Bucket Travel: Victoria Falls Safari Spa

Victoria Falls Safari Spa manager Avalon van Leent is excited to be bringing a new standard to spas in Victoria Falls and putting Zimbabwe’s leading tourist attraction on the map as a wellness destination.

“It’s exciting because it’s the first purpose-built spa in Victoria Falls and marks a new milestone in the wellness industry in Zimbabwe, with Victoria Falls now catching up with the rest of the world,” Avalon said.

Victoria Falls Safari Spa, nestled in peaceful indigenous woodland, rich in birdlife, with the occasional bushbuck or warthog passing by, will feature three stand-alone treatment rooms, and a main area with a hair and make-up studio, a polish bar, a splash pool and café. 

The African tented safari camp style spa will offer massages, facials, manicure and pedicures, as well as many other treatments, with mini options available for children. Its offerings will include half day and full day packages and wellness weekends.

“People are very much about creating memories when they travel, so spa treatments, which can be enjoyed with friends or your partner, will be a wonderful way to do this,” Avalon, 36, said. 

She believes Victoria Falls Safari Spa could potentially extend stays in Victoria Falls, as it adds another element to the destination.  

Born in Masvingo, Avalon studied Holistic and Spa Therapies with Camelot International in Johannesburg, where she gained a CIDESCO qualification, the world’s most prestigious qualification for Aesthetics and Beauty Therapy.

After her studies, Avalon joined a 5-star cruise ship called The Quest, part of the Yachts of Seabourn, to gain international experience and travel the world as a spa therapist, before moving to Australia and gaining further experience in the wellness industry.

But it was always her dream to return home, bringing her knowledge and experience to Zimbabwe, and after she and her husband Martijn’s travel plans were disrupted during the Covid-19 pandemic they moved to Victoria Falls.  

Avalon will head up a team of four therapists when Victoria Falls Safari Spa, which will use all natural, plant-based Africology and Cashmere & Co. products, opens on November 1.

Bucket Travel: MSC Brings Two Cruise Ships to SA

MSC Cruises – one of the leading global cruise lines– has reaffirmed that they will be bringing two ships to South Africa’s shores for the 2022/2023 cruise season to. This will mark the first time that two MSC Cruises ships of different classes, the MSC Orchestra – which is part of the Musica class and MSC Sinfonia – which is part of the Lirica class, will be deployed in the country simultaneously providing additional cruise capacity to cater for the demand for cruise holidays in South Africa.

The 2021/2022 local cruise season saw MSC Cruises carry in excess of 40 000 guests to various destinations with new Health & Safety regulations to ensure the safety of all guests. As we prepare for the 2022/2023 local cruise season, we are pleased to confirm that both unvaccinated & vaccinated guests are now able to cruise. At present we can also confirm that :

• vaccinated guests are no longer required to provide a Covid-19 test before departure 
• unvaccinated guests 5 years and older are still required to provide a negative Covid-19 PCR test, 48 hours prior to departure in accordance with the local government regulations in South Africa 
• children under age 5 are not required to provide a COVID-19 test

Continued investment in Africa’s tourist industry

MSC Cruises’ plan to bring two ships to South Africa in 2022 is part of the company’s commitment to investing in South Africa and African tourism at large. The cruise line’s focus to improving South Africa’s tourist infrastructure has been particularly noteworthy in its development of the Durban port terminal over the past few years. The R300-million terminal was designed, developed, constructed and financed by the KwaZulu Cruise Terminal Consortium, in partnership with the South African chapter of MSC Cruises and empowerment investment entity Africa Armada Consortium.

MSC Orchestra

This project is a significant undertaking for the consortium and represents MSC Cruises’ commitment to the South African economy. The terminal will help promote the country’s image among cruise passengers and provide jobs to many citizens. In addition to our commitment, our investment has included infrastructure development in Mozambique – a popular cruising destination for South Africans – and continued collaboration with the Namibian government, as Walvis Bay is one of the ports that MSC Cruises sails to. There are also knock-on benefits for the tourist industries in the destinations that MSC Cruises sails to, which have been enhanced by increased passenger volumes.

More itineraries offering more cruise holiday options for South Africans

MSC Orchestra, a well-known vessel by local cruisers will return to South African waters in November 2022, with approximately 40 sailings to Mozambique and to local destinations. Alongside MSC Orchestra is MSC Sinfonia that will operate approximately 22 sailings out of Cape Town to Namibia and other various local destinations. The itineraries will vary from two to seven-night cruises, offering guests a wider choice of options to book their cruise holiday. The ships will alternate routes, providing South African cruisers with a wider choice of options to suit their holiday needs with more cruise destinations and packages on offer.

“We are delighted to be bringing two ships to South Africa this upcoming season and we reaffirm our commitment to affordable and safe cruise holidays for South Africans” explains Ross Volk, MD for MSC Cruises South Africa. “Our dedication to playing our part in the recovery of the tourism sector in South Africa, has made it possible for us to create a second cruising hub in Cape Town. MSC Sinfonia will be permanently positioned in Cape Town for the duration of the cruise season and will serve our guests seeking a more cultural experience with our cruises to Namibia. For guests wanting to explore more of our South African destinations we have cruises to Mossel Bay and for guests simply wanting to take time to rest and relax, our “no-destination” cruises at sea provide the perfect getaway to enjoy the Indian and Atlantic Ocean sunrises and sunsets.” continues Volk.

MSC Sinfonia

Cruises as popular holiday ‘destinations’

Cruises are increasingly becoming an appealing holiday choice for South Africans as a hassle-free, safe and all-inclusive vacation with food, accommodation and most activities included in the cruise fare. The diversity of the offerings appeal to holiday makers of all ages, both local and international tourists alike. Guests wishing to experience the delights of an MSC Cruises holiday in the 2022/2023 season can already book any cruise on any of these 2 vessels.

“We continuously strive to bring bigger and better offerings to this country, enriching our itineraries and making cruising more accessible, to more South Africans who are realising that a cruise is an affordable, convenient and exciting holiday option,” concludes Volk.

Bucket Travel: Hotel Sky

Kinda ironic to be talking travel during a time where we cannot travel but here I am, talking about a new hotel group that's about to open it's doors in two of SA's biggest cities. Yes, timing off this isn't the greatest but it could also be to its advantage seeing that many will be itching to get out an about as soon as we can do so and with this new group offering something new an exciting to prospective guests, it just adds that extra intrigue to the would be traveler. Hotel Sky is set to open two new hotel's in South Africa towards the end of the year, one nestled in the heart of SA's financial capital Sandton and the other in Cape Town, opposite the CTICC. 

What makes Hotel Sky different from the rest? Well to start off, their goal is to offer an incredible hotel/ entertainment experience but at an affordable price, with rooms from just R695 per night upon opening! Yes, that is right from just R695, with Hotel Sky Sandton set to open in October this year, you can choose from a Standard Room, Junior Executive Room or an Executive Room with some of the room features being free high-speed uncapped WiFi, Air-conditioning, 43' Live Stream Smart TV, Work Station, Laptop Safe, Hair dryer, Automatic Blackout Blinds as well as a tea and coffee station. 

With COVID set to be here for the foreseeable future, there's still a need to try and get back to some normality in our lives, Hotel Sky have upped the game in booking and checking in by offering app-based booking and check-in, with room access via your phone. With the self service check-in kiosk all this can be done be done digitally via your smart phone! Whats even better, with your mobile key room access you can control the smart TV. Got a lot of luggage? No problem as Hotel Sky have AI powered robots to assist you with it and cart it to your room! 

Apart from accommodation, Hotel Sky offers conference and meeting rooms, with the Sandton Hotel having a 190 seat Auditorium and the Cape Town  Hotel having a luxurious Sky Bar on the 29th floor. Both hotels have world class restaurants, bars, fully equipped gyms, heated swimming pool, indulgent spa's, same-day onsite laundry, as well as back-up generators so you're safe from Eskom should the power go out. 

Hotel Sky Sandton, which is located at 150 West Street boasts 453 rooms, several conference venues and a selection of world-class restaurants and bars and is set to open its doors in October 2020. Hotel Sky Cape Town, located in the City Bowl offering views of the foreshore and Waterfront will offer 540 beautifully designed rooms and suits. Hotel Sky Cape Town will be the ideal destination for both local and international business and leisure travelers, as well as day guests seeking a delicious meal or sun-downer with a view on the bar located on the 29th floor. 

Hotel Sky will have an added sense of safety in place with all the latest regulations regarding the Covid-19 virus, with them taking every precaution to safeguard the health and safety of the guests with stringent hygiene policies. 

For more information or to book your stay, visit www.hotelsky.co.za for more.

Bucket Travel: MSC Cruises Milestones

MSC Cruises today took delivery of MSC Grandiosa from Chantiers de l’Atlantique, one of the world leaders in cruise ship construction.  The delivery ceremony of MSC Cruises’ newest flagship and one of the most environmentally-advanced ships at sea took place in the presence of Gianluigi Aponte, MSC Group Chairman.

Earlier in the morning a second important milestone event took place with the traditional cutting of the first steel and naming of the first World Class ship, MSC Europa, by MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman, Pierfrancesco Vago. MSC Europa is the first of five liquified natural gas (LNG)-powered cruise ships on order and the first LNG ship to be built in France.  The two events marked another important step forward in MSC Cruises’ long-term commitment to environmental stewardship, both at sea as well as ashore.

Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman, says, “Since its inception, MSC Cruises has embraced a commitment to environmental stewardship and ways to minimise and continuously reduce our environmental footprint, both at sea and ashore, with the use of innovative, leading-edge and effective technologies across our entire fleet. With each new ship we raise the bar of environmental performance and our ultimate goal is zero emissions operations. MSC Grandiosa moves us another significant step forward in that genuine ambition.

Mr Vago continues, “Today is even more significant as we begin the construction of the first of five LNG-propelled ships, which will further elevate our standards in environmentally-sound cruising, thanks to this use of alternative fuels, as well as other cutting-edge technologies.”

Mr Vago concludes, “Our commitment to environmental protection, both while at sea and when calling at the port communities that we serve, does not stop here. With each new ship we will push further the boundaries of innovation in terms of environmental technology. We will specifically focus our R&D investment into accelerating the development of next-generation advanced solutions and other technologies – from more alternative fuels, shore power availability, batteries, fuel cells and beyond. All of this while we retrofit and upgrade our existing fleet – one of the most modern at sea – with the latest technologies to continuously improve our environmental performance fleet-wide.”  

Laurent Castaing, General Manager, Chantiers de l’Atlantique, adds, “The delivery of MSC Grandiosa and the official start of construction of the first world-class ship are two major milestones in the history of our partnership with MSC Cruises.  At Chantiers de l’Atlantique, we are happy and proud to provide our privileged customer with state-of-the-art solutions that significantly lessen the environmental impact of the ships.  MSC Cruises can thus benefit from the result of our R&D programmes on energy saving schemes and environmentally-friendly technologies that we have been leading for the last ten years.”

MSC Grandiosa is MSC Cruises’ most environmentally-advanced ship at sea yet and is testament to the Company’s long-standing commitment to protect the seas and respect the communities that it touches. The ship is equipped with advanced cutting-edge technologies geared to ensure ever cleaner air emissions and improved overall environmental performance, both while at sea and ashore.

In addition to a hybrid ‘closed-loop’ exhaust gas cleaning system (EGCS) that reduces ship sulphur emissions by 97 per cent, MSC Grandiosa will also be the first MSC Cruises’ ship to feature a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system that helps reduce nitrogen oxide by 80 percent. All other MSC Cruises’ ships currently under construction will feature the SCR technology, including MSC Grandiosa’s sister ship, MSC Virtuosa, due to come into service in October 2020, as well as MSC Seashore, currently under construction at a different shipyard. This active emissions control technology conducts nitrogen oxide from the engine operations through a catalyst – a high-density device made from noble metals – and converts them into harmless nitrogen and water.

When speaking of alternative fuels, MSC Cruises is investing €5 billion in the construction of five LNG-powered ships. Compared to standard marine diesel, LNG reduces sulphur oxide emissions by more than 99 percent and nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 85 percent. It also largely eliminates particulate matter in the ship’s exhaust and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by as much as an additional 20 per cent. The 205,700 GT LNG-powered world-class ship MSC Europa will come into service in May 2022 and is the first of four futuristic world-class ships to be constructed at the French yard, with further deliveries scheduled for 2024, 2025 and 2027. In addition, one Meraviglia-Plus ship will also be propelled by LNG when the ship comes into service in 2023.

Bucket Travel: MSC Grandiosa - Grand Launch

MSC Cruises is to embark on the Company’s most comprehensive new ship launch ever and will carry out the largest face-to-face engagement drive with more than 14,000 travel agents on board MSC Grandiosa. The events will commence in St Nazaire, France when the Company’s newest flag ship officially comes into service on 31 October.

Achille Staiano, MSC Cruises VP Global Sales, comments, “The events for the launch of MSC Grandiosa have been carefully designed to enable an extensive programme of activities and celebrations for the travel agency community, as well as other guests and stakeholders. We have designed an inaugural itinerary for the ship with overnight stays in multiple ports to enable as many travel agent partners as possible to stay on board or visit the ship in order to experience it first-hand.”

Staiano continues, “Looking ahead, as MSC Grandiosa will be one of the most environmentally-sound ships at sea, we will utilise the MSC Masters e-learning platform to educate our travel agent partners around our environmental stewardship practices and other environmental initiatives. This will allow them to understand the latest advancements in environmental technology and practices, which will be invaluable information for them and their customers.”

During the course of the launch itinerary, seven ‘All Stars of the Sea’ awards events will be held to recognise the efforts and achievements of travel agents from all around the world, acknowledging MSC Cruises’ distribution in more than 80 countries. Separate familiarisation tours and presentations will also be given to travel agency front-desk staff, managers, proprietors and tour operators.

MSC Grandiosa will remain in the Port of Hamburg from 6 to 10 November, with the christening on the evening of the 9^th. The Blue Port will be condensed into a maritime stage around the Elbphilharmonie. Twenty locations in Hamburg's harbour will become ambassadors of light art, shining with a significant blue light, mixing industrial harbour light with graphic drawings. The colour blue is significant for the events as it is part of MSC Cruises livery, as well as representing water to symbolise MSC Cruises’ long-standing commitment to the ocean.  To respect the environment and the climate, small lights with low-energy consumption will be used. The dazzling installations will be created by renowned international light artist, Michael Batz.

MSC Grandiosa is equipped with two new and important technological innovations, including a selective catalytic reduction system, which will decrease nitrogen oxide emissions by 90 percent and transform it into pure water and nitrogen.  The ship is also fitted with a state-of-the-art advanced wastewater treatment system that will lead to nearly zero impact on discharges and allow MSC Grandiosa to operate in delicate environments such as the Baltic Sea and Alaska.

The new features add to other effective technologies found on MSC Cruises’ fleet to reduce any further environmental impact, including a cutting-edge hybrid exhaust gas cleaning system, systems for the prevention of oil discharge from machinery spaces, a ballast water treatment system and various energy-saving improvements such as heat recovery systems and LED lighting.

Some of the guest highlights of this new state-of-the-art ship include:

·         Two original new shows from Cirque du Soleil at Sea

·         A Mediterranean Promenade lined with restaurants, including the new restaurant Il Campo and mall-style shopping, with a 93-metre-long LED Sky Screen that displays atmospheric images and animations throughout the day and night

·         An immersive art experience in L’Atelier Bistrot with 26 original etchings by French Impressionist, Edgar Degas

·         Dedicated kids areas designed in partnership with LEGO and Chicco

·         The world’s first virtual personal cruise assistant, ZOE, in every cabin.

MSC Grandiosa will commence her regular seven-night cruises in the Western Mediterranean from 23 November with six embarkation ports, calling at Genoa and Civitavecchia, Italy; Palermo, Sicily; Valetta, Malta; Barcelona, Spain and Marseille, France.

Bucket Travel: MSC Armonia

MSC Cruises’ upcoming winter Caribbean season from November 2019 to April 2020 will get off to a strong start with MSC Armonia’s maiden call to the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve just one week after the season begins. As part of her new and enriched itineraries, MSC Armonia will visit this exclusive natural island destination every week, as well as other exciting ports across the Western Caribbean.

Founded on a deep commitment to ecological principles, Ocean Cay will be a private island destination like no other, surrounded by protected waters rich in marine and coral life. It has been conceived to immerse travellers in the natural beauty of the Caribbean and The Bahamas.

Snorkelling tours, scuba diving, stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking are among the outdoor activities that MSC Armonia’s more adventurous guests will be able to enjoy at Ocean Cay. Those seeking a more relaxing experience will have eight white sandy beaches to choose from, as well as a new luxurious spa concept and countless other options. A vast array of family-friendly experiences will also be available. Like other MSC Cruises ships in the Caribbean, MSC Armonia will stay at berth from 9am to 11pm, allowing guests to make the most of their time on the island and enjoy stunning sunsets by the iconic lighthouse.

Gianni Onorato, MSC Cruises’ CEO comments, “As we continue to grow our presence in the region, we have enriched MSC Armonia’s itineraries to offer our guests an even more immersive Caribbean experience. The Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve will be a key highlight, with a 14-hour call to let our guests explore and enjoy this beautiful island and its surrounding waters, both during the day and into the night. MSC Armonia will also visit other gems across the Western Caribbean in Jamaica, Mexico, the Cayman Islands and beyond.”

From November 2019 to April 2020, MSC Armonia will depart on one-week cruises from Miami every Monday, whereas from April to November 2020 her departure from Miami will be moved to Sunday.

In both cases, long-haul travellers will get a unique opportunity to spend the weekend in one of North America’s most vibrant cities before embarking on the cruise of their lives.

TAKE IN THE GORGEOUS VIEWS OF JAMAICA’S COAST

MSC Armonia will regularly visit a range of exciting ports and destinations across the Western Caribbean region. In Jamaica, MSC Armonia offers three different ports of call depending on the itinerary. In Ocho Rios, guests will be able to join a truly Jamaican bobsleigh tour, dive into Dolphin Cove and admire the Dunn's River Falls, with 180 metres  of cool, refreshing water cascading over natural limestone terraces. In Montego Bay, on Jamaica’s north-western coast, MSC Armonia’s guests will be able to go white-water rafting, tour an old plantation at the Good Hope Estate or learn about the mysteries of Rose Hall Great House, a fascinating colonial relic imbued with rumour and intrigue. In January 2020, MSC Armonia will visit Falmouth on Jamaica’s north coast, home to the Glistening Waters. When they visit the Luminous Lagoon, where the Martha Brae River and the Caribbean Sea meet, guests will experience first-hand how these two bodies of water mix to create bioluminescent micro-organisms that glow brightly.

DISCOVER THE BEST THE WESTERN CARIBBEAN HAS TO OFFER

MSC Armonia will bring the very best the Western Caribbean has to offer to her guests. In addition to Ocean Cay and Jamaica, the ship will regularly visit Mexico’s Costa Maya during the Northern Hemisphere’s winter 2019 – 2020 season. Her guests will enjoy an array of cultural, outdoor and relaxation activities there. George Town in the Cayman Islands is another idyllic destination that MSC Armonia will visit every week.

From April to November 2020, Key West (Florida, USA) will become a regular feature in MSC Armonia’s itinerary. There, guests will be able to visit the Historic District at the Old Town, which includes the island’s most popular spots, such as Mallory Square, Duval Street and Fort Zachary Taylor, as well as the southernmost point in the United States.

MSC ARMONIA OFFERS ITS OWN DELIGHTS

MSC Armonia incorporates a range of features that turn her into a destination in her own right, having recently gone through a major refurbishment. In terms of food and dining, the new Surf and Turf Restaurant offers the best of both worlds, such as a delicious filet mignon and tempting cold-water lobster tail. Bringing the Caribbean experience on board, the Rum Bar offers a range of cocktails, whether traditional or out-of-the-box.  The White Lion Pub introduces a new and complimentary menu featuring light meals – such as mojo chicken quesadillas, avocado and tuna salad wraps and spinach and artichoke dips to share – along with a wide selection of beers, including Newcastle Brown Ale, Murphy’s Irish Stout and Lagunitas IPA.

In addition to MSC Cruises’ fan-favourite parties like the White Party and Silent Disco, a highlight of MSC Armonia’s entertainment offering is its evening theatre entertainment, with a line-up of dynamic performances on board. Cruisers can marvel at a different, distinct show each evening. MSC Armonia offers a dedicated LEGO kids area, through its partnership with the toy giant, as well as a splash park.

In November, MSC Armonia will go through another drydock operation at the Bahamas’ Grand Bahama Shipyard.

Bucket Travel: MSC plans for PortMiami Cruise Terminal

MSC CRUISES NEW TERMINAL IN PORTMIAMI from MSC CRUISES on Vimeo.

MSC Cruises is the world's largest privately-owned cruise company and is a familiar  for local cruise goers as they've been sailing from South African ports for the past few decades, most notably Durban. With Durban being their most popular market, they've decided to invest heavily in the cities ports with the proposed new cruise terminal that's said to begin construction in early 2020. MSC also last month announced plans for another cruise terminal at a major port in the USA. 

Details of the port were were released as the terms of the agreement were approved from the Miami-Dada Board of the Country Commissioners. The  highly innovative multi-cruise ship terminal  will be designed, constructed and operated by MSC. The large building will host two cruise terminals (AA and AAA) as well as two berths. The building was designed by award-winning global architecture firm Arquitectonica, the PortMiami terminals will be capable of hosting two mega cruise ships at the same time, allowing the company to conduct two turnaround operations simultaneously, handling up to 28,000 passenger movements per day. 

Pierfranscesco Vago, MSC Cruises Executive Chairman had this to say: "With another 13 cruise vessels due to join our fleet in the next eight years, our ambition is to have our most innovative ship classes represented at PortMiami, bringing a wealth of choice to our North American as well as international guests."

MSC Cruises currently operates four vessels out of PortMiami, MSC Seaside and MSC Armonia year-round. MSC Divina seasonally and MSC Meravgilia which will join the ships sailing from Miami this fall, seasonally. With the new cruise facilities, MSC Cruises will bring a total of 1 million guests through PortMiami each year. Work on the new terminal will commence in early 2020 and estimated completion by late 2022. 

Top Beaches in Cape Town & Durban - Guest Post

With the year winding down and summer on the way, everyone is getting into holiday mode and what better place to be than at the seaside? With this in mind, today's blog post will feature a list of some of the best beaches to visit in Cape Town and Durban, it's a list compiled by guest writer for the blog, Zaytoon Hanief, who writes for the Travel Start blog. She shares her insights into the top beaches to visit in SA, so you can plan in advance where to spend your summer days enjoying the seaside. 

Top beaches in Cape Town and Durban

Summer is basically here and in South Africa, that means good times filled with friends, fun activities and lots and lots of Instagram moments!

For a lot of us here in Jozi, that also means heading to South Africa’s coastal cities and enjoying some much-needed time at the beach!

Durban and Cape Town are some top choices as they offer a great variety of options, whether its family fun, surfing or just a girls/boys’ weekend away that you’re after!

Here are some top beaches that you should definitely visit when visiting our coastal cities:

Cape Town

Llandudno Beach

If you’re not looking out for the sign on the road from Camps Bay to Hout Bay, you may just miss the turn-off to one of the city’s most laid-back and beautiful beaches. Llandudno is especially loved by locals because of its location alone, meaning that you’re bound to run into many easy-going Capetonians. Not just a beach for sunbathing, Llandudno is also a great spot for surfers and bodyboarders alike.

Local tip: If you’re driving, make sure to arrive very early during peak season as parking fills up easily. Alternatively, take the MyCiti bus and walk down the winding driveway, but be warned the walk back up is bound to be quite a work out!

Camps Bay Beach

Probably the most famous beach in all of Cape Town, Camps Bay Beach is a top tourist attraction. It has everything that you could hope for, including sparkly (though somewhat icy!) water, glistering white sand, space for all, nearby convenience stores, top-notch restaurants and also public transport.

Local tip: During the summer period, it may be difficult to escape the crowds but there’s always a loophole. Unless you don’t mind the crowds, try to visit during the week days. Summer days in Cape Town are long and hot, and even if you’re only getting to the beach at 4.30pm after work, you’re still guaranteed at least two hours of beach time.

Clifton Beaches

A staple for the rich, famous and all of us in between, the four Clifton beaches have long since been seen as the beaches of Cape Town. Top of the list is Clifton 4th beach, cornered off by million-dollar beach houses, perfectly-placed natural boulders to keep the wind at bay and of course, the most beautiful shimmering waves and white sand. What’s not to admire? Clifton is also home to 1st, 2nd and 3rd beach – each known for their somewhat different crowds but each a masterpiece of its own. Do yourself a favour and walk along the coast from 1st to 4th beach to take in its full grandeur!

Local tip: The beaches of Clifton can get pretty packed as well, but for a slightly thinner crowd head over to 2nd and 1st beach.  

Boulders Beach

Boulders Beach is the perfect beach-meets-picnic spot. The water is warmer (thankfully!) due to its location on the Indian Ocean side of the Cape Peninsula and the large boulders in the water make for a pretty safe and tranquil spot to float on your back and just unwind. Of course, one cannot mention Boulders Beach without talking about the African penguins that you’re bound to see! Picture yourself not just admiring them from a distance, but instead sharing a sandy spot with them just two metres away, or swimming right next to these feathery cuties in the ocean – there’s nothing quite like it for sure!

Local tip: Go early and pack in plenty of food and drinks to last you many, many hours as you’ll find it hard to want to leave this ideal location!

Durban

Umhlanga Rocks Beach

The golden sand of this glorious stretch is guaranteed to get you swimming! Unlike the colder waters of the Cape Peninsula beaches, the beaches of KwaZulu Natal invite you in as the temperatures have been known to hit 25 degrees Celsius during summer! Umhlanga Rocks Beach is one of Durban’s finest, with an enigmatic ebb and flow of the waves. The paved walkway alongside the ocean allows visitors to take in its sights before heading in and enjoying its warm waters.

Local tip: bring your wellies if you’re a bit of an explorer as there are some great rock pools to explore along the beach.

North Beach

North Beach in Durban is possibly the most well-known and popular beach in all of Durban. There’s so much variety of activities to do here that you could plan to stay in the area for a week and still not get bored. The warm waters offer the ideal swimming location, but be warned that it does get extremely crowded and you may need to get there at 6am to find a good spot during the summer holidays!

Local tip: Not just a beach to be enjoyed during the daytime hours, North Beach is known to be a thriving and energetic evening location too. Pack some cash in your back pocket as you enjoy some of Durban’s finest treats along the boardwalk.

Willard Beach, Ballito

Calling all surfers, bodyboarders and everyone else who enjoys some good waves with the sun on their skin! Willard Beach is the main beach of the town of Ballito, just outside Durban, and you can rest assured that you’ll have a great time on this Blue Flag beach. Another firm favourite just around the corner from Willard Beach is Thompson Beach.

Local tip: the beach gets really crowded during peak season and summer weekends. If you’re not too keen on this, there are plenty of other, more secluded beaches in the Ballito area for you to enjoy.

These are just of the top beaches to enjoy, so make sure to visit them on your next trip to Cape Town and Durban!

Cafe Vigor - Suncoast

Cafe's have become popular spots over the last decade, people come there to hangout with friends, catch up over a cup of coffee, some come to make use of the WiFi and get some work done, I've even seen some play as a venue for business meetings. With Cafe's its always a relaxed atmosphere offering a small select variety of food and drink. Suncoast Casino in Durban has Cafe Vigor, you cannot miss it as it is situated right outside the main entrance to the Casino and on the main walk way through the complex, I've always enjoyed the food offered there but yesterday I was invited to sample some of the new items they've added to their menu. It definitely was a taste sensation and one that is authentic to Durban.

Butternut & Feta Salad

To start things off yesterday, we were greeted by Sous Chef Lyndon who was going to take us through each new item on the menu. First up was a butternut and feta salad. For me salad's have always been a side dish, never a starter or a main and many a time I would give a skip. I was pleasantry surprised by this one though. I expected the butternut to be soft and mushy but it was blanched and still maintained that crisp, along with crumbled feta, some leafy green and all brought together in a tangy balsamic vinaigrette.

Creamy chicken and mushroom fettucinne

Next up was a favourite of mine, creamy mushroom and chicken fettuccine. This warm pasta is perfect for a cold day with all wholesome flavours that make it the ultimate comfort food. The sauce was creamy but not rich, also another aspect I liked about it, the mushrooms were left rather big and chunky, many places dice the mushrooms to a smaller sauce and they shrink in the sauce. The chicken, tender and moist, encapsulating all the flavours, I could honestly eat that the entire day. 

Lamb kebab Korma

They spoke about the new items wanting to display the authentic tastes of Durban and for the next item, this did exactly that. Many are used to the Lamb Korma dish that is served at many of the traditional Indian restaurants, Cafe Vigor has taken this dish and given it their own twist. Lamb Kebab chutney is a popular Durban dish and this is an interesting take on it but the chutney is substituted for a creamy cashew nut gravy synonymous to the Korma but with a Cape Malay flavour. This dish was out standing and I'll definitely be back for more!

Hake & Calamari

I'm a massive fan of seafood and I was glad to see that the next course involved that, after all we are at the sea so how can their not be some seafood? Cafe Vigor has take your standard fish and chips and zhuzhed it up by adding some spice to the batter and accompanying the hake with some calamari rings, served with a tasty, tangy tartar sauce. It was fresh, light and crispy, everything you would want from a dish like this. 

Spicy Chicken Livers

Durban, much like it's weather, likes things hot and one of the popular starter on many menu's in the city would be Peri-Peri chicken livers, if you're a fan, you would be pleased to know that Cafe Vigor has it and made some adjustments to the flavours, as it's not Peri-Peri but rather Durban curry. With a mixed blend of curry powder and Garam Masala, it lifts this dish to a new level. It's warm, hearty and hits the spot. 

Butter Chicken Wrap

There's no such thing as too much curry, especially if you're from Durban, so in saying that the next item was definitely very welcomed. It was created by our host, Sous Chef Lyndon, it is a Butter Chicken Wrap.  Tender morsels of chicken, cooked in a creamy butter gravy, using local sourced spices from a popular Durban spiceworks, gives the curry a different dimension, it's quite a thick consistency so you don't have to worry about gravy dripping all over the place.. All this goodness is wrapped in a soft, butter naan. 

Vegetable Fettuccine

Now if you're a vegetarian, you must have been reading this post and wondering, "well what about us?" , not to worry, Cafe Vigor has some items that are perfect for you. We were brought a vegetable fettuccine. Now I've eaten many bland veg pastas before, I can honestly say this was nothing close to bland! The creamy napolitano sauce had a great kick to it, and I amongst the crunchy veg, I spotted a green chili, adding that fresh bite to this great pasta dish.

Chakalaka Soup

To end off, we were served a starter, I know it may seem odd but I felt this was a nice wrap of this culinary journey we had taken earlier. Traditionally, tomato soup is served with a toast on the side to add that crunch and cut the acidity from it all, Cafe Vigor took this traditional starter item and added a nice spin to it, the soup is now a thick rich Chakalaka, full of local flavours and it is served with a toasted cheese sandwich to dip in. It really ties the whole dish together beautifully. 

Chocco-chino

We had the option to end off our experience with waffles and ice cream but after being so stuffed from all the previous courses, I could only manage a chocco-chino. These are some wonderful additions to the Cafe Vigor menu and I enjoyed all of them thoroughly, you'll find me there back soon for most of them, starting off with that Lamb Korma!