TRAVEL THERAPY

Jul 14 2008

Top South Africa Sites

Published by travel therapy at 3:31 pm under Adventure Destinations, Africa, Best Travel Blog, Rich With Culture, The Book Update, Travel Therapy

When I was headed to Malawi in May for a two week volunteer trip at an orpahnage that I was going to feature in the TRAVEL THERAPY book, I decided it was ridiculous to travel all that way and to be so close but not spend time in a country that has always fascinated me, South Africa.I changed some flight plans and ended up extending by trip by several weeks so I could add Johannesburg, Cape Town and Kruger National Park to my itinerary. I knew South Africa could offer up some inspiring TRAVEL THERAPY destinations I just had to go there and find them.

When you’re traveling as a tourist you usually stay in one place several days and get to enjoy your surroundings but when you’re traveling as a travel writer your mission is to see as much as possible in a short period of time and this trip to Africa was no different.

The day I arrived in Cape Town I was still jet lagged but immediately set out with a driver to see as much as the town as I could. My driver, Reggie, was amazing. He works for Don Ezard, who owns the ultra fabulous new boutique hotel called The Ezard House. Don was kind enough to suggest Reggie be my guide because Reggie grew up in Cape Town and know the area inside out.

I also got a sneak peak at some impressive renovations being done at the Ezard House and can’t wait to journey back where I can actually stay at the property. More on the Ezard House and the famous guests who stay here coming up on this TRAVEL THERAPY blog.

Our day in Cape Town was packed with seeing all the usual sites from Wine Country to the Cape of Good Hope and we stopped at several resort properties to sample the restaurants and spas. By the time I got back to the first-class hotel I was staying out, The Ellerman House, I was too exhausted to even enjoy the complimentary wine and champagne.

The Ellerman house is set up so you feel like home so you can just wander down to the dining room and make yourself a cocktail (or have one made for you). It’s a beautiful property overlooking the water where the service is impeccable. My room, number one, had a wrap around balcony with the most inspiring views!

The next morning I tried to take in some of the scenery before Reggie and I headed out again to see whatever parts of Cape Town I had missed.

Coming up on this TRAVEL THERAPY blog I’ll feature some of the highlights I found in Cape Town. It’s a fascinating city that’s filled with all kinds of surprises.

When you’re in the heart of Cape Town you almost forget you’re in Africa, it feels more like a posh Mediterranean seaside village, but that all changes when you venture out to one of the townships. More on Cape Town coming up…