� Article # 22 – May 20th �” Holiday Travel � Title: ����������������� Holiday’s �” Who has the time � Writer: �������������� Alan Hawkins � � Keywords:����������� Accommodation, South, Africa, Cape Town � …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. � � Do we live to work or do we work to live. In this crazy world why is it that we simply exist from day to day, seemingly in continuous pursuit of problem solving objectives, be they those of your employer, your family, a child’s demands, we seem to be on this hamster wheel that never stops turning. There is an old cliché that tells us to stop and smell the roses, perhaps this is the better way to go. A “crooner” many years ago had an album, yes, a ling playing record, remember those, this was tiled “Stop the World, I want to get off” �” if we apply this to the purpose of this article, let’s stop the madness and squeeze in some holiday and travel time. � In South Africa we are blessed, yes we might have experienced a little political turmoil but hey, so has Sri Lanka, the English parliamentarians haven’t exactly covered themselves in glory either, we are blessed with many destinations, many accommodation options and a climate that is often described as moderate in that day time temperatures in winter, yes winter, are on average more than 22 deg. C and rainfall, except perhaps in the Western Cape, is quite limited. Mist areas of Southern Africa experience light summer rains, often limited to afternoon shows and thundershowers particularly in the higher lying areas. � Our main tourism destinations are the game reserves and the Western Cape, centred around Cape Town, one of the internationally acclaimed and mist sought after travel destinations in the world. Unfortunately for our family, this is a nine hour drive and an expensive flight from East London, but certainly a destination we often visit, there is a great web site www.staysa.co.za which includes a travel guide and general information on Cape Town and many other areas. � Think about this for a moment, we work approximately 260 days of each year, we work in order to be awarded 15 days leave, if we are normal, we dedicate some 5 or so of those to family functions and that leaves us about two calendar weeks, weekends included, to have a holiday. Subject to all other conditions being acceptable such as budget, children’s school and sport commitments, both adults being able to be on leave simultaneously, the car being on good order, the kennel available for the dogs, whew, it’s actually amazing that we ever manage to leave home at all! � What we try and do as a family is to escape on weekends, at least once per month, this being our objective anyway, we target short trips usually less than two hours from home. We are blessed in owning holiday accommodation in Port Alfred, approximately one and a half hours drive from home. We go there if we are short of a better plan or if it’s been a last minute travel decision. Other recent destinations that are worth recommending in the Eastern Cape are Storms River Mouth, the Baviaanskloof, Addo Elephant Park, Seagulls Hotel on the Wild Coast, all being great short stop travel destinations in South Africa. � The moral of this story, make it your business to hop of the hamster wheel now and again, work to live, don’t love to work, quality family time is more important than we think it is sometimes. � � YOUR INPUT IS CRITICAL…….. Please send any travel tip or travel idea to info@staysa.co.za �help fellow travellers to enjoy safe and happy travelling. � � Alan Hawkins �” CEO – STAYSA

Alan Hawkins is the CEO of StaySA, www.staysa.co.za, The South Africa Accommodation Solution.
StaySA provides a directory of South African Accommodation, Bed and Breakfasts and Holiday Homes.

With its beautiful beaches, magnificent mountain and breathtaking scenery, Cape Town is ideal for luxury holidays and indulgent getaways. Travellers from across the globe flock to the coastal city to enjoy luxury holidays in Cape Town, which are made all the more special by the opulent hotels located throughout the city. If you�re travelling to Cape Town, ensure that you make the most of your holiday by securing accommodation at one of its leading establishments. Then, plan your holiday itinerary to make the most of the attractions and recreational facilities on offer in the city. No matter what time of year you choose to travel to the Cape, you�re sure to enjoy your time in this vibrant city. Below, find out more about luxury hotel accommodation in Cape Town, and read tips on planning the ultimate luxury holidays in Cape Town. Planning luxury holidays in Cape Town There is so much to experience in the Mother City that it�s a good idea to plan your holiday itinerary in advance. There is a wealth of exciting activities and attractions available in the city, and the ones that you choose should be dependent on your tastes, holiday preferences, and the type of holiday you�re taking. For families, it�s a great idea to include some of Cape Town�s famous cultural landmarks, museums and child-friendly entertainment venues in your itinerary. Visit the South African Museum, Greenmarket Square and the Company Gardens in the City Bowl, where kids can feed peanuts to the squirrels that scurry through the avenue. You could also spend a day at Ratanga Junction, South Africa�s largest theme park, and choc-full of fun rides, games and roller-coasters to delight kids of all ages. And of course, you simply must take the kids to the beach for a day of sandcastles and swimming! Boulders Beach in Simon�s Town is a great option, as it is home to South Africa�s largest colony of African penguins. For young couples and single travellers, Cape Town is the ultimate entertainment destination. The city abounds with trendy bars, clubs and restaurants, where locals and visitors alike can relax with chilled cocktails, or dance the night away to the latest beats. Camps Bay�s beachfront is the definitive destination for anyone seeking a night of glamour and thrills. Head to the strip to enjoy sundowners alongside the beach, and experience the views that have made Cape Town famous! If you�re visiting the city on business, you can still enjoy some of its leading venues once you�ve packed your laptop away. Unwind after a long day at one of the city�s outstanding restaurants. Cape Town has long been recognised as the culinary capital of South Africa, and many of its top restaurants are located in and around the CBD. They also make ideal venues for upmarket business lunches and dinners, where the cuisine, service and d�cor are bound to impress your fellow diners. Round off your holiday with luxury hotel accommodation in Cape Town No matter what type of holiday you desire, you simply must treat yourself to luxury accommodation in Cape Town. Make the most of your luxury holiday in Cape Town by booking accommodation at one of its leading hotel establishments. The city centre, one of Cape Town�s most sought-after districts, now boasts boutique hotels that cater for travellers seeking a luxury vacation. Here, you�ll not only find opulent suites, but also a range of world-class facilities, designed to offer the all the comforts of home

Taj Cape Town is the newest luxury hotel in Cape Town, offering travellers a unique accommodation venue in the vibrant City Bowl. The hotel features fine dining establishments, 24-hour room service, in-house boutiques, and an indulgent spa for guests.

Drop the name “Cape Town” into any conversation and you’re likely to be met with a barrage of stories, all of which will be different except that they glow with memorable experiences. This is because Cape Town is so diverse, from the scenery to the local culture and attractions that every visitor will find something different here among Cape Town’s many accolades from travellers. The city was also named the Third Best City in the World by the leading travel magazine in the United States last year. The main areas of Cape Town include the City Bowl, Atlantic Seaboard, Southern Suburbs, Northern Suburbs, Cape Peninsula, Cape Flats and Blouberg. The city and surrounds present a collage of different scenery. Visitors can experience the urban cosmopolitan feel of the Metropole, relax and savour the gastronomic treats on offer in the pastoral setting of the Cape Winelands or explore endless beaches along both sides of the Peninsula. Holidays in Cape Town have the ability to leave a lasting impression on any visitor, no matter what their fancy. Probably the best time to visit Cape Town for a holiday is in the summer between December and February, when the weather is at its finest. This season is dry and hot, with temperatures often reaching well into the 30′s and dense blue skies creating a true holiday feeling. This season is extremely busy due to the influx of excited visitors to the city. A quieter period for those seeking peaceful Cape Town getaways is either autumn or spring, when the weather is still very pleasant but the city is out of its main tourist season. Attractions in the city The City Bowl and nearby Atlantic Seaboard provide visitors seeking holidays in Cape Town a modern, chic and first-world setting, surrounded by the clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean. This area offers historical interest with the many museums nearby such as the Natural History Museum, the District Six Museum and the Holocaust Museum. Little markets such as the Church Street Antique Market and Green Market Square add a distinctly African charm to the downtown area. Similarly, Long Street and Kloof Street in the CBD have many boutique stores, restaurants and caf�s and the nearby National Art Gallery will thrill all art enthusiasts. Shopping is a major attraction in Cape Town and malls such as the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront offer modern and label trends within easy reach from the city. Table Mountain, Cape Town’s most famous landmark, is accessible by a high-tech cable car from the city centre and is a ‘must-do’ activity for any visitors to the city. The Atlantic Seaboard The Atlantic Seaboard includes the elite suburbs of Bantry Bay, Camps Bay and Llandudno. These are the playgrounds of the elite and wealthy. Bantry Bay is a scenic and quiet suburb, allowing for easy access to the attractions of the city centre. Camps Bay is set amongst ultra-trendy architecture mixed with a vibrant night life, offering fun on the pristine beaches coupled with night time excitement in exclusive clubs and bars and some of the best restaurants in the Western Province. Llandudno Beach is notable as it is tucked away amongst massive granite boulders and offers brilliant swimming and sun-bathing experience whilst providing a relaxed, tranquil and secluded setting close to the city. Hotels in the area include the impressive and world-famous 12 Apostles Hotel just outside of Camps bay, the uber-modern Les Cascades guest house in Bantry bay and 26 Sunset Avenue in Llandudno, a quiet gem tucked away in the beautiful scenery of Llandudno. These hotels offer very easy access to a number of Cape Town attractions, Newlands Forest and of course, the Greenpoint Stadium, Cape Town’s very own superstructure for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The South Peninsula The South Peninsula is a mixture of heritage and sea-side charm. The area stretches from the Atlantic Seaboard through to False Bay. The old-English seaside town and surfer’s paradise of Muizenberg is part of the Peninsula, as is Simon’s Town, famous for its naval base and Boulder’s Beach, a protected area where beachgoers can swim with the resident colony of African penguins. The breathtaking scenery of Cape Point, the southernmost part of the Cape Peninsula allows for superb views of the two oceans and of the surrounding panorama of jagged and dramatic mountains. The Cape Peninsula is perfect for peaceful and relaxing holidays in Cape Town. There are many well-priced restaurants in the area which create fun and well-loved seafood dishes from the fresh catches made in False Bay. The Colona Castle Manor House in Lakeside offers old-world charm mixed with modern excellence in service and is an excellent choice of accommodation for those looking to relax in the South Peninsula. The Steenberg Hotel is situated inland in Tokai, surrounded by the beautiful Tokai forest plantation, and is five minutes drive from the Constantia Wine Route. The Winelands The Constantia Wine Route is not the only one in Cape Town. The Wine Routes in the Cape Winelands (in the Boland area) are world famous and consistently produce some of the best wines in the world. The Winelands includes the historic towns of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. There is also a variety of luxurious accommodation options set amongst the mountainous and fertile terrain of the area, are a mere hour’s drive from Cape Town’s city centre. The Lanzerac Hotel and Spa offers guests accommodation in Stellenbosch in a 300-year-old Cape Dutch mansion with Spa facilities. These are also offered at Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa, set in the culinary capital of South Africa. Franschhoek Country House and Villa Suites are also located in Franschhoek and provide an elegant escape into the world of food and wine. Holidays in Cape Town and getaways to the surrounding areas have something to offer everyone. Families can enjoy safe and clean beaches on the Atlantic Seaboard and Peninsula coastline as well as exciting attractions such as shopping malls and theme parks. Conversely, active and adventure-seeking individuals can enjoy the vibrant nightlife and diverse cultures of the historic Cape. Those seeking a peaceful refuge can relax and be pampered at one of the many spa resorts. Business travellers have easy access to state-of-the-art conference venues and accommodation whilst wine lovers can enjoy quaffing some of the world’s finest wines in breathtaking scenery and towns which live for viticulture. Cape Town getaways are a world-class opportunity for fun and relaxation with attractions to suit everyone.

Exclusive Getaways offer a traveller’s collection of luxury accommodation in South Africa, including accommodation for holidays in Cape Town.