South Africa in the Movies

With its beautiful backdrops, fascinating culture and tumultuous history, it’s no surprise that South Africa has been the setting for several successful movies. The combination of mountains and movie stars is undoubtedly a recipe for success as the popularity of these films has demonstrated.
Invictus
The most recent film to be made about South Africa, Invictus merges the story of Nelson Mandela’s opening year in office with the progress of the national rugby team in their bid to win the 1995 World Cup. The film documents Mandela’s attempts to use the success of the sports team to unite a country that has suffered from a rift for many years. Directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon this was sure to be a box office hit for 2010. The World Cup final takes place in Cape Town, and during the build up the viewer is privy to some phenomenal shots of Table Mountain and the surrounding landscapes. Nominated for two Oscars and a Golden Globe, this film perfectly encapsulates South Africa’s history and tells the story of one its most famous leaders.
Blood Diamond
In Blood Diamond, you will see a slightly different side of South Africa and parts of this film are certainly not for the faint-hearted. However, it relays an important message about the way in which many of the diamonds worn by westerners have been acquired. The movie is set in a number of locations, depicting small local villages, the city of Cape Town, and the forests and mountains surrounding the city. The lead role really gives Leonardo di Caprio the chance to test out a more rough and ready style of acting, though his South African accent can be questionable at times. Though this film is heart-wrenching in some places and somewhat violent in others, it raises awareness about the blood diamonds that are being exported out of the country even now.
District 9
Mingling everyday life in South Africa with the arrival of extra-terrestrials, this film focuses purely on fantasy. The film tells of the arrival of an enormous space ship over Cape Town, from which an entire race of aliens exit and set up home in slums on the outskirts of the city. In the course of the film, a government agent becomes exposed to the aliens’ biotechnology, and as he begins to slowly evolve into an extra-terrestrial being himself, he begins to understand the plight of the aliens and fight their corner. Less of a depiction of South Africa’s history or contemporary life, this film focuses purely on the futuristic sci-fi. However, as the camera pans out across the slums, the backdrop of Table Mountain never fails to impress. Nominated for 4 Oscars, District 9 is an interesting take on the South African lifestyle.
Boasting a wealth of interesting history, intriguing culture, and beautiful scenery, South Africa is not only an ideal topic for a film, but it is the perfect location for filming. Many box office bonanzas have been produced either on, or in, this fascinating location, and many more are yet to come.

Great Family Vacation on the Ocean

There is little to compare to standing on the beach looking out over the ocean at sunrise or sunset. If you’ve never been to the Texas Gulf Coast region, especially Galveston Island, you’ll be surprised at all there is to see and do including the beaches and ocean. And one of the best and least expensive Texas Gulf Coast vacations on Galveston Island is to rent a beach house.
Galveston Island is located about 50 miles south of Houston, Texas. You can fly into Hobby Airport and it’s only a 38 mile drive to Galveston Island. You can use one of the four Limo Services for about $35 (one way) or take a Taxi for around $70, or rent a car for as little as $27 per day at Enterprise. If you’re staying at a beach house, a car would be your best bet since most of the beach house rentals are on the west side of the island.
There are many reasons to stay at a beach house besides being on or near the ocean. Considering what hotels cost for a family, a beach house offers considerable savings both in lodging cost and not having to spend money on eating out for every meal. It’s like camping only a whole lot better with a beach house. And many beach houses allow pets so you don’t have to leave any family members at home.
There are also many different sizes and locations of beach house to rent for any budget. There are three general seasons and rates for beach house rentals. High season (most expensive) is Summer and runs from June to September. Spring Season is March to May, and Fall/Winter Season is September to February. Depending on the season, you can find the smaller near beach (2-5 blocks) for as little as $400 per week. And if you have a big family and want to go in the summer to a house 100 feet from the ocean, you can spend up to $5,000 for a week.
You can cook out or eat in with beautiful ocean views and have all the comforts of home. Most beach houses come with everything you need like linens, dishes and cooking utensils, wide screen TVs and DVD players, Wifi Internet access, large decks, barbecues, and washer and dryers. Saving money and all the conveniences of home right on or near the beach.
In addition to the over 30 miles of beach, Galveston has many different attractions for just about anyone. Here’s a brief list:
·Moody Gardens – Aquarium Pyramid, IMAX 3D Theater, Rainforest Pyramid, Paddlewheel Boat rides and Palm Beach which is a great place for kids to swim in protected area.
·Schlitterbahn Waterpark – both indoor and outdoor facilities, many water rides.
·The Strand – Famous historic area with many boutiques, restaurants, and walking tours of area.
·Magic Carpet & Bungee Fun – Amusement complex with rides, batting cages, and of course Bungee Jumping.
·Treasure Isle Tour Train – A 17 mile narrated tour of the historic parts of the city.
·Galveston Ferry – Ferry that travels to adjacent Bolivar Island. Fun to ride and also visit Bolivar and High Island for some great bird watching.
·Bird Watching – There are up to 300 different bird species that live or pass though Galveston area.
·Fishing – From the Galveston Fishing Pier, along the beach, or crabbing in the canals, or Charter Fishing Boats.
There are many more attractions and fun things to do for free too. Stop by the Galveston Visitor’s Center for free brochures, maps, and other information about Galveston. It’s located on 2027 61st Street and is open from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm every day.
And if you like to go out to eat at restaurants to take a break from meals at the beach house there are many great restaurants. From seafood to steaks, Italian to Vietnamese, fast food to barbecue, you name it and Galveston has a restaurant that serves it. And they have just about every possible ice cream and confection style treats along the Seawall Boulevard along the east side beaches.
All in all, taking a vacation at Galveston Island and staying at a beach house is fun and can be very inexpensive. And there’s something for just about any type of person whether you just want to lay around and watch the surf or go on daily excursions for adventure and fun.

Discover a Different Sort of Holiday - Walking in Italy

It’s not easy to find new superlatives to describe Italy and its people. The magnificent countryside, the warm and spontaneous hospitality of its people, the cuisine, its history and culture, are all rightly world-famous. There is though, a way to enjoy all of these things to the fullest extent possible – and that’s by taking a walking in Italy holiday.
Escaping to Italy
“A man who has not been in Italy, is always conscious of an inferiority”
The above saying is attributed to Dr Samuel Johnson in the 18th century. It’s hard not to feel that there’s some truth in this because Italy has so much to offer as a holiday destination.
Firstly, there are the cities – the homes of stunning architecture, history and art. Whenever people are asked about famous architecture to see in the world, you can be sure that names such as Venice, Pisa, Rome and Florence will all come to mind.
Then there is the countryside with its mountains, hills, valleys, vineyards, coastline, beaches, islands and of course, even volcanoes!
Italy is also famous for its gastronomy. Italian food, if well prepared, is simply breathtaking and many experts (and not just the Italian ones!) argue that Italian cuisine stands easily on a par with that of the French.
Add to this the Italian people themselves and what more could you ask for in a holiday?
Modern tourism in Italy
Italy was one of the modern world’s first mass-tourism markets and was developed as such in the 1950s and 1960s. This brought significant prosperity to some parts of Italy but as always, with it came the challenges of crowds and a certain degree of ‘internationalisation’ that is common in many beautiful tourist destinations. Today, finding the ‘real Italy’ is still possible – even at the very centre of some of its most popular destinations. One way to achieve this, is through a walking in Italy holiday.
Walking in Italy – Experiencing Life
There are two main reasons why you may want to consider such a holiday:
•You just like walking and exploring on foot.
•You want to get off the usual routes and get in closer touch with Italy and the Italians.
If you’re not familiar with walking holidays, let’s deal with one misperception – they are NOT geared up for supermen/women. There is a very large range of such holidays that are available and will suit all fitness ranges and interests. Many are very gentle and undemanding and certainly suitable for the more mature holidaymaker. Guided walks are a great way of getting away from the worst of the crowds and those overly familiar tourist itineraries. You have the opportunity, for example, to explore isolated coastal paths or hidden coves.
Perhaps you’re more interested in mountaintop villages where you can be dropped a comfortable distance from your destination and from there continue on foot, experiencing the country as you go.
If you enjoy Italian wine, you may like to explore some vineyards under the expert eye of your tour leader who can explain in detail all those things that conventional tourists just don’t have the time to see and hear.
Even in the city centres, walking from one site to another and using your tour leader’s knowledge to arrive at the best times, will help you see and understand far more than may be possible from the windows of a coach. Walking in Italy can help you see the country as Italians see it.
Walking in Italy – an experience but also a holiday
The modern Italian walking holiday doesn’t assume you’re still a teenage back-packer that is happy roughing it. The range of holidays varies, but the accommodation and facilities provided will always be gauged from comfortable right up to luxurious if that’s what you want. Breaks are available from just a few days right up to a few weeks. They can be centred on one concept, such as coastal explorations in Sicily, or you can take split holidays that involve a week of walks in the countryside around Vesuvius and Pompeii, combined with a few days walking around one (or more) of the great cities.
Walking in Italy can be a joy when the guided walks are undertaken with a good tour leader and in a well-planned environment. Have fun!

Outdoor Adventures With Luxury Car Hire in Namibia

You may be on an adventure, but luxury car hire in Namibia still gives you the perfect blend of comfort and action – allowing you to experience the best of both worlds with a highly comfortable 4x4 or mini-van that is perfectly suited to help you get from destination to destination in style and luxury. While the harsh climate and extreme terrains of Namibia are not suited to luxury car hire options such as BMW, Mercedes or Porsche, it is still possible to hire a top of the line luxury ride that will ensure that you never have to worry about surviving the long haul in a cramped and uncomfortable vehicle.
Take to the road in a ultra spacious vehicle such as the VW T5 Microbus or Toyota Quantum, and experience features such as air-conditioning, power steering, air bags, sound system and endless space – perfect for nights where pitching a tent is simply too much hard work, and you wish to have a comfortable base to catch a few winks before heading back out to the road.
To add even more comfort and luxury to your travel experience, try these tips during your luxury car rental experience:
•Get the best tent that you can afford. Waterproof and mosquito proof tents are the best, and ideally your tent should sleep a minimum of two – look out for the larger dome tents that comprise of a spacious entrance for a seriously upmarket option that will see you protected against all the elements.
•Look out for down-filled sleeping bags with soft waterproof covers. Namibia’s weather can go from blistering heat to below zero freezing depending on where you are situated – beat the cold desert temperatures with a luxurious sleeping bag that keeps you as snug as a bug in a rug during your trip.
•Don’t forget the little extras. Just because you are staying in a tent, it doesn’t mean that you have to compromise on luxury or quality. Good quality camping mattresses, travel packs of your favourite body lotion and shower goodies, comfortable clothing in soft cottons, comfortable and easy to pack camping chairs and soft jerseys for cooler days all do wonders for adding a touch of home comforts to your camping experience.
•Invest in good quality luggage. This includes backpacks that have ample room to keep your essentials on your when you are backpacking, as well as roomy suitcases that store your equipment and clothing adequately and can easily be stored during your mini-bus or 4x4 hire.
•Include a night or two at a luxury lodge on your trip. Namibia boasts a number of outstanding safari lodges, including tented camps that boast just about everything you could ever need for a perfect sleep – ideal for a break from tents, sleeping bags and endless driving.
•Essential tools to ensure a comfortable trip are vital. This includes choosing the GPS enabled vehicle option when hiring your car, as well as items such as first-aid kit, torches with plenty of batteries, water bottles, spare tires, candles, matches, Swiss army knife and all the other last minute details you think you may need to stay safe, comfortable and organised during your adventure.
You don’t need to spend a fortune to add a touch of comfort and style to your off-roading experience, and with the right luxury car rental in Namibia, you can be sure that you travel in sumptuousness at all times.

Your Family Will Love Orlando Vacation Villas

Orlando vacation villas are idea for a family vacation. If you are thinking of taking the kids and other family members to Disney World, Florida, choosing a villa is the most cost effective solution, but it is not only that which will make you glad you chose a villa.
The amount of space you get for your money is second to none with a holiday villa: you can have upwards of three all the way to eight bedrooms if you have a large family or a group of friends with you. Even the 3 and 4 bedroom Orlando vacation villas have spacious living rooms, dining rooms and a fully equipped kitchen that includes a washing machine and dryer, so you have no need to have piles of washing and drying to deal with when you get back home.
Each home has its own screened heated swimming pool for your privacy, and an area to lounge around the pool. You will also generally have a garden area for the children to play in so you know what they are doing and that they are safe. In fact think of it as your second home, sometimes even better equipped than your own home which is always a plus when you are on vacation. In fact, why should you not spend your vacation with a bit of luxury rather than cramped in a hotel room or even a chalet!
There are enough bathrooms for everyone in a villa and they all come with a large TV screen, sometimes more than one, and if you have elected for one of the larger villas you could even have your own movie theatre room or games room in which to chill out.
The advantage over a hotel is that you don’t have to go down for breakfast at a certain time of day - you can lie in bed until you want to get up and not when the rules say you have to. You can choose what you want to eat throughout the day if you are home and when you want to eat. You are free to dine in one of the many restaurants in Orlando - Chinese, Indian, American, French or Italian, whatever you fancy, or you could just order food to be delivered or put a few ribs on the barbeque at the villa.
The point is you are in control of your food, your times and your budget. Another great advantage over a hotel is that you have lots of space in an Orlando vacation villa and the house is detached, compared with being stuck in a hotel room with anonymous neighbours a wall away in a catacomb of corridors. The kids don’t have to be quiet in a villa as they may have to in a hotel - and neither do you!
Choosing a villa over a cabin or camping holiday offers the benefit that you have all the utensils and facilities you need to make your vacation comfortable and, like a second home, you need make no compromises. You will have space and comfort you need, and your own private pool so if any kids do you know what, at least they are your own kids!
If you want to see a bit of Orlando as well as the famous Disney World, you must hire a car to get you around the place. You will be able to use the car for the Disney attractions, the amazing four theme parks and two water parks. There is so much to do, and you will need to spend a few days trying all your favourite rides - both you and your kids.
When you have had enough of the theme parks, you could rest at the villa sunbathing and chilling by the pool. However, there is so much to do and see in Orlando that you will likely be reserving that luxury for the evenings when the children are tired out (you hope) and safely tucked up in bed.
Orlando is packed full of attractions such as Gatorland, Universal Studios, or take a shopping trip to one of the famous Orlando malls such as Prime 1 Outlets Mall or Festival Bay Mall on International Drive. The shopping is fantastic in Orlando and there are many great places to eat out.
One day you may just want to take it easy back at the villa and cook your own food in your own time. You won’t be disappointed with the kitchen. All the appliances you need such as cooker, microwave oven and large fridge are right there, and all the cookware and utensils you will need are available for you to cook at your leisure, while the others chill by the pool waiting for you to join them: relaxation at its best. Shouldn't that be what a vacation is about?
So, if you are thinking about visiting Orlando for your vacation the best accommodation choice would be one of the relaxing beautiful Orlando vacation villas for which the city is famed: a home from home and more.
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