Although not South Africa, I thought that I must tell you about a wonderful way to experience Africa that will truly make your holiday one that you will never forget.
I have come across Uganda Lodge in the heart of Uganda where you can experience exactly how life in Africa really is and where you can give something back to these impoverished farmers.
Volunteering can be such a rewarding experience – take Camilla and Joanna, two Swedish university students who are doing a project for their studies.
Help them develop their guest house, by just staying for a night or two, or offer your services – you are assured of a warm, African welcome and grateful thanks. Explore the surrounding countryside, take a safari and discover this little known part of the world and all it has to offer.
Tailor Made South Africa Travel has had a wonderful testimonial back from some people who are still on their South Africa idyll! They have been planning for this trip of a lifetime since August 2007. They had booked to go to Victoria Falls, as well as Indigo Bay in Mozambique, and also taking in a safari in Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa.
Here is what Kevin and Julie have to say of their tailor made South Africa travel:-
“A quick email as we have been out of email and mobile range. We are now at Indigo Bay on the last leg of our holiday and are having a brilliant time. Everything is great and especially the Exeter River Lodge which was an unbelievable experience, but everything so far as been brilliant.”
Here are some photos of their stay:-
The first four photos are of Exeter Lodge, Sabi Sands Game Reserve and the last photo is of Indigo Island, Bazaruto Island, Mozambique. Just a little taster of the sort of vacation you can expect from Tailor Made South Africa Travel!
The Persia to Paarl Festival in Paarl, near Cape Town, South Africa on Saturday 16th August 2008 is set to be a colourful and exciting occasion that you will definitely NOT want to miss – even if you are an avid South Africa rugby supporter or indeed, even if you are a New Zealand supporter!
The rugby will be shown on a big screen, so not a moment of the action is missed and you will still be able to enjoy the wonderful array of entertainment on show in Paarl.
Why Persia? You may well ask. The answer is in the Shiraz wines! The name Shiraz takes its name from the town of Shiraz in Iran, formerly Persia. The story goes that a Frenchman by the name of Guy De’Sterimberg brought the grape back from the Crusades, settled in Southern France and created a vineyard on the slopes of the Rhone River valley. He later became a hermit and this is why the wine is also known as Hermitage.
Sandra Lotz, Paarl Vintners CEO says “We annually celebrate the Shiraz cultivar because of the special affinity Shiraz vines have for the Paarl terroir, thus gracing wine drinkers with world class wines.” “This festival provides the perfect alternative to staying at home for fear of the cold!”
So what can you expect to see? True to the images of life in ancient Persia, visitors will be able to experience the region’s exquisite wines and divine cuisine, Middle Eastern and local arts and crafts, and inspiring demonstrations in a setting of deep royal hues. A Persian parade by Paarl Vintners members, belly dancers and live music will add to the festive atmosphere.
Street stalls selling all manner of goodies such as:-
Olives
Olive oil
Cheese Tastings
Silverware
Jewellery
Grape Seed Oil
Turkish Delight
Wine Tasting
Chocolate Salami
Shiraz jam
Shiraz Chocolates
Chocolate Salami
The Persian Parade, as well as children’s entertainment complete the line-up. For full information and to book tickets, please go to Wine Country Paarl.
South Africa wine country is like no other! They have made an art form of displaying their wares to the market and taking a tour of the wine route is a definite MUST on your South Africa travel itinerary, even if you don’t like wine.
Why? Because there is something for everyone from amazing historical homesteads to patting a cheetah, breathtaking scenery to sampling olives. And these are just a few of the activities you can find out in the wonderful winelands of South Africa.
If you are particularly interested in wines, as I am, why not take a look at this blog, WineCountry? I have picked out this entry all about the Pinotage grape because like the author, I think the red pinotage is a greatly under rated wine, but then I am biased towards all things South African, especially their wines!
Can’t you just see yourself under those wide, blue, warm African skies chilled glass in hand soaking up the peace and tranquility? Go on I dare you – come and get your free personalised South Africa travel itinerary and add the wine route to your vacation plans …
Cape Town is one everyone’s lips at the moment, with the 2010 Soccer World Cup due to be played in the city, but what do you know about this beautiful South African “Mother” city?
I’ve written a HubPages article on the history of this glorious city by the sea, suggesting a number of “Must See” attractions that you ought to add to your itinerary. If you are coming to the football, you will not want to miss out on the top things to see and do, so start planning early to make sure to see everything!
Whilst you are on the HubPages pages, check out the best way to pack at this HubPage – great information in this day and age of less and less weight allowance and airlines charging for every bag you take with you!
I am sure you will agree that some of the places I’ve mentioned are either unknown or get overlooked when thinking about what to do in Cape Town, but I guarantee you will want to add some of them to your itinerary as you will really get a feel for the country and its people.
If you would like help with your South Africa itinerary, fill out the short form on the Contact page, and I will be back to you with your own personalised travel ideas within a few hours.
South Africa travels with Castle Beer! It sums up their character. Just take a look at this ad and see what I mean. I agree with I Luv South Africa … about his country. See beyond the inadequacies of the government and go visit the people and the country. It truly is one of great beauty and warmth and deserves to have its time in the sun.
Safari in South Africa and you will definitely want to add Cape Town to your itinerary. Cape Town’s wonderful Waterfront is a hive of activity from early morning to late into the night with international cusine in its restaurants, exceptional shopping in its malls and street theatre to rival Barcelona’s Ramblas!
Take a look at my first video, produced by me of Cape Town’s Waterfront. I hope you will agree that the blue skies, superb views and activity make it a “mustn’t miss” stop on your safari in South Africa itinerary!
Let me know what you think of the video by posting a comment. I have lots more to show you, so watch out for more posts in the coming weeks …
South African wines that sparkle and give fizz to life gets another glassful! Yesterday I promised to tell you all about our visit to Graham Beck wine estate on the outskirts of Franschhoek. After our visit to La Petite Ferme restaurant in Franschhoek we dropped in to taste the wines at Graham Beck.
Its impressive new tasting centre complete with imposing bronze cheetah sculptures which greet you on arrival, certainly doesn’t disappoint and nor do the wines.
Graham Beck is world renown for its sparkling wines, wines that in the opinion of Matthew Jukes of The Daily Mail, “Pieter Ferreira is the finest maker of fizz in SA. The stunning Blanc de Blancs puts Champagne to shame”. My particular favourite is the Brut Rose, 4 red stars in John Platter.
It’s a pity then to read stories such as this in SA Rocks! that South African’s tend to think that imported wines are superior to their own home-grown wines, which come in at hugely inflated prices and which, in my opinion, are not worth the extra bucks!
Come on South Africa! Support your country’s wonderful wines and make sure that your favourite restaurants stock a good range of your own exciting fizz. You can also buy them direct from eWine online, as you can Guardian Peak wines and the John Platter book.
eWine will ship world-wide and has a full range of information on the wine estates and regions. Make buying your wines simple!
Although not South Africa, I thought that I must tell you about a wonderful way to experience Africa that will truly make your holiday one that you will never forget.
The Persia to Paarl Festival in Paarl, near Cape Town, South Africa on Saturday 16th August 2008 is set to be a colourful and exciting occasion that you will definitely NOT want to miss – even if you are an avid South Africa rugby supporter or indeed, even if you are a New Zealand supporter!
South Africa wine country is like no other! They have made an art form of displaying their wares to the market and taking a tour of the wine route is a definite MUST on your South Africa travel itinerary, even if you don’t like wine.
Cape Town is one everyone’s lips at the moment, with the 2010 Soccer World Cup due to be played in the city, but what do you know about this beautiful South African “Mother” city?
I’ve just posted a new HubPage on Cape Town’s and South Africa’s colourful history. Why not go and take a look?
Its impressive new tasting centre complete with imposing bronze cheetah sculptures which greet you on arrival, certainly doesn’t disappoint and nor do the wines.