Panning for more ideas in Nelspruit – South Africa

I’ve been writing about all sorts of things going on in South Africa over the last few months and like anywhere in the world once you scratch the surface you start to find all sorts of amazing and interesting things.

So a quick google search to find out what’s happening at the moment and I’ve come across an article about the National Gold Panning Championships which starts in Mpumalanga today.

It highlights that although many people will head to Cape Town, the Garden Route or Johannesburg, when you start to fall in love with South Africa there is plenty more to discover. 

The National Gold Panning Championships in South Africa began in 1997 and is hosted by the South African Gold Panning Association (SAGPA) and Mpumalanga’s Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation. It’s literally been a rush ever since – with the number of participants having grown from 78 in 1997 to over 1 000 in 2008.

Although it is a national gold panning championship – and taken very seriously indeed by the competitors – many participants are simply there for the fun. The only personal attribute required is enthusiasm.

Since 1997 hundreds of excited modern day prospectors have been rushing to the village of Pilgrim’s Rest, where gold was first discovered in South Africa in 1873 by a miner called Alex “Wheelbarrow” Patterson.

lastminute.com have a wide selection of accommodation in Mpumalanga whether you are looking to stay in the capital Nelspruit, one of the host cities of this year’s FIFA World Cup, small towns like White River or you are heading for the lure of the Big Game.

Explore not only the  but also the Blyde River Canyon – the world’s third-deepest gorge; the Sudwala Caves – the world’s oldest; and the Kruger National Park – arguably the world’s most famous wildlife sanctuary.

Mercure Nelspruit (Nelspruit)

Nomndeni Celokuhle Apart Hotel (Kruger Park)

Linga Longa Guest House (White River)

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Cape Town is famous for a variety of attractions that stretch from Table Mountain all the way down to the sea. With a rich history, vibrant culture, pearly white beaches, charming fishing villages, colourful floral reserves and numerous adventure activities, Cape Town is worth at least a week of your time in South Africa.

In Cape Town choose today to save at either the Protea Hotel Fire & Ice or the Protea Hotel President.

Be blown away with the same force as the winds of the iconic Cape South Easter as you step into the ultra-cool Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! This extremer hotel in the heart of the Mother City, offers adventure-seekers Cape Town accommodation with a difference.

Situated on Cape Town’s Bantry Bay beachfront, the Protea Hotel President has a relaxed yet professional atmosphere with luxurious surroundings. Relax by the large pool or sip cocktails and sundowners when you’re not busy seeing the sights of Cape Town.

In Johannesburg, wining and dining is superb; the championship golf courses are of the highest standard; and there seems to be an ongoing party all day, every day. In addition, the city boasts beautiful natural surroundings, adventure sports and the world’s foremost palaeontological site at Sterkfontein.

Visit Johannesburg and stay at either the Protea Hotel Fire & Ice Melrose Arch or the Protea Hotel Wanderers.

The urban, contemporary and edgy 197 roomed Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! Melrose Arch is the latest hot-spot in the trendy Melrose Arch Precinct, which boasts a new variety of trendy retail & leisure amenities. Each classily designed room offers an LCD television and an urban style that will take you back to a bygone era of old Hollywood glamour. The ideal location that appeal to both domestic and International traveller alike.

From the luxurious holiday haven of the four star Protea Hotel Wanderers in Johannesburg, Gauteng, you can venture into some of the finest shopping and dining experiences on the continent. Sandton, Rosebank or the Melrose Arch Precinct are all only minutes away, or alternatively you can relax on the hotel’s poolside sundeck or enjoy a cocktail in the trendy 24 hour bar.

The winelands of the Cape comprise over 200 cellars within easy reach of Cape Town, where wine in all its varieties – red, white, pink, sweet, dry and sparkling – can be sampled. Most popular are the Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschhoek and Wellington wine routes.

So head out of Cape Town and explore from either the Auberge Rozendal in Stellenbosch or the Protea Hotel Franschhoek in erm – Franschhoek.

Auberge Rozendal has 16 en-suite guestrooms, all with terraces. The rooms are situated between the vineyards, with majestic views of Stellenbosch and Simonsberg mountains, as well as the Table Mountain in the distance, providing an environment of beauty and tranquillity. The rooms are decorated in a European style with a South African touch. Guests can relax by the pool, enjoy a leisurely walk, or hike in the adjacent forests and mountains.

The four-star Protea Hotel Franschhoek overlooks the majestic mountains and vineyards of the historic village of Franschhoek, some 80 km East of Cape Town and prides itself on its charming ambiance, gracious style and attentive service. Indeed, if you are seeking a hotel which exudes tranquility and beauty then look no further than the Protea Hotel Franschhoek.

Finally Nelspruit is a fun-loving  city surrounded by incredible natural attractions. There’s the Kruger National Park, the Panorama Route, the Blyde (Motlatse) River Canyon, God’s Window as well as streams, waterfalls, freshwater lakes and forests. It’s no wonder that this part of the world is a major tourist magnet.

The Nomndeni Lodge Fumanekile in Nelspruit offer guests the choice between Standard rooms, Executive rooms and Suites. All the rooms are luxurious, comfortable and fitted with the finest details and equipment to make your stay enjoyable, comfortable and memorable. The property has an amazing view over the Majestic Lowveld Landscape. The property has a great viewing deck with a swimming pool and BBQ facilities.

The Nomndeni View Lodge in Nelspruit offers guests the choice between standard rooms, executive rooms and suites. All the rooms are luxurious, comfortable and fitted with the finer details and equipment to make your stay enjoyable, comfortable and memorable

2010 Spinnathon and other reasons to visit Johannesburg

A couple of years ago I became aware of a new phenomenon in personal training.  Now don’t get me wrong this isn’t something that I became aware of because Axel my personal trainer suggested it in order to up the burn in my own personal work out.  No, not at all.  I became aware of it because I had a friend who was doing spinning classes and it created the image of people standing in a room with their arms outstretched turning round and round as quickly as possible and trying not to fall over. 

But if you take your spinning seriously then I’m betting you will be interested in the 2010 Spinnathon which takes place at Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton on 9 October 2010. All proceeds from the Spinnathon will go to the Hospice Association of the Witwatersrand, which provides nursing care and pain management for the terminally ill and emotional support for their families.

There are 200 spinning bikes per session, with professional spinning instructors leading each session. Various celebrities will be joining the spinners on the day. Lucky draws will take place and fun prices will be awarded for various categories. Each spinning session will run for 50 minutes, with a 10 minute break in-between, to facilitate changeover of bikes.

And once you’ve spun yourself silly for charity then why not head out and explore Johannesburg.  Often overlooked by people heading to the Western Cape Johannesburg is a vibrant exciting city

And once you have spun yourself crazy and raised lots of money for C-H-A-R-I-T-Y then choose from one of the many nearby hotels to relax and recuperate.

Such as the The Hilton Sandton which is a 5* property set in exclusive private gardens and offers a sophisticated low-rise design with six floors and 329 rooms. Visitors can take advantage of the superb *Highveld* weather and choose from an array of outdoor entertainment including a Health and Beauty Spa, a large outdoor pool and tennis court.

Or the Protea Hotel Balalaika Sandton which promises to be a tranquil oasis of country estate in the heart of Sandton.  The hotel comprises 330-bedrooms spread over two sections – the Balalaika and the Crown Court – and each room is air-conditioned and tastefully furnished in a classic, comfortable style with its own en suite bathroom, with many of the Crown Court suites offering the additional luxury of a private spa bath.

Or perhaps the InterContinental Johannesburg Sandton Towers is more for you.  An impressive landmark on the Sandton Skyline the InterContinental Johannesburg Sandton Towers is ideally located in the city’s most exclusive business and residential district. The hotel offers direct access to Sandton City Shopping Centre and is just a few minutes from the Apartheid Museum, the Hector Pietersen Museum and the stock exchange. The Guest rooms are comfortable, warm, inviting and well-equipped with a host of modern amenities to cater to the changing needs of the guests. You can dine at any of the onsite restaurants that serve a variety of delicious African, international as well as Portuguese specialties, in a relaxed setting. The bar is also an ideal place to relax and have a refreshing drink.

Wherever you choose to stay you are bound to discover that Jo’burg has much more to offer than you may have realised.

Is Table Moutain in Cape Town one of the 7 wonders of the world?

Ask any South African and many visitors and they will most likely tell you that Cape Town’s majestic Table Mountain has always been a natural wonder of the world. However now you can register your vote and make it official.

South African Minister of Tourism, Mr Marthinus van Schalkwyk has been drumming up support and for Table Mountain to be named as one of the 7 natural wonders of the world by registering his vote for this Cape Town landmark in the New7Wonders of Nature contest.  Minister van Schalkwyk made use of a new SMS voting mechanism to support South Africa’s entrant in the global contest.

“Following on from the massive success of the 2010 World Cup, South Africans can now focus on 2011 and a completely different contest,’ said the minister. ‘This is a campaign that aims to preserve the top 7 wonders of nature for future generations and it gives South Africa the opportunity to be written into the history books for many years to come.”

Competing against other iconic sites such as Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and the USA’s Grand Canyon, Table Mountain is on a shortlist of 28 sites from around the globe competing to be named one of the official New7Wonders of Nature.

The final 7 natural wonders will be determined by votes from the public. Voters, who participated in the preliminary rounds of the contest, catapulting Table Mountain onto the shortlist, can vote again in the final round to ensure Table Mountain makes it on to the final list of 7.

Previously, voting could only be completed online at www.votefortablemountain.com or by phoning +44 203 347 0901 and keying in Table Mountain’s code 7725. Supporters can now vote by SMS in addition to using the existing platforms.

To vote for Table Mountain, you can SMS the word TABLE to 34874. Each SMS will cost R2 and voters can vote as often as they like.

If you are not sure what all the fuss is about then we at the South Africa Hotel Experts highly recommend that you rectify that error forthwith and have many suggestions for wonderful hotels in Cape Town, many of which have stunning views of Table Mountain. 

Do you agree that Table Mountain should be on this list and what other places would you choose?