Fri, 30 Mar 2012 08:36:29 -0800WeeblyFri, 30 Mar 2012 03:46:30 -0800http://www.flightstopaphosuk.co.uk/2/post/2012/03/-guide-to-adventure-travel-in-south-africa.htmlThe magnificent country of South Africa is one of the most fascinating and geographically varied countries on the African continent.  South Africa is home to territories which range from the rolling, fertile plains of the high veld in the north eastern part of the country and the wide open savannah of the Eastern Transvaal to the vast Kalahari Desert and the spectacular peaks of the Drakensberg Mountains.

South Africa offers many different opportunities for adventure travel including hot air balloon safaris, elephant back safaris, scuba diving, skydiving, bungy jumping, white-water rafting, mountain-climbing, cruises, shark cage diving and trekking. 

The main focus of adventure travel in South Africa however is the safari which allows guests to encounter Africa's untamed wildlife in its natural surroundings on unforgettable game drives through the bush.  When landing in South Africa, guests can make Johannesburg hotels and Sandton hotels their first part of the journey from where they can then start exploring this 'world in one country'.

South Africa features two of the world's most renowned wildlife reserves, which are the Kruger National Park and the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park.  The Kalahari Gamsbok National Park is a narrow part of the country extending northward into the vast expanse of the Kalahari Desert.  It is here where the rugged beauty, with shifting dunes, wide-open views, and great herds of springbok and gemsbok can be admired.

River trips range from mostly scenic to grade five whitewater rafting excursions. The art of canyoning – known as kloofing in South Africa – is another popular adventure activity.

Thousands of kilometres of hiking trails wind around South Africa in desert, forest, mountain or coastal landscapes, many with mountain bike trails adjacent. There are wonderful easy horse trails through vineyards, on the beach or in the mountains and unforgettable horseback safaris are also available in selected game reserves and national parks of South Africa. 

Some of the adventure activities available in South Africa

- Mountain biking
- Elephant Back Safaris
- Hot Air Balloon Safaris
- Paragliding
- Rock climbing
- Scuba diving
- Skydiving
- Sport & recreational flying
- Surfing, windsurfing, kite surfing
- Abseiling
- Bungee jumping, bridge swinging
- Canoeing, rafting, kayaking
- Deep Sea Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback safaris and trails

Walking Safaris at the Ngala Private Game Reserve, South Africa 

The Ngala Private Game Reserve in South Africa offers fantastic opportunities to see much of Africa's wildlife including several prides of lion in the wild, freely roaming this spectacular game reserve in the Kruger National Park. 

Visitors to the Ngala Private Game Reserve have the unique opportunity to witness the wild at night on an adventure packed game drive under the stars, tracking cheetah and the African wild dog, amongst others.  Guests staying at the Ngala Game Reserve may also participate in the exciting Walking Safaris with professional trackers.

Romance and wilderness under the stars at Ngala Tented Camp makes for an exciting wildlife safari adventure. Flickering lanterns, starlit skies, and the sounds of the animals around you is flawlessly combined with sophisticated elegance.

Camel Safaris in South Africa

Though camel travel invariably brings to mind desert thoughts of Arabia and North Africa, it is increasingly becoming a popular safari alternative in South Africa.  There are two unique desert regions which are suitable for camel safari's in South Africa: the Kalahari and the Bushmanland. While the Kalahari offers a more duned landscape, Bushmanland is semi-arid and pierced by the Orange River. Both these scenic regions are abundant in game and wildlife.

Safaris in the Kruger National Park, South Africa

Covering over 350 miles from north to south, and teeming with wildlife, the popular Kruger National Park is justly rated as one of the world's finest game reserves.  The Kruger National Park is home to more species of wildlife than any other game sanctuary on the African continent, and is one of Africa's few remaining natural homes for big cats including cheetahs, leopards and lions. Furthermore, substantial numbers of elephant, buffalo, zebra, rhino, giraffe, hippopotamus, impala, and kudu can be observed here in their natural habitat.  The Kruger National Park is also a great destination for birdwatchers, offering a wonderful diversity and abundance of species.

Canoeing the Orange River in South Africa

The great Orange River originates in the Lesotho highlands, where it begins a long, meandering sweep westward across the centre of South Africa. By the time the  Orange River reaches the Atlantic Ocean on the Namibian border on the west coast of Africa, it has travelled a staggering 2,340 kilometres. Wide and gentle, with just enough rapids to get the heart beating, this river in South Africa is suitable for adventurous canoe safaris.

The most popular area for canoe safaris on the Orange River is the Northwest, where the river bends through the sere realms of Bushmanland. The banks of the Orange river, however, are typically lush, a magnificent oases for viewing birds and game. 

This post was written by Ryan Mackie of www.south-african-hotels.com. Ryan is based in Cape Town and regularly contributes to travel blogs.  ]]>Sat, 17 Mar 2012 02:59:30 -0800http://www.flightstopaphosuk.co.uk/2/post/2012/03/a-guide-to-renting-private-vacation-apartments-and-villas-in-paphos.html
Summer is fast approaching, and if you are unsure where to take your holidays, you should consider Paphos in Cyprus. Legend has it that Aphrodite, the mythical God of love and beauty, was born in the sleepy little coastal town. The Mediterranean climate is beautiful all year round, but especially during the spring and summer.

One of the best ways to see everything that the region has to offer is to rent holiday villas in Cyprus. You can come and go as you please, and best of all, self-contained accommodation is much more affordable than a hotel. Villas in Paphos have everything you need for your holiday. Your home away from home comes complete with linens, towels and a fully-equipped kitchen. All you have to do is unpack, and get ready for the time of your life. 

After you arrive on the island, hire a speed boat. For about 80 Euros you can cruise around the island for half a day, hiring for half an hour, or an entire day is also possible. There is an abundance of activities in Paphos. The more adventurous types can go parasailing, bungee jumping, jet skiing or paragliding. You can rent windsurfers, glass bottom boats and pedalos on almost every beach in Paphos for very little money. One of the most popular activities on the island is scuba diving. There are several world class diving sites located around the island that are suitable for novice to advanced divers. 

Of course the seaside city of Paphos offers much more than water activities. Go hiking through the pine forests, and spend an afternoon wine tasting at one of the local vineyards. Cyprus produces the world’s oldest wine, Commandaria. Known for some of the best reds and whites on the planet, it is well worth it, and very affordable. In fact, the Sterna Winery and Museum is free.

Rent a car and take a two hour drive to Larnaca. On the way you will go through small villages where you stop and have a bite to eat at an authentic Cyprus restaurant. Once you arrive to your destination, visit ancient historical sites like the Phoenician Temple of Astarte, and you will not want to miss the most popular attraction in Larnaca, the Salt Lake, which is home to over 80 species of birds, including flamingos. 

While you still have your rental car, visit the Troodos Mountains and spend an afternoon in Kakopetria. One of the best things about visiting museums and ancient sites is that the majority of them are free to the public. Instead of heading back to Paphos, rent a holiday villa in Cyprus. Spend a couple of days in Kakopetria and wander through the original settlement which is rich with history. You can explore ancient church sites, or wander through the orchards. The area is famous for its fruit. 

When you arrive back to your villa in Paphos, take the family to Aphrodite, which is Cyprus’s biggest water park. The attraction officially opens for business on April 15th, so if you are planning your summer holidays, make sure you add Aphrodite to your list. At just 29 Euros for adults, and 16 Euros for kids 3 to 12, it shouldn’t be missed. 

Whether you spend your holidays on the beach, scuba diving the ship wreck sites, or hiking and biking through the rugged terrain in Paphos, Cyprus, you will have the time of your life. The weather is spectacular, and the food is even better, and if you stay in fully self-contained villas in Paphos, you will have enough money left over to see everything the region has to offer. ]]>Sat, 17 Mar 2012 02:52:20 -0800http://www.flightstopaphosuk.co.uk/2/post/2012/03/discover-lagos-and-find-stunning-portuguese-property.htmlHistorically known for being an important port in The Age of Discoveries, Lagos, Portugal is all about being discovered. Inside the 14th Century walls lies cobbled streets, magnificent churches, tiny plazas, and vintage townhouses. Outside the walls lies sprawling beaches, secluded coastal coves, and scenic villas. Take a trip to the countryside to see the flower covered hillsides and take a look at some of the picturesque farmhouses. You may not discover a new shipping route to India but you will discover a beautiful new world that you will want to turn into your home away from home. 

On a clear Spring day, you can visit the stunning Ponta da Piedade (Point of Piety) to see the hundreds of migratory egrets nesting on sandstone cliffs while a Portuguese lighthouse poses in the background. Nearby fields of wild orchids sway in the breeze and a cute cottage catches your eye. In summer, the beaches become studded with European tourists in the heat of the day while the popular nightclubs overflow with the same bronzed youth and you find yourself adoring the townhouse in the heart of town. Autumn is a good time to take a trip to a local historic castle town or stroll by the quiet river. During the chilly winters, you can have your fill of Portuguese tapas and perfect Sangria in a candle lit restaurant before you head home to your cozy villa by the sea. In Portugal, a week becomes a month, and the month becomes several. By the end of the year, you've discovered that you've bought yourself a dream home and want to stay forever. 

Maybe it's a self discovery found by overlooking the dramatic landscapes. It could be a discovery of objects found in the local open-air markets. It's possible that people have found a spiritual discovery at any of the intricate and extravagant churches. It's probable that you will make a life discovery when you find the perfect property in a beautiful villa or comfortable townhouse. Whatever you're looking for, Lagos, Portugal continues to hold endless discoveries!

Author Bio: Dale Rogers is a keen writer and often writes on travel and property related topics, including Lagos Property, whilst writing for PrestigeProperty.co.uk.

]]>Fri, 09 Mar 2012 03:19:31 -0800http://www.flightstopaphosuk.co.uk/2/post/2012/03/take-the-trauma-out-of-travel.html“Are we there yet?” is a phrase many parents hate to hear as it signifies the boredom threshold of the children has just been reached. Before children, the journey used to be an enjoyable part of the holiday, however travel and under tens do not mix well no matter how well behaved the little ones are usually.

The excitement of the forthcoming holiday coupled with the confines of a car, boat or aeroplane makes even the most perfect child turn into a broken whining record, so how do you ensure that you don’t reach your destination more frazzled than when you set off?

Babies

Some babies love journeys sleeping the majority of the time the only thing you need to worry about is the effect the extra snoozing may have on their night time routine, however if your baby is at the very least able to roll over, being stuck in a car seat will only infuriate them as they feel the opportunity for adventure passing them by. There’s really nothing else for it, apart from a designated adult. Whether it’s husband, wife or grandma, someone must sit in the back seat (without feigned travel sickness) and be on hand to amuse the baby for the entire journey. If lucky this person may enjoy a rare hour to play games on their phone or read a book when the baby naps, a rare occurrence in the years following parenthood.

Making sure you stop plenty will also help, although regardless of your bladder, it may be wise to wait until the baby is awake. There is no point stopping when baby sleeps as this is the time the majority of your journey can be done. Most service stations now have baby play areas, so let the little one stimulate themselves for a good half an hour before rewarding them with milk as they settle back into the car.

Toddlers

Toddlers can easily be persuaded to find excitement in the journey ahead, however this soon wears off as the motorway stretches far ahead, or the plane flies through similar clouds for the second hour in a row. Distraction techniques are needed along with a good repertoire of games. Just as toddlers will watch the same film over and over again, they will also play the same game umpteen times, and although it may seem tedious to you, it’s a much better option than tantrums and disapproving looks from passengers who pretend not to recognise the terrible twos.
Drawing and colouring is an ideal activity if you join in too, or eye spy using colours instead of letters, but you must for this journey only leave the competitive dad syndrome at home.
The TV, DVDs or even a computer game can also keep them amused, as this is the perfect time to allow them these little indulgences knowing that the activity of the holiday will soon take centre stage.


Older Children

Although older children understand explanations more and realise that to enjoy the holiday the travel must come first, they still become bored quite quickly and if there are more than one squabbles can break out easily. Older children respond better if they feel they have some control over the proceedings, so allow them to choose the destinations for breaks or the lunch you will stop for. Let them follow the journey on a map and instead of leaving them to play games with each other (which can cause humongous arguments) use a designated adult to sit in between as a referee. Some may adore the opportunity to play on their consoles without interruption or to devour a book, if this is the case, relax and remember half the joy of the holiday is supposedly the journey to the destination!
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Paphos is located on southwestern Cyprus and it offers visitors a great holiday destination to get away from it all and enjoy a Mediterranean getaway. There are a great range of flights to Paphos, which means that getting there is easier than ever.

The town itself has a population of around 50,000 and it is made up of two coastal resort areas - Kato Paphos and Pano Paphos. The beaches and coast of Paphos in summer are a popular destination as people come to stay in the Paphos Hotels, frolic in the azure waters and make great cups of tea,enjoying the bright sunshine and 30 degrees Celsius days. In the winter months, the climate is still very pleasant and makes a great place to enjoy walks, hiking and cycling.

For history buffs there are a number of interesting attractions around the town. Chief among the ancient sites are the Byzantine castle and the temple to the goddess Aphrodite. Paphos is thought to be the birthplace of Aphrodite the ancient goddess of love and fertility. There are some stunning and ancient mosaics dating back to the 3rd century that are in the Houses of Dionysus and are well worth a visit. Paphos has been inhabited since Neolithic times and the town itself is an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There are a number of attractions for tourists to enjoy at Paphos such as the Aphrodite Aquapark where there are 26 different slides and a range of leisure activities to take advantage of the ever present sunshine and warm weather. The Paphos Aquarium is a great place for families to learn about some of the beautiful marine life that calls the waters of Paphos home.

A trip to Paphos combines the seaside with an intoxicating range of historical sites. The location of Aphrodite's birthplace is a romantic destination for couples and a fun location for families as well. There are flights to Paphos Airport that get you there from major European cities easily. 
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