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A continent with melting pots of culture, identities, beautiful nature and history.

It’s a vast continent, the second largest in the universe.  It’s filled with so much diversity; melting pots of cultures, identities, beautiful nature and history.

It’s difficult to pin down the heart of the wonderful continent Africa; whether dreaming of visiting sandy beaches and cosmopolitan cities, climbing mountains or getting up close to the big five on safari, Africa has plenty to offer.

Africa is beautiful, and there is no end to what you can see, do and explore!

Botswana

Botswana is a real jewel in terms of wildlife and natural land. The country is committed to wildlife and environmental conservation, making it the ideal country to visit if you’re interested in African wildlife.

The Okavango Delta, the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, and Chobe National Park are just two places to mention for a safari. To top it off, Botswana is also famous for its stunning sunsets and the friendly welcoming locals.

‘…committed to wildlife and environmental conservation…’

Madagascar

Madagascar is Africa’s largest island, with much to see and do. The locals are warm and welcoming, the coastline is breath-taking, and to round it off, wild lemurs can be seen in their natural habitat.

The gorgeous Isalo National Park is undoubtedly the highlight of Madagascar; in the park visitors have access to a wide range of terrain like lush palm-tree oases and even unique sandstone formations.

‘…lush palm-tree oases…’

Malawi

Malawi boasts a diverse landscape; the impressive peaks of Mount Mulanje, the sprawling grasslands of the Nyika Plateau, and Lake Malawi. Malawi is a country of amazing beauty with rich cultures; a really special place to explore.

Lake Malawi, one of the largest bodies of water in Africa stretches into Tanzania and Mozambique. One of the best ways to see Lake Malawi, is to visit the Lake Malawi National Park, located on the southern end of the lake itself.

‘…amazing beauty with rich cultures…’

Morocco

Morocco has everything to offer, from quaint seaside towns to snowy mountains and mysterious cities in between. Its mixed heritage is fascinating; there is cultural influences of European, Berber and Arabian almost everywhere you go.

Merzouga, a small village in Morocco is a popular destination for tourists. Situated in the Sahara Desert, Merzouga is surrounded by enormous sand dunes. Most the population is Berber, a group that is traditionally nomadic; enjoy a camel safari into the dunes and see the traditional Berber lifestyle.

Marrakech is the largest city in Morocco. It is a popular exciting city with ancient history and amazing architecture. The historic district of Marrakech is called Medina, its main square is the bustling Djemaa El-Fna, where visitors watch snake charmers and acrobats while strolling through shops and snacking on local culinary delights. The souks are interesting, as is time out at a local spa.

‘…exciting with ancient history…’

Namibia

Namibia is rich in wildlife and great for an adventure through some of Africa’s incredible landscapes.

Etosha National Park is a must-see; it is home to 114 families of mammals and 300 species of birds. The national park is a spectacular spot for seeing wildlife; there are also zebras, springboks, lions, giraffes, elephants and more.

The incredible Fish River Canyon in Southern Namibia is one of the world’s largest canyons, and it’s a spectacular, breath-taking scene. As one of the Natural Wonders of Africa, Fish River Canyon is one of the nation’s most popular attractions.

‘…spectacular…’

Seychelles

Seychelles is one of the world’s most idyllic places to visit and it’s easy to see why. If you ‘re wanting to do more than just lie back and relax on the beach, there’s plenty to explore. Many of its smaller islands have been protected as national parks; they showcase the heritage and beauty of this country. The island offers luxury resorts, gorgeous beaches with clear water, and remarkable opportunities for a memorable, fun holiday.

‘…the heritage and beauty…’

South Africa

South Africa is a country that has it all; cosmopolitan cities, spectacular vineyards, the incredible Kruger National Park and even its own penguin beach!

The best known of the many parks in South Africa is the Kruger National Park with its three primary goals: conservation, education and tourism. Kruger National Park’s top attractions include the Crocodile River view point, the Iron Age village known as Masorini and the abundance of the big five animals: lion, cape buffalo, rhinoceros, African elephant and leopard.

‘…abundance of the big five…’

To get to know the history of Cape Town, explore the incredible landmarks such as the colourful homes in the Bo-Kaap neighbourhood, and Robben Island, where political prisoners like Nelson Mandela were held. One of the top natural attractions is Table Mountain, which offers breath-taking views over the Cape of Good Hope as well as the sprawling city.

‘…breath-taking views…’

Africa is an amazing continent!

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New Zealand, a tourist’s dream.

Without a doubt, New Zealand with its beauty and warm hospitality is impressive. New Zealand is a tourist’s dream; it’s safe, strikingly scenic, and always ready to welcome travellers. The inspiring golden beaches curl around quiet bays, towering mountains and mist-cloaked fjords.

New Zealand is famous for awesome landscapes, lofty mountain peaks, glaciers and fascinating blue lakes. Let’s have a look at the adventures that await you in New Zealand.

Adventure Sports

Two New Zealanders invented bungee jumping, and there’s no safer place for you to try out different adventure sports to get your heart racing. Whether it’s skydiving in Queenstown and Wanaka or taking a leap of faith off the Kawarau Bridge, New Zealand is well known for its enthusiasm towards adventure sports.

‘…taking a leap of faith…’

Heli Hikes

Picture being dropped off by a helicopter and then hiking through walls of blue ice! This happens at Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier; two of the few places in the world where you see a tropical forest while staring at a glacier.

‘…dropped off by a helicopter…’

Hobbiton and Lord of the Rings

All over New Zealand there are signs indicating where Lord of the Rings was filmed. This is great for Tolkien fans who want to visit Hobbiton! The producers of Lord of the Rings made Hobbiton on a farm in Matamata on the North Island.

‘…visit Hobbiton…’

Huka Falls

The Huka Falls, the country’s top natural attraction is created by the Waikato River dropping 20 metres through a very narrow gorge, only 15 metres wide. Up to 220,000 litres of water drop through the gorge every second and this is what makes Huka Falls so powerful. The water is an extraordinary shade of blue, due to its rich mineral content.

‘…extraordinary shade of blue…’

Geothermal Activity

New Zealand is well-known for its geothermal activity, and Rotorua is the epicentre of it all. Rotorua is the site of the famous Pōhutu Geyser, the largest in the southern hemisphere; it erupts every hour and is known to reach heights of 100 feet. No matter where you go in Rotorua, you’ll see wisps of steam emerging from under the ground. The hot waters of Rotorua are said to have healing properties for joint pains and ailments like rheumatism; people enjoy soaking their feet in the footbaths of Kuirau Park.

‘…wisps of steam emerging from under the ground…’

Lakes

New Zealand is famous for its gorgeous lakes that offer stunning views!

Lake Matheson is famous for picturesque reflected mirror views of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. Sunsets and sunrises are gorgeous, they provide natural golden light for the best pictures ever!

Lake Pukaki is famous for its icy blue waters and is especially pretty during lupin season when hundreds of lupins grow on its banks.

Lake Wakatipu, the longest in New Zealand’s is about 80 kilometres and is close to Queenstown. The unusual lightning bolt shape of the lake causes a ‘tide’ or ‘standing wave’, where the waters rise and fall every 25 minutes or so. Local Maori legends say that a huge monster, Matau, lies sleeping at the bottom of the lake and his heartbeat is what causes the tide.

‘…waters rise and fall every 25 minutes or so…’

Lupin Weed

Every year, lupin season brings a rush of beautiful colour to parts of the South Island. They are considered an ‘invasive species’ by the Department of Conservation in New Zealand, but if there’s one stunning weed that New Zealand is famous for, it’s the lupin! The best places to see the lupins in all their glory is Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki!

‘…rush of beautiful colour…’

Maori Culture

Rotorua is the Maori cultural hub of New Zealand. The Mitai Maori Village is an authentic Maori experience that includes the magnificence of the Haka, the Maori war dance. The Haka is also what New Zealand’s rugby team, the All Blacks open every game with.

Get a taste of the famous Hangi, the traditional Maori way of cooking food, especially meats and vegetables, in an underground pit.

‘…witness the magnificence of the Haka…’

National Parks

The pure beauty New Zealand’s National Parks are matchless; especially the wild Abel Tasman Park that borders the Tasman Sea and the glaciers of Mount Cook National Park. The even Mount Taranaki and the Tongariro’s volcanoes, a dual World Heritage site are great climbs. To explore the ice-carved creeks in the Fiordland National Park or hike up to the crystal-clear waters of the Blue Lake in the Nelson Lakes National Park is an unforgettable experience.

The parks have enormous waterfalls cascading down into deep green waters. On sunny days, the waters turn mirror-like, reflecting the forests and cliffs, making it a sight to behold!

‘…the waters reflect the forests and cliffs…’

Rugby and the famous All Blacks

You can’t visit New Zealand and not go to a rugby match. The All Blacks are the national team; the world recognizes them as a top international side. You may not get to watch them live but a domestic super rugby game shows you how passionate they are about their national sport.

‘…shows you how passionate they are…’

Southern Lights

Chasing the Northern Lights is a phenomenon that seems to be on every other person’s bucket list. Not many people know that the Northern Lights’ lesser-known cousin, Aurora Australis, popularly called the Southern Lights, are equally magnificent.

‘…equally magnificent…’

Stargazing

The Mackenzie area is a Dark Sky Reserve, the only one in the southern hemisphere. The region has minimal light and air pollution that makes it perfect for stargazing enthusiasts.

New Zealand’s premier observatory, the Mount John Observatory near Lake Tekapo is home to the country’s most powerful telescope, through which 50 million stars can be seen every night if the weather permits.

‘…50 million stars…’

Whale Watching

Giant Sperm Whales are year-round residents; regularly spotted off the coast of Kaikōura, a beautiful, old whaling town, flanked by snow-capped mountains of the Seaward Kaikōura Range on one side and blue water on the other.

‘…flanked by snow-capped mountains…’

Wines

New Zealand recently became famous for its superior wines, receiving immense international recognition. In Auckland, the nearby Waiheke Island is home to some of New Zealand’s most famous vineyards. A trip to Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne to taste their exceptional Chardonnay and Pinot Gris is enjoyable. Marlborough is home to Sauvignon Blanc, an outstanding wine that catapulted New Zealand to global stardom.

‘…immense international recognition…’

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Wonderful Wales.

There are many wonderful reasons to visit Wales. If you like castles, then Cardiff, famous for its splendid castle is a good place from where to begin exploring the rest of the country. Cardiff has impressive shopping arcades and many historic buildings, it’s a city with plenty of places to visit and things to do.

As you travel further, you’ll find plenty attractions and sightseeing opportunities; these include more than 400 castles and fortifications, countless gardens, breath-taking scenery, and a network of heritage railways that connect much of the country.

‘…breath-taking scenery…’

Whatever you do in Wales, you can be sure you’ll be in good hands; the Welsh are the most interesting and laid-back people. Let’s learn about some of the top things to do in the wonderful country of Wales.

Anglesey

The Isle of Anglesey is home to various quaint, small fishing villages sprinkled along its more than 100 miles of attractive coastline. With its sandy beaches and landmarks, the island’s mild climate makes it popular for day trippers and campers.

‘…quaint, small fishing villages…’

Bodnant Garden

Bodnant Garden is one of the most beautiful gardens ever created! Tourist attractions of the spectacular gardens are the grand formal terraces, spectacular views across the River Conwy to Snowdonia, and the famous Laburnum Arch. This curved walk of about 50 yards is covered with laburnum, whose abundant, long blossoms cover it in cascades of yellow.

‘…most beautiful gardens ever created…’

Brecon Beacons National Park

Brecon Beacons National Park is one of the most gorgeous parts of Wales. This paradise is bordered by the Black Mountains; the mountains are higher than 1,000 feet, with many in excess of 2,000 feet, and are named after the red sandstone that causes them to resemble the beacons of light once used to warn off invaders. There are many caves and waterfalls to explore; other popular activities include mountain biking, horse riding, canoeing, sailing, fishing, climbing, and camping.

‘…many caves and waterfalls to explore…’

Caernarfon Castle

Built by King Edward I in the 13th century as a seat for the first Prince of Wales, Caernarfon Castle is one of the largest such fortifications in the country. With its 13 towers and two gates, this massive castle is recognized as one of the most impressive and best preserved medieval fortresses in Europe.

‘…most impressive and best preserved medieval fortresses…’

Cardiff Castle & National Museum Cardiff

Cardiff Castle is a must visit! It boast intact sections constructed more than 1,000 years ago. The splendidly preserved castle can take a few hours to explore. Highlights include the State Apartments, distinguished for its informative displays relating to life in the castle over the ages, as well as the attractive old chapel. Other notable features include the well preserved Banqueting Hall with its medieval murals and elaborate fireplace.

‘…splendidly preserved castle…’

Conwy & Conwy Castle

The small town of Conwy offers something for everyone; a superb castle, medieval architecture, and plenty of great shopping. The best views of Conwy Castle are of the 13th century town walls built by King Edward I to keep the Welsh at bay.

‘…plenty of great shopping…’

Devil’s Bridge and the Hafod Estate

Devil’s Bridge is really three bridges amazingly stacked on each other. The oldest dates from the 11th century, and the newest was built in 1901. They span the Rheidol Gorge, where the River Mynach plunges 300 feet into the valley far below.

‘…from the 11th century…’

Hafod Estate is 200 acres of lovingly restored woodlands and 18th century gardens once considered the finest. Tourists enjoy the pleasant hikes along well-marked trails that pass waterfalls and ancient trees.

‘…lovingly restored woodlands…’

Llandudno

Llandudno is the largest seaside resort town in Wales. With views across the Irish Sea, this picture-perfect tourist destination lies between the Welsh mainland and the Great Orme, a peninsula inhabited since the Stone Age. The best views of the town and its surrounds are from the Great Orme, easily accessible by a heritage tramway.

‘…views across the Irish Sea…’

National Slate Museum & the Big Pit

Wales has done a remarkable job of preserving its mining past. Of the many things to do related to this rich history, none can quite match the experience of visiting one of these mines. The captivating National Slate Museum offers an in-depth look at the workings of a 19th century slate quarry, along with accompanying machinery and workshops, including a huge still working waterwheel.

‘…none can quite match the experience of visiting…’

The Big Pit National Coal Museum offers a glimpse into other most mined materials, and the lives of those who worked here. Highlights of a visit include exploring the well-preserved old buildings and homes on the site.

‘…exploring the well-preserved old buildings and homes…’

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Surrounded by water on three sides, Wales has more than its fair share of dramatic coastline. Some of the most imposing are found along the coast of the Pembrokeshire Peninsula, which juts out into the Irish Sea, much of it falling within the boundaries of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. You can explore this magnificent scenery on foot along the dramatic Pembrokeshire Coast National Trail, and find pretty little villages, still partially enclosed by medieval walls.

‘…fair share of dramatic coastline…’

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Llangollen Canal

It took 10 years to design and build the aqueduct that carries the Llangollen Canal across the wide valley of the River Dee in north east Wales. It’s considered a significant feat of civil engineering and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The 18 arched bridge is built of stone and cast iron, its arches soar 100 feet above the river, and is more than 1,000 feet in length making it the highest aqueduct in the world. A narrow walkway with a railing allows pedestrians to cross the bridge, but it’s more fun to cross it on a canal boat that take tourists on a tree-shaded stretch of the canal from nearby Llangollen Wharf.

‘…the highest aqueduct in the world…’

Snowdonia National Park

Snowdonia, the beautiful range of mountains and hills comprise of 14 majestic peaks over 3,000 feet high. Snowdon, the most famous is 3,546 feet and is one of the most popular vacation destinations in Wales. Snowdonia National Park is one of the most popular hiking destinations, boasting more than 1,479 miles of trails. Climbing, mountain biking and horse riding is also popular here. The views from the summit are incredible!

‘…Climbing, mountain biking and horse riding…’

Wales by Rail

Wales was once famous for its mining operations, specifically the mining of slate used for the roofing that is still so common here. While the majority of these mines and quarries have closed, many of the narrow gauge railways used to shift goods, and later, Victorian era tourists around the country have been restored to provide scenic excursions. More than 10 heritage railway lines reach some of the country’s most popular landmarks, including mountains, seaside towns, and castles.

‘…scenic excursions…’

 

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