By June next year South Africa will be in a football frenzy as the 2010 FIFA World Cup kicks off. Matches will take place across the country, from Johannesburg (home of the final) to the relatively small town of Photeng in the North West. However, Cape Town - the country’s most popular tourist destination - will see its fair share of matches also, and a great number of sporting greats will grace the pitch at the city’s Green Point Stadium.

So if you are planning on heading to the World Cup next summer, with beautiful scenery and cheap flights to Cape Town, Green Point is certainly one stadium to give serious consideration. So what else is there to do between matches?

Cape Town is perhaps most famous for its natural and geological surroundings. The city is flanked by the dramatic landmark, Table Mountain with its distinct flat top and striking elevation of more than 1,000 metres. The mountain also makes up part of the Table Mountain National Park which also incorporates the Cape of Good Hope. Encircling the city there are numerous wine regions including Constantia in the south, Stellenbosch in the east and Paarl in the north - which are all easy to access from the city centre.

June is one of the coolest months of the year in the area but still hits average highs of 18 degrees Celsius. Consequently, it would be foolish to expect sweltering beach weather at this time, but that isn’t to say Cape Town’s beaches are not worth a little exploration even if the weather is under par. Restaurants and bars line the beach at Clifton, while Boulders Beach is famed for being home to a colony of African Penguins.

There is much to be enjoyed in the centre of Cape Town also, and the city boasts an excellent infrastructure for both visitors and the 3,000,000+ people who live there. Bo-Kapp is a vibrant multicultural district that is known for its picturesque colourful streets and its rich history best exemplified at the Bo-Kaap Museum. More particular attractions include the Two Oceans Aquarium and the Artscape Theatre Centre - and you can bet there will be much on the way celebrations and parties filling these streets during the event. Cape Town will no doubt be one of the hottest destinations in Africa next year, it is best to book flights and rooms early to avoid disappointment.

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Sarah Maple writes for Gohop.ie about cheap flights to South Africa and other great sun holidays.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

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As wet and windy weather reaches the UK and Ireland, reports of increasing interest in cheap sun holidays abroad are being widely reported across the media. Recent data from Holidays Direct has shown that The Canaries are one of the top destinations for UK holidaymakers this year - which is not altogether surprising - but what keeps visitors flocking back year on year?

Located just off the west coast of Morocco, in comparison to other island breaks The Canary Islands are close and easily accessible. The islands are a Spanish archipelago with volcanic origins, perhaps best exemplified by the almost 4,000 metre tall Mount Teide on the island of Tenerife - and also the Hacha Grande mountain, Lanzarote.

Due to their geography and unique location, the islands offer great diversity in terms of climate and environment - with snow covering the peaks during colder parts of the year and near desert conditions on the lowlands. Gran Canaria, with a population of over 800,000 (making it the second most populous of The Canaries), boasts both cooler and wetter lands in the north and a sunnier south warmed by the Sahara. Consequently, there is a great array of flora and fauna to be seen, such as the El Hierro Giant Lizard (found only on the island from which it takes its name), and the endangered Loggerhead Turtle.

The abundant marine life around the extensive coastline of the islands makes the area very popular for recreational activities and sports such as scuba diving, surfing, swimming and sailing. Yet, perhaps surprisingly, one of the island’s most well known sporting exports is not related to the water at all. Canarian Wrestling (or Lucha Canaria) has been officially practiced since the 1800s and involves two competitors who must aim to push each other to the floor in a ring of sand, without the use of their feet.

Canarian Wrestling (and other folk sports such as Shepherd’s Leap) are good examples of the rich and identifiable culture of The Canaries. Additionally, the islands are also famed for the typically Canarian cuisine. Roasted fish is an island staple, but so too is chicken and beef (ropa vieja) and bienmesabe - a dessert made from almonds, lemon and egg. Typical beverages of the area include Tropical Beer (from the Canarias Brewery) and Malvasia wine.

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Sarah Maple writes for Gohop.ie who offer great sun holidays like Cuba holidays or Orlando holidays.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

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Tenerife in the Canary Islands is an ever popular choice for out of season sunshine. Holidaymakers looking for a winter break will be greeted by stunning sandy beaches, numerous activities and plenty of affordable Tenerife hotels as well as temperatures which remain above 20°C for most of the year round. Combine this with well over 300 days of sunshine a year and Tenerife proves itself to be a top contender as a winter paradise hot spot.

Finding the right accommodation
The right accommodation can shape the course of an entire holiday - just as the wrong accommodation can. Fortunately, Tenerife has a huge range of options making it easier to find the perfect place to stay. From cheap hotels and self catering apartments to luxury resorts, there is something for every type of traveller. The key is getting the balance between location and affordability and choosing an all inclusive package can turn out to be a good solution. Holidaymakers can actually save money when compared with the costs of eating out every night, without compromising on other key factors.

Keeping everyone entertained
Tenerife has a huge amount to offer visitors of all ages so it is easy to find activities that everyone will enjoy, whether travelling with family, friends or a partner. The island’s landscapes have been shaped by volcanic activity over thousands of years and both adults and children alike can enjoy a journey through Teide National Park, marvelling at the scenery as they head towards the summit of Mount Teide. More family fun can be found at the various zoos, water parks and amusement parks on the island, and then of course there is the beach, where water sports, sunbathing and other beach activities will make for a very merry winter holiday all round.

De-stressing
De-stressing and forgetting the cares of daily life are what a holiday should be all about and Tenerife offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy some winter relaxation. Laying back in the sunshine on the beach is an obvious start, but for those needing a more intense de-stress there are spa facilities available at a number of the cheap hotels in Tenerife.

Getting into the festive spirit
Holidaymakers who are visiting over the Christmas period will have no trouble staying in a cheerful, festive mood. Tenerife is a well established tourist destination and a part of the Canary Islands archipelago, which is an autonomous community of Spain, meaning there is plenty of traditional Christmas spirit to be found on the island, from tinsel to turkey. The hotels in Tenerife will often offer special food and entertainment, while those yearning for a bit of Christmas snow may even find some on Mount Teide.

Getting creative with Christmas presents
For those planning to be on the island for Christmas day itself, creative present buying can help to save money, save baggage space and make sure the holiday truly is one to remember. A scuba diving session, spa treatment, chance to swim with dolphins or a few hours horse riding through the Tenerife countryside could make an excellent gift and may even be something that couples or families can enjoy together, making memories for a lifetime.

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Lauren Charles writes articles on travel and hotels in top destinations around the world.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com

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