Jul 30, 2009: Stanford - A Village Green
Situated on the banks of the Klein River, about 1 ½ hours from Cape Town, in the Overberg region of the Western Cape lies Stanford - a village lost in time.
Regarded as one of South Africa's best preserved villages, its heritage is protect...
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Jul 30, 2009: Trying Jah love in Knysna
I bumped nose first into a whiff of some religion during a recent tour of the Lion of Judah, a Rastafarian Village in the Khayalethu South Township just on the outskirts of Knysna...
Smoke and fire
We are greeted by our guide, Leo, whose every second wo...
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Jul 30, 2009: Knysna's secret garden
Jealously guarded by South African National Parks, and formerly the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, it is the largest continuous complex of pristine indigenous forest in the country and remains mostly the territory of animals, plants and conserv...
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Jul 30, 2009: Braving the Shark Alley
As I dropped my daughter off at Granny’s at 6:30am, en-route to Gansbaai and the Great Whites, she said to me, “Mommy, please don’t get in the cage, I don’t want a step-mom!”
These insightful words from a 5-year-old got me t...
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Jul 30, 2009: Big five in Northern Kwazulu-Nata
In my family, there is great preparation to go to the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve in Zululand in northern KwaZulu-Natal. It all starts the evening before, when my aunt prepares breakfast - hard-boiled eggs, sandwiches, a flask of coffee and cold drinks...
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Jul 30, 2009: Lying in lovely Limpopo
It is common for people like me who live on the Garden Route to imagine that the beauty we enjoy at home is the best in the country. It has its points, of course, but a visit to Limpopo recently was a pleasant reminder that we don't have a complete monopo...
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Jul 30, 2009: Cradle of Humankind
In the northwest of Johannesburg - some 10 km north of Krugersdorp - lies an area of about 50.000 hectares called the "Cradle of Humankind", proclaimed a World Cultural Heritage Site by the UNESCO. In the centre of the site are a number of dolom...
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Jul 28, 2009: 4 stars for Harbour Bridge
The new Harbour Bridge Hotel & Suites located on Cape Town’s dynamic Foreshore development has been awarded four stars by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA).
Boasting frontage on the new Roggebaai Canal, within walking distance...
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Jul 28, 2009: New life at De Hoop
As the Southern Right whales begin to arrive en masse off our shores, I paid a visit to one of the Western Cape's whale-watching hotspots last weekend. De Hoop Nature reserve, 60 kilometres east of Bredasdorp, has long been known as one of South Africa's ...
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Jul 28, 2009: A right Royale address
The doorman at Cape Royale Luxury Hotel and Residence, clad in top-hat and tails, greets us with a warm African smile and ushers us into the shiny lobby. Robust iron meets marble in the decadent entrance lit with library lamps.
The hotel, which from th...
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Jul 28, 2009: Reaching a peak of pleasure
Just mention the words Chapman's Peak to Capetonians and you are likely to get a frosty response.
The world-famous Chapman's Peak Drive, arguably the most scenic route in the country and one of the best-loved excursions for visitors and locals alike, h...
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Jul 28, 2009: Gracious living in Noordhoek
We were in a different world. It's amazing how you leave Cape Town behind you as soon as you head up Ou Kaapse Weg. The rugged, misty landscape near Silvermine makes you think you could be in Scotland or somewhere up in the Andes. But my husband Gavin and...
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Jul 28, 2009: Finding the Kruger's treasures
It all started with a Land Rover Defender and the quest to find the vehicle's natural surroundings. Now there are many nature reserves a relative stone's throw from Joburg, but we wanted something a little more hardcore to suit the attitude of the vehicle...
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Jul 28, 2009: Hiking the Otter Trail
I'm about as fit as a rice pudding. My idea of exercise is chain-smoking and driving cars without power steering.
But, when over the comparative safety of a braai table, my mate Duane suggested doing the Otter Trail a year from then, a rush of Camel Ma...
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Jul 23, 2009: Table Mountain shortlisted for New 7 Wonders spot
The top 28 wonders from around the world were announced today by the New7Wonders Foundation in Zurich, Switzerland. The finalists include legendary sites such as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Grand Canyon in the USA and the Amazon in Sout...
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Jul 23, 2009: Wake up and smell the fynbos
Carpeting the landscape will be many species of winter-flowering plants such as oxalis and the red pincushion, and with continued good rain, August and September should offer spectacular displays of many daisy species such as gousblomme, botterblomme and ...
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Jul 23, 2009: Postcard from the Peninsula
Several months ago, my wife and I made the decision to emigrate to Cape Town - from Durban. Looking back, through the haze of a Merlot fog, it's hard to remember why. It might have been because we've always wanted to go to San Francisco - Cape Town's a mo...
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Jul 23, 2009: Why the wild Eastern Cape is a must-see
British visitors to South Africa are a pretty conservative lot. Large numbers pass through Johannesburg in the blink of an eye before striking out for the northern game reserves. Others base themselves in Cape Town, taking circular tours of the manicured ...
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Jul 23, 2009: Laugh away winter
For many people, cheerfulness is directly proprotional to sunshine and winter means hibernation with a blanket, bad mood and chocolate.
But while the sun goes on vacay, you don't have to be miserable. South Africa is pratically bursting with excellent ...
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Jul 23, 2009: One step closer!
For the last few months, everyone has been frantically voting for Table Mountain to become one of the new 7 Wonders of Nature. And all that voting paid off.
This year, 261 magnificent natural sites from 222 countries made it through to the second round...
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Jul 23, 2009: Snapshot: Knysna
Here is a quick guide into this little town…
Must sleep at: Protea Hotel Knysna Quays
One of the best hotel locations in South Africa, Protea Hotel Knysna Quays enjoys a spectacular perspective of the popular coastal town of Knysna. The hotel...
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Jul 23, 2009: Snapshot: George
George is nestled at the foot of the picturesque Outeniqua Mountains and less than 10 kilometres away you can indulge in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
Try this quick guide to the wonders of this Garden Route town...
Sleep at: Protea Hotel Kin...
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Jul 21, 2009: Where to watch whales
It's not hard to see why. No matter how many whales you've seen, spotting another will always give you a thrill. And the whales have astonishingly good taste too, picking some of the most beautiful stretches of coast for their activities, making the prosp...
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Jul 21, 2009: Colourful Clanwilliam
Clanwilliam, the gateway to South Africa’s finest floral region, is opening its doors once again with its Wild Flower Show taking place from the 22-27 August 2008.
Showcasing the unique flora exclusive to the Clanwilliam district and Ramskop Nature...
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Jul 21, 2009: Spring flowers are here
"If I was a flower growing wild and free, all I'd want is you to be is my sweet honey-bee," sings Barry Louis Polisar in "All I Want Is You", the theme tune to the cult-movie 'Juno'.
It's also not a bad track to kick off a spring-flow...
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Jul 21, 2009: Escape to the South Peninsula
The Boat Company in Simon's Town offers trips on a motor boat or 8m catamaran to Seal Island and Cape Point, whale watching or high-sea adventures. All are tempting, but seeing, smelling and hearing the seals up close is an unbelievably rewarding experien...
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Jul 21, 2009: Villa with a view in Franschhoek
The Villas at Le Franschhoek are situated at the foot of the Franschhoek Mountains and offer magnificent views of the Franschhoek valley and vineyards.
A mere 3km from the Franschhoek Village makes it the ideal setting for touring the famed Cape Wine r...
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Jul 21, 2009: Sublime luxury at harbour mecca
First impressions last and no one understands this better than Sol Kerzner. The hotel magnate's return to the country, after a 17-year absence building resorts in Mexico, the Bahamas, Mauritius, the Maldives and Dubai, is marked by his One&Only Cape T...
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Jul 21, 2009: Walker Bay - more than whales
Every year locals and tourists alike flock to Walker Bay to catch a glimpse of the Southern Right whales during their mating and breeding season. While the appeal of these ocean giants is undeniable, Joanne Kotze tries to lure your attention away to the o...
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Jul 16, 2009: Discovering an Agter Paarl treasure
As much as I love wine, I also enjoy seeing where the wines that I drink originate and, if possible, meet the people behind the scenes.
The next time I pick up a familiar bottle, its wine triggers my memories of that day, acting as a marker for me to r...
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Jul 16, 2009: Jozi to Cape Town, limo style
It began with Champagne. Not Pongraz, but Moet, poured in the back into cut glasses while I lounged on leather seats, blue fairy-lights on the mirrored ceiling fanning gently to pink and gold and back to blue again and some seriously smoooooothe music pla...
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Jul 16, 2009: Family Fun at Bushman's Kloof
"Ooh, the serenity!" oozed one acquaintance at a dinner party. "It's too, too divine - gorgeous views, massages and the suites are exquisite! And the food, well! But..." insert sigh here "...they don't take kids under ten so you a...
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Jul 16, 2009: Sexy in the city
Location, location, location! When picking a hotel for a city break, this is probably the first factor that I consider, and you can't do better in Cape Town than Protea Hotel North Wharf.
This 4-star hotel is situated on the Foreshore, a short walk awa...
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Jul 16, 2009: Snapshot - Pretoria
Pretoria can be a real adventure - it's a buzzing city with great architecture and a burgeoning nightlife scene... Come with us as we put the city's hotspots at your finger tips...
Must sleep at: Protea Hotel Waterfront
The Protea Hotel Waterfront ...
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Jul 16, 2009: Snapshot: Johannesburg
With the hustle and bustle of Jozi, finding things to do and where to go can at times be an impossible task. Consider this 5-minute city guide as your passport to big city life...
Must sleep at: InterContinental Johannesburg Sandton Towers
If luxury...
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Jul 16, 2009: Snapshot: De Waterkant
De Waterkant is a sub-district in Green Point, Cape Town and is known for housing young professionals, the gay and lesbian community and cute niche restaurants and retailers. So why not explore it…
Being a sub-district in Green Point, Cape...
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Jul 16, 2009: Snapshot: Umhlanga
Here is an inside guide to the city...
Must sleep at: Protea Hotel Umhlanga
The name of Umhlanga Rocks evokes a vision of golden beaches, lush surroundings and the exhilaration of holidaying in an idyllic part of the world. This hotel is convenientl...
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Jul 16, 2009: Snapshot: Pietermaritzburg
Are you clueless when it comes to Pietermaritzburg? Consider this five-minute city guide as your passport into the city's hidden secrets...
Must sleep at: The Selbourne Hotel Spa and Golf Estate
The Selbourne Hotel Spa and Golf Estate welcomes y...
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Jul 16, 2009: Snapshot: Port Edward
Fancy some of Port Edward's finest? Consider this five-minute city guide as your passport to port panache...
Must sleep at: Protea Hotel Port Edward Durban
Situated on Durban's famous Golden Mile, within five minutes of the city centre, the Prot...
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Jul 14, 2009: Bushmans Kloof named World's Best Hotel
South African hospitality establishments scored top marks in this years Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards with Cape based Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve earning the title of the World’s Best Hotel and Sabi Private Game Reserve foll...
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Jul 14, 2009: Cape Town scoops awards
Travel+Leisure magazine this week announced the much anticipated results of their 14th annual World’s Best poll, where readers of their magazine rate the world’s best cities, islands, hotels, cruises and airlines.
Cape Town sailed into second...
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Jul 14, 2009: Spruce up your cooking skills
Owners of guest houses, taverns, diners and catering companies expecting to play host to the visitors coming to South Africa for next year's Fifa World Cup should put the new Skills Kitchen to use.
Opened in June by the South African Chefs Association ...
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Jul 14, 2009: Cape Town International Boat Show
The annual Cape Town International Boat Show sets sail once again, for a four-day event, running from 24 to 27 September 2009 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, stretching into the V&A Waterfront.
Following in the wake of last year&rs...
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Jul 14, 2009: The Nelson way
Nelson Mandela's 91st birthday is coming up on the 18th of July.
In case you're stuck as to how to celebrate Madiba's big birthday, we've got a few places you can check out in honour of him this winter.
The Nelson Mandela Museum
It's the biggest...
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Jul 14, 2009: Mother City: Pure Fire and Ice!
Table Mountain sets the hospitable tone as you pull up a chair in the Mother City - whether you're taking some time out with friends or setting up that lucrative business deal.
Cape Town is on sale! Check out the latest winter deals from the Protea Hot...
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Jul 14, 2009: Have a whale of a time
It's that time of year - time for the gentle giants we've come to know and love to grace the shores of the Western Cape.
Its whale watching season and South Africa happens to be one of the best places in the world to witness the congregation of ...
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Jul 09, 2009: Camdeboo opens 4x4 trail
Camdeboo National Park has opened a brand new 4x4 Trail in the Park, which surrounds the town of Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape.
The Koedoeskloof 4x4 Trail provides a seven-kilometre drive to the top of the mountain, providing unique and spectacular...
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Jul 09, 2009: KZN tourism raking in big bucks
The Kwazulu-Natal tourism industry has stayed afloat amid the current recession and is expected to churn out profits in excess of R2-billion for its winter holiday season by the end of this month.
Tourism authorities said that while the tough economic ...
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Jul 09, 2009: Strandkombuis - simply beautiful
I was invited to a Strandkombuis wedding by a friend, and was oblivious to all other relevant information - including the names of the bride and groom.
An hour after leaving Cape Town, we turned left onto a country road, after a green sign had pointed us...
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Jul 09, 2009: Liquid Yoga in Ballito
Ballito is no sleepy hollow, nor a rustic seaside village....it is a very modern, developed town, which makes it attractive for young families wanting a variety of things to do, or a bunch of mates looking for a fun weekend away...
Unwind:
There is so m...
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Jul 07, 2009: Drakensberg bliss
People in Cape Town can go on and on about their ‘Mountain’ but in truth it’s more of a hill when compared to the majestic peaks of the Drakensberg, South Africa’s highest and biggest mountain range.
The large area (ranging in d...
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Jul 07, 2009: Idyllic spots prepare for surfer invasion
It took a world trip for two young Americans to identify the "perfect wave" - and they found it right here in South Africa off the Eastern Cape beaches at St Francis and Jeffreys Bays.
In the early 1960s Californian surfers Robert August and ...
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Jul 07, 2009: Swell time
The coastline from Mossel Bay to Buffels Bay is a beautiful stretch of the Garden Route, and is rich in good waves for surfing.
My wife's 30th birthday happened to coincide with a visit from a few professional surfer friends from Australia who were her...
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Jul 07, 2009: Cape Town for everyone
Have you ever gone to a new city on holiday, walked into a fabulous-looking restaurant, opened the menu... and nearly choked?
With exorbitant prices and dishes you can't pronounce, walking out is just as intimidating as staying and having to declare ba...
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Jul 07, 2009: New 7 Wonders of Nature
The first heart transplant. Nelson Mandela. Thundering vuvuzelas (although some may disagree about the importance of this one). And Table Mountain.
These are just some of the things cementing South Africa in that global realm of hope and wonder.
As ...
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Jul 07, 2009: St Francis Bay- a waterways breakaway
When friends invited us to join them for a few days in St Francis Bay, I must admit I was a bit in the dark about the area. St Francis Bay? Cape St Francis? Port St Francis?
I knew it was somewhere towards the end of the Garden Route but not much more ...
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Jul 07, 2009: KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal offers such variety of tourist attractions like no other part of South Africa. Wonderful wide beaches on the warm Indian Ocean at the South Coast, in the metropolis of Durban and at the North Coast, Zululand Coast or the Elephant Coast up to...
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Jul 07, 2009: Durban's city life
Durban's historical town centre is not too large and can easily be explored on foot. It is centred around the imposing City Hall, between Smith and West Street. The hall was built in the Renaissance style and served from 1910 as the Town Hall. It houses n...
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Jul 07, 2009: Durban's Golden Mile
Durban's six kilometer long sandy beach, called "Golden Mile", is by far the greatest attraction of the city. Swimming is good all year round due to the warm, subtropical climate. And the beaches are well monitored and protected by shark nets.
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Jul 07, 2009: Durban Umhlanga Rocks
Luxury Apartments in Umhlanga Rocks (pronounciation: umshlanga) lies 20 kms north of Durban. Extensive, wide and well-protected sandy beaches are the attraction of this elegant seaside suburb. Luxurious hotels and apartment blocks are densely stringed all...
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Jul 07, 2009: North Coast KwaZulu-Natal
The north coast of the metropolitan area of Durban - between Ballito and the Tugela River mouth - is called "North Coast". Because of the many dolphins, frequently frollicking off this part of the shore in pursuit of the sardine shoals, this coa...
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Jul 07, 2009: Dundee KwaZulu-Natal
First Dundee was just a farm belonging to the Scottish farmer Peter Smith, who named it after his hometown. After Boer settlers had reported coal findings in the area, Smith also began to search for the black gold on his farm. He really hit on a substanti...
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Jul 07, 2009: Margate, Ramsgate KwaZulu-Natal
Margate and Ramsgate belong to the most popular beach resorts on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, attracting, however, different groups of holiday makers. They are lying next to each other and offer golden beaches of the best quality.
Margate is the b...
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Jul 02, 2009: From mining to menus
Former miner Oleseng Mokoena has broken 15 plates and a dozen wine glasses since becoming a waiter a month ago. His boss likens him to a bull in a china shop when he is in the kitchen.
Mokoena is one of the hundreds of retrenched miners in South Africa's...
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Jul 02, 2009: 'It's a safe country'
Gennaro Carroto came from Italy to see the Confederations Cup in South Africa, and said he feels perfectly safe despite Johannesburg's staggering crime problem — as long as he's with his guide.
"Johannesburg, it's a very big city but I feel sa...
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Jul 02, 2009: Garden Route gets greener
South Africa’s Otter Trail, a 42km coastal hike set in the Garden Route of the Western Cape, is considered one of the finest hiking routes in the world, and so popular hikers have to book for it almost two years in advance.
The famous five-day trai...
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Jul 02, 2009: Lording it at the Manor
There's something very special about the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. It is the perfect place in which to kick back and rejuvenate mind, body and soul. The sound of doves softly cooing, lawnmowers droning in the distance and the ethereal sound of windchimes fl...
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Jul 02, 2009: Relaxing in the Cape a treat
It was a scorching day in Franschhoek but the night was still young as we headed to Southern Sun's 25-year-old heavenly hideout for the business set, the Cape Sun.
Little Prashirwin, fresh from flitting about with Boomerang's Scooby-Doo and Johnny Brav...
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Jul 02, 2009: Mount Nelson for the locals
There are very few South Africans who have not heard of the Mount Nelson hotel. An iconic part of the city's history, this hotel has been around for 110 years and offers guests a trip back to a time of luxury and opulence.
Unfortunately though, this luxu...
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Jul 02, 2009: Knysna: An oyster extravaganza
Ten days of extravagance and beauty await you at the annual Pick ‘n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival - 3 to 11 July - as the streets of Thesen Island become a taste adventure just waiting to be shucked. But it will be all the sweeter if you head for the h...
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Jul 02, 2009: The great Tsitsikamma trek
If hiking trails were movie actors, the 6-day, 60-kilometer Tsitsikamma trail from Nature’s Valley Rest Camp to Storm’s River Bridge might be compared to Luke Wilson, making the Otter trail his younger brother, Owen Wilson. Like Owen the Otter...
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