Adventures in the Northern Cape

The Northern Cape has numerous wonderful places for travelers to visit. It is a sanctuary for lovers of the outdoors, with its limitless wildlife, exclusive flora and striking scenery. It is a land of various ways of life, and has memoirs, stretching back thousands of years. Be sure to visit some of the following places on our Top 10 list.

1. Tswalu Kalahari Reserve

This mysterious desert wilderness situated on the edge of the Kalahari covers some 102 000 ha of land. Tswalu committed to "restoring the Kalahari to itself" is the largest privately owned game reserve in South African and a conservation vision in progress. Some of the highlights include true Kalahari Lions, majestic Cheetah and Desert Black Rhino. Tswalu with more than 250 species of bird is also home to 70 species of mammal, including Sable and Roan Antelope. Tswalu provides unparalleled safari experiences including guided walks, horseback safaris and hot air ballooning over the desert landscape.Being a member of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux you can be sure that guests are offered luxurious accommodation and splendid cuisine.

2. The Orange River

The River stretching 2340 km is ideal for canoeing and rafting with long stretches of open flat water punctuated by rapids and weather that is warm all year round. For wine lovers the Orange River Wine Route makes up 10% of South Africa's vineyards. The Cellars are made up of five wineries and the wine grapes of the Oranjerivier Wine Cellars originate from 794 producers along the Orange River.

3. The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

This Park is a result of the unification of South Africa's Kalahari Gemsbok Park and Botswana's Gemsbok National Park and a truly unspoiled ecosystem. The park, at 3.7 million hectares, is one of the largest conservation areas in the world.

4. The Kimberley Big Hole

In 1871, diamonds found on a once flat-topped hill resulted in a mad scramble for fame and fortune. The largest hand-dug excavation in the world is now known as the awesome Kimberley Big Hole. Dug by picks, shovels and sheer determination, measuring 215 meters deep with a surface area of 17 hectares - the mine yielded 2722 kilograms of diamonds.

5. Augrabies Falls National Park

The world's sixth largest waterfall is where the mighty Orange River is at its most impressive. Thundering its way through a ravine and into a pool walled by sheer granite, creating the Augrabies Falls. The name of the falls originated from the Khoi word meaning 'place of great noise' which describes the roar as the falls plummet 56m into the ravine.

6. Sutherland

Sutherland is known for its brilliant night skies and the world-renowned Southern African Astronomical Observatory, a site that houses 10 telescopes, one being 'SALT' (Southern African Largest Telescope). It can record distant stars and galaxies a billion times too faint to be seen with the unaided eye.

7. Kuruman

This little town is blessed with a permanent and abundant source of water. Commonly known as the Kuruman Eye, the water flows from the Gasegonyana more densely vegetated than most oases. The Eye is a natural fountain delivering approximately 20-30 million litres of crystal clear water daily, which supplies water for the town, feeds the Kuruman River and spills yet more water into two 7km irrigation canal. It was this fresh source of water that led to the establishment of the Moffat Mission Station here in the early 1900th, naming the eye the 'fountain of Christianity'.

8. Richterveld National Park

The Richtersveld is hauntingly beautiful, with mountains and sandy plains forming Southern Africa's largest mountain desert park, an area covering 160,000 ha. Although harsh and dry, the Richtersveld is a botanist's living laboratory, home to around 30% of all South Africa's succulent plant species. The Richtersveld is an extremely fragile ecosystem, with less than 50 mm of annual rainfall. Suprisingly breathtaking, it offers rarely seen purity of an unspoilt country.

9. Kathu, "the town under the trees"

The name came into being because of Kumba's iron ore mining activities, one of the world's largest open-cast iron mines. The mine is also home to one of South Africa's greatest golfing gems, Sishen Golf Course, a truly unique setting to play a round of golf winding its way through a 500 hectare Camelthorn forest on the edge of the Kalahari Desert. This par 72, 18-hole course is the last masterpiece of Robert Grimsdell and is currently rated in the top 30 best golf courses in South Africa. Being situated off the beaten track, the course is blissfully un-congested and visitors are always assured of getting a game here.

10. The Namaqua National Park

Between July and September Namakwa sheds its drab facade and showers the world with a riot of flowers of every hue, offering rich and splendid brilliance. It contains more than 6000 plant species, 250 species of birds, 78 species of mammals, 132 species of reptiles and amphibians and an unknown number of insects, making it the world's most diverse, arid environment. More than 40% of these species are found nowhere else on Earth.

By kamal ashwani

Costa Calida - A Driving Adventure in Spain

Seasoned travelers to Spain who are looking for a new adventure should consider a road trip. Costa Calida is a superb starting point and home base for a day trip by auto. There are few better ways to see the beauty of the Spanish coast up close and personal. From the majestic mountains, to the white sand beaches and sparkling blue-green Mediterranean Sea, the scenery is breathtaking.

Costa Calida, located in the Murcia region of Spain, is gaining popularity with tourists. Rivaling neighbor coastal regions, such as Costa Blanca and Costa Almeria, the area offers some competitive advantages. It lags behind its coastal neighbors in urban development. This means that accommodations (hotels, villa rentals, resorts, etc.) in this region are often cheaper.

Much of the region's natural beauty has been preserved. Where development has occurred, the goal has been to build in harmony with nature. Much of the area's commercial and residential design blends with the surrounding environment. Trees, beaches, and mountains have been left largely undisturbed. The result of this careful planning may be evident in a recent World Health Organization report.

WHO rated the province of Murcia the cleanest in Spain. The clean air is just one more boost for tourism along Costa Calida.

Tourists can start their Spanish holiday at any number of Costa Calida accommodations. Self-catered holidays are extremely popular in Spain. Choosing a rental villa, private residence-for-hire or other self-catered accommodation allows travelers freedom to determine their own schedules. Self-catering is also less expensive. This is a great option for holiday-makers who prefer to spend most of their time sightseeing.

For tourists who long for a pampered vacation, there are a number of all-inclusive resorts to choose from. Clubs and resorts offer recreational activities, superb cuisine and even entertainment for children.

Seeing the sights of Costa Calida by auto is relatively easy. Many local attractions are within a day's drive or less from the region.

For foreign travelers visiting Spain for the first time, hiring a local driver may be a wise option. A local guide will be more familiar with driving laws and the idiosyncrasies of Spain's highways. This is especially true for visitors from outside of Europe and the UK. Visitors who are unfamiliar with driving in Spain may have difficulty getting around. It may also require obtaining a special driver's license.

Depending on where a tourist's accommodations are, some cities also have excellent public transportation systems. The cost is usually fairly minimal. Taxi service is also reliable, but can get costly depending on travel distance. A better option may be to join up with a bus tour. Companies run regular bus trips to attractions and sites in areas surrounding Murcia and up and down Costa Calida.

Traveling by bus allows tourists to relax and not worry about driving. Guides are professional and knowledgeable about the areas they visit. It's an excellent way to learn about the rich history of Spain while seeing the sights.

It's well worth a visitor's time to take a road trip even without making any major stops. The entire Costa Calida can be driven in just a few hours. The variety in terrain and the contrast between cities and villages makes driving in Spain an adventure worth taking.

Holidays in Spain at the La Manga Club Resort is the perfect holiday resort location set on 1500 acres of breathtaking Spanish countryside.

La Manga Club holiday resort offers golf, tennis, horse riding, water sports, children's club, cycling etc and if you would like the chance to Win a Free La Manga Club holiday and receive the La Manga Resort Guide please visit the website.

By Michael Lee

Discover Exciting Indoor Adventures in the Smoky Mountains

These indoor adventures in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville will put a smile on your face that you won't be able to wipe off.

Fresh air. Sunshine. Clear, rushing rivers. Gorgeous mountain scape. These are all plentiful in the Smoky Mountains along with abundant wildlife, stunning snowfalls in winter and azure-blue skies in summer. But not everything wonderful is outdoors in the Smokies. We also offer lots of exciting adventures that take place indoors.

Indoor Skydiving

Always wanted to sky dive, but have a fear of heights (or death!)? No problem! Indoor skydiving gives you the same adrenaline rush without the danger of falling from 20,000 feet in the air. With professional trainers to guide you through all the moves and safety rules, you can end up flying in under half an hour.

Created from a giant, vertical wind tunnel, you get the thrill of a freefall dive while being only about 7-feet off the ground. This procedure is commonly used to allow professional skydivers to hone their skills before their first solo jumps. The simulated freefall experience is a thrill a minute.

WonderWorks

Billed as "Tennessee's only upside down attraction… an amusement park for the mind," WonderWorks offers over 100 interactive exhibits for children and adults. Ever wondered what it would feel like to experience an earthquake that ranks 5.3 on the Richter scale? How about holding on for dear life as hurricane-force winds do their best to knock you off your feet? The Disaster Zone lets you find out firsthand.

The Challenge Zone lets you test your strength and endurance with a giant rock-climbing wall, a drag strip race car, a bed of nails and more. Perhaps you'd rather launch into outer space and explore the inside of a Mercury Capsule replica and astronaut's spacesuit? Bubble rooms, roller coasters, lighting effects and an illusion gallery that would put Willy Wonka to shame are all there for discovery at WonderWorks.

Forbidden Caverns

Ready to go spelunking? If cave exploration is an interest of yours, you'll love the Forbidden Caverns. Not really forbidden, these caverns are some of the most spectacular in the country. The Forbidden Caverns website states, "Visitors are provided with an entertaining and educational tour past sparkling formations, towering natural chimneys, numerous grottos and a crystal clear stream." This is accompanied by special lighting and sound effects as well as narration by a professional guide who explains ancient mysteries and Indian legends about the caves. You'll even unlock the cavern's shady past as home to moonshiners in the 1940s.

Outfitted with handrails and lighting for safety, the cavern tour typically takes about one hour to complete. This exploration is perfectly suited for adults and children alike.

Looking for alternatives for rainy days? Just want to explore everything fun about the Smoky Mountains? These indoor adventures in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville will put a smile on your face that you won't be able to wipe off. Make plans now to take part in these great indoor adventures during your next trip to the Smoky Mountains.

Robbin Dean is a Reservations Agent for Smoky Mountain Resorts offering your choice of motel in Pigeon Forge, TN including comfortable lodging and the most popular attractions in the Smoky Mountains. Visit www.smokymountainresorts.travel.

By Robbin Dean

Adventure Spotlight: Tasmania Australia

Tasmanian devils are not the most exciting things you'll find on your trip to this Australian state. With a diverse landscape and over 80 golf courses, Tasmania delivers a bowlful of delight for nature-lovers and daredevils alike.

Say "Tasmania" and immediately images of that cute Looney Toon crosses your mind. While it's true that Tasmanian devils do hail from Tasmania, that's certainly not the most exciting thing you'll find on your trip to this Australian state. With a diverse landscape and over 80 golf courses, Tasmania delivers a bowlful of delight for nature-lovers and daredevils alike.

West Coast

Tasmania's west coast is still largely rugged and undeveloped. That makes for the perfect setting for those with a love for the outdoors. Included in a one-million-acre World Heritage Area, you'll discover exceptional rapids just begging to be navigated. In addition to the sheer adventure of this truly untamed whitewater, you'll also take in amazing rock formations as well as overhanging cliffs and an abundance of wildlife.

Prefer a more civilized way to see the area? Perhaps a catamaran cruise is more to your liking. As you sail the Gordon River, you'll view sections of rainforest that boast distinctive animal and plant life native to this area. Kayaking, canoeing and surfing are also popular pastimes.

Hastings Caves

For landlubbers, professionally guided tours of Hastings Caves are an excellent way to view the area. Bring your camera as you'll want to snap plenty of photos of the gorgeous flowstone, stalactites, columns, shawls, straws, stalagmites and the unusual helictites.

Never seen until 1917 - when the cave was discovered by miners - Hastings Caves have been outfitted to suit visitors. Stairs and lighting are in place to allow you to get up close and personal with this astonishing geological sight.

Once your tour is complete, take a nice, long soak in the nearby thermal pool. Perfectly moderated by Mother Nature, this pool maintains a temperature of 28 degrees Celsius (82.5 degrees Fahrenheit) year round.

Cultural Sights

For those who would rather surround themselves with culture instead of adventure, you're in luck: Tasmania serves up plenty! Writers, artists and performers bring a wondrous mix of drama, art and music to visitors from all around the globe. From museums to galleries, you'll find creativity and beauty at every turn.

To further your interest, visit one of the many wineries or vineyards in the area. Thanks to an outstanding climate of abundant sunshine, rich soil and clean water; Tasmania boasts some world-class vintages.

Cataract Gorge Reserve

You've never seen so much wilderness inside a city. Just two-minutes away from the city of Launceton is a paradise typically not found so close to metropolitan life. The Cataract Gorge breaks open from flat terrain into steep cliffs and rushing water. Climb or repel the Gorge, tour the fern tree glades by foot or take a leisurely walk across the bridge.

Too much nature? Just hop across to the Northern side (the Cliff Grounds) where you'll find a swimming pool, restaurant, landscaped lawns and more to enjoy.

To be the smallest state in Australia, Tasmania is packed with big-time fun! While this island is included on many Australian cruises, don't assume. Always ask your travel agent if the port of Tasmania is on your itinerary.

Roy Witman is Vice-President of Cruise Vacation Center at http://www.cruisevacationcenter.com offering the best deals including Princess cruises. You'll find their service exceptional and their attention to detail second to none.

By Roy Witman

Adventure Travel Insurance!

You have decided to take an adventure that has some risks involved. Adventure travel insurance comes to mind. This is an extremely important aspect of your planning. Will I or will I not take out adventure travel insurance? The answer to this question should be yes. You need an adventure travel insurance to cover the particular sport or activity that you will be undertaking. If you have decided to go mountain climbing or backpacking there's an adventure travel insurance that covers those activities and it will provide you with the necessary protection that you should have. You can also add options to your adventure travel insurance to include similar activities that you will be enjoying.

Just for the moment and image you are in the UK to go snowboarding and to do some skiing. You may want to consider adding an option to your adventure travel insurance policy to include the beautiful Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands also whether your adventure travel insurance policy is annual, less than a year or for a set period of time. In addition in the UK there are two levels of adventure travel insurance you can take while traveling in the UK. The selection you make will need to meet your requirements and budget.

You should also purchase adventure travel insurance when visiting countries in Asia. This is very important and is something that should not be overlooked or avoided. If your trip includes countries such as Cambodia, Thailand or Vietnam and activities may include mountain trekking, parachuting or scuba diving, it is in your best interest to purchase an adventure travel insurance policy; otherwise you could be overwhelmed dealing with local Health Authorities.

Even when you are traveling in the USA, your adventure could turn nasty. Make sure your adventure travel insurance covers you for all those activities that you want to undertake that involves a high level of risk. These high-risk activities normally wouldn't be covered under a normal travel insurance policy. Generally speaking most US insurance companies will ask you for the type of activities that you will be doing while on your vacation so they can be added to your adventure travel insurance policy. Based on this information they will give you a quote for your adventure insurance policy.

Companies that offer adventure travel insurance can probably help with your travel needs as well. No matter where you want to travel to in the world there's an adventure travel insurance that can include hundreds of different types of activities.

Regardless of how dangerous or risky the adventure you decide to go on, a study has shown that travel insurance companies have paid out more for accidents that occurred in hotel rooms. Please remember that taking out an adventure travel insurance policy is in your best interest and will give you that peace of mind.

Before going on that long awaited outdoor adventure travel you need that all important adventure travel insurance.

By David T Smith