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Contrary to popular belief Johannesburg has a lot to offer the vacationer/traveller. Being historically and currently the Gold Mining capital of Africa there is much more to do than visit the mining museums although they are very interesting. There is even a theme park, Gold Reef City, built around one of the oldest mines. A definite day visit for the whole family when vacationing in South Africa.

Johannesburg must have the most diverse cuisine in the country. You will find restaurants that represent every culture and corner of the earth. For the Arts and Crafts enthusiasts you are in for a treat. The Rooftop Market is one of the largest arts and crafts markets in Africa. You will find all the arts, crafts and souvenirs you would want for your trip to Africa here and then you could enjoy the rest of your holiday relaxing. For the husband and children who don’t want to shop there are a number of restaurants and activities in the immediate area while the shoppers negotiate prices.

An extremely popular visit is now a guided tour of Soweto. I stress a guided tour, do not try it on your own.

Be warned though, Johannesburg, is the busiest city in South Africa. However the street systems are as advanced as any “first world” country. Now get out of the Rat Race of Johannesburg. Fifteen to twenty kilometres north away from the hustle and bustle is the “Cradle of Humankind”, declared a world heritage site. The theory is that creation stemmed from the cradle of human kind and the oldest human fossil was found in the caves, “The Wonder Caves”, recently featured as part of the television reality show “The Amazing Race”. Adjacent to them is a couple of game parks, large enough to wet your appetite for the great Kruger National Park later in your vacation. Now that you are familiar with the area you should do the “Crocodile Ramble” on the weekend. This will take you further north with numerous local artist attractions on the route. You will end up in the Haartebeestport Dam area, a weekend retreat for the locals in Johannesburg, which offers a multitude of water sports, hiking, biking, relaxation and recreation.

This is just a short list of attractions Johannesburg has to offer the tourist. World-class accommodations abound here for the businessman to the family vacationers. South Africa is fast becoming the “first world” vacation destination. Already real estate prices have rocketed after the international investor discovered the relatively cheaper property prices.

South Africa will be hosting the Fifa Soccer World Cup in the year 2010 with numerous more attractions being built besides the already world famous wild life game parks and lodges.

Visit http://www.mysunsite.com for more worldwide articles and reviews for your next vacation destination.

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Get the idea? All together now, TRAVEL LIGHT!

I’ve seen people going on a ONE WEEK bus tour to Holland and here’s what they carry into the check-in line at the airport: a large hardside suitcase on wheels, probably 40-50 pounds, a backpack stuffed to it’s fullest extent, say another 25 pounds, and then some kind of cosmetic case, hand bag or carry-all, let’s say another 10 pounds. All this for a bus tour of one week’s duration in Holland, one of the most modern of European countries!

I’ll have a backpack, 20-25 pounds max, and the clothes on my back and I’m set for THREE WEEKS. I’ll be first out of the airport, first ready to go in the morning. Porters look at me with disdain and look for fatter fish to cheat out of a large tip. Con artists figure I’m too cheap to bother with. In fact, most of the time I don’t look like a tourist at all and that makes for those serendipitous meetings with the locals that can make the whole trip! After you’ve tried travelling light once, you’ll never go back.

I like this line I read once (I think it was in one of Rick Steeve’s excellent tour guides): You can’t travel heavy, happy, and cheap. Pick two.

When you travel, make a decision before you start; lay out on your bed or on the floor what you think you’ll need, then leave at least half of it behind. And then go through the remainder and chuck most of it aside.

Your motto for happy travel should be: Pack light and pack smart.

Most of my travel has been to Europe, some guided tours, most not, so what I’m going to say applies to European destinations. But I can guarantee you that if I was leaving tomorrow for Australia, Thailand, or Hong Kong just to travel around, see the sights, meet people, I’d still have my 25lb backpack, and that’s all. We’re not talking business travel here, or deluxe tours. If you can afford a deluxe tour, or you’re traveling on the company’s dime, then I guess you can afford to pay for all the extra luggage, porters, etc.

First off, if you don’t already have one, get a 9″ x 22″ x 14″ carry-on-size bag. I favor the new backpacks this size with the two wheels fitted into the bottom with an extension type handle so it can be pulled along. Even though I’m a reasonably fit 76 years, there’s times when I don’t feel like carrying 25 pounds around on my back for extended periods. Even on bus tours, you would be surprised at how much walking you may be doing towing and/or toting your luggage along with you. Some cities there may be no parking available at the hotel where the tour has you booked into. Your bus will pull into a parking lot four-five blocks away and then the tour guide will gaily chat you up along the way, hoping to distract you from the distance you have to schlep to the hotel.

Here’s a good hint. Pack your luggage, then go for a half-hour walk. Pretend you’re walking along the Champs Elysees in Paris on a hot summer afternoon and practice being a tourist. How does it feel? Fully loaded with everything you intend to take, would you enjoy window shopping, shepherding your luggage while you stop for “un ‘tit blanc” at that quaint caf

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The Bahamian Islands cover 100,000-square-miles of tropical paradise that comprises over 650 islands and 2400 cays and located a mere 50 miles off the Florida coast. Once called the “Isles of Perpetual June” by George Washington, the Bahamas is blessed with a tropical climate that makes it a year-round destination for people who long for a relaxation from the grueling North American scene. An excellent time to visit the Bahamas is in the summer, which falls between June and August. Winter is sometimes surprisingly cold, and daily high temperatures in the Bahamas rarely go below 60

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