Cape Town Africa's Most Beautiful City Travel Destination

As winter approaches in the northern hemisphere, summer beckons in the south. This is the time to take a few days off and follow the sun! The best place to catch the sun in the end of year holiday season is without doubt Cape Town. Cape Town's claim to being the most beautiful city in South Africa is undisputed. And seasoned travel writers readily accept the merit of Cape Town's claim that is indeed one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The city is blessed with unrivalled gifts of nature. The mighty kilometer high flat top Table Mountain dwarfs even the most ambitious skyscrapers in the business district. The city is surrounded by glorious landscapes, stunning beaches and a bounty of unique vegetation. Where else do you have a choice of the cool Atlantic Ocean and the warmer Indian Ocean?

But Cape Town offers much more. It is reputed to be the most open-minded and relaxed city in South Africa and is one of the safest cities in Africa for visitors. Action hero Jean-Claude Van Damme visited the city in 2003 to shoot an action thriller and declared: "I love waking up in this city with the sea around me and the fresh air. The people are young with fresh and warm personalities and are friendly and it's a country full of hope." The movie was shot in the city and around the harbour and some local funs got to see Van Damme at the waterfront. This is the same country that has produced some of the most inspiring people of our times. Desmond Tutu - the Nobel Peace Prize winner and past leader of the Anglican flock in Cape Town, for example. And of course Nelson Mandela.

Take a boat trip to Robben Island, one of the hottest destinations for overseas visitors. This is where Nelson Mandela nearly lost his sight quarrying lime during his long imprisonment. Make sure to get to the summit of Table Mountain by cable where you will enjoy some unforgettable views.

Northwards of the city center is the Victoria and Albert waterfront- a trendy shopping and entertainment complex. It is packed with art galleries, art and craft shops, restaurants, taverns, cinemas, theatres and an aquarium. It is easy to see why many beautiful people converge here. It is when in Cape Town that you will understand why Desmond Tutu named the country as the "Rainbow Nation". The peoples here have roots in the four corners of the planet and together give the city its vivid colours. Cape Town is well connected to one of the most popular travel destinations in South Africa: the Garden Route. The Garden Route is the southern coastal area starting west of Cape Town at Swellendam and ending at Humansdorp just before Port Elizabeth. The Garden Route is probably the most scenic journey you will ever make. You encounter soaring cliffs, wide beaches, semi desert, rocky coves, rain forests, tranquil lakes and rugged mountains.

The area is good for watersports and the weather allows this year round. A visit to the wine producing regions can also be staged from Cape Town. If you are short of time, head for picturesque Stellenbosch just a 45-minute drive away. The Garden Route tour usually starts from Cape Town with a stop at Mossel Bay. This otherwise uninspiring town is famous for its Post Office Tree, where sailors would leave letters hanging in a boot to be picked up by those headed towards the country where the letters were addressed. Then to Oudtshoorn and George, a transport hub for the area.

Afterwards, Wilderness National Park a good place for birding and canoeing on your way to the artist colony of Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. Plettenberg Bay, the "millionaires' playground" is South Africa's trendiest resort. Then to Tsitsikamma National Park known for its nature trails, giant trees and caves. A little ahead of Humansdorp is Jeffrey's Bay, reputed to have one of the world's best surfing beaches.

Water sports are big in South Africa. Whale watching and shark-cage diving (with great white sharks) is possible in the Cape area. The best time to spot these sea giants is from June to September. In the last week of September the annual Whale Festival is held at Walker Bay. Diving facilities are good in the area and wreck diving in particular is widespread around the Cape. For fishing enthusiasts, the Cape of Good Hope has one the world's richest fishing grounds.

At the confluence of the Atlantic and Indian Ocean currents is to be found large shoals of tuna and swordfish. For those brave souls seeking hair-raising adventure, there is an excellent opportunity for bungee jumping at the bridge over Blaukrans River. This has one of the world's highest drops.

There are also many beautiful golf courses in the Cape Town and Garden Route area. The best time to play is the cooler months of May to September. The President's Cup of 2003 was held at the Fancourt Hotel and Country Club at George right on the Garden Route. This event is a match play competition with the world's best international players.

The best period to visit the Cape region is over the summer months November-February. The rest of the year is usually cool, rainy and windy. Most people then find it quite challenging to engage in swimming and water sports. There is a wide range of hotels in Cape Town and the Garden Route area. Top range 5 star hotels and other rated hotels are found throughout the region.

Other accommodation options include motels, guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, farm holidays, beach cottages, holiday flats and bungalows. The Cape region is now a much sought after destination and advance booking is necessary during the summer season (October-April). With prior planning it is possible to get good value and affordable holiday stay.

Authentic Caribbean Delights of Jamaica

Luxury hotel accommodations, lovely boutique inns and sprawling resort complexes all provide a wonderful, relaxing experience for the holidaymaker, but if you truly want to make the most of your stay on the island, you'll find these tips to be useful as you explore the various hotspots.

Seek Out Caribbean Cuisine

They say that food is one of the best ways to experience a local culture, so why would you miss out on the Spanish, British, Indian and African melting pot of Jamaica? Luxury hotel restaurants offer quite a selection of famous local dishes, from callaloo to the infamous jerk chicken - so don't be afraid to experiment!

Brush Up on Tipping Etiquette

A general rule of thumb is if there is no service charge, tip the waiters about 10 to 15 percent of the total cost of your meal. If a service charge is stated on the bill, leave an additional 3 to 5 percent for good service. Being generous with the tips is not only courteous here but also ensures that you'll get good service the next time you come back!

Spend a Little for Private Beaches

The local beaches can be a pretty jam-packed experience in Jamaica! Luxury hotel accommodations typically have access to their own private beaches, so that's not a problem if you are staying in such a place. If not, though, then you may want to part with a little money to get away from the teeming masses of bodies on public beaches and enjoy a little more privacy and comfort. 

Be Less Reserved

If you want to breathe in the culture of the island you'll need to get out and mingle with the locals. When doing so, you may want to drop your usual reserve and be a bit friendlier than you are used to. Jamaicans are more willing to reciprocate when you open up with a casual, laid back and approach.

Dress for Dinner

Be less reserved, yes, but don't be the obvious tourist by donning sandals and swimming trunks wherever you go. This is especially true in most pubs, clubs and restaurants where dress codes are observed. If you are not sure how to dress, then go semi-casual in Jamaica. Luxury hotel staff can also provide some useful information on what to wear for a particular venue. 

Spend Time Exploring the Countryside

The island's urban centres can be a bit hectic at times, especially when you encounter the many peddlers trying to sell you everything from tiny trinkets to carwash services. Hiring a guide to accompany you around the countryside, however, is the perfect way to relax and get away from it all. Rolling hills, fresh breezes, lazy rivers, majestic waterfalls, random goats running around - this is definitely one of the best ways to experience the island.

Avoid 'Smokes'

Ignore what you may have heard about how drugs are widely accepted here. Smoking illicit substances is illegal and will get you in serious trouble if you are tempted. Remember to avoid any offers for a smoke as well - a metaphor for drugs - as tourists are an attractive target for setups.

Enjoy Safari Holidays to the African Island of Madagascar

The beauty of safari holidays in Africa is that there are numerous itineraries to stunning beaches and islands around the east coast with the Indian Ocean. The largest of all these islands is Madagascar which is in fact the fourth largest island in the world. Although there is no big game in Madagascar it is incredibly biodiverse. Because at one point the land mass of Madagascar broke off from the coast of Africa, the animals there evolved differently. As a result Madagascar has some of the most fascinating wildlife anywhere on the planet including striking creatures such as ring tailed lemurs, with their long tails and huge eyes. Madagascar is also a cultural melting pot making it one of the most rewarding places that offer safari holidays. As well as traditional safaris on four-by-four vehicles to the reserves it is also possible to use Madagascar as a base for an island hopping trip through the country. Furthermore for an unforgettable experience you can sail around the coast on the classical African dhow boats.

 

Safari Holidays to the National Parks of Madagascar

As well as numerous wildlife reserves, strict nature reserves and private reserves there are 20 different national parks in Madagascar. The Masoala National Park is in the north east of the island and it encompasses the Nosy Mangabe Reserve. With 2,300 square kilometres of protected rainforest it is the biggest national park on the island and, having been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, a must-see if you come here for safari holidays. As well as 10 species of lemur and various frogs and owls that live in the forest, the park also has an expanse of coastline where it is possible to see humpback whales.

 

If you are interested in trekking then the Isalo National Park has a variety of challenging terrains. Another place with a huge cross-section of rare animals is the Andringitra national park. Visitors to this large area of ravines and mountains can see hundreds of species of birds as well as lot of lemurs and frogs. Most of the park is dissected by the Tropic of Capricorn so your safari holidays are sure to be hot and steamy.

 

What should you know about Safari Holidays to Madagascar?

Unfortunately though Madagascar is such a unique place it is also troubled. The country has had an unstable history so you should also check out the political situation on the Foreign Commonwealth office website before travelling. However your luxury safari holidays operator will be able to give you guidance so follow their advice and you will be fine. The best time of year to go to Madagascar is from March to December as the other three months of the year constitute the rainy season. Animals to watch out for are the stray dogs which can sometimes be found wandering through the cities. If you are keen to visit the capital Antananarivo don't go out on your own at night.