Top 5 South African must-sees for Socceroo fans
In just over a month South Africa will be on the world stage as the hosts of the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup. Hotels.com, the hotel experts, has done the ground work for Soceroo fans travelling to South Africa to support the Aussie team, and found the top five destinations to visit once the final whistles have blown.
Durban, Rustenburg and Nelspruit are the host cities of the three Socceroos group stage matches, but the action will continue in other parts of this magical country including Cape Town, the Garden Route and the Kruger National Park.
1.) Durban
Durban will be home to the Socceroos for their opening match as they play against competition heavyweights Germany on the 13th of June. The Socceroo game aside, Durban is a charming and vibrant city, with its famous four kilometres of beachfront known as the ‘Golden Mile’, at the very heart of the city. Durban is also a gateway to two UNESCO world heritage sites, The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park and Ukahlamba/Drakensberg National Park, which make it a convenient base from which to explore these two great wilderness areas.
3.) Sun City & the Pilanesberg Game Reserve
A short drive from the town of Rustenburg, which plays host to the second Socceroos match against Ghana on the 19th of June, the Sun City resort borders the Pilanesberg Game Reserve and offers travellers two world class golf courses, and the magical Lost City water-park, The Valley of Waves as well as a casino.
3.) Kruger National Park
The final match of the group stage for the Socceroos is against Serbia on the 23rd of June in the city of Nelspruit. The capital of the Mpumalanga province, home of the country’s most famous game reserves, Nelspruit is next door to the most famous of all, the Kruger National Park. A visit to South Africa would not be complete without a safari through this world famous wildlife reserve, where you can get up close to Africa’s Big Five (rhino, lion, elephant, leopard and buffalo).
4.) Cape Town & the Cape Winelands
Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Cape Town will be home to some first-class Soccer World Cup action. And, in between games the action will continue with adventure sports galore to keep you busy. For those who do not fancy bungy jumping or swimming with sharks, Table Mountain and the sparkling V&A Waterfront precinct are just a couple of places to explore.
Just a short drive from Cape Town is the wonderful Cape winelands, which produce some of the world’s best wines, sparkling wines, ports and brandies. Stellenbosch, which is a charismatic University town, is the main centre of South Africa’s premier wine region. Surrounded by spectacular mountains, Stellenbosch is the second oldest town in South Africa and oozes charm and history, attracting tourists from far and wide. The Stellenbosch wine route, which features 44 cellars along the along the four main roads leading to Stellenbosch, is a must for any wine-loving Aussie soccer fans.
5.) The Garden Route
Located mid-way between the coastal cities of Port Elizabeth and Cape Town is the famous Garden Route. This diverse and very beautiful part of South Africa, featuring lush coastal rainforests, beaches, craggy mountains, rolling farmlands and semi-arid interior, makes it an ideal road trip for those with a hire car. Be sure to stop off at the Tsitsikamma National Park, the charming coastal towns of Knysna and Mossel Bay, and inland the ostrich farming centre of Oudsthoorn and heart of the semi-arid Little Karoo.
read full article on au.travel.yahoo.com
Submit and shorten your wine link
