Amazing outdoor adventures abound in the Western Cape of South Africa

For the traveller who wants to experience the ultimate outdoor vacation, the Western Cape of South Africa offers activities and adventure like no other destination. There is plenty to do and see here, including majestic Table Top mountain, the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, hundreds of miles of beaches, whale watching, and diamond shopping. You'll need plenty of endurance to experience everything that the Western Cape of South Africa has to offer, including internationally ranked surfing and other extreme activities.

As you fly in, the first thing you will notice are the endless beaches. Remember, there are two oceans on the Western Cape of South Africa and they both have beaches; so the surf and sand go on forever. The Indian Ocean is warmer than the Atlantic, so it is more popular for sunbathing. The real attraction for surfers however, is Hout Bay, where the surf surges against the jagged rocks and international surfing contests are frequently held. Sunbathers will prefer the beaches of the Western Cape 'Riviera', a place where the rich like to see and be seen.

Something else to be seen on the Western cape of South Africa are the whales. Many whales, including the Humpback Whale, come to the Western Cape to mate and calve during the summer months.

Hiking enthusiasts love Table Mountain, the tallest peak in the Western Cape of South Africa. It rises 3,300 feet over the City Bowl of Cape Town, and is so tall that the summit is often surrounded by clouds that are referred to as the 'table cloth.' By following the trails that lead to the summit, hikers can enjoy views of Cape Town as well as the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. For those who want to ride, there is also a cable car that goes to the top.

The Garden Route affords weary travellers some easier walking along the Atlantic Ocean. The Garden Route is a series of trails that winds around the coastline on the Western Cape of South Africa. Here, visitors can enjoy flower gardens, native forests, and breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. The Garden Route also runs parallel to the famous Route 62, which is a beautiful drive along the coast as well.

Another popular tour in the Western Cape of South Africa is the Wine Route. The famous Constantia Wine Route is thriving these days, thanks to a boom in the wine production on the Western Cape. This is a great place to get a close-up look at wine production and sample the wine and cuisine of this picturesque valley.

Not to be overlooked, the city of Cape Town has some of the best shopping in the Western Cape of South Africa. Shoppers usually head straight for the 'Diamond Works', one of the best places in the world to buy diamond jewelry. Shopping abounds all throughout Cape Town, which also has the largest collection of Cape Dutch style buildings in the world.

The Western Cape of South Africa isn't as hard to get to as it might seem. The Cape Town Airport is near to all of the attractions and has direct international flights. The Western Cape of South Africa is an amazing place to visit, especially if you love incredible outdoor adventures.

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Tips for planning a beach vacation

By : Cindy Baxter

A beach vacation is not just about basking in the sun, sipping on your favorite drink or enjoying the best adrenaline water sports, but it is also a chance to spend some quality time with your family. In addition to providing endless seashell hunting excursions, priceless memories, a beach vacation helps you to relieve all your stress. Beach vacations are not just for couples and teenagers, but they are ideal for families too.

When it comes to picking a right destination, it can be very hard to choose from so many options. The purpose of your trip can really help you to figure out the where you would like to go. For a weekend getaway for instance, you will likely want to stay much closer to home, to reduce the travel time and have more scope for relaxation, recreation, and fun. If you are going out for a beach vacation with your family, then you can head to places like; Maui and Molokai, Hawaii; Palm Beach, Florida; and San Diego, California offering plenty of fun activities for kids and families. For those looking for a perfect romantic destination, then there is no better place than the rejuvenating spa resorts, and secluded beach rentals situated right on a sandy beach. Not to forget the youth, there are options galore for their entertainment. They may visit pubs, discos, clubs, and meet a lot of new people.

Beach vacations are a lot of fun, but are often thought to be quite an expensive affair. This does not have to be true, if you keep in mind some money saving tips with which nearly anyone can afford a great beach vacation! Being flexible with your travel dates is a cliché, but, it one of the most effective ways for catching some of the best deals around! This does not mean that you have to visit your favorite beach during the off-season. A visit during the very beginning or very end of the season, will not only save money, but, by doing so, you’ll be able to avoid much of the crowd visiting at the peak-season. As far as the accommodation is concerned, choosing a hotel room with Ocean view is always much wiser and cheaper than booking an Oceanfront room.

Also, before selecting a destination, take a little time out to check location’s reputation and what as to what they have to offer and if it suits your vacation’s aim. If you have opted for a family vacation package, then ask the hotel or resort about their policies regarding kids and pets. Moreover, browse the internet and enquire local guys about the weather, as it can be the best or the worst thing about your vacation. Most importantly, carry all the essential beach gear including; sun-tan lotion, extra bathing suit, and a portable umbrella to protect you from the sun.

A beach vacation is a great idea for spending your next vacation. So, what are you waiting for? Book your next flight to an exquisite beach destination with OneTravel.com and jet set for an unforgettable trip today!

Author Resource: Cindy B. is a travel writer for http://www.OneTravel.com. Cindy has visited several top destinations like Paris and Rio de Janeiro, she finds great pleasure in sharing her travel experiences with the readers.

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History of Camps Bay, Cape Town

The first residents of Camps Bay were the San and Khoi. When the Dutch settlers arrived in Cape Town in 1652, the Twelve Apostles were covered in forests, which were home to lion, leopard and antelope.

The Khoi tribe lived on the slopes of the Twelve Apostles, but was decimated by measles and smallpox, and was then restricted to the Oudekraal area.
Picture of Historic Camps Bay Picture of Historic Camps Bay Picture of Historic Camps Bay

The area was then granted to John Lodewyk Wernich, and passed from father to son. Johan Wernich married Anna Koekemoer. She was widowed in 1778, inheriting all the land in the area. She met a sailor called Frederik Ernst von Kamptz, who seemed intent on marrying her for her money! The area then became known as "Die Baai van von Kamptz". This eventually was translated into English as Camps Bay.

For most of the 19th century the area was undeveloped, serving as a hunting ground for Lord Charles Somerset, the Governor of the Cape. He used the Roundhouse as his hunting lodge. Kloof Road between Sea Point and Camps Bay was built in 1848, and the coastal drive Victoria Road between the two suburbs was built by well-known roads engineer Thomas Bain. It was completed in 1888, and named in honour of Queen Victoria's jubilee.

Camps Bay became a popular picnic site, leading to the development of a tram service between the city and Camps Bay in 1901. The tidal pools were developed, the Rotunda (still part of the Bay Hotel) and a concert pavilion were built. In 1913 Camps Bay was incorporated into the city of Cape Town.

Travel mishaps

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 11:00
Most regard travel insurance as a way of covering the costs should you require medical attention while on holiday, however, it also provides the added benefit of being there for other little 'mishaps' — not necessarily of a medical nature.

George Novis of Santam’s Travel Insurance underwriter TIC says, "One never expects to be involved in any kind of holiday blunder but travel cover has bailed many holidaymakers out of bizarre and costly situations.

"A basic insurance package can cost as little as R285, depending on the duration of your trip, paying out as much as R25-million, no matter the nature of the mishap."

The hotel disaster

In one example, a client travelling in Europe walking down a flight of stairs in her hotel lost her footing and tried to regain it by grabbing on to an expensive painting on the wall beside her.

"Unfortunately she continued to tumble down the stairs, knocking over an expensive vase, in addition to the painting, as she went."

The woman may not have been injured — but the cost of the mishap still amounted to R10 000 which the hotel demanded from her.

Shaky skiers

As another example, a South African skier inadvertently knocked a fellow skier while on the slopes in Colorado. Minimal injuries were caused; however he was tracked down in Cape Town and served with a $100 000 summons.

"The client’s travel insurance allowed us to investigate the incident on his behalf which revealed that the 'victim' was, in fact, a serial litigant. Although suffering injuries, the victim causes accidents of this nature all the time, trapping unsuspecting tourists. We were able to settle out of court (inclusive of legal expenses) to the value of R430 000."

These expenses are insignificant if compared to those that can be incurred if a traveller requires medical attention — as hospitalisation and operation costs can easily go into the millions.

"These examples illustrate how easily expensive mistakes can happen and how one can inexpensively ensure that museum entries and restaurant bills are the only expenses leaving a dent in the bank account while on holiday."