Tag Archives: travel

The winners of the 2012 Eat Out DStv Food Network Restaurant Awards were announced at a glittering awards ceremony in the Grand Ballroom at The Westin Cape Town

1. The Test Kitchen (Cape Town):Luke Dale-Roberts’s new venture follows a four-year long tenure as the executive chef of La Colombe restaurant at the Constantia Uitsig wine estate in Constantia.

2. The Tasting Room - Le Quartier Français (Franschhoek):This boutique hotel situated in the heart of the Franschhoek Valley is home to two great restaurants, the award winning Tasting Room and Common Room, both menus designed by Executive Chef Margot Janse.

3. Jordan Restaurant (Stellenbosch):Jordan Restaurant seats between 65 and 80 guests. Our private Atrium Room seats between 20 and 30 guests, the semi-private Cellar Room 8 to 10 and the main section 50.

4. Overture (Stellenbosch): Overture is a restaurant by chefs Bertus Basson and Craig Cormack. We live and die by the saying: “perfection is often strived for but never achieved.”

5. Rust en Vrede Restaurant (Stellenbosch): Not only in food and wine, but also people. And thus our service is as important. What makes it even more of a challenge is when all this happens on a historic and award winning wine estate.

6. DW Eleven-13 (Johannesburg): dw eleven-13 has been open since June 2009 and we are always evolving the menu and the restaurant itself – wanting to improve not only the food but the customers dining experience in its entirety.

7. La Colombe (Cape Town):Tucked away under gigantic palms and oak trees, with the gentle sound of water in the background, La Colombe overlooks a secluded courtyard

8. The Greenhouse (Cape Town):The Greenhouse, expertly showcases the cuisine of Cape Town’s first Relais & Chateaux Grand Chef, Peter Tempelhoff and his talented team. Here, the tasting menus are inspired by the bountiful local produce and diverse cultures of South Africa.

9. Terroir (Stellenbosch):Terroir opened in October 2004, and over the years has become one of the most sought-after gourmet destinations in the Cape winelands, placing Stellenbosch prominently on the culinary map.

10. Hartford House (KZN):Peering through one teakwood door at Hartford House, you face a Colonial world. Opening another, the distant sounds of an ancient people at work lilt across the silent landscape, a country of great space, spectacular mountains and big skies.

Top ten places to visit in South Africa

South Africa is a heaven to those who love adventure, magnificent landscapes and diversity in nature. Once you have been there, you will always long to return and relive this extraordinary experience. It is not an easy task to decide which places are the best to visit, so in order not to get lost in the wild nature of South Africa, be sure to put these in your list.

Cape Town: Table Mountain
Well, the name of this key attraction already suggests it — a flat-topped mountain, overlooking Cape Town. Make sure to hike to the top of the mountain. The climb is a hard task, but the view from up there is spectacular — all of Cape Town`s radiance can be seen from up there, and the sea breeze will definitely freshen you up. For the not-so-adventurous type, there is a cable car to the summit.

Cape Town: The Cape Peninsula
If you are an adventurous type of person and you enjoy hiking — The Cape Peninsula is the best place to go. Within Table Mountain National Park, you will find the Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. The unspoiled nature will give you an experience to remember for a lifetime. If you visit this area in spring or early summer, you might see Southern Right Whales. Whatever time of year you visit, make sure you see the colony of 3,000 African penguins at Boulders Beach.

Cape Town: Robben Island
Robben Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is famous for many things, but mostly for the prison where South Africa`s political prisoners were held during the Apartheid era. At various points in history, the island was also a leper colony, a mental hospital and a defense training base.

The prison is a remarkable tourist attraction, since you can walk the maximum security wing where anti-apartheid activists like Nelson Mandela were imprisoned. You can see what the life of the prisoners was like and where they worked. The interesting part of all this is that you get information first hand, from the people who lead you through this tour, as they are usually former political prisoners themselves and have a lot to share.

Oudtshoorn: The Garden Route
The Garden Route stretches from Mossel Bay (Western Cape) to the Storms River (Eastern Cape). It is a marvelous route to walk through. First you will probably want to take a peek at the ten nature reserves, then the marine reserves. You can experience the pleasure of seeing over 300 different bird species, coral reefs, dolphins, seals, and many other magnificent creatures. Along the Garden Route there are a couple of bays where whales come to calve from July to December. The best bay to go to is Plettenberg Bay, which is a whale hotspot.

Phalaborwa: The Kruger National Park
The Kruger National Park lies in the Limpopo Province and is the largest reserve in South Africa. This is a place that literally takes your breath away. With such diversity in flora and fauna, no one could remain unimpressed. You can see 336 types of trees, 49 kinds of fish, 34 types of amphibians, 114 different reptiles, 507 species of birds and 147 kinds of mammals. The wild diversity is mixed with some history at archeological sites, like Masorini and Thulamela.

Krugersdorp: The Cradle of Humankind
Just 50km away from Johannesburg, there is a complex of limestone caves. In these caves, scientists have discovered fossils that date back to the birth of humankind. The most famous among the fossils are the skull “Mr. Ples” (which is a 2.1 million-year-old skull) and the skeleton “Little Foot” (which is 3 million-years-old). Our earliest known ancestors evolved from The Cradle of Humankind.

Knysna
Knysna is a town situated in the middle of the Garden Route and it deserves special attention. This is one of South Africa`s true gems. It is a great place to have fun, relax and enjoy great food. The town is a big attraction to artists and people who enjoy water sports. You can spend a day “wave jumping” on a lagoon, then enjoy an incredible sunset. So if you want to relax and have a good time — this is the place.

Oudtshoorn
Oudtshoorn may seem like an unusual recommendation, since it is considered the Ostrich Capital of South Africa. Yet this is the place to visit if you would like to ride an ostrich or just sample their eggs. There are many hotels that serve ostrich eggs, mainly for breakfast. They are very rich in taste and rather large, compared to other eggs. Ostrich meat is also served in the form of sausages and steaks. And for those who are not very fond of ostriches, you can go cycling since the scenery here is also beautiful.

Durban
Durban is a very friendly place to go. It is the third largest city in South Africa and is famous for its “Golden Mile” — string of beaches filled with surfers, and also a shark free zone. You can spend the whole day relaxing on the beach and then have a nice meal in a nearby pub. Afterwards, go and check the Marine World Aquarium and you’ll have a day worth to remembering.

Gansbaai
It doesn`t matter if you are an adventurous type or not if you want to visit Gansbaai. The beauty of nature will be all around you — in and out of the water. For example, you can watch the whales from the Cliffs of De Kelders, enjoy the white sands of Pearly Beach or take a walk in the ancient milkwood forests. If you are looking for a thrill, you can dive with the great White Sharks.

Teodora Todorova / Expatica

Sources:
http://www.globalgrasshopper.com/travel/adventure/top-10-places-to-visit-in-south-africa/

Gansbaai

It doesn`t matter if you are an adventurous type or not if you want to visit Gansbaai. The beauty of nature will be all around you — in and out of the water. For example, you can watch the whales from the Cliffs of De Kelders, enjoy the white sands of Pearly Beach or take a walk in the ancient milkwood forests. If you are looking for a thrill, you can dive with the great White Sharks.

Gansbaai is a fishing village and popular tourist destination in the Overberg District Municipality, Western Cape, South Africa. It is known for its dense population of Great White Sharks and as a whale-watching location. Wikipedia

Durban

Durban – Africa’s leading conference destination – is a vibrant city where a blend of local cultures – African, Asian and European – is reflected in a mosaic of architectural styles, a melting pot of traditions and colourful cuisine.

Its privileged location on the Eastern seaboard makes it South Africa’s only destination offering warm winters and tropical summers -320 sunny days a year. It is an obvious choice for conference planners, tourists and sports enthusiasts,

because this is the city that sizzles and where the sun never sets.

Conveniently situated and highly accessible, Durban is less than an hour’s flying time from Johannesburg and once you arrive, everything you need is within easy reach.

Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism because of the city’s warm subtropical climate and extensive beaches. The municipality, which includes neighbouring towns, has a population of almost 3.5 million

Oudtshoorn

The towns of Oudtshoorn and De Rust are in the Klein Karoo between the Swartberg and Outeniqua mountains. Oudtshoorn is the ostrich capital of the world. The world’s biggest bird is just one of the many attractions in this area of exceptional contrasts and natural beauty.

The region is home to the spectacular Cango Caves, Africa’s largest show cave system; an ecological hotspot where three distinct plant biomes (succulent karoo, cape thicket and fynbos) converge; and the Swartberg mountain range, which is part of the Cape Floral World Heritage Site.

Knysna

Knysna (pron.: /ˈnaɪznə/; probably from a Khoikhoi word meaning “ferns”)^[3]^[4] is a town with 76,431 inhabitants in the Western Cape Province of South Africa and is part of the Garden Route. It lies 34 degrees south of the equator, and is 72 kilometres east from the town of George on the N2 highway, and 25 kilometres west of Plettenberg Bay on the same road.

History A hamlet, Melville, appeared on the lakeshore in 1825, and was followed by another, Newhaven, in 1846. Knysna town, a 1882 amalgamation of these hamlets, was named after the Knysna River.^[5]

Knysna’s port could provide shelter for up to 50 ships,^[6] and the region’s abundant timber was exported from this bay as early as 1787.^[7] Landowner George Rex, who landed at the Cape in 1796, played a significant role in the town’s early development and is considered the town’s founder. Being a difficult port to enter, a harbour pilot was employed to assist large vessels. One of the better-known pilots was John Benn, originally a shipwright from Mossel Bay, appointed as pilot in 1868 and whose name is borne by a double-deck pleasure cruiser currently operating as a tourist attraction on the Knysna lagoon. The port was officially closed in 1954.

The Norwegian family, Thesen, played a considerable role in the development of Knysna from 1869 onwards. Arndt Leonard Thesen (1816–1875) and his son Charles Wilhelm Thesen in particular, founded and expanded the family timber and shipping business. Charles Thesen was mayor of Knysna for a number of terms.

From 1907 to 1949 the Knysna forest railway was used to haul timber from the inland forests to the harbour of Knysna.

Meerlust Wine Estate

Long recognized for producing world-class wines, Meerlust Estate has been the pride of the Myburgh family since 1756. Today, the traditional dedication to the art of winemaking continues under the guidance of Hannes Myburgh, eighth generation custodian of this seventeenth-century national monument.

Meerlust, with its historic manor house, classic wine cellar, family cemetery, dovecote and bird sanctuary is situated fifteen kilometers south of Stellenbosch, with the blue crescent of False Bay a mere five kilometers away. Wines are only made from grapes grown on the Estate which is uniquely positioned for the production of wines with exceptional complexity and character.

In the summertime, ocean breezes and evening mists roll in from the coast to cool the vineyards. The grapes ripen slowly, thus achieving full, concentrated varietal flavours. The soils consist of predominantly deep, well drained Hutton and Clovelly soil types, affording the vines excellent drought resistance and an ideal substrata for producing concentrated, complex wines

Contact Details:

Tel: 021 843 3587

Vergelegen Wine Estate

Since 1700 and to this day, Vergelegen (meaning “situated far away”), has been crafted by some of the world’s great explorers and visionaries, who each in their own way have helped shape Vergelegen to what it is today: a world-class Estate.

With its world renowned handcrafted wines, 310 year old history and heritage, exquisite gardens and refined cuisine, it comes as no surprise that Vergelegen continues to be the choice of the discerning visitor seeking a total sensory experience. For this reason, the Estate has borne witness to many visits of heads of state and celebrities from all over the world.

Think of Vergelegen to spend quality time on your own, with your family and friends or business associates – wine tasting centre and cellar tours, Camphors at Vergelegen Restaurant, Stables at Vergelegen Bistro Restaurant and the Picnic, are only a few of a myriad of enjoyable activities at Vergelegen.

We invite you to experience the world of Vergelegen first-hand.

The Blyde River Canyon

Situated about 25km north of Pilgrim’s Rest in Mpumalanga. Stretching for 25km, featuring towering cliffs, terrifying rapids, and steamy tracks of subtropical jungle, the world’s largest green canyon offers views to take your breath away.

Tsitsikamma Forest

Welcome to the area the ancient Khoi San people called “the place of many waters.”

Tsitsikamma is a khoi word meaning “place of abundant or sparkling water”. The region stretches from the Bloukrans River in the west to Eerste Rivier in the east, is bordered on the north by the imposing Tsitsikamma Mountains and in the south by the Indian Ocean.

The area is covered in large tracts of indigenous forest, commercial plantation and Fynbos. Deep river gorges cleft the plateau as they make their way down to the sea, creating spectacular waterfalls and deep kloofs.

A mild all year round climate allows one to make the most of all the outdoor activities that are on offer, whilst a high rainfall ensures the lushness of vegetation that the area is renowned for.

Red Sea Reef

Red Sea Reef

The Red Sea Reef stretches over 1,240 miles along the coast of Egypt, Sudan, and Eritrea. There are more than 1,100 species of fish that call this Red Sea Reef home and nearly 10% of these are exclusive to this region. The reef features include abundant aquatic life, platforms, lagoons, and cylinders.

Winner Announcement

Be one of the first to know who the winners are for the new 7 wonders of nature. Announced on the Travel Tracker first before any other place. Fun travel app with a whole variety of bucket list ideas even if you are not tracking the natural wonders.

Best way to see the Red See Reef

More will follow on the Red Sea Reef as it is declared an official or notable wonder of Africa.

Best way to experience the Red Sea Reef

More will follow on the Red Sea Reef as it is declared an official or notable wonder of Africa.

Endangered Species of Africa

There are 100s of critically endangered species on every continent around the world. The wildlife, fauna and flora are much of what makes the various wonders of nature special. The endangered species of Africa are one of Seven Natural Wonder’s greatest concerns. Take a moment and glance at some of the critically endangered wildlife.

Quick Facts:

Home to over 1,100 species of fish
Approximately 1 in 10 are exclusive to the area
The reef extends over 1,200 miles

WHAT'SUP

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