by Editor | Nov 1, 2006 | Africa, Johannesburg, Simon and Baker Travel Review, South Africa
What could be better after 48-hours of travel than an afternoon of spa pampering? Massages, body wraps and scrubs, facials, manicures, and pedicures all sounded appealing. The Renaissance Spa in the Michelangelo Towers next to the famous Nelson Mandela Square shopping arcade was a short cab drive from my Melrose boutique hotel. It offered a myriad treatment options and spa packages, as well as tanning and hair removal so I was sure I would find something I liked.
by Editor | Nov 1, 2006 | Africa, Cape Town, Simon and Baker Travel Review, South Africa
: Baia was near full when we arrived for dinner around 8 p.m. We had discovered the restaurant, tucked inside the large mall, on a previous visit and wondered how it faired in our absence. We sat at a comfortable table in the outer deck facing the waterfront with a sigh of relief (glad we had thought to make reservations in advance). Having spent the day driving to Cape Town and running errands in preparation for our departure on safari we had no time for lunch. Dinner, when it arrived, was most welcome – and delicious.
by Editor | Nov 1, 2006 | Africa, Kruger, Sabi Sand, Simon and Baker Travel Review, South Africa
Singita Boulders Lodge, situated within the coveted Sabi Sand Reserve just west of the Kruger National Park, offered understated luxury in a magnificent bush setting. Singita was named for the Shangaan word meaning “The Miracle.” Boulder’s Lodge, a distinctive luxury property with an elegant contemporary style fronting the Sand River for which the reserve is named, stood out for its fabulous adult oriented accommodations (children were welcome in a private section of the property); rustic elegant décor; tasty dishes; and varied activities options such as twice daily Big Five game viewing drives, cellar wine tastings, local village visits, shopping, work outs a the fitness center and spa treatments.
by Editor | Nov 1, 2006 | Africa, Cape Town, Simon and Baker Travel Review, South Africa
We found Tokara 60 kilometers from central Cape Town, high atop a mountain pass known as the Heights of Hell (Helshoogte in Afrikaans) named perhaps because of how tough it was to get an ox-wagon up over the pass in the old days. It was one of those strikingly beautiful, sunny and hot Cape Town days.
by Editor | Nov 1, 2006 | Africa, Cape Town, Simon and Baker Travel Review, South Africa
This small family owned luxury property located in the heart of Cape Town was a jewel. Renovated from a home that had fallen into hard times, the property was carefully spruced up and decorated to accent its assets. The 200 square meter Owner’s Villa, my favorite part of the property, was a two-story one bedroom villa next to the main building. Downstairs, it had its own entrance, social area, fully equipped kitchen, private plunge pool, entertainment center, high speed Internet access and terrace. Upstairs, there were comfortable and attractive sleeping quarters for a couple. Someone dedicated much time and care to ensure Villa guests a good looking, roomy and well appointed place to retreat from the city’s excitement while remaining within easy reach of all the Cape Town fun.
by Editor | Nov 1, 2006 | Africa, Johannesburg, Simon and Baker Travel Review, South Africa
It was 3:45 a.m. when my hotel room phone rang the day after my arrival in South Africa. A few minutes later I dashed out of the room in a whirl of sweaters, full of excitement and anticipation. What had me energized at 4 a.m.? A balloon ride in the Cradle of Humankind. A half hour taxi ride later I found myself at the entrance of a hotel in the outskirts of Johannesburg greeting Mary Harrop, wife and co-owner of Bill Harrop’s Original Balloon Safaris. From there Mary described our upcoming flight with enthusiasm while we drove in a minivan to the picturesque Kloofricht Lodge from which we would be launching the balloon. We were only about 60 kilometers from Johannesburg and yet it felt like a world apart. Mary explained that the area boasted some of the safest and most reliable ballooning weather in the world.
