Posts by : Izy Berry

Although our stereotypical image of the South African travel experience will usually consist of safari parks and exotic beaches, there’s much more to the Rainbow Nation than that.

South Africa features a thriving tourism trade that builds on the country’s growing reputation for fine cuisine, vibrant bars and luxurious nightlife.

So if you’re tired of the somewhat generic choice of options facing the modern traveller, then check out these uniquely South African nightlife hotspots!

Fine dining

For starters, visit the award winning Test Kitchen in Cape Town. This was recently announced as the Eat Out Restaurant of the Year, and with renowned British chef Luke Dale-Roberts at the helm, it looks to build upon its brand of combining the best in South African and Asian cuisines.

The Western Cape is also famous for its great seafood cuisine. If you’re looking to sample the best in speciality seafood dishes then you could do worse than head to Die Strandloper seafood restaurant that is beautifully situated on the beach, and has an amazing menu featuring local delicacies such as bokkoms and stompneus!

Casino resorts

Many are also enjoying South Africa’s all-in-one casino resorts. Not only do they provide a top-class gaming environment, but resorts like Gold Reef City in Johannesburg have over 30 roller coasters and a huge range of chic restaurants and bars.

Not that you have to head to one of these resorts to sample South Africa’s gaming boom of course. Now there is a range of impressive online gaming sites such as Black Diamond Casino that you can easily enjoy, thanks to South Africa’s rapid growth in the online domain.

Vibrant bars

For such a diverse nation, South Africa has built a great reputation for its range of bars that display the national character at its best.

Everybody must visit a shebeen at least once whilst visiting South Africa. These were originally illicit bars that existed without a licence, but have now become legitimate and offer the chance to try Umbomqothi, a traditional African beer made from maize and sorghum, and not for the faint of heart!

Another recognisable South African institution is the chain of bars called Café Sofia. These offer a bustling and lively atmosphere that has just the right amount of relaxed attitude to make everyone feel welcome. With a warm and spacious décor, a great range of meze and tapas platters, and some fairly intense cocktails on offer, it’ll get you in the South African spirit in no time!

Per capita, Australians spends more on overseas travel than any other nation, hitting a whopping $1,477 per year. Not surprisingly, due to its geographical location, stunning scenery, and number of Kiwis living in Australia, New Zealand hit number 1 as the most popular destination to visit. Indonesia and Thailand rank at 2 and 4 respectively, probably due to both their proximity and value for money, while the United States and UK come in at number 3 and 5.

Australia is a wealthy nation for its size, often ranking in the top 20 richest countries per capita. So perhaps it’s not too surprising that many are wealthy enough for a holiday or two per year. Over 9 million overseas trips are expected to be taken this year, a 100% increase compared with a decade earlier.

Check out the below travel infographic (courtesy of MyBudget) for more interesting facts about how Aussies like to travel and which other nations spend big on their holidays.

Dubai’s a great place to visit because it’s a true melting pot of culture. Here you can find the super old, and the super new, existing together in the greatest contrast. When you think of modern, flashy cities, there are probably few that top the list as often as Dubai does. While Dubai’s world famous for it’s grand malls and shopping there’s a lot more to see here. From stunning Dubai Marina restaurants to amazing water shows, there’s something for everyone and every budget.

1) Dubai Fountains

I don’t know about you, but I love an amazing fountain show. Dubai and Singapore’s fountain shows have been some of my highlights when traveling. Paired with music, the fountain show in Dubai has lights, water that shoots up some 500 feet and is something that needs to be experienced in person; watching a video clip on Youtube doesn’t do it justice.

2) Burj Khalifa

Yes, this is an obvious choice, but an important one I think. After all, it’s the largest building in the world! It might be hard to grasp how tall it really is until you’re standing beneath it, staring up and up and up… Dubai is a fantastic place for modern architecture, but no building is as important for our generation as the Burj Khalifa.

3) Boat Tour & Desert Tour

Why not hit the harbour and see a different side to Dubai? If you can, get a tour that tells you a little bit of the history. For some contrast, head out to the desert and ride a camel into the sunset. There are some conserved desert areas which are really stunning and free from the growth that the rest of Dubai has seen.

4) Wild Wadi Water Park

Dubai’s hot, and there’s no better way to cool off from the heat than escaping to this water park. Perfect for those traveling as a family, or for those who are still kids at hearts. Be prepared for the fake thunderstorm that happens every hour. There’s more than 30 rides, so you’ll never be bored here.

Dubai is a wonderful destination on its own and as a stop over to various destinations. It’s a city that changes so much and has so much to offer a tourist.

In the past few years, with the recession, we’ve seen a surge in “Staycations” which are basically vacations that you take at home to cut out travel expenses and to still get that recharge that only a holiday can bring. While Staycations are a lot of fun, personally I prefer to get out of my city to really feel like I’m on holiday. For me, there’s an obvious but often overlooked solution to the budget conscious traveller who still wants to enjoy their holiday time: traveling near to home. Devon and Cornwall are two stunning holiday destinations that are often swapped for more exotic locations, which is a big mistake. Continue to read more about what these quirky and historical locations have to offer you on your next holiday:

Beaches, Beaches and Beaches:

You don’t have to go overseas for great beaches. Cornwall alone is home to over three hundred beaches. That’s no typo – three hundred. While I’ve visited Cornwall before I had no idea that there were so many beaches. The beaches are great for a wide range of family activities from watersports, surfing, sunbathing, sand castle building and even walks with the family dog. For me, a beach is an essential part of a summer holiday because they’re such a diverse destination.

It Can be a Budget Friendly Destination:

Depending on where you live, Devon and Cornwall can be a budget friendly destination, especially compared to going far overseas. If you’re traveling with younger members of the family or wanting to bring your pets, it makes sense not to travel so far to ensure the comfort and security of your most vulnerable family members. Sticking closer to home, while still exploring somewhere different, is the perfect way to get a great, memorable family holiday without breaking the bank.

VW Festivals:

Own a VW? Why not head to one of the two festivals specially for VW owners in the region. There’s the Plymouth Volksfest or Devon Dub Fest, so you’ve got options. This is a great family activity and a fun way to see all the VWs in their glory.

For more information on what to do in these fantastic destinations, check out the following infographic on Devon and Cornwell by Blue Chip Holidays.

It’s been said that you can’t earn money at the same time you are spending it. Apply this to travelling and it would stand to reason that there’s no chance of earning an income while gallivanting across the globe, right?

Wrong!

There are countless ways to earn a living while also fulfilling your wanderlust. For those willing to work on the go, travelling the world and earning money at the same time don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Just make sure you keep the appropriate records to fill out your tax returns for the year. These types of jobs can get tricky as far as that is concerned.

Work on a Sailing Boat or Cruise Ship

Probably one of the most dreamt of travel/work arrangements is to work as a deckhand or cook on a sailing yacht around the Caribbean or Mediterranean. Working on a cruise ship is another popular option and typically offers better earning potential than private yachts, as well the chance to network and meet people from around the world. From activity coordinators, photographers, hospitality staff, and housekeeping staff, hundreds of staff make the many services available to passengers and help to make cruise liners function smoothly.

Hostel Work

Most of the staff in hostels are made up of travellers who are passing through as part of their own extended trips abroad. If you work with one of the main hostel networks in Europe or the USA through companies like Hostelling International, it can mean you can arrange a job in a hostel before you arrive in your next destination. Some hostels may not provide much in the way of a paycheque, but they will provide free accommodation and food, which can be almost as good for travellers.

Work Online

A reliable internet connection creates much potential to work remotely from wherever in the world you may be. Whether freelancing through sites like oDesk or working for other clients around the world completing many outsourced tasks, online work allows the flexibility for travellers to schedule their work as they need it and take on as much or as little as they desire. It’s also possible to earn money on the financial markets by trading currencies. There are several reputable companies like Learn To Trade that offer training courses so individuals can arm themselves with the knowledge they need to invest in the foreign exchange market. With the right strategy, there are many secondary income streams that require little more than a computer and internet connection.

Seasonal Work

For those chasing the snow or the sun, fruit picking, farm work, and working in a ski resort all offer the option of short-term work in varied locations across the globe. Many seasonal positions are also a great way to get off the beaten path – something many travellers are striving for. Just remember: the work ends when the season changes, and even though this suits many travellers, it’s always a good idea to have a plan beyond the season.

Teach English or Tutor

Teaching English abroad is one of the most common jobs taken by those who want to live and work abroad. For those who have skills in maths or science, or can play a musical instrument, tutoring or offering private lessons is also a popular option. If you teach via online video link or Skype, it’s possible to tutor people from anywhere in the world.

Of course, this is just a glimpse of the many ways travellers can earn money while on the road. There are always sales, café, and retail positions for travellers to earn money in cities and towns worldwide. If you know any other ways to earn an income while globetrotting, help a fellow traveller out and share your tips below.

If you’re planning a holiday to Spain, it might be worth considering timing your visit to coincide with one of the country’s many, often unique festivals. From flamboyant, fabulous carnivals to street food fights, there’s something to cater to almost any imaginable whim or dabbling. So, before you book your flights, read on for a round-up of its most exciting celebrations.

February: Sitges Carnival

Visit Sitges in February, and you’ll find this beautiful seaside town has been ignited with colour, feathers and eleganza for the Sitges Carnival. A predominantly LGBT event, this extravagant celebration involves a parade, shimmying drag queens, and the sombre ‘burial of the sardine’ ritual which takes place on Ash Wednesday. Loud, proud and wonderful, this epic party is one of Europe’s gay cultural epicentres, so book your visit early to avoid being disappointed.

June: El Colacho Festival

If you find the thought of dressing up as Satan (albeit a yellow jumpsuit wearing iteration) and attempting to jump over newborn babies troubling, seek your kicks somewhere other than El Colacho Festival in Castrillo de Murcia. This religious festival dates back to 1620 and is said to rid the brave babies who volunteer of evil spirits and protect them from illness. If this doesn’t sound wacky enough, if you attend, you might be chased through the streets by a whip-wielding member of the Brotherhood, who will not hesitate to give you a lash. Ouch!

July: Running of the bulls

It came to international attention in 2014 due to a somewhat daring selfie-snapper, but if you’re planning on attending the running of the bulls in Pamplona, taking snapshots is the last thing you’ll be worrying about. As a cavalcade of charging toros is unleashed, you must hotfoot it to the finish line through hazardously cobbled and winding streets. Or you could just show up for the after party.

August: La Tomatina

Have you ever glanced at a jar of ragu and wondered what it would like to be slathered from head to toe in tomato sauce? Then you might want to book a place at La Tomatina, the world’s largest organised food fight, in which truckloads of ripe tomatoes are lobbed in the village of Bunol until the streets resemble the prom scene from Carrie.

While any old city can have a film festival or comic-con it takes a certain level of eccentric allure to attract tens of thousands of people to being doused in tomatoes or potentially gored by a rampaging bull. Spain has this by the bucketload, so don’t neglect to pursue the more alternative aspects of its culture next time you visit. You might just become a regular, catching your flight to Spain to be part of the fun year in, year out.

Images by Oh-Barcelona,com, LpsktLibrarian and fearghalonuallain, used under Creative Commons license

Once upon a time, Harlem in New York was notorious for being an unsafe place to visit, a place that was rife with crime and where taxis refused to go. Nowadays however, Harlem is a different place, and if you’re on a trip to New York, somewhere you need to go. You still have to be careful – watch out for pickpockets and don’t walk through the parks at night etc. – but just as careful as you always should be when visiting an unfamiliar big city.

The Harlem Renaissance happened in the 1920s and 30s, which is when the value of African American music, literature and political figures was recognised by the wider community. The Savoy Ballroom, for example, was a Harlem institution. It was where young people came to dance to swing music during the 1930s, specifically young black people (although not exclusively) who were not allowed in white-only ballrooms. Clark Gable is said to have visited the Savoy one night and famous poet Langston Hughes was a regular.

Unfortunately the Savoy was shut down and demolished, but today there are places still standing that were central to the Harlem Renaissance movement, such as the Apollo Theatre.

The Apollo was a popular music hall in the 1930s. It became the largest employer of black theatrical workers in America and was the only place in New York to hire black people to work backstage (source: apollotheater.org). Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Lena Horne performed at the Apollo, making the theatre a mecca for jazz lovers. It’s still a working theatre today.

Another historical monument to visit in Harlem is the Church of the Intercession. It was built by famous architect Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue in 1915, although the church’s history goes back even further as it was founded on another site in 1846. Today if you attend a service at the church you’ll hear the church’s gospel choir.

Harlem has always been known as a centre for gospel and jazz – the National Jazz Museum in Harlem is well worth a visit if you’re an avid music fan. It’s also famous for its soul food and you can find plenty of places to eat dishes like fried chicken, barbecue ribs, cornbread and okra. Charles’ Country Pan Fried Chicken  is the soul food restaurant critics are currently raving about.

From food, to jazz and historical buildings – Harlem should be overlooked. It’s rich history and vibrancy makes it a fascinating place to visit.

Spring is at our doorstep, with all the beauties nature can offer us at this time of the year. But there is other beauty to be seen during this season – the wonderful Easter celebrations all across Europe. There are many great things to discover at this time of the year – some of them are unique, worthy of laying eyes on them. Here are a few examples.

The Dance of the Dead in Verges, Spain

Verges is a small town in the Girona region of Catalonia, with about 1,200 inhabitants. It is a town built around a medieval fort, worthy of visiting at any time of the year. But for Easter Verges becomes a place that can offer visitors something unique – a Dance of the Dead (Dansa de la Mort), which is performed every Easter after the Passion play.

Dances of the Dead were common in the Middle Ages all across Europe, but today the one observed in Verges is the only one that is still being performed. This is what makes it unique – and the fact that it is still performed as it has been for centuries.

Verges is located close to the city of Barcelona, at a bit over 1 hour of driving.

The Easter Trees in Germany

Easter is a very popular holiday in Germany – it represents the start of spring after a long and cold winter. School is off for two weeks around the holiday, and workers have a very long weekend – Good Friday and Easter Monday are official holidays. Many Germans travel around the celebration, others prefer to relax and play redflush on mobile. but all of them raise an incredibly colorful “Osterbaum” (Easter Trees) – branches or trees decorated with colorful dyed eggs and ribbons to salute the rebirth of the nature (along with the resurrection of Jesus Christ).

Easter mass at the Basilica di San Marco in Venice

Basilica di San Marco is one of the best known landmarks of Venice, along with the public square on which it is located. There are many things to see in the cathedral itself – but none of that compares to the feeling of participating at the late night Easter mass organized at the church. It can be a truly uplifting and moving experience – hundreds of people silently praying in the light of the candles, their murmur accompanies by the sound of the cathedral’s bells.

If you plan to visit Venice during Easter, it’s best if you arrive on Good Friday – it is a workday in Italy, so visitors from other Italian regions will likely not arrive until Saturday. This can help you find lodging in the city much more easily.

A good road trip can be the highlight of a year, or even a lifetime. With some key components: a great car, a bunch of friends, good music and an interesting itinerary, you’re setting yourself up for a very memorable trip. What’s important when planning an awesome road trip? Well, these are my suggestions of what you should keep in mind for the ultimate road trip.

1) Find a Great Car

If you already a car, then you’re sorted for your road trip, but if you’re in the market for a new car why not consider something like the 2015 Mustang, the ultimate road trip car. Finding a car is definitely the first step, you want something comfortable, good on gas and something that’s well maintained and going to be safe for your trip.

2) The Perfect MixTape

While we don’t use mixtapes anymore, it’s important that you find some good music to keep you company on your road trip, especially if you’re traveling longer distances. It can be quite tiring driving for hours and hours on end, but a great soundtrack completely changes the mood.

3) Lots of Water and Snacks

Water is important and often water from gas stations is hideously expensive. Take some from home and take some snacks from home, especially fruit, jerkey and vegetables to ensure you’re maintaining some balance to your diet while you’re away. It can be tempting to make use of every single drive thru you see on your trip, but it’s best to find a balance even if you’re on holiday.

4) A Great Itinerary

Get creative with your itinerary, go somewhere you’ve never been before. Ask friends for suggestions of new places nearby your destination they think you might love. Search on TripAdvisor for popular activities, sites, cafes and restaurant. You’ll be surprised by how much there is to do. Create an itinerary that’s super exciting and allows you to make the most of your road trip.

We’re currently heading towards the end of summer, so please make the most of all these glorious road trip days before they’re long gone.