It’s hard to believe that the peak summer holiday season (usually marked by 16 December) is just a few days away!
Now is the perfect time to plan holiday drinks and lazy naps in a hammock, don’t you think? This year has been tough where levels of excitement included a trip to the grocery store, virtual quizzes with friends, and a Sunday night speech by President Cyril Ramaphosa!
Since domestic travel for leisure purposes was introduced in late August, South Africans are showing signs that they are ready to fly again with many migrating from the interior to the coast. We’ve also heard that bookings in traditional holiday escapes are looking good and that a number of places have reduced their fees to entice locals. So, many South Africans could end up with a great December holiday for an absolute steal! The question is whether folks are going to choose to fly or drive to these destinations.
So yes, it’s on! It’s happening! Are you feeling it yet? The countdown to the holidays has begun. However, before you shop for those quirky sunglasses and listen to the Beach Boys all day, it’s time to decide; what is it going to be? Beach, bush or mountains?
Well, whether you slip on your flip flops or pack your “veldskoene” our country has some amazing holiday destinations and a wide variety of hotels and lodges on offer.
If you’re all about conquering peaks and tackling trails, well, then you’re definitely a mountain getaway kind of person. Upmarket and luxury accommodation offer magnificent holiday escapes in the mountains. The famous Drakensberg mountains of KwaZulu Natal, the rugged Cederberg mountains of the Western Cape, the beautiful Magaliesberg north of Johannesburg, and the enchanting mountains of the Northern and Eastern Cape, all come to mind. Towering peaks and beautiful valleys create phenomenal scenery and many fabulous outdoor activities such as hiking, fly fishing, birding, horse riding, and rock art will keep you busy throughout.
Bush hideaways tick all the boxes of bushveld necessities – early sunrises, outdoor brunches, and even better … game! We have Pilanesberg, Londolozi, and also, of course, beautiful tented lodges and safari camps in the world-famous Kruger Park. (And that’s to name but a few!) Let’s face it, the silence, the remoteness and the tranquillity are things that we don’t get to experience in our fast-paced lives anymore. The bush gives you the opportunity to switch off completely from the trappings of the modern world. Most bush destinations have no cell phone signal and no Wi-Fi, which means that no one from the office will be able to contact you while you’re on holiday. Great! Truthfully, sitting in a Landy, watching a pride of lions pull down a buffalo is one of the most humbling and exciting experiences on earth. And, best of all, all you need for a bush holiday is to book and arrive. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided by hotel or lodge staff, drinks will be poured, rooms will be cleaned, and game drive vehicles will be driven by guides. Perfect!
Beach holidays are arguably the most family-friendly holidays. Resorts cater to everyone. Go snorkelling, scuba diving, kite surfing, paddle boarding, or swimming … Kids Clubs will entertain the little tykes all day long. So, when you spend time together, it will be stress-free. Fact is, South Africa’s beaches are among the best in the world. Our coastline stretches for more than 1,500 miles and includes trendy hotspots, many of them with blue flag status. Whether you choose the topical dunes of KZN, Camps Bay, Clifton, Llandudno, Muizenberg, the famous Grotto Beach in Hermanus, or quaint Paternoster on the West Coast; you’ll have a wide variety of hotels and resorts to choose from.
Happy planning!
Source: bizcommunity.com, blog.flightsight.co.za, webcache.googleusercontent.com, theculturetrip.com, exclusivegetaways.com, getaway.co.za, clhg.com, traveller24.com, travelforlife.co.za, orbitz.com, slummysinglemummy.com
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