Portals
August 6th, 2009, posted by pierrejacques
Located at Krausnick, an hour south of Berlin, you would find a huge, curious-looking construction which stands 350 feet tall and is frequented by masses of people at all hours of the day and night. Intrigued? You are about to experience
Europe’s Largest Tropical Holiday World!
With a staff of about 500 and a capacity for 7000 visitors, this recreated tropical paradise offers a wide range of activities and attractions for all ages. Wonder in the forest amongst 30,000 plants and enjoy the mangrove swamp; let the kids loose in the 4000sq/m Club; explore the Tropical Village and its theme restaurants; unwind in the Spa; enjoy the Bali Lagoon, live entertainment , shopping and more. Then spend the night camping in the Rainforest…
Video: Germany’s tropical islands
The Tropical Islands Resort is a world on its own - enjoy the video or read more about it at Damn Interesting.
April 25th, 2009, posted by pierrejacques
Regardless of whether you are a nature lover or history enthusiast, for sheer variety there is probably very little which beats a trip from Cape Town to Durban via the famous Garden Route. The scenery is amazing and there are ample opportunities to enjoy splendid beaches along the way (such as at Jeffrey’s Bay, which is a renowned site for surfers) and also to take in natural indigenous forests. Indeed, one of the highlights of any such trip must be the Tsitsikamma and Storm’s River region of the Eastern Cape. Adventurous travellers are sure to enjoy doing the Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour or, for the brave, there is the Bloukrans Bridge Bungy Jump which is listed by Guinness World Records as “the highest commercially operated Bungy Jump in the world”.
Copyright South African Tourism
For the more laid-back traveller a visit to the Addo Elephant National Park is very highly recommended, as is a visit to the Cango Wildlife Ranch and, of course, the Cango Caves in the Oudtshoorn vicinity. The opportunity to visit an Ostrich Farm and ride one of these feathered beauties is also available.
Further north you will pass through what was formerly known as the Transkei and encounter rural habitats and relaxed coastal villages such as Coffee Bay and Port St. Johns. The latter is a small, typical Third World town which attracts many European tourists due to its spectacular natural surroundings and relaxed, friendly atmosphere. PSJ is also the (unofficial) South African capital of “ganja” (marijuana), which probably accounts for the myriads of backpackers who pass through the region. And, of course, home to the eccentric and much publicized Ben Decker (artist/actor and ex-politician wannabee) who lives in a cave with a stunning 180 degree sea view.
Located at the mouth of the Umzimvubu River, the town combines virgin forests with stunning ocean views and is pure paradise for any nature lover who wishes to explore its many hiking trails, discover secluded waterfalls and awesome views from the top of Mount Thesiger. I’ve been privileged to spend a few years as a “local” (before returning to my Cape Town roots) and can highly recommend a stay at the Umzimvubu Retreat Guest House.
For those who prefer to add some bright lights to their itinerary, major cities en route such as East London, Port Elizabeth and, of course, both Durban and Cape Town offer everything you may desire. In brief, no matter whether you are seeking natural splendor, historical highlights, an adrenalin rush or sophisticated city life, the Garden Route combines it all in a breathtakingly beautiful package. A large selection of guided tours are available, including various packages from African Sky.
The following from Open Africa :
Background information on the Garden Route Sea Kayaking Trails:
These trails are situated along the famous Garden Route. This stretch of coastline runs from Mossel Bay in the south to Port Elizabeth in the north and is served by the N2 national road. The Garden Route offers the visitor a mild climate, long stretches of beach, lakes, mountains and lush indigenous forests.
But it is severely threatened by over-development and unless substantial controls are put in place, it will be overwhelmed by its own popularity and South Africa will lose a unique and irreplaceable part of its heritage.
The Garden Route offers visitors a huge selection of accommodation options, from camping to luxury lodges and a myriad guesthouses and bed and breakfasts. There is also an endless variety of activities, from gentle hikes in the forests to adrenaline-pumping abseils, steam train excursions and visits to cultural sites such as the rock shelters of the Khoisan (the original inhabitants of the area).
Nature is the real drawcard here and there are a number of stunning private, municipal, provincial and national nature reserves. From a paddling perspective, this area offers warm-water sea paddling with its associated marine life, as well as numerous opportunities for exploring the many lakes and estuaries.
South African Tourism : Heritage, Ocean Views and Wildlife
The Eastern Cape coastline, which stretches from beyond Port Shepstone on the south-east coast to Cape St Francis in the south, is the ideal destination for those who like to holiday in peace and quiet. Holidaymakers who favour home comforts are advised to choose from among the many beach hotels with their idyllic lagoon and beachfront settings. Party animals, surfers and young backpackers find their own in places like the ocean-facing city of Port Elizabeth, the river port of East London and the surf havens of Jeffrey’s Bay (or J Bay) and Cape St. Francis.
Further reading:
April 25th, 2009, posted by pierrejacques
… know where to go!
Welcome to the Navigationz Blog. The objective of the site is to provide easy access to the most relevant, up-to-date and popular travel content on the Web. Find it easily and make your travel planning a breeze with Navigationz and the global, multilingual travel community at trivago.
April 10th, 2008, posted by pierrejacques
Kirstenbosch is the name of a famous botanical garden nestled at the foot of Table Mountain in Cape Town. (It is on the eastern slopes of the mountain, not on the northern side normally depicted in the standard tourist snapshots). (Kirstenbosch should not be confused with the similarly named suburb of Kirstenhof which lies some 10 km to the south.)
The garden is one of eight National Botanical Gardens covering five of South Africa’s six different biomes. When Kirstenbosch, the most famous of the gardens, was founded in 1913 to preserve the country’s unique flora, it was the first botanical garden in the world with this ethos. Furthermore, what makes the Gardens so famous worldwide is that (with minor exceptions) only indigenous plants are cultivated.
The garden includes a large, indoor greenhouse exhibiting plants from a number of different regions, including savanna, fynbos, karoo and others. Outdoors, the focus moves to plants native to the Cape region, highlighted by the spectacular collections of proteas. Kirstenbosch enjoys great popularity with residents and visitors. From the gardens several trails lead off along and up the mountain slopes and these are much used by walkers and mountaineers. One of the trails, up a ravine called Skeleton Gorge, is an easy and popular route to the summit of Table Mountain. This route is also known as Smuts’ Track after Prime Minister Jan Smuts who used this route regularly. On the slopes above the cultivated parts of the garden a contour path leads through forests to Constantia Nek to the south. The same contour path can be followed to the north for many kilometres and it will take the hiker past the Rhodes Memorial to the slopes of Devil’s Peak and beyond.
Source: WIKIPEDIA
April 10th, 2008, posted by pierrejacques
“A most stately thing, and the fairest Cape we saw in the whole circumference of the earth.“
- Sir Francis Drake (16th century)
Considered to be one of the global hot spots, Cape Town offers the foreign traveller good value for money and, according to Frommers, “is regularly heralded as one of the most beautiful (cities) on earth” due to its unique scenery. Whether you are into sophistication or slumming it, searching for adventure or tranquility, Cape Town is sure to be a pleasant surprise. Pairing the natural beauty with a vibey and friendly culture, there are a variety of delights ranging from award winning French-style wines to Malay cuisine, fine art and architecture, a wealth of historical sights and much more on offer.
Airlines from all five continents service South Africa and land at the Cape Town International Airport, which has been voted the “Leading Airport in Africa” at the World Travel Awards. ATMs, bars, restaurants and currency exchange facilities are available throughout the airport, as are a number of shops. Many of the flights also touch down at Johannesburg en-route, making it quite viable to experience the South African landscape by including a trip on the Blue Train or luxurious Rovos Rail between Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Normal shopping hours are between 08h00 and 17h30, though big malls operate daily between 09h00 and 21h00. Traveler’s cheques and foreign currency are not the norm, but major credit and debit cards are widely accepted. Value Added Tax (14%) is included in all purchases and foreign visitors can reclaim the VAT on expenditures exceeding ZAR 250.00. Banking hours are from 09h00 to 15h30 weekdays and 08h30 to 11h00 on Saturdays.
South Africa operates two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time throughout the year.
October till March are the most popular tourist months, but with its temperate Mediterranean climate and temperatures ranging between 8 and 25 degrees Celsius, Cape Town is a recommended destination for any time of year, certain aspects such as the indigenous flora being more seasonal.
The infrastructure, numerous outdoor activities and its rich cultural heritage has led to Cape Town being described as a “must-see before I die” city. Major developments are already underway in preparation for the 2010 World Cup and a new ultra-luxurious hotel is being built at the V&A Waterfront with canals which would connect to Century City, effectively creating a mini-Venice. Whether you’re an eco-tourist, culture-vulture or simply looking for adventure and a great vacation, Cape Town is sure to exceed your expectations.
Further reading : Cape Town Travel Guide