V and A Waterfront

The V and A Waterfront is located right at the foot of Table Mountain, within a stone’s throw from the Cape Town Stadium and in the heart of Cape Town’s working harbour. It offers the visitor an abundance of unforgettable experiences. Indoor shopping and entertainment venues seamlessly merge with ocean vistas and mountain views and the fresh sea breeze and warm African sun add zest to a cosmopolitan, vibrant atmosphere. More than 80 restaurants bring a fusion of international food, from rustic al fresco fish and chips to starched table-cloth cuisine.

If you’re planning a stay in Cape Town, the Waterfront would be a great option to look into! You can find over 85 different listings of V and A Waterfront hotel accommodation on SafariNow.com.

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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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."