South africa the place to travel

South Africa - The Place to Visit
by: Patrick Duddy

South Africa is considered as one of the most exciting tourist destinations in the world. The country has an abundance of history, a massive variety of customs, friendly locals, unspoiled environment, great accommodation, colourful nightlife, the place to travel. No wonder, tourists from all parts of the world come to visit South Africa.

South Africa is a land rich in history and with an abundance of amazing culture. There are museums everywhere. The number one feature of South Africa that attracts tourists is the locals who are so friendly and they will make you feel at home wherever you are. Because of them, South Africa seems to be a home away from home for most tourists.

South Africa is not known as the key to Africa for nothing. The county abounds in beauty more than anywhere else. There are excellent National Parks and botanical gardens that let you connect with nature while enjoying the company of your family or friends. South Africa is also best for some solitary moments with Mother Nature. If you enjoy luxury and are looking for a relaxing private holiday while enjoying the wonderful wildlife found in South Africa there are many tour operators offering their professional services. You can be driven to these excellent parks and gardens. Most of them have luxurious accommodation where you can overnight while enjoying the local cuisine.

South Africa is known for its abundance of wildlife, from the Big Five to the smallest of creatures. They also have the largest variety in the flower kingdom, from the wonders of Namaqualand to the fynbos of the Cape, from the forests of the Garden Route to the Grasslands of the Kruger Park. All year long, there are festivals and events highlighting the biodiversity of the South African floral kingdom to keep you busy. You shouldn't miss the spring flowers in August and September in Namaqualand highlighting the masses of flowers and the variety of our wonderful bulbs. And don't forget to have a taste of our South African wines, the pride of the Western Cape Province!

Travelling in South Africa is not a problem. There are various hotels, B & B's, guest houses and farm accommodations that cater to tourists' varying needs and budgets. There will always be an establishment to suit your needs. Getting around South Africa is also not a problem as there are various car rental services operating around the country. Whether it is in Johannesburg, Durban or Cape Town or anywhere in South Africa, you will always find a good car rental company or tour company. You can even search for car rental or tour companies in South Africa online.

With all of South Africa's attractions and the ease and comfort of staying and getting around this wonderful country and its good value for money, there is no wonder that many tourists come to South Africa over and over again.

Trips in the planning stage

The following links are Trips in the Planning stage, I have Lot's of opportunities to get fellow travelers on board at significant discounts, so if you really want to go an a stress free and organized journey with me check out the new adventures that I will be taking, the great thing about this is that i have associates who make this as fun, educational and easy as possible. So check out the Itinerarys and if you would like to know more please contact me for more information on the journey you would like to be interested in.

Life Celebration Cruise:

The cruise has been created as a Celebration of the lifes of one's that have left and also the new ones whom have joined us, planned for the end of 2010 and the beginning of 2011 it will be one of the best trips so far, a minimum of seven days long to the Carribean Currently planned as jamacia we hope to turn this into our signature cruise, also we wish to have you help contribute to the family of a vet portion of the cruise that if we are lucky we will be providing a cruise for a returning vet and if we lose that hero then it will be for his or hers family, so please contributesign up for a cruise or both every little thing helps in making someone elses life a little happier and cherished.

le-caribbean-islands.com

Join with us and explore a Caribbean dream today! this site has more information than I could ever mention in a lifetime, this is the place to explore if you want the Islands.

Bimini is a popular destination for American travelers being the closest of all islands to the Florida coast. On a clear night you can see the lights of Miami Beach.

The Bimini's are a tiny group of islands consisting of North and South Bimini, Cat Cay and Gun Cay. The population is about 1,700 and the area is known for its Deep Caribbean Fishing.

Thanks to Eddy, be sure to check more from his site, by clicking the banner above.

Europe

Gap year travel guide to Europe

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by: Catherine Luff

Date: Tue, 5 May 2009 Time: 10:18 PM

Paris, Berlin, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden; Europe is your oyster and there's plenty of gap year fun to be had!

As the comedian Eddie Izzard says, "This is Europe, where the history comes from". You can't avoid it and nor would you want to, not when it's in the shape of fairy tale castles, medieval villages and Roman amphitheatres. Huge diversity reigns here with 750 million people enjoying hundreds of cultures in 45 different countries. Are you sure one year is enough?

From the icy shores of the Norwegian fjords to the sun-baked resorts of the Mediterranean, it's sometimes hard to imagine that this is all one continent. Throw in the best shopping, most exclusive restaurants and the liveliest collection of cities in the world and you've got yourself a gap year to remember. To paraphrase, "Europe is like a box of chocolates, a little expensive but you'll keep coming back for more"! Read on to see how it ranks on our Gapometer.

***** Gaptastic
**** Great for gappers
*** Worth a look
** Too much else to see
* Never mind the Gap

Things to see and do

The cities alone will keep you busy for a year, as you navigate your way out of the cavernous back alleys that lurk behind even the most modern metropolises. It's no wonder the Hansel and Gretel fairy story was written here; the author had obviously tried to find a hostel in the middle of Prague. However, with such unique streetscapes no footstep is wasted; original architecture that gave birth to so many imitators nestles snugly besides rustic bistros and cafes. Cities here are no slouches though; escape the old towns and you'll find cloud-troubling skyscrapers bursting out of the crowds.
Europe offers plenty to soothe the weary gapper; from climbing in the eye-rubbing beautiful Alps and island hopping in the crystal blue Med to a refreshing chardonnay amongst the rolling French hills. Planning is crucial here because there's just so much to see. Pick a selection of countries rather than spreading yourself too thinly and decide on your priorities. Try and squeeze in Rome, Venice, Bavaria, Paris and at least one visit to the Alps.

***** Literally too much choice!

Travelling around

There is good and bad news; crossing borders here is easier than in any other continent in the world and you can hop across most with relative ease. In much of mainland Europe you won't even notice you've crossed a border until you arrive at the next town to find a different sort of specialty in the cafes! The bad news is that travel in Europe is generally not as cheap as Asia or Africa. There are plenty of things to do to ease your passage though.
Buying a rail pass for Europe has long been a popular way of getting around and is generally a more efficient alternative to coach travel, and much more fun! The whole continent is connected by generally very reliable trains that can save you time and money. If you're not a rail enthusiast then air travel is worth bearing in mind. It's getting cheaper and cheaper and internal flights can be bought at a snip. Watch out for hidden extras like airport tax and you should be fine.

**** Travel is easy and reliable with plenty to see out of the window

Cost

The received wisdom is that unless you stay in crowded dorms, sharing with 12 men of debatable personal hygiene, Europe is beyond most people's economic reach. This really doesn't need to be the case. Firstly, Western Europe and Eastern Europe are completely different places; if you head East and you can eat Goulash, drink beer and wander around ancient towns without even troubling a cash point. The west, while a larger drain on your resources is still worth every penny. What's more, with careful planning the pennies can go a long way.
Europe has 6 entries in the Top 10 most expensive cities list, so if money is an issue for you, plan to spend less time here! That doesn't mean the best things are beyond you though; for example entry to the Louvre, possibly the world's greatest museum costs around £6 and bicycles are a handy way of dodging the traffic! Food is another good example of careful budgeting; markets, rural restaurants and bakeries offer great food at low prices so if you come back fat, so can your bank account.

*** Huge East/West divide so careful planning is needed to make the most of your budget

Earning Money

There is a large demand for English teachers in Europe so if things do get a little pricey you can always head for the safety of the classroom. It's certainly a cheap way to live in some great cities and learn a set of skills that could earn you money when you get back too! A small investment of time and money before you leave may allow you to spend more time travelling at a fraction of the cost!

**** Big demand for teachers and a good way to learn a language yourself

the wow factor

People tend to avoid Europe in search of more exotic and far flung destinations, but excitement isn't the sole preserve of Asia, Africa and Latin America. Anyone who walks the Alps visits Bavaria's castles or tastes proper Italian cooking knows that Europe can match anything the rest of the world has to offer.

About the Author

Catherine Luff - I to I Gap Year Travel provide fulfilling and life-changing travel experiences to anyone with a desire to get out there and make a difference for the better.

In the last year alone we have assisted over 5,000 volunteers to have a life-changing travel experience in 24 countries around the world.

If you're looking for a unique travel experience working abroad, look no further! i-to-i's the perfect way to meet new people with our volunteer abroad & gap year travel programs.

Contacts For interviews, images or comments contact: Catherine Luff Marketing & PR Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it