I found it a horrible place, big tourist trap. Not unlike the other big Italian tourist traps, for me they just get it all wrong. Go to Italy then do yourself a favour, stray well from the beaten path and it is still lovely.
*** Holidays & Travels 2023 Thread ***
Before you write off SA, check out:
babylonstoren.com
franschhoek.org.za
www.delaire.co.za
Yes it is all a bit "same same", i.e. absolutely idyllic and picturesque vineyards, but if weather isn't on your side you can drive down to:
www.tripadvisor.co.uk
www.waterfront.co.za
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attra...e_Reserve-Cape_Town_Central_Western_Cape.html (penguins I think)
It is a simple (albeit crap airframes) flight with no jet lag... car rental is cheap. Food is cheap, wine is cheap. Horse riding between vineyards is cheap.
I fear with Maldives in such few days you are going to be knackered before you've even got going, and then the two-journey plane home is a bit of a nause. If you were guaranteed the weather, then maybe.
I went in June to Maldives btw. Weather was good for 2 days, but the 3rd day was a mega storm.
Welcome to Babylonstoren | Babylonstoren
Based in the scenic Cape Winelands, Babylonstoren is home to a renowned, garden, hotel, wine shop, farm store, restaurants and other Winelands attractions.
babylonstoren.com
home - franschhoek wine valley
WELCOME TO THEVALLEY OF DREAMS A place like no other. Aspirational, accessible, unique. Franschhoek Creates 1 - 17 November 2024 Franschhoek Creates transforms our valley of dreams into an arts haven, where art enthusiasts and patrons are invited to partake in the annual Franschhoek Creates...
franschhoek.org.za
Welcome to Delaire Graff Estate
Delaire Graff Estate, Stellenbosch, jewel of the Cape Winelands. South African wines, luxury accommodation, fine dining & more. Book with Delaire Graff
www.delaire.co.za
Yes it is all a bit "same same", i.e. absolutely idyllic and picturesque vineyards, but if weather isn't on your side you can drive down to:
Camps Bay, South Africa 2024: All You Need to Know Before You Go - Tripadvisor
Camps Bay Tourism: Tripadvisor has 46,289 reviews of Camps Bay Hotels, Attractions, and Restaurants making it your best Camps Bay resource.
www.tripadvisor.co.uk
V&A Waterfront – Welcome to our neighbourhood
Play, live, shop, dine and work in our iconic mixed-use neighbourhood and working harbour. #KeepDiscovering heritage, diversity and vibrancy with us.
www.waterfront.co.za
It is a simple (albeit crap airframes) flight with no jet lag... car rental is cheap. Food is cheap, wine is cheap. Horse riding between vineyards is cheap.
I fear with Maldives in such few days you are going to be knackered before you've even got going, and then the two-journey plane home is a bit of a nause. If you were guaranteed the weather, then maybe.
I went in June to Maldives btw. Weather was good for 2 days, but the 3rd day was a mega storm.
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Yeah I agree. I wanted to go as I love ancient history so stsnding in the colosseum was amazing.
But for a general holiday, yeah, not recommended.
Cheers. The Maldives flights we are looking at are both direct - not counting any flights from an island to Male. Will check out Cape Town flights. Virgin fly there so we could fly with them and get upper class for cheap depending on the flight loads.
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Anyone with knowledge of Greek islands? I'm looking to do a solo backpacking (probably private room in hostels rather than bunk beds now I'm in my 30s!). Thinking about flying into Athens and then out of Santorini. Stopping at an island or two inbetween. Any suggestions? Sifnos sounds good for the food and Ios looks good for a bit of a party (I'm still on the right side of 30 for that!). Looking at a week for this, probably end of May, so don't want to do too much but think this should be doable. I'm not overly fussed about Santorini, seems more of a couple's place but there are great flight times back to Edinburgh.
I'm really keen to go to South Africa. I want to fly into Cape Town, enjoy the city, tour the vineyards and then fly to JoBurg. Hire a 4x4 and head off to Kruger National Park. Ideally get a visit into Lesotho as well, just because. I'll have to pick yours and Diddums brains if I ever get it sorted.
I'm really keen to go to South Africa. I want to fly into Cape Town, enjoy the city, tour the vineyards and then fly to JoBurg. Hire a 4x4 and head off to Kruger National Park. Ideally get a visit into Lesotho as well, just because. I'll have to pick yours and Diddums brains if I ever get it sorted.
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Soldato
- Joined
- 24 Sep 2015
- Posts
- 3,952
I'd give Cape Town and especially Johannesburg a miss. Kruger is awesome though, I've been 3 times and was there back in August. You don't really need a big 4x4, there's not that many gravel tracks which are 4x4 only but something a bit taller than a Polo (the defacto South African rental car) is good as you can see over cars when they're stopped to look at the animals.
Kruger is in a right mess at the moment due to flooding, there's several roads which have been washed away.
Don't forgot to factor in anti malarial medication if you go to Kruger.
Associate
Grrr - Flying to NY on Saturday. Got email today as was flying LGW -> JFK...flight cancelled!
Rebooked LHR -> JFK. But, flying back to LGW still!
What a pain...have managed to re-arrange both flights to be LHR but have had to cancel parking and rebook at LHR, that will be £65 more expensive please. Hotel I had booked at LGW was non-cancellable too. Hoping to see if I can get some money back from BA (not holding out much hope)
Keeping fingers crossed for smooth sailing/flying from here!!
Rebooked LHR -> JFK. But, flying back to LGW still!
What a pain...have managed to re-arrange both flights to be LHR but have had to cancel parking and rebook at LHR, that will be £65 more expensive please. Hotel I had booked at LGW was non-cancellable too. Hoping to see if I can get some money back from BA (not holding out much hope)
Keeping fingers crossed for smooth sailing/flying from here!!
We couldn't really make SA, Mauritius or The Maldives work due to time constraints, so we've booked flights to Santorini for a grand total of £100 + 35k Avios and companion voucher in Club Europe. Now the hunt for a nice place to stay begins.
Associate
- Joined
- 19 May 2010
- Posts
- 1,382
Ignoring the fact you seem to be following my holidays, and now I look like I’m just saying I’ve been everywhere, I went to Santorini in 2015 and stayed here:
Golden East Hotel
It’s changed names since then, probably management too, and I definitely wouldn’t call it a hotel - they were self-catering apartments. The recent pictures would suggest it hasn’t changed much physically, and because it’s out of town it was much quieter than the places you see built into the side of the hills.
You’ll definitely need a car to explore the island, and there’s parking space at the accommodation.
Maybe you should have told me where you haven't been and I'd have gone elsewhere.
Will take a look, thanks.
We can go to the Maldives with her work for probably £150-£200 in best class seats, same as SA etc, it seems silly to pay £5k+ for flights alone so we looked closer to home. Had also considered Italy but our original plan was to get married in Santorini but Covid ****** that up, plus we both love greek food so seemed a sensible option. Did I mention Metaxa?
Permabanned
South Africa is amazing. Kruger Park is huge and i would highly recommend to spend at least 3-4 days there.
Langebaan is not that far from Cape Town and it is definitely worth visiting. If you have more time , i would highly recommend to visit Botswana and Namibia. All the visas can be obtained online (check this service https://www.trustpilot.com/review/evisa.express). That's how camping in Kruger park looks like.
That's how camping in Kruger park looks like.
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Soldato
Just booked this ******* for September. We're trying to make it a yearly thing for us all since last year. This, was a ******* steal though. 325GBP or something like that with a bit off for Avios. I know the route home is a **** but for that price, I'll take it. I think I will share a room (twin queens) at PH for hopefully 1500EUR total for the week, so hoping to get flights and hotel for about 1k, which would be a steal! Trying to be frugal this year to sort a few post separation things out and but still need vegas, so you know.
We booked a 4 night holiday to Barcelona in mid/late May for the missus bday. Need to find a nice restaurant to book for her bday night.
Also booked a 10 night holiday to Rhodes. 5-star/adults only/half board in mid July. Should be sunny.
Still to book a holiday to Cyprus (ticket prices are extortionate) and thinking about Prague as well in the winter.
Also booked a 10 night holiday to Rhodes. 5-star/adults only/half board in mid July. Should be sunny.
Still to book a holiday to Cyprus (ticket prices are extortionate) and thinking about Prague as well in the winter.
Soldato
Just booked a 3 day break in Edinburgh. Getting a tour of the Edinburgh Gin place. Also looking at having lunch at the Witchery, Dinner at The Dome and looking at a couple of other places to eat and figure out what other touristy stuff we can do.
Caporegime
- Joined
- 30 Jul 2013
- Posts
- 29,453
Just booked this ******* for September. We're trying to make it a yearly thing for us all since last year. This, was a ******* steal though. 325GBP or something like that with a bit off for Avios. I know the route home is a **** but for that price, I'll take it. I think I will share a room (twin queens) at PH for hopefully 1500EUR total for the week, so hoping to get flights and hotel for about 1k, which would be a steal! Trying to be frugal this year to sort a few post separation things out and but still need vegas, so you know.
In Aug 2018 I managed to get return flights for 2 people with BA from Heathrow, 3 nights in a 4 star hotel near Time Square NY, an internal flight from NYC to LV, 4 nights at the Wynn with buffet included, and 3 nights in a 4 star hotel in San Diego for £2300 in total
That wouldnt even get me return flights and 4 nights in the Wynn now in August.
Soldato
**** me you're talking $500 a night at the wynn these days. I used to charge work for that **** all the time 
That's a total steal!! I love it when you get things like that that just come together. it feels like you're robbing someone haha me and a mate both booked this together. His was 440CHF somehow? Either way, I'll take it! Lads weekends have turned into lads weeks in vegas and I for one am here for that!
Soldato
- Joined
- 24 Sep 2015
- Posts
- 3,952
South Africa is amazing. Kruger Park is huge and i would highly recommend to spend at least 3-4 days there.
Langebaan is not that far from Cape Town and it is definitely worth visiting.
That's how camping in Kruger park looks like.
I love Kruger, been there 3 times but camping really isn't my thing. We were there in August for a couple of weeks and had huts next to the fences at most places so had some pretty good sightings whilst sitting outside our hut with a coffee.
Though hearing a hyena very much sounding like it was within the fence one night did give is a bit of a start.
We went to Cape Town recently and I'd thought I'd share some snaps.
We spent 10 days there and it was a wonderful experience. Lots to do and very picturesque...
More pics below....
We spent 10 days there and it was a wonderful experience. Lots to do and very picturesque...
More pics below....
2 nights at a safari
Botanical Gardens
Hiked Table Mountain. Tricky to say the least...
And stayed at some great Airbnbs..
Botanical Gardens
Hiked Table Mountain. Tricky to say the least...
And stayed at some great Airbnbs..