Thursday, October 7, 2010

Cape Town’s Hidden Hotspots

Most tourists on Cape Town holidays will visit the city’s major sights, which are indeed well worth seeing. But beyond Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront and Cape Point, lie a host of fantastic and interesting places that only the locals tend to know about. Here are some of the city’s best kept secrets…

The Old Biscuit Mill: Organic Market

Each Saturday morning, Capetonians flock to an industrial warehouse in the small suburb of Salt River just outside the city centre. Salt River is not an area that tourists are likely to visit, lying just below the world renowned District Six area. But they’re missing out on one of the most fashionable affairs of the week. If you find yourself near the city centre one Saturday morning while on a Cape Town holiday, you should pay a visit to the Old Biscuit Mill. Go hungry, for an array of delicious organic food awaits you.

Situated in an old warehouse, seating is a problem and goes fast, so it’s best to get there as early as possible. You can order an organic pizza made in front of your eyes, with rocket, mozzarella and fresh tomatoes forming the base. And bold as the statement may be, it will probably be the best pizza you have ever had! Homemade cocktails and interesting live music complete the scene, where you can sit on a bale of hay, munching away happily in the bright sunshine. And bring an empty bag, because you’re unlikely to be able to resist buying a treat or two for the road.

Kalk Bay: A Fisherman’s Corner

One of the most pleasant ways to spend a day on a tailor made holiday in Cape Town, is to take a drive along the False Bay coast and visit Kalk Bay. A sleepy fishing town about 45 minutes outside the city centre, you can spend a good few hours wandering around this little village. You can enjoy lunch at a seaside restaurant, where fresh seafood straight from the ocean can be munched under the hot sun.

After a scrumptious lunch, you can peruse the many quaint antique shops lining the main road. And once you’ve satisfied your curiosity, you can make your way to the ice cream parlour where home made ice cream of all flavours will top off a fantastic summer afternoon.

Mzoli’s Street Café
Some of the most culturally rich and vibrant areas of Cape Town are in the townships. Of course, you need to know where you are going and seek advice before setting off into one of these areas, but provided you are cautious, a great day out can be had. Mzoli’s lies on the outskirts of Gugulethu, offering a street side barbecue, bar and dance club all rolled into one. Most vibrant on a Sunday afternoon, it is well worth a lunch time visit. The set up is quite simple. You pick a roadside table, go to the butcher, buy whatever meat you want, and take it to the man who will barbecue if for you. The next step is to pop over to the shebeen across the road, where you can buy a six-pack of beer for next-to-nothing, and you’ll be set for the afternoon. With a DJ to set the mood of the day, you can enjoy your barbecued meat and bottles of beer at tables on the pavement, while locals dance in the street around you.

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Car Hire in Cape Town

Monday, September 27, 2010

Watch out for sneaky online shopping scams

(Natural News) After over a decade of complaints to Better Business Bureaus and state Attorney Generals (AGs), a Senate Commerce Committee finished a full scale investigation of "questionable business practices" in e-commerce this past November.

The Committee exposed devious methods the third party marketing groups of Affinion, Vertrue, and Webloyalty use with online ordering sites to get your credit card information for their own revenue. Those three companies have represented high profile businesses. A few examples are: Barnes and Noble, Orbitz, 1-800-Flowers, Continental Airlines, and US Airways, among others.

You may think those reputable companies were conned. But after questioning over a dozen of the retail partners associated with them and reviewing emails between the retailers and those marketing groups, it was discovered that the retailers knew exactly what was going on. After all, those three marketing groups were offering kickbacks from their revenue as part of the deal.

Not all retailers went along with this. After receiving so many complaints from customers who had been duped, a few other companies withdrew their partnerships from the marketing groups.

How They Do It
If you go online to order from a retailer of your choice that happens to be a partner with one of those three marketing groups, pop-ups or confusing messages appear before finishing the order. It could be a cash back offer for leaving your email address, or confusing yes and no buttons that can lead you into unfamiliar territory.

These confusing displays lead unsuspecting online purchasers into unknowingly becoming paying members of the third party's "buying club". If not canceled within a short time, the third party marketing group bills you up to $20 a month on the same credit card used for your legitimate online purchase. Some of those who had complained were billed for months before they knew what was happening.

It appears this investigation may lead to positive action against these scams. Until then, be on the lookout for confusing end-of-purchase arrangements online.

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Internet Shopping

Monday, September 6, 2010

Top Tourist Attractions in Cape Town

If someone asked you to name a city in South Africa, the chances are that Cape Town would be one of the first ones that would come to mind.

But it may not be even close to the top of your list of possible holiday destinations for this year. That could change however when you discover just what it has in store for you.

For starters there are plenty of beaches to enjoy if you like soaking up the sun. There are basically three areas to focus your attention. The first is called False Bay, which contains a number of different beaches to explore. You can also the beaches on the Atlantic Seaboard as well as three others on the West Coast. Needless to say you really are spoilt for choice here.

But it isn’t just the sea that attracts holiday makers. Other naturally occurring sights are just as desirable to visit during your stay in Cape Town. Perhaps the most famous one of all is called Table Mountain. This is so called because of its appearance, as it has a flat top which is very unusual for any type of mountain.

There is a cable car system that can take you to the top of the mountain, but if you are up for some hard work then consider hiking instead. It is very enjoyable provided it isn’t too hot, and it is a wonderful way to spend a day enjoying the fresh air and scenery. You will definitely be impressed when you reach the top and take a look out over Cape Town itself.

If you would prefer a more sedate day ahead of you, make sure you don’t miss the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. As the name would suggest, this is very close to the water – literally right on it in fact, as it was constructed on a portion of the docks in the area. It isn’t too far from Table Mountain either, so once again the views are spectacular.

One of the most telling facts about this particular destination is that it is very popular with people who live locally too. There are plenty of shops available here, so you can spend some of your holiday money on some local delights to take back home with you. In addition to that you’ll find plenty of places to stop and relax and grab a bite to eat. While you do you can watch the docks working just as they do every day.

It’s clear that Cape Town has a lot to offer. Flights to Cape Town are readily available, and with lots of accommodation to choose from you can’t fail to have a great stay in this part of South Africa.

Andrew Regan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

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Car Rentals Cape Town

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Tyger Valley Holiday Apartments

Tygervalley Holiday Accommodation, famous for its views that stretch from the Boland Mountains to Gordon’s Bay and awesome views of Table Mountain, Lion’s Head and Table Bay in between.

There are plenty for visitors to do as Tyger Valley is close to the Durbanville and Paarl Wine Routes, Bloubergstrand beaches, golf courses and also weekend craft markets.

For all those shopping lovers, Tygervalley has a Shopping centre close by, all other major shopping centres are Canal Walk and the V&A Waterfront and all have a wide range of places to shop, eat and drink!

Great for some family time is a nearby Zoo called Tygerberg Zoo located North along the N1 highway from our Tygervalley towards Paarl. The Zoo is home to 280 animal species and also a children’s farmyard for the kids to enjoy.

Self Catering Tyger Valley
If you are thinking of coming to South Africa check out Car Rental South Africa

Why Cape Town

a With a wide variety of attractions, activities and spectacular sights, Cape Town has everything you need for a memorable vacation or business travel destination! Choose from a back-to-basics backpacking trip, or a 5-star luxury hotel whirlpool suite, or anywhere in between. Whatever your budget or needs, Cape Town has it!

Offering some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, award winning vineyards and farms, and the most breathtaking views, your visit to Cape Town will not soon be forgotten.

Cape Town is a bustling and active area at all times of the year, but most specifically during holidays and tourist seasons ie. November – March. If you plan to visit during the Summer months, or over the Easter holiday, or December school holiday, be sure to make your accommodation and car rentals as far in advance as possible. Cape Town hotels and car hire options fill up quickly so be sure to avoid the disappointment of not planning ahead.

With so many offerings in and around Cape Town, there will never be a dull moment!

To make your trip the best it can be, a rough plan of your itinerary will get you off to a great start. Planning to spend at least a week in Cape Town will allow you every opportunity to take in all the activities you want to see the most. For suggestions, browse this site ideas for things to do, and places to visit requiring anywhere from one hour to several days. Choose organized, guided tours, or pick and choose activities and locations to form a rough idea of where you will need to be when. Also keep in mind the many activities or hidden treasures you may come across, so keep a flexible plan and you will have a stress-free and relaxing visit!

Once you arrive in Cape Town there are several travel options available to you, including hiring a car, using the one of several public transportation options, or planning your entire trip in conjunction with a guided tour, responsible for all transportation during your stay.

Renting a car is the most flexible way to enjoy Cape Town, allowing you to go as you please, and make your own plans around your likes and interests. For more focused travel events, a guided tour may be just what you need, allowing you to focus on your trip and not having to worry about how to get from location to location. Public transportation is not the ideal option, as it can be unreliable after hours, and is not the easiest option for tourists.

Cape Town Accommodation ranges from rustic to ultra luxury, our accommodation page provides a wide range of hotels & apartment to suit most budgets.

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Cape Town Car Hire

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Travel: Cape Town, South Africa

Breathlessly, we take the last few steps over some craggy rocks and scramble to the summit. After two hours of solid climbing, Vanya and I are ready to collapse as the sun beats down on our sweaty brows.

• Cape Town with Green Point Stadium in the foreground

And then, suddenly, all the effort becomes worthwhile. In a moment, Table Mountain gives up one of the most spectacular views in Africa.

From our wind-swept viewpoint, we see the white surf of the Atlantic Ocean crashing into the rocky peninsula that is the Cape of Good Hope.

And to the north, I cast my eyes over Cape Town's city bowl, making out in the distance the impressive white oval that is Green Point Stadium, the 70,000 capacity football stadium built for this month's World Cup.

Gazing down and over the turbulent ocean, the immense pride that Capetonians feel for this corner of the country makes complete sense to this outsider.

Since those first settlers established a trading post under the shadow of Table Mountain nearly 350 years ago, Cape Town has grown to become one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Africa, famous as a playground for the rich and a popular destination for millions of European and North American holidaymakers.

But I also wanted to see Cape Town from the fascinatingly diverse perspectives of the three million ordinary South Africans for whom the city is home. This would prove easier than I had imagined as I discovered a warmth and hospitality that can only hold them in good stead as they help host the greatest sporting event on the planet.

After my Emirates flight touched down under a deep blue sky, we drove from the airport past a montage of scenes that immediately revealed the vast spectrum of life that is found here. From the township of Khayelitsha, where thousands of black South Africans live in squalor, the road quickly took me past the affluent southern suburbs, home to many of Cape Town's British expatriates.

It is a jarring juxtaposition of rich and poor that provided an immediate insight into the deep racial divisions that remain nearly 20 years after apartheid, the regime that created these poverty-stricken townships, was swept away in the name of democracy and equality.

Depressingly, decent housing and even basic sanitation remain an exception in the townships. But look beyond the grim physical reality: a visit to Khayelitsha is one of the most interesting and rewarding experiences for visitors to Cape Town.

Township tours usually last half a day or so and include a visit to a shebeen, or pub, orphanage, school, community centre and a traditional healer. Turning the lives of impoverished non-white people into a tourist attraction doesn't sit comfortably with me, but the reception I received on my visit to Gugulethu, another township nearby, at least partly allayed my concerns.

With a group of friends, we spent an afternoon at Mzoli's Place – a butchery which happens to be an almost legendary hang-out among Capetonians. Buckets of African sausage and lamb chops are served to a soundtrack of blaring Kwaito music and raucous laughter among the well-oiled clientele. The idea is simple: you choose the meat at the butchery, it gets barbecued to perfection, and is then served with a spicy salsa, bean salad and the South African staple maize "pap".

After munching a mammoth slab of beef and chatting with the locals, we drove back into town – passing close to the football stadium – and downtown to Long Street. It is here that the World Cup after-match parties will be the most colourful and the most cosmopolitan.

This strip of bars, restaurants and hotels, slap bang in the centre of town, is where everyone heads to have a good time. After taking in a cool gallery exhibition opening complete with canapes and wine at Wessel Snyman Creative, we headed to Boo Radleys, a few blocks away on Haut Street, where we downed cocktails and talked football. The World Cup-themed chat continued in Rick's café before we ended the night sipping a Mars Bar milkshake at Mr Pickwick's.

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Car Hire Cape Town

Monday, June 7, 2010

Cheap Car Hire Cape Town

Cape Town is blessed with as many discount car rental companies as Johannesburg has, although the market is not as large. We have searched for a cheap car rental company that has discounted car hire in Cape Town, which will also let you rent a car with no credit card even if you are a backpacker/student and only 18 years old and have just received your drivers licence. Discount Student cars are hard to come by, as the norm in Cape Town’s car rental industry has been that you were only able to rent a car if you were 23 years of age or in some cases 25 years old and in the possession of a credit card. On top of that, you had to be the owner of the credit card. Now, some car renters have tried to get discount car hire using someone else's card, yet this is deemed as fraud and can not be accepted by any car rental company. We found no cheap car rental for cash in our internet search. We have however, identified a need for hiring cars with no credit card and did some research. We discovered that people were searching for 'credit card car rentals in Cape Town', as well as 'cash car rental Cape Town airport'.

There is a new trend in Europe, one that is spreading to other parts of the world. Shops, retailers and international companies are accepting fewer credit cards; instead they prefer you to pay by debit card or cash. A recent survey from major international retail stores in Europe revealed that this trend is increasing with the result being that a growing amount of visitors to Cape Town and South Africa are in need of a discount car hire in Cape Town; and are not able to rent a car as they do not own a credit card. Drive Africa has made it our mission to source and find reputable companies in Cape Town that can offer either discounted cash car rentals or debit card car rentals at very attractive prices ( in addition, to also keep their cash deposits to a minimum). To rent a car in Cape Town with discount was difficult to find.

This in itself was quite a mission, as every car rental company we approached was reluctant to offer their cars for rent to backpackers or students in Cape Town without the security of a local or international credit card. We approached some of the smaller cheap car hire companies in Cape Town and convinced them that this product is needed in Cape Town. This is a trend which stems from Europe and it is only going to increase. An increasing amount of foreign visitors to Cape Town would be looking to make use of discount car hire for cash or would like to use their debit cards for paying their rental car. Some rental companies listened to us and we were able to convince them to allow cash car hire for students and backpackers for discounted car hire in Cape Town with a few provisos’ that they set. Click here for further information pertaining to cheap car hire in Cape Town.

The discount rental company would need proof of residence while visiting Cape Town, as they will take a copy of the air ticket, ID or passport and take cash deposit to secure the cheap car hire with no credit card. We have therefore identified some companies and are now able to exclusively offer discount car hire to our clients, namely students in Cape Town, a package only available to Drive Africa at this stage. We have made sure that even the cheapest car hire or low priced car rental that we offer on our website has all the correct, government approved insurances that come with the rental, so that if you have an accident or your car is stolen while you are renting it, it is always correctly insured to completely covers you. Remember, these are not 4x4 rental cars. Please go to 4x4 hire South Africa and choose the car of your choice that suits your needs.

So if you hire a car from Drive Africa using cash or your debit card, you can hire with peace of mind knowing that that the cheap car rental in Cape Town that you were searching for is right here, allowing you to book with confidence. Drive Africa also has a financial guarantee in place as well as being proud members of Cape Town Tourism and members of the Tourism body SATSA (Southern Africa Tourism Services Association) that has a financial guarantee in place for renters of Drive Africa and they in turn have bestowed our site with the international website body Dot Travel approved sites stamp. They assure through their accreditation, that we are a fully fledged car rental company offering discount car hire and are not just a virtual company on the internet. A bonus is that the minimum age for student car hire in Cape Town or a backpacker car rental is 18 and all you need is a valid driver’s license; as there is no minimum time that you have had to have your driver’s license for.

We welcome you to Cape Town, and especially to come and rent a discount car in Cape Town from us. This will definitely make your stay an unforgettable one.

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Cape Town Car Hire