture and tourism in Morocco. It also gives you a real taste of the region, offering the chance to barter in the largest souk (traditional market) in all of Morocco, and arguably the whole of North Africa. Holidays to the city are exotic, exciting and varied; you can spend your time there taking in the amazing monuments and buildings or relaxing in the gardens and courtyards. The city also has some amazing views of the desert and offers trips, treks and tours into and through the vast expanse of sand.

4. Tunis

Tunis has had an adventurous history through the ages - many armies have fought over the city, it has been a haven for pirates and buccaneers and has been bombarded by the British navy! There’s a real sense of excitement in the city, of barely contained possibility and adventure that any visitor on a North African holiday can’t fail to be caught up in. As the capital of Tunisia, the city is an administrative and cultural centre that offers a range of different experiences to suit all tastes; from Mediterranean cruises to Moorish treks, the city has something for every adventurer.

3. Alexandria

People searching for holidays to North Africa with a literary and historical bent should look no further than Alexandria. The city was home to the most advanced light house and one of the most wide ranging libraries in history - two of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Though these amazing structures were sadly lost to antiquity, the city continues to house some of the lesser wonders of the ancient world which are well worth a visit; Roman, Greek and Egyptian ruins mingle in an incredible city that is almost an open air museum in and of itself.

2. Casablanca

Casablanca is our second North Africa holiday destination that is in Morocco, and has a very interesting history. People may only know the glitzy, exotic Hollywood film idea of the city, but it’s actually not far off. You can wander down to Rick’s Café (a replica of the film’s café that’s popular with tourists), and walk in the city’s alleyways and streets surrounded by vendors. However, after independence the city has grown to accommodate both old and new influences, with top class hotels nestled comfortably in ancient streets. Spend even a little time on holiday in this North African city and you’ll feel the beginning of a beautiful friendship that will bloom over many such trips.

1. Cairo

Number one on our list has to be Cairo. The capital of Egypt provides everything you could want from a holiday in North Africa. Modern shopping complexes exist in harmony with traditional stalls; rustic rented rooms are available in the same city that has luxury five star suites; you can eat from local stalls or purchase the most exquisite cuisine money can by. The city has it all and caters to all tastes, but where it stands out is its surroundings. The Nile River, the endless desert and the towering monuments of the Pyramids at Giza make Cairo a city in its own league.



Dream Holidays South Africa

April 7, 2010 by  
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Experience Dream Holidays in South Africa

South Africa is the country at the tip of the gloriously and spectacularly varied African Continent. If you think that South Africa is a poor and undeveloped country, then you are really far from truth. It is an exotic place, offering new experience to all its visitors and at the same time the economical and commercial centre of Africa, while still very heavily cultured. Its varied areas range from stretches of plains and valleys, to the busy and populated cities which look more like the typical Western big cities than an African area. Dream holidays in South Africa are something that we should all experience. .

It is true that smaller villages and towns do suffer from poverty and are not developed enough, although still the conditions are not as bad as in other African countries. Poverty is becoming less of a problem in South Africa, simply because the improvements in the country and the gravity shown in tourism have created a great source of income for many places. This is a part of the beauty of South Africa. Travellers who wish to meet places that are still unique and untouched by the western type of touristic development will find South Africa an amazing place to be.

What you can expect when visiting South Africa is clean and large cities, well appointed towns and villages, hotels offering the latest amenities and technology, expected in a western country and of course local and international cuisine. South Africa is a patchwork of civilizations and cultures, and this is something reflected to the cuisine as well. Restaurants offering local specialties and unusual dishes – for the westerners – or nice flavours of the international cuisine are all over the big cities. The more you distance from the big centres, the more traditional and local dishes and cultural events you will meet.

Music, fashion, food and habits are things that change dramatically outside the big cities. In fact you can enjoy amazing local customs and celebrations in the middle of the Savannah, amidst plain nature and untouched sceneries. South Africa is the perfect place to visit if you have always wanted to go on to a safari. There are spectacular hunting and photo safaris packages for South Africa and travellers enjoy the wild beauty and warm climate of this beautiful African country, while experiencing memorable moments. Just imagine waking up in the morning, under the warm south African sun and gazing the horizon while small heard of wild animals run somewhere far. Can you think of something more spectacular?



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