Luxury Safaris to South Africa tend to conjure up pictures of people in 4×4 vehicles with nothing more dangerous than a digital camera in their hands.  However, we do get requests for hunting safaris where a gun is used to shoot plains animals such as bok, kudu, warthog and blue wildebeest.

What are your views on this sport?

The Cradle of Humankind conjures up images of a load of old bones!  I know, I’ve had that feeling.  One rather wet January day 2 years ago I was very kindly taken north of Johannesburg, across the not-so dusty veld to Maropeng, the new visitor centre that had just opened at the Cradle of Humankind.

I was reminded of this visit by the excellent report in travel.iafrica, which takes you through the  Sterkfontein valley to the Caves where Dr Robert Broom un-earthed Mrs Ples.  This World Heritage site is well worth the visit to discover over three million years of human habitation.

Maropeng was facinating!  Definitely not a load of old bones.  Taking us through the years and bringing us bang up-to-date with green issues, it is thought provoking and insightful.  A great place to take children of all ages, young and old to press, pull, whirl and listen to the dusty old subject of where we all came from.

South African wine on the radio rocks! No I haven’t gone mad, I’ve found this amazing radio station that talks about wines. There is so much information about wines from around the world and they are going to be featuring South Africa in some of their future shows, so I thought you would love to look at what they are doing.

Go to www.graperadio.com to discover such things as Retail wine buying, All about Wine Tasting, Wine Myths and Wine Travels. I am sure you will love listening in and learning more about grapes and their journey to the table.

If you are looking to buy South African wine, why not try eWine? eWine is a South African wine portal where you will be able to buy your favourite South African wines, but you will also find interesting information about South Africa’s winemakers, wines, restaurants, accommodation in the winelands and almost everything related to South African wine.

Make sure to pre-order your John Platter book too, so that you can plan your Winelands tour. If you want help with your tour, Tailor Made South Africa Travel will be delighted to assist you. There are so many wonderful estates to visit, you might like a personal guide to some of the smaller estates offering your particular favourites.

My favourites include Backsberg, Saxonberg, Villera and Thelema. Check them out now!

Get your safari in South Africa through a a new blog!  Coast 2 Coast Connection brings together the two travel destinations dear to my heart and my businesses.

The name, Coast 2 Coast Connection brings together two amazing coastlines, Costa Brava, Spain and the whole of the South African coastline that stretches for more than 2500 km from the Namibian border on the Atlantic coast right up to Mozambique on the Indian Ocean.

The Costa Brava is tiny in comparison, only 160 km, but its beauty is no less.  Stunningly rugged in parts with turquoise blue seas and long sandy beaches and tiny inlets and coves.  It is a fascinating destination with history, beauty, culture and cuisine which are international icons.

Much like South Africa then!  But boy, don’t the incredible animals on a luxury safari in South Africa really have the edge!  Any safari, which is a Swahili word meaning long journey, is great though, be it a wine safari, bird safari, mountain safari …  travel is so enriching!  If you need any help defining exactly what you want from your South Africa travel, don’t hesitate to contact me.

I mentioned in yesterday’s blog about the colour and vibrancy of South Africa.  Take a look at this photo, and indeed scroll through the other photos on this site for some truly amazing photos of South African life.

I particularly like the one with the little boy and the bananas. Don’t you think they really give a feel for the place?  Let me know your favourites …

I received the Stellenbosch Wine Route newsletter this morning, and of course, loving wine like I do, settled down to read it with a chilled glass of Delaire Sauvignon Blanc wine in hand.  Ooops, I think that was wishful thinking!  Mine was an ordinary mug of coffee … I digress.

I couldn’t help but agree with  Annareth Jacobs CEO Stellenbosch American Express® Wine Routes in her monthly newsletter.  She has been in London for two weeks and whilst she has had a wonderful time in the art galleries, shops, restaurants and general life in London, she thinks that the people of London look miserable!

On arriving back in Cape Town, South African airlines plays a video of life in the country, what you can expect to see, that sort of thing.  The marked difference between the colour, life, smiles and downright vibrancy of the people is dramatic.

Here’s what Annareth says, “ I do agree that our lives in a third-world country is unpredictable, but that is what keeps us alive, vibrant and colourful. The rest of the world is envious of our way of living, that I can ensure you!”

I for one am certainly envious!  But I am one of the lucky ones, as I get to visit frequently, so if you want to know what all the fuss is about, make sure you add South Africa to your list of places to visit – just don’t leave it too long before we see you there!

Going to Cape Town between December 1st and 23rd 2007 or between January 3rd and 31st 2008? Why not take a special sunset ride up Table Mountain and see the spectacular sun set over Signal Hill and Camps Bay? I can guarantee it is one of the most lovely sights and you won’t regret it!

Normally the highest point you can get to is on Signal Hill, which is not bad! But going that bit further up really is the cream on the top of the mountain, or should that read cake …