Vroom: Do your bit for the environment by driving a VW Polo BlueMotion, estimated to average 4.1 litres of fuel per 100km. You can hire the VW Polo BlueMotion from Europcar South Africa.
Do you fancy a romantic start to the night with sparkling wine and cold canapés? Book and pay for your cruise on any one of the selected cruises below, and get a free Bon Voyage Package Deluxe. Book at MSC Sinfonia, MSC Opera or email cruises@southafrica.to
Cruise news: We don't know what shows on the MSC Opera they have in store for us when it comes to South Africa, but click the link to see Millie Campaña's recent performance.
A Sparkling start to your Cruise
Perhaps you have been planning to take a romantic break away with you loved one or to spoil a special person with a birthday surprise. Not only are there some great discounts available, but now get the extra pleasure of having a FREE Bon Voyage Package Deluxe for every cabin booked and paid for before 8 September 2012. Choose from any of the following cruises on the MSC Opera and MSC Sinfonia, and get ready for that little bit of extra pampering.
MSC Opera
The newest ship to visit our sunny shores in South Africa, the MSC Opera will surely become as firm a favourite as the Sinfonia. Below are the prices for 2 adults sharing one cabin:
OP002 - 20 Nov to 23 Nov 2012 - Cape Town, Durban
Cabin Position |
Total Price: |
Inside - no window (category 3) |
R5,450 |
Outside – window (category 7) |
R6,164 |
Balcony cabin (category 10) |
R6,962 |
OP019 – 25 Jan to 28 Jan 2013 - Durban, Portuguese Island
Cabin Position |
Total Price: |
Inside - no window (category 3) |
R8,026 |
Outside – window (category 8) |
R9,580 |
Balcony cabin (category 10) |
R10,504 |
OP024 - 11 Feb to 15 Feb 2013 - Durban, Maputo, Inhambane
Cabin Position |
Total Price: |
Inside - no window (category 3) |
R8,948 |
Outside – window (category 8) |
R10,628 |
Balcony cabin (category 10) |
R11,636 |
MSC Sinfonia
Below are the prices for 2 adults sharing one cabin:
SI002 - 14 Jan to 25 Jan 2013 - Cape Town, Walvis Bay, Luderitz, Cape Town
Cabin Position |
Total Price: |
Inside - no window (category 3) |
R9,950 |
Outside – window (category 7) |
R11,420 |
Balcony suite (category 11) |
R13,660 |
SI003 - 27 Jan to 31 Jan 2013 - Cape Town, Walvis Bay, Cape Town
Cabin Position |
Total Price: |
Inside - no window (category 3) |
R9,900 |
Outside – window (category 7) |
R11,412 |
Balcony suite (category 11) |
R13,708 |
SI016 - 18 Feb to 22 Feb 2013 - Durban, Ile Saint Marie, Pointes des Galets, Port Louis, Durban
Cabin Position |
Total Price: |
Inside - no window (category 3) |
R22,738 |
Outside – window (category 7) |
R26,266 |
Balcony suite (category 11) |
R31,642 |
The (not so) small print
The Bon Voyage Deluxe Package consists of 1 Bottle of sparkling wine Pongraz Cap Classique + 1 Tray of cold canapés (10 pieces). Served in the cabin only.
Prices are for 2 adults sharing a cabin and already include a 30% discount where applicable, as well as the Port, Baggage, Insurance and Service charges for all passengers. A maximum of 2 children sharing a 4 berth cabin with 2 adults cruise FREE and pay the applicable Port and Service charges only. Valid for 2 adults sharing a 2 berth cabin or 2 adults and 2 children under the age of 18 sharing a 4 berth cabin. Limited time promotional offer. Not applicable to Cat 11 on MSC Opera. Only applicable to cruises booked and paid for after July 31st, 2012.
Prices are subject to availability of cabin category and change. (E&OE.) Please note that specials can be retracted at any time without prior notice. Prices only guaranteed once a booking has been made and terms and conditions pertaining to the booking are met.
Mauritius's luxurious Constance Le Prince Maurice hotel reopens on the 1st September 2012.
From 5 September 2012, SAA is changing to a piece luggage concept. Very basically, in economy class 1 piece of checked-luggage is allowed, weighing a maximum of 23kg; and one piece of carry-on luggage with a maximum of 8kg (there are also dimension limits). There are some exceptions to this, so check with SAA at the time of your travel. "Excess baggage charges will apply for:
-
Each piece of baggage over and above the passenger’s baggage allowance
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Each piece of overweight baggage
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Each piece of oversize baggage"
The Purple shall rule! Here's what not to do in Spain - walk the Caminito del Rey, a walkway pinned along the steep cliffs near El Chorro (warning - only click through link if you have a head for heights).
Here's what "northcave" had to say about El Caminito: "For the record, and no matter how tired you or how late you arrive in El Chorro; by no means should you stay at this place. Better to crawl into a bush and bivy!... The walkway begins at the mouth of the gorge with pretty much no other way in apart from by boat, but I wouldn't recommend it since they regularly release the dam up river which would leave you in a spot of bother with about 20 thousands tonnes of water baring down... The initial part of the walkway has crumbled off totally and so a climb to the start is mandatory... The path then looks sturdy enough from above but in fact it is 1 brick thick at most and, in parts, completely absent". As you walk along, you pass a memorial to 3 gents that went over the edge & didn't come back to tell the tale.
Good news for thrill seekers is that the regional government in Spain has decided to restore the walkway.
Views expressed here aren't necessarily those of SouthAfrica.TO's. If you would like to get your opinions published, please email them to cheapflights@southafrica.to
Errors & omissions occur from time to time.
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The Bottom Line: Extracts from a speech delivered by the Minister of Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, at the opening of the South African Association of the Conference Industry:
"We are the premier business events destination in Africa, but our ambition is to compete with the biggest & best business events in the world".
"For the next 5 years SA has already secured over 200 international conferences".
"We have identified the business events industry as a critical component in helping us reach our National Tourism Sector Strategy's target of 15 million international arrivals by 2020."
"Through confidently staging major events like the 2020 FIFA World Cup & the UN COP 17 Climate Change Conference, SA has proven its credentials to host events of any magnitude."