World Cup Football Fever Grips Australia

Football World Cup fever has already started for Australia, as they have qualified for the next round of qualification to the competition being held in South Africa in 2010.

The Socceroos ( don't you just love the Australian twist to everything!) beat Qatar to keep their hopes alive of playing in South Africa.

Check out what fantastic places they can visit and things they can do on their rest days if they do get there, by going to Tailor Made South Africa Travel and also HubPages.

Cape Town Waterfront Buzz

Cape Town's famous Waterfront is the envy of the world! Official.

Take a look at this particular Victoria, Canada resident and her view of this magical place. She says that Victoria is the polar opposite of the progressive insight Cape Town has had with its own docklands.

When I first visited in the early 80's, the vibrant, colourful place that is the Waterfront today didn't exist. A drab, neglected collection of warehouses, run-down docks and depleted fishing industry was all that was there.

No doubt a lot of naysayers didn't get their way, but it is testament to the vision of a small group of people who set the ball rolling and haven't given up!

Today it is truly alive with activity, music, colour and people. A must-not miss on anyone's itinerary!

I've Squidoo'd again!

I've been busy building a South Africa Squidoo page! Go and have a look at all my hard work building a resource for South Africa ...

Tailor Made South Africa's Squidoo page

Do leave a comment and let me know what you think of it. How do you think I can improve it?

My Life Changing Journey Through South Africa

Take a trip to South Africa and you will soon find out that the reality and the news are two different things. Of course there is violence, muggings and atrocities that we would rather not think about, and these things do happen all over the world not just in South Africa, but take a read of this blog, My Life Changing Journey, that I've come across and I think you will agree that Maria, her friend and two Jack Russell dogs have truly found the REAL South Africa.

Take the time to read and join them on their journey through this extraordinary country. You have to be there to see it ...

Tailor Made Australia Travel Joins Family

Tailor Made Australia Travel finally joins the Tailor Made family! Since the success of Tailor Made South Africa Travel last year, I have taken the plunge and added luxury personalized Australia travel to my portfolio of Helen Palmer Vacations.

I have partnered with a fantastic company in Australia to bring you Australia tailor made for you, just as I do South Africa. Each itinerary that we produce is especially for you, so that you can have the vacation YOU want, how you want it.

Don't want to be ferried around in a bus with 50 other people, but still want to have the best information, best prices and luxury accommodation?

Then look no further!

We find out exactly what type of holiday you have in mind, be it Australia or South Africa and we tailor the plan to your budget, your special interests, your desires. What could be better?

Make sure you get your own copy of our special report for South Africa, 9 Surefire Ways to have the Safari in South Africa You always wanted.

Coming soon - Australia's special report

Sure-fire Australia Destination Travel Ideas That Will Guarantee You Have The Luxury Australia Vacation You Desire

Check back soon!

The Elephant Has Been Eaten!

I'm really glad you are reading this because...

I’ve finally done it! The frustrations have been considerable and far too many to mention here, you will be relieved to know, but I have now “given birth” to my “elephant!

I’ve taken it bit by bit, as any good “elephant” eater will tell you and now it is finally here.

“An Insider’s Guide To South Africa: 101 Things You Should Know Before Visiting Cape Town” has hit the virtual “book stands” in the form of an immediately downloadable ebook in PDF format.

Find out those all important facts about a travel destination everyone has on their MUST DO list. Whet your appetite – here are just a few of the things you will discover within its pages:

• Looking for the insider secrets? Check out page 4 on where to look
• Find out why the Cape of Good Hope had an early change of name
• How the city evolved into today’s Cape Town - Castles, grand houses, luxury and magnificence
• Why Cosmopolitan Cape Town continues to thrive - how the buzz and energy seeps into your pores
• Discover the Gold of Africa – twenty carat gold chunks and glittering gold artefacts depicting the wealth and power of African kings
• District Six where you can find the history of apartheid and its devastating effects on the “ordinary” people
• The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront - a mecca for those looking for the finest restaurants, shops, entertainment, living. A must read - find it on page 25
• Day Jaunts and Overnight stays - the choice is yours
• Discover the beauties of Cape Point and swim with penguins
• Sip wine all day under spreading oak trees, with your picnic laid out beside you on the Wine Route
• Shopping, Entertainment, Sports - not just for adults, but all the best things for children to get delighted about too!
• Where To Stay, Eat and be merry … let us whet your appetite
• And much, much more … we are longing to show you how dazzling this city at the foot of Africa REALLY is …

It’s been nearly 24 months in the planning, writing, organising, uploading etc, but you can now get the book at Tailor Made South Africa Travel.

I would love to know your thoughts on the book ... so check back soon and let me know!

Happy reading ...

Rugby World Cup Clash for South Africa and England

Rugby World Cup fever has hit our household! South Africa and England are in the final and we are torn with who to support! Normally we support both teams because they don't play each other that frequently, but now they are both in the final ...

Sport in South Africa is amazing. Every bar, restaurant or shop has a television tuned into the sport of the moment, be it cricket, rugby, golf - the choice is endless. Everyone takes an interest, especially when the cricket is on, stopping by to ask the latest score, how's he doing, who's batting? It encompasses one and all, young and old.

Well, I'm going to sit firmly on the fence and say, "may the best team win!" You make your own minds up ... who do you want to win and why?

PS. Check out Percy Montgomery's hair. Apparently, the English players have to ruffle his hair to put him off his stride. His nickname is Peacock.

African Bird Off-Course For Its Winter Destination

I went up to our villa rental on the Costa Brava, Spain yesterday, mainly just to check that everything was OK and also to show TorreMirona Golf & Spa Resort to a friend over from the UK. It was also a great excuse for lunch at one of my favourite haunts, Tamariu.

Whilst standing gazing at the spectacular view towards the Pyrenees mountains, I spotted an African Hoopoe bird sitting in our garden!

The photo above is courtesy of photo © Arkadiy Yarmolenko.

These amazing African birds spend the South African winter here in the southern and central parts of Europe before heading south again for the summer.

I think he must have been stocking up on grubs for his journey, as the weather here in Spain is decidedly Autumnal and I think he will be beginning to miss the sunshine! But how lucky was I?!

Check out this particular website for more African birds you can see on your travels to South Africa.

South Africa Vacation - Johannesburg to Cape Town Testimonial

Here is a great testimonial from some very satisfied customers! I think it says it all - to take two teenage boys on holiday with you and to keep them both happy and interested takes a lot of doing, but it seems we got it right ...

Spectacular! Seems the only thing we missed was meeting you..found some evidence at Jo'burg car hire though! Heartfelt thanks from us all, we had a fabulous time, grand accommodation, great people, and Rhino Post was a fitting final fanfare...from the elephants, we were surrounded at one point...

We swam, swung through trees, caved, cage dived, flew in helicopters round Cape Point and walked across the Kruger...and lots more

Our friends who live in SA were very impressed with our itinerary and joined us for various nights...so a BIG pat on the back...we could not have done this without your excellent help and interpretation of what we enjoy. You (and SA to be fair!) have wildly (pun intended) exceeded our expectations.

Best regards
Peter Jo Miles and Harrison

Not everyone has to have such an exciting "wild" vacation. We are currently planning an itinerary for an extra special 50th wedding anniversary with luxury safaris, helicopter flights over the Victoria Falls, Hippo watching on the Zambezie and ending on the beaches of Mozambique to watch the magnificent sunsets. Where do you want to go in South Africa?

Let us know and we will plan your itinerary especially for you ...