Mauritius

First on the list is Mauritius. Mauritius is hot. It has been popular for some time now, and seems to remain so. The island still tops the list when it comes to favourite holiday destinations amongst South Africans, but also remains a desired location for other international travellers. Bookings for holidays in the first quarter of this year have been exceptionally good.

Good to know: The cyclone season in Mauritius is from November to May. During a cyclone, you are obliged to remain in your accommodation, or car if you are travelling. Also good to know is that an event or accident arising from a cyclone may not be covered by your travel insurance.

Spain

Spain was voted ‘most family-friendly country’ in the 2011 ABTA Consumer Trends survey, and has become a firm favourite with South African travellers. Barcelona is considered one of the hottest cities in the world … but it is against the law to be in the street wearing only a swimming costume.

Good to know: Spain has its share of criminals. In some city centres and holiday resorts, thieves pose as police officers and approach tourists to see their wallets for identification. Genuine police officers will not request to see your wallet or purse.

Eastern Europe – Croatia and Slovenia

Both Croatia and Slovenia offer great value-for-money destinations, and South African holidaymakers are making the most of it. Croatia is particularly hot, but other former Eastern Bloc countries, especially Slovenia, are on the up.

Good to know: Carry your passport with you at all times in Croatia, as you must be able to show some form of identification if required, especially when checking into hotels. All foreigners visiting Slovenia must register with the police within three days of arrival, or risk a fine. If you stay at a registered hotel or guesthouse, they will take care of the registration for you.

Thailand

Thailand remains popular with South Africans seeking an affordable Far East holiday.

Good to know: Political demonstrations are not uncommon in Thailand, and these demonstrations and protests should be widely avoided. By law, you must carry your passport with you at all times, or risk arrest.

South America

South America is fast gaining popularity amongst South Africans. It has much to offer, is affordable and relatively easy to get to.

Good to know: being such a large continent, South America offers a wide range of distinct weather patterns. In the Altiplano region, the rainy season is between December and March; in Rio de Janeiro, the main rainy season is in February and March.

Internationally, there are 936 World Heritage Sites around the world. South Africa has eight: four cultural, three natural and one mixed (cultural and natural) site.

Cultural

Fossil Hominid Sites of Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, Kromdraai, and Environs (1999)

Known in South Africa as the Cradle of Humankind, the region of Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, Kromdraai and environs has one of the world’s richest concentrations of hominid fossils, evidence of human evolution over the last 3.5-million years.

The Taung Skull Fossil Site is where celebrated Taung Skull was found in 1924. The area features elements that define the origin and evolution of humanity.

Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape (2003)

Mapungubwe, meaning ‘place of the stone of wisdom’ was South Africa’s first kingdom, and the largest kingdom on the sub-continent before it was abandoned in the 14th century. The almost untouched remains of palace sites and settlements survive, telling the incredible story of their social and political developments over 400 years.

Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape (2007)

The Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape covers 160 000 hectares of dramatic mountainous desert in the north-west of South Africa. The area is owned and managed by the community of Nama people, descendants of the Khoisan, and the site sustains the semi-nomadic pastoral livelihood of the Nama people.

Robben Island (1999)

Robben Island is the famous island prison that housed Nelson Mandela for 18 years of his 27 years in jail. The island has become a symbol of the triumph of democracy and freedom over oppression.

Natural

Cape Floral Region Protected Areas (2004)

The Cape Floral Region is one of the world’s biodiversity hot spots: an area of international biodiversity interest. The area amounts to just 0.04% of the world’s land area, yet contains an incredible 3% of its plant species. It is one of the richest areas for plants on the globe.

iSimangaliso Wetland Park (1999)

The iSimangaliso Wetland Park has one of the largest estuary systems in Africa as well as the continent’s southernmost coral reefs. It encompasses coral reefs, sandy beaches, coastal dunes, lake systems, swamps, and reed and papyrus wetlands, offering a diversity of ecosystems to plants and animals. It is known for its exceptional biodiversity, which includes 521 bird species.

Vredefort Dome (2005)

Vredefort Dome is part of a larger meteorite impact structure, or astrobleme. Dating back 2,023 million years, it is the oldest astrobleme on earth. It is also the largest and most deeply eroded meteorite impact site with a radius of 190 km, bearing witness to the world’s greatest known single energy release event, which resulted in major evolutionary changes. It provides critical evidence of the earth’s geological history.

Mixed

uKhahlamba / Drakensberg Park (2000)

The uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park has incredible natural beauty: its buttresses, cutbacks, valleys, caves, gorges and ramparts constitute South Africa’s highest mountain range. It boasts a large and concentrated series of rock art paintings depicting animals and human beings representing the lives of the San people.

Voyager Miles are valid for three years after the year in which they were earned. A year is calculated from 1 April to 31 March, which means that you may have Voyager Miles that are due to expire at the end of this month (March). The Miles due to expire will be reflected on your mileage summary. Your miles summary can also be accessed on the Voyager Miles website https://www.flysaa.com/za/en/voyagerLogin.secured using your Voyager number and PIN for verification.

However, if by the end of the preceding calendar year (Jan – Dec), you had flown a minimum of 5 000 Tier Miles on South African Airways only or flown 3 000 Miles on SA Express, Miles due to expire in the current year will be carried over to the next year and will remain valid for a further 12 months.

Awards can be requested before Miles expire and used within 6 months for Air awards and 3 months for Non-Air awards from date of issue. However, if they are not used within this period they will be forfeited.

For more information, please check your correspondence from Voyager, the Voyager Miles website, or contact your XL Millennium Travel sales representative who will happily assist you.

Don’t lose your hard-earned miles!

Regards,

XL Millennium Travel

While Mauritius offers an easy and accessible, well-packaged ‘beach’ holiday, Madagascar is a magnet for the more adventurous at heart. Madagascar is, literally, like no other place on earth. The world’s fourth-largest island split from the supercontinent of Gondwana about 150 million years ago, and has evolved into a very unique and diverse natural environment. Madagascar is one of the most bio-diverse places on earth; almost 80% of the plants and animals cannot be found anywhere else.

Of 12 000 plant species identified on the island, 10 000 are endemic. This includes seven of the world’s nine Baobab species. This island is also home to almost 1 000 species of orchids, of which 85% are endemic.

Bird watchers will love Madagascar. The island boasts around 260 species, of which 115 are endemic. The animal life is also impressive, if somewhat bizarre. Nowhere else in the world can you see over 50 varieties of lemur. The best places to spot these adorable animals are Montagne d’Ambre National Park, Ankarana Special Reserve, and Berenty Reserve. Madagascar is home to 40 species of chameleon, including both the smallest and largest on earth. Here you will also find the hissing cockroach, Dracula ants, tomato frogs, giraffe-necked weevil and the hedgehog-looking tenrecs. Madagascar also offers one of the finest whale-watching spots on the planet.

The country has an impressive number of national parks and reserves  which display the island’s various ecosystems. The natural beauty includes magnificent sandstone formations, hot springs, beaches and lagoons, coral reefs, mountains, caves, volcanic crater lakes, rain forests and vast open plains – a veritable playground for the adventure tourist.

Tourists rarely spend time in the cities, heading instead for the outdoors where opportunities for adventure are practically endless. Choose from whitewater rafting,  surfing, kayaking, trekking, camping, climbing, spelunking, mountain-biking, hang-gliding, snorkelling, diving and much more. You can even take a helicopter tour that gives a spectacular view of the island’s magnificent landscapes.

Madagascar is not for everybody – the island lacks the infrastructure of places like Mauritius, and few people speak English. Travelling here is an adventure, not a typical laid-back holiday. But it is precisely this that draws the adventurous of heart to the island: the lack of well-worn paths and other tourists, the unrivalled wildlife, the magnificent landscapes, the incredible people, and the country’s fascinating history combine to give you a once-in-a-lifetime journey. Madagascar is like no other place on earth and it will be a trip you will not forget.

Mauritius is a gem of a holiday spot right on our doorstep. Less than four hours from Johannesburg by plane, this beautiful island with 330km of coastline offers just about everything you could want on an island holiday. Outside of the occasional cyclone in cyclone season (November to April), the weather is warm, the water is warm and the skies are clear and sunny.

Crystal clear warm water, coral reefs, sheltered lagoons and sandy white beaches fringed with palm trees are the backdrop to any water-based activity you might like to do – snorkelling, swimming, scuba-diving, sailing, water-skiing, fishing or simply lazing on a beach with a cool drink. Above the water, you might want to try para-sailing or sky-diving.

Away from the beach, the island offers beautiful lush vegetation to explore. Try the Black River Gorges National Park – over 16,680 acres providing a home to over 300 species of native and endemic flowering plants, and nine species of birds that can only be found in Mauritius. The island is also home to more than 60 different orchid species.

Mauritius has also become very popular with golfers. Several hotels have excellent golf courses – the island now offers the golfer more than eight golf courses to choose from. The most spectacular course is to be found at the One&Only Le Touessrok. The course is on its own island: turquoise water, sandy white beaches and a backdrop of green mountains. Concentration is required to keep your mind on the golf!

Accommodation on Mauritius is plentiful, and where you stay will depend on your personal choice and your budget.

Generally, the north of the island is known for its beaches and lagoons. There are many resorts and hotels in this area and it is the most developed, and most ‘touristy’ part of the coastline. There are also plenty of restaurants, cafés, nightclubs and shops.

On the east side of the island, you’ll find coves and lagoons nestled between the mountains and the ocean, cool sea breezes, shaded beaches and fishing villages. Life on the east is slower and more laid back. The main attraction in this area is Ile aux Cerfs, a small island off the mainland. The island, managed by the Le Touessrok Hotel, offers the most beautiful emerald waters and clear white beaches.

The south of the island is the wildest and least developed, with high cliffs and crashing waves. The area is far more rugged than the rest of the island, and offers some magnificent sights. There are very few hotels in this region.

The west side of Mauritius also offers beautiful beaches, with all the facilities that you may want, but it is less developed. There are rivers and streams in this area, and this is the place to access the inland beauty of the island. There are several hotels in this area, as well as several little villages.

Whatever you’re looking for in an island holiday, Mauritius can offer – plus a whole lot more. And being right on our doorstep, it’s no wonder it is so popular for weddings, honeymoons, families and adventure-seekers. Mauritius offers something for everybody, all wrapped up in a beautiful package.

Say ‘Happy Valentine’ with style this year

Chocolates and roses are nice, and a candlelight dinner is good, but a fabulous night at an exquisite hotel with your loved one, plus breakfast the next morning – that’s style.

One of our favourite hotels in Cape Town, the Pepper Club Luxury Hotel & Spa, has kindly given a great prize so that you can impress your Valentine this year. Even the name of the hotel is hot!

Up for grabs is a one night’s stay for two persons in a Deluxe Studio at the Pepper Club, plus breakfast in Sinatra’s restaurant.

Enjoy the luxuriously appointed Deluxe Studio with all the lavish necessities you will require. Extra-length king size bed, dressing table, wall-mounted flat screen TV, a desk with two chairs, a comfortable easy chair, coffee table and access to wireless Internet on a complimentary basis. And, ladies, it comes complete with a hairdryer and coffee machine.

Relax on the Pool Deck on the 8th floor, with panoramic views of the city and mountain. A perfect spot for a romantic sundowner, don’t you think?

Then there’s Sinatra’s restaurant for breakfast the next morning. Sinatra’s combines a stylish and modern setting with a menu that boasts the very best of fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.
What you get up to inbetween sunset and breakfast is up to you.

Now – to stand a chance to impress your Valentine with this wonderful night out, simply enter our competition. Enter now

To get a sneak preview of what’s on offer at the Pepper Club, take a look here.

Just in case you’re not feeling that lucky, check out this special from the Pepper Club Luxury Hotel & Spa.

Read the small print

The prize is a one night’s stay for two persons in a Deluxe Studio, plus breakfast in Sinatra’s restaurant. The prize excludes travel to or from the venue; and all extras not listed as part of the prize.

The prize voucher is valid from 14 February 2012 until 31 August 2012, and is subject to availability at the time of making the booking.

Only one entry per person; duplicate entries will result in disqualification.

The prize will be drawn at 10:00am on Friday, 10 February, so don’t waste time – get your entry in!

The winner will be notified on Friday by telephone and/or e-mail.

The Zambezi Queen offers a unique view of one of Africa’s most wonderful places:  the Chobe River, which forms the border between Botswana and Namibia. The boat itself (can one really call a 42-metre, floating luxury 5-star boutique hotel a ‘boat’?) is in Namibian waters, but guests can sit and look out one way over Botswana’s Chobe riverfront and the Chobe National Park, and on the other side, over Namibia’s more rural shores.

The boat offers pure luxury: beautiful suites with their own balcony, a relaxing reading room, comfortable lounge areas, fine dining and excellent service. The upper deck forms the hub of the boat, and encompasses the lounge, dining and bar area and the pool deck. You could easily spend an entire day here – from your morning coffee while you watch the sun rise, game-viewing, lunch, an hour or two’s pleasant reading with a 200-strong herd of elephant in the background, a dip in the plunge pool, sundowners on the deck and then a delicious dinner!

But there is too much else to do. Included in a two or three day trip is one land-based game drive in the Chobe National Park, game-viewing trips on smaller boats that can get close in to the shore, as well as fishing trips if you’d like to try your hand at catching a tigerfish or two.

With just 14 suites, the boat is small and intimate enough to get really personal service, but big enough not to feel too close to the other guests if you don’t want to.

The game and African experience that the Zambezi Queen provides is simply unbeatable: wake to the call of a fish eagle; sit in a luxury lounge sipping on a cappucino while watching a magnificent herd of elephants; get up close to game from the small game-viewing boats, enjoy magnificent sunsets from the deck of the boat, and fall asleep with the sounds of Africa drifting in through your open balcony door. Africa at its best.

For more photographs, take a look at our photo gallery or on Facebook.

For more pics of this fabulous trip, take a look at our photo gallery.

Mervyn Cookson has been appointed as Chairman of the Board of XL Millennium Travel.  All the directors are delighted that he has accepted this position and we look forward to his leadership and new ideas.

We would like to thank our previous chairman John for the way in which he has assisted and lead the board since 1997. He has always given of his time, his advice and assistance whenever we have asked for it. He will remain on the board as a non-executive director.

Linda Benwell
Managing Director, XL Millennium Travel

As 2011 draws to a close, we can look back on a year filled with challenges, hard work, and also a lot of fun and joy. XL Millennium Travel has had a good year, thanks to our supportive clients, our incredible suppliers, and last, but not least, our absolutely fantastic staff members.

This year, we’ve worked with many old clients, suppliers and friends, and had the privilege to meet and work with some new ones. We’ve been back to well-loved destinations and venues, and discovered a few new ones along the way. We hope to introduce you to some of those in the near future.

In the meantime, we wish you a merry Christmas and a blessed new year. To those who do not celebrate Christmas, we wish you a wonderful end-of-year and a peaceful break.

If you are travelling over the holiday season (and we certainly hope you are!), please return safely, refreshed and ready to tackle a new year.

Very best wishes, from all at XL Millennium Travel.

Swaziland

Swaziland is a relatively small country with a lot to see. The countryside, with its rivers, mountains and waterfalls, is lovely. The arts and crafts in Swaziland are also well worth taking a look at. Swaziland is also very proud of its heritage and culture, and the country offers a number of opportunities to experience these.

Swaziland’s national parks and game reserves are less crowded than those in South Africa, but still offer the big five. Try Hlane Royal National Park, Mkhaya Game Reserve or Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary. These, as well as a number of smaller nature reserves, also offer magnificent birding.

You will find several outlets for arts and crafts in Swaziland, but make sure that you visit the Swazi candles factory close to the Oshoek border post, and the Ngwenya Glass factory near Mbabane. Ngwenya Glass products have become popular with international tourists, and one can see why. The African products are beautifully crafted, and hard to resist!

For a cultural experience, time your visit to Swaziland to coincide with the Incwala Ceremony or First Fruit Ceremony. This is held in December or January (depending on the phases of the moon). During the four-day ceremony, thousands of young men and warriors take part in rituals, dances and songs. On the final day, the King joins the young warriors in a ceremonial dance. The King then enters his sanctuary, follows a number of traditional rituals, and eats the first fruit of the season. Thereafter, the community may eat the fruits of the season, with the blessings of the ancestors.

Another major ceremonial event is the annual Reed Dance, or Umhlanga. The ceremony is held in August or September every year, and attracts thousands of young maidens from across Swaziland who gather to honour the Queen Mother (iNdlovukazi).

Note that certain parts of traditional ceremonies and rituals may not be witnessed by outsiders, and a permit may be required for photography.

Lesotho

The mountain kingdom of Lesotho – the ‘Kingdom in the sky’ lives up to its name. Any activity in Lesotho is set against a backdrop of spectacular mountain views. Lesotho is best explored ‘at ground level’ – at 1400m above sea level! – in a car, 4×4, or on a Basotho pony, your mountain bike or your feet. Driving, hiking or riding through Lesotho will expose you to the magnificent Maluti and Drakensberg Mountains, unrivalled mountain vistas, and the gentle and welcoming Basotho people.

Lesotho is an adrenalin-junkie paradise, offering the standard hiking and mountain biking, along with pony trekking, abseiling, mountain climbing, paragliding, hang-gliding and even skiing! For those less intent on heart-pounding activity, a gentle session of walking, bird watching, relaxing beside a crystal clear river or some quiet trout fishing is also available.

Maseru offers a great base from which to explore the Maluti mountains, and you can also buy all the necessary items that you may need here. There are historical sites, hiking trails, craft centres and San rock paintings within a short distance from the capital city.

Sehlabathebe National Park is the country’s only national park, and shows off some of the country’s spectacular scenery, hiking trails, pony paths and sandstone rock formations. The park can only be reached by 4×4 vehicle.

The Sani Pass, which connects Lesotho to Kwazulu Natal in South Africa, is a spectacular, but hair-raising road to drive. The Sani Pass is the gateway to Lesotho’s Roof of Africa region, a magnificent area in which you will find some of the most dramatic mountainscapes you could hope for, including the highest peak in Southern Africa: Thabana-Ntlenyana, at 3 482m.

Next time, we’ll take a look at two wonderful destinations just a short flight from South Africa: Mauritius and Madagascar.