Cape Town South Africa Culture And History - Cosmopolitan Cultural Mix

By Gerald Crawford

Cape Town has a cosmopolitan cultural mix which has been influenced over the years mainly by the Dutch, French and British, with a significant influence also having come from Malaysia. Cape Town is home to artists and performers of every description,.

With a fascinating history going back 350 years, Cape Town offers a huge selection of museums and places of cultural interest to visit. Also to be considered are tours of the townships, a ferry trip to Robben Island or a wander through the District Six Museum.

The Malay Quarter (more correctly named the Bo-Kaap), hugs the lower slopes of Signal Hill and is a maze of narrow alleys and densely clustered flat roofed homes. The Bo-Kaap is home to a large Islamic community, many of whom are descended from slaves imported by the early European settlers from the Dutch colony of Java.

The VOC Company Gardens, located at the upper end of Adderley street, with its stately oak trees, shady paths, green lawns and lily covered ponds has a direct line of descent from the earliest settlers. When Jan Van Riebeck landed in the Cape in 1652, his first task was to plant a vegetable garden to supply the passing ships of his employers, the powerful Dutch East India Company. The modern Gardens are located at this spot and although much reduced from the original size are still a wonderful place to spend a few hours.

The Castle dating back to roughly the same period is the oldest European structure in South Africa, the Castle of Good Hope. The "castle" is actually a defensive fort, construction of which began barely 2 days after the arrival of the first Dutch settlers in April 1652. Although today the Castle is far away from the sea, it was originally built on the beach, Strand Street, which passes the structure is translated as "Beach Street". The area where the cape Town station now stands was originally under the ocean and has been built on land reclaimed over the years so that today the ocean is a couple of kilometres distant.

Cape Town is home to a number of historic buildings, many of them well preserved and can be visited by the public. Bertram House, in the city centre was built in the 1830's when anything much beyond Adderly Stret was farmland. The house is now a museum and gives a wonderful insight into cape Town life almost 200 years ago [Tel: 021 424 9381].

There are many more such gems to be found in and around the city, such as Koopmans De Wet House, the Groote Kerk (Big Church) in Adderley Street. Also worth a visit is the bustling open air market at Greenmarket Square, the Historic buildings and dusty book shops in Long Street (walk its length and find out how this street got its name), the huge underground Golden Acre shopping mall, the old Slave Lodge and the South African Museum [021 424 3330], to name but a few.

Come for a visit.

Gerald Crawford was born in South Africa, studied electronics, telecommunication, eco-travel and african travel concepts. He taught responsible tourism in South Africa. If you have any questions or comments please e-mail me on. E-mail Address: southafricantravelarticles@12234455.co.za Website Address: http://www.12234455.co.za Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gerald_Crawford

South African Cape Town Travel Information

By Gerald Crawford

"Tavern of the Seas"

In 1652 Jan van Riebeeck sailed into Table Bay and laid the foundations of South Africa's oldest city. His first undertaking was to establish a vegetable garden for the purpose of providing passing merchant ships with fresh food. Before long, weary sailors from around the world dropped anchor in the bay to replenish supplies.

The settlement soon earned the titled: 'Tavern of the Seas', and to this day, Cape Town has maintained a reputation for friendly hospitality. With its majestic Table Mountain backdrop, Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. An eclectic mix of architectural styles reflects the tastes and dictates of the past - and the more functional demands of the 20th century.

The city's Edwardian and Victorian buildings have been meticulously preserved, and many outstanding examples of Cape Dutch architecture are found in the city and its environs. Cobble stoned streets, mosque's and the flat-roofed pastel homes of the Malay Quarter entrance a cosmopolitan ambience, and in a recent development, the restoration of the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront evokes images of the seafaring activities of the 19th century.

For a closer look at life at the Cape in earlier times, interesting historical collections are on display in several museums. Cape Town's shopping options invite you to endlessly browse - and buy. Elegant shopping malls, department stores, antique shops and at galleries abounds. Specialist boutiques in Long Street and the narrow little alleys intersecting it offer an enticing array of unusual articles not readily obtainable elsewhere.

At the end of the day, gourmets and lovers of sophisticated entertainment have a treat in store.

South Africa's legislative capital is situated at the foot of Table Mountain, the famous flat-topped mountain with views out across the peninsula to the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. It is possible to walk up, but for the less intrepid, there is an excellent cable car.

The main hub of the city centre is the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the beautifully restored old Victorian harbor which offers free entertainment, a wide variety of shops, museums, including the excellent Aquarium, taverns and restaurants.

Boat trips leave from here for harbor tours or the notorious Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela and many other nationalist leaders were imprisoned. The relics of early colonial government are centered on Government Avenue, with many fine old buildings and museums, including the Parliament Buildings; Groote Kerk (mother church of the Dutch Reformed faith); the Cultural History Museum; National Museum; National Gallery; Bertram House and Company's Garden, planted in 1652 to provide food for passing sailors.

Nearby sights of interest include Bo-Kaap (the home of the Islamic Cape Malay people, confusingly of mainly Indonesian origin); the Castle of Good Hope in Darling Street, built in 1666; the Old Townhouse on Greenmarket Square, housing a permanent collection of 17th-century Dutch and Flemish paintings; and the early 18th-century Koopmans de Wet House.

Those interested in learning more about black and 'Cape coloured' culture should visit the District Six Museum, Buitenkant Street, and take one of the many excellent guided tours of the outlying townships of Crossroads, Langa and Khayelitsha.

It is probably not safe for tourists to venture into these areas on their own. Cape Town also has excellent sporting and shopping facilities.

The Baxter Theatre and Artscape Theatre Complex offer a mix of local and international fare. Nightlife is concentrated in the V&A Waterfront, Sea Point, and parts of the central business district, notably around Long Street. Further out, the Cape-Dutch homestead of Spier and Ratanga Junction theme park both offer a variety of entertainment from classical to jazz concerts.

Excursions:

South of Cape Town a long peninsula stretches south, lined by fishing villages and holiday resorts, including Llandudno, Hout Bay, Kommetjie, Fish Hoek, Muizenberg and Simonstown, a delightful Victorian town with a couple of interesting museums and the only colony of penguins to live on the African mainland.

Inland, the magnificent Cape-Dutch farm, Groot Constantia, was one of the first wine farms in the Cape, while the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, created by Cecil Rhodes in 1895 on the lower slopes of Table Mountain, is one of the finest botanical gardens in the world.

In the summer there are open-air concerts. Nearby Chapman's Peak has spectacular views, but the scenic drive from Hout Bay is currently closed due to landfalls, and you need to walk the last section to the summit. About an hour's drive from Cape Town, the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve covers the southern tip of the Cape peninsula, with a profusion of flowers, birds and animals, culminating in Cape Point.

Don't miss:

* Going by cable-car up Table Mountain.

* Robben Island.

* Sundowners on the Atlantic seaboard.

* Seafood at the three harbors and the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.

* Standing on the end of the peninsula at Cape Point.

* The photogenic historic Malay Quarter of the Bo-Kaap.

Gerald Crawford was born in South Africa, studied electronics, telecommunication, eco-travel and african travel concepts. He taught responsible tourism in South Africa. If you have any questions or comments please e-mail me on. E-mail Address: southafricantravelarticles@12234455.co.za Website Address: http://www.12234455.co.za Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gerald_Crawford

World Travel on $1,000 a Month Or Less

By Thomas C Carroll

"I haven't been everywhere, but it's on my list." - Susan Sontag

Do you believe that it's expensive to travel? Have you ever excitedly looked over a glossy brochure of your dream vacation, only to discover that it will cost you thousands and thousands of dollars for a single 10 day vacation?

If this has happened to you, I can understand. I too would dream about traveling the world, but get disenhearted when I saw those expensive price tags placed on travel.

But I have learned that travel is NOT expensive. You see, travel agencies want you to believe that it costs a LOT of money to travel. That way they can jack-up the prices of tours to earn a bigger commission for themselves. They want you to think that you must have money, a lot of money, to be able to travel.

This kind of thinking does not help the majority of us. It distances us from our dreams.

A fact that most people don't realize, is that world travel can be down-right cheap. It can actually be cheaper, a lot cheaper, than staying at home.

It amuses me that travel agencies try to SELL travel. They try to get you to pay for things that you can do all by yourself. They don't want you to know this, but -

You Don't Need Them.

What do people do when they travel anyway? They get a place to sleep, eat, use transportation systems and spend money on entertainment and a few miscellaneous things like laundry, clothes and souvenirs.

What do you do at home? You pay the rent, buy your food (and sometimes go out to eat), you drive or use the bus, and you spend money on entertainment and a few miscellaneous things like cable and utilities.

Travel costs are really the same damn thing as staying at home; the big difference is that you'll be seeing and doing a lot of different things.

Let me ask you this: If I were to offer you a place to stay in your home-town, meals, entertainment for you of my choosing, and have a strictly scheduled shuttle-bus that takes you where I want you to go and when, and I'll only charge you $10,000 a month for the BASIC package, would you accept it?

Not only would you not accept it, but you'd

LAUGH IN MY FACE!

So why do travelers consistently do this very-same thing? Why do they pay travel agencies a ton of money for the very things they can do all by themselves, for a lot cheaper, and for a lot more freedom and flexibility?

World travel is not expensive at all if you know how to do it. You can travel the world for about $1,000 a month; that's only about $33 a day.

How much do you spend on a normal day at home?

Here is an example of a single-person's average monthly expenses in the United States (this is a modest estimate):

Rent: $800 a month

Food: $300

Transportation (gas, insurance): $400

Utilities (phone, internet, electricity, water, cable): $300

Entertainment: $300

Misc. (clothes, gifts, doctor bills): $400

Total: $2,500

Now let's sum-up the average monthly costs of world travel (when you know how to do it):

Hotels: $300

Food: $150

Transportation: $300

Utilities: $0.00

Entertainment/Site-Seeing: $200

Misc. (internet cafes, souvenirs, clothes): $50

Total: $1,000

Let's break this down by day:

Hotel: $10

Food: $5

Transportation: $10

Entertainment/Site-Seeing: $6.67

Misc.: $1.67

Daily total: $33.34 USD

World travel costs less than staying at home, and offers a lot more freedom.

I'm sure you're thinking that I am grossly under-estimating travel costs. But actually, the expenses above can be a LOT cheaper.

Did you know that in some countries you can book a three- star hotel for $10? Or that you can get comfortable accommodation for as low as $0.50 to $6.00 per night? Are you aware of the tens of thousands of people across the globe that invite travelers to stay at their homes - for free?

How about food? Full-blown buffets are offered for $0.50. Lunches with soup, the main course, a soda and dessert can be had for $1.50. Some companies will even pay you to dine at their restaurants!

Transportation? How about taxis that go anywhere in the city for $2. Inter-country buses for $20 to $50. Or international flights at 80% off?

By balancing your travels with expensive countries and cheap countries, your average travel costs can be just $1,000 a month or less.

Remember, people actually live in the countries that are foreign to you. In some countries the average monthly wage is only $150 - but it is enough to live on.

If they're not paying thousands and thousands of dollars a month to be where they are, then why should you?

In many places, with just $1,000 a month to spend, far from living like a pauper, you'll be living like a king.

Permanent Paid Vacations. "You're About To Discover The Secrets Of Traveling The World For Less Than It Costs To Stay At Home And How To Get Paid For It - http://www.lonewolfadventure.net Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_C_Carroll

Where to Stay in Ennis

By Ronan Menton

If you are just passing through the town of Ennis then of course you will not find yourself in need of accommodation . . . yet there is just something so warm, so friendly, so simply, unassumingly welcoming about this quaint, picturesque little town in Country Clare . . . you are not to be blamed if you feel yourself drawn to it. If, on getting out of your car to just stretch your legs, catch a bite to eat and take a look around, you find yourself falling so in love with Ennis that you simply have top fin a place to spend at least one night, nobody will blame you; more than that, nobody will be surprised. You certainly aren't the first to do so, and you definitely will not be the last.

Ennis offers a competitive selection of accommodation options, and visitors to the town are often pleased to learn it. There are several hotels available in Ennis, many of them enviably located near the town centre and a myriad of attractions. Many (although not all) of the hotels will offer guests ensuite baths in addition to comfortable, well thought out and well appointed guest rooms. Try a night at the Old Ground Hotel in the heart of town, or maybe stay a week at the chic Ashford Court Boutique Hotel, which also features a lovely restaurant.

Or, if bed and breakfast is more your style, Ennis can accommodate you there, too! There is a selection of bed and breakfast establishments for visitors to choose from. Try a night at Carbery House, or perhaps Newpark House, and revel in the comforts of a more intimate environment and service. Fountain Court is also popular, as is St Patrick's Bed and Breakfast. Or, if you simply prefer self catering options, then simply bunk down in Baker's House, and take care of your own needs- Ennis really has it all!

Ronan Menton is the webmaster for a number of travel related websites and has been for some time in Ireland, associated with search engine optimization in the Irish travel industry. Among the many sites he is currently working on are the following: Ennis Pubs and Ennis Restaurants. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ronan_Menton

Cambodia Travel Adventures 2008

By Fred Tittle

When the first of the Asian adventure travelers first discovered the Kingdom of Cambodia using the term roads was merely an easy way for saying improved tracks of endless quagmire in the rainy season, and axel snapping, oil pan crushing track for the rest of the year.

Voted 10 years in a row the worst road in the world, the path between Bangkok and the Temples of Angkor Wat today carries large 48 seat buses under passable conditions for the better part of the way, but then the back wrenching, pitching, lurching and stomach emptying for many begins and continues for 100 kilometers to the Thai border, where you will find and really appreciate, western standard roads for the rest of the trip.

Going into the provinces of Cambodia is now possible with many options including share taxis and mini buses. The main routes between Phnom Penh & Siem Reap and Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville you can now find buses that would be rated first class in Thailand, with the definition of first class being air con with a small water closet. Some of the legacy carriers will assault you with Khmer karaoke classics at painful volume; Mekong Express being the exception which shows previews of the temples, and on the other routes you will be able to keep up to date with all of the Mr. Been adventures, which like chocolates, has everyone smiling regardless of where on the blue marble they come from.

Dining can be a real culinary adventure on most of the routes, expect to be wined and dined with mongrel flea ridden dogs, lactating cats and bugs that go whir in the night, sometimes they are begging for your food, other times they are featured on your plate! The fare using the term in its loses meaning, is mostly passed over by all but the most hardy of travelers unless of course you are partial to things like chicken embryo's and 1000 year old eggs. You need to do your shopping before you go to the bus stations as the choices are very limited if you want western snacks. They sometimes will have fresh fruit for sale, pineapple and bananas being found most often. The soft drinks they offer are Cokes and beer and all sorts of Asian drinks that you probably not familiar with like green jelly or soy milk soda. The coffee and tea that they have is generally horrible tasting which is a kind understatement unfortunately.

The fares are very comparable to distances in Thailand or Vietnam for the cheap buses. You can get from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville for $6, Phnom Penh to Siem Reap under $10, and to Bangkok or Saigon for right around $20 give or take from most parts of Cambodia.

Fred's new project http://www.CheapCharliesHotels.com/ where he reviews Asian cheap hotels , budget guesthouses, discount accommodations and cheap international flights, but is really an excuse to go scuba diving on vacation more, Fred is in Phnom Penh Cambodia planning his next adventure travel tourto Pattay and Phukett in Thailand. Keep up to date with Fred and to view some great pictures go to http://www.cheapcharlieshotels.com/blog/Cheapcharlieshotelsasiadiscountflightsvisa Fred Tittle has lived and worked in holiday vacation resorts his entire life, from Lake Geneva's Playboy Club, as a rock jock for KSPN FM in Aspen Colorado, he became a PADI Pro Scuba Diver in Hawaii, diving on Maui, Kauai, Kona on the big island, and Waikiki on Oahu. He founded Eco Adventures South East Asia in Sihanoukville Cambodia. he still teaches SSI and PADI scuba diving courses and runs liveaboards in the gulf of Thailand and Asia adventure tours, http://www.ecosea.com/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Fred_Tittle

How to Travel Cheap in Paris

By Kylie D

Paris being the "City of Lights" and "Romance" attracts people from all over the globe. Being one of the most visited and hot tourist destinations, Paris is considered quite expensive. But do not panic as it does not mean that you cannot dream of going to the most romantic city in the world.

It is very much possible to visit the expensive Paris within limited budget. For that you just need to plan your trip and follow some budget tips. Rest assured you will enjoy a fabulous trip of your lifetime.

Accommodation
• If you want to save on accommodation, consider staying in smaller towns where it is cheaper. When you are planning to visit Paris, you can look out for Paris hotels which are located near or well connected to the Metro or the RER (the suburban train lines), or even have the option to stay in a near by city like Chartres which is just train ride away. It will save a lot on traveling as well.

• You can also look out for star ratings of Paris hotels according to your budget and need. The Paris star-rating system is good and dependable. Even if you stay in one star less than your desired hotel, it will not make much difference in terms of comforts and facilities. You will find that sometimes even these lesser-rated Paris hotels are far better than their peers a notch up.

• However, if you are planning to stay in a town for more than a week, it is advisable to stay in a vacation rental or serviced apartments than a hotel. You can save on eating out as you can cook on your own in the fully equipped kitchen. Your have the privacy and comforts of home in these vacation rental or serviced apartments. However, the only disadvantage of not staying in hotel is that you will miss the personalized service of hotels.

• If you do not want to spend on accommodation you have the option of home exchange. It is possible if you are living in a big city which is also a popular tourist destination. While they visit your New York City Apartment, you can stay in a Paris couple's Paris apartment.

• For a change from your usual stay in hotels, you can consider camping in Paris. It can be a lot fun. With France's government-regulated star rating system, even a pricy two-star hotel can be equivalent to four-star campground.

Rail
• Get a rail pass if you are going to travel for long distances or for a few days of rail travel, as it is the best and only way to travel cheap.

How to Get Cash
• It is advisable not to visit exchange companies as the rates are terrible and commissions high. The best way to get Euros is by withdrawing at an ATM in Paris or charging on a credit card. It is the most budget way to get Euro.

Eating Out
• You can save on your hotel breakfast which is usually overpriced and consists of just few pastries and coffee. You can visit the local cafe and start your day with a breakfast and spend half or quarter the price for a pastry or croissant. You can also inform them when you are booking your room or checking in whether you want breakfast or not as you can be automatically charged for it. However, it will be much cheaper if you opt only for coffee in the room instead of full breakfast.

• Instead of spending money on all three meals a day, you can indulge in one great big French meal and preferably lunch. You will be served the same food for dinner for lesser money. For a low price, you can have the prix fixe menu consisting of a starter, main dish and dessert, and sometimes even wine.

• Having eaten much in lunch, you can go for cheap pastry and sandwich for dinner. Or if you prefer, you can go for the big three-course dinner and have sandwich lunch instead. Almost all over Paris, sandwiches are very good and usually cost around 3.5 Euros.

Transportation
• Paris is well served by good transportation thus, making it easy for you to access to any part of the city. It is easy to get from one town to another as smaller towns in Paris are also linked by good transport system. If possible try to avoid hiring or taking taxis because it is expensive. However, if you are not sure or confident about your specific destination, you can always e-mail the tourism office to enquire about their transportation system.

Follow these tips and you need not ruin your trip or make it too difficult to enjoy your trip to Paris. So, do not miss the opportunity to visit Paris as you only live once.

The Author is a contributing writer to the website Apartotels.com which is operating over 3000 serviced apartments including London apartments & Paris apartments. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kylie_D

How to Plan a Holiday

By Pauline Go

Holidays and travel go hand in hand. Travel and sightseeing are extremely popular nowadays, especially because of exotic locations and affordable vacation packages. More and more are opting for travelling to a far off place, say Africa or Asia, and chalking out holiday plans effectively. Want to know more about how expert travelers have an excellent holiday plan? Here are some useful tips to plan a stress-free holiday:

Select the best travel package:
There are many vacation packages offered by different companies like Thomas Cook. Such companies also have travel packages at attractive discounts. You may have a local travel company but it is recommended to search for different companies over the Internet.

Reserve tickets in advance:
You will find many airlines that offer attractive discounts for last minute travelers. It is advised to reserve your tickets in advance so that you get reasonably priced air tickets. In addition, this will help you book your hotel accommodation based on your travel dates.

Plan what you are taking as luggage:
Include all your important items into your luggage. Make sure you do not overstuff your belongings and opt for clothing that suits the climatic conditions of the tourist location. Do not forget to carry your medicines and all important documents needed for travel.

Purchase a guide book:
Remember to have an official guidebook of the location you are visiting. This is necessary because you may have little or no knowledge about a place, say an island or a less-known city, or an area. Make sure it is current and also contains some helpful phrases in the local language so that you can hold a simple conversation or ask for directions.

About Author: Pauline Go is an online leading expert in travel industry. She also offers top quality travel tips like : Things to Do Free in London, Weather Phenomena in South Asia Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pauline_Go

Tips to Create a Perfect Holiday

By Pauline Go

Are you stressed up with long queues in the airport? Do you feel the pinch of lack of preparation, delays and restrictions in security? Well, these problems can arise during your holidays if do not have a proper plan for it. Holidays should be more entertaining and free from stress.

Here are some interesting tips to create a perfect holiday, if not a perfect holiday then a near-perfect one:

• For every task there should be some form of planning. So make sure you have the right plan for your holidays. Check which destinations are the perfect vacation spots for you and your family. Organize your passport, health insurance and other required documents (visa etc.) before you plan your holidays.

• Include only the necessary items in your travel bags. A camcorder, important travelling documents and some other useful things like driving license, magazines iPods should be taken. Do not stuff anything useless as it may unnecessarily add weight to your luggage.

• Get the latest security requirements from the airport authorities. Better phone them for any new updates and requirements.

• Are you planning to fly early in the morning? If so, you need to book an overnight stay in a hotel or a motel near the airport.

• Label your baggage before reaching the airport. Pack your baggage with a few days to spare.

• You may get lost in a big airport. Always remember to have a meeting place if you are meeting friends or family members at the airport.

• The airport terminal building can be quite hectic. Better book an airport lounge if you are among those who are stressed or frustrated over late departures. If you are flying for the first time or are a nervous flyer, have a good nutritious meal before flying. It will reduce stress and increase the blood sugar level giving you enough confidence for your flight.

About Author: Pauline Go is an online leading expert in travel industry. She also offers top quality travel tips like : Things to Do Free in London, Weather Phenomena in South Asia Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pauline_Go