Travel Intelligence’s Top Six South African Hotels for an Alternative World Cup

Whether you’re anticipating South Africa’s 2010 World Cup or are oblivious to sports in general, it’s clear the event has placed South Africa at the top of many a traveler’s wish-list. And why not? Even if you aren’t heading to SA to appreciate Ronaldo’s skills on the pitch, there’s a huge array of things to see and do for adventure seekers and relaxation-lovers alike. So while the crowds flock to the stadiums, here’s our pick of best of the rest of what South Africa’s loveliest luxury hotels have to offer this June...

Being in the heart of things...
Sugar Hotel, Cape Town
Check in to Sugar Hotel for a slice of buzzing urban life in the heart of Cape Town. The hotel is close to the bars, restaurants and picturesque sights of the V&A waterfront, as well as plenty of Cape beaches. Need quiet time? With just seven rooms, a serene spa and outdoor swimming pool, the hotel’s intimate atmosphere makes it a perfect retreat from the crowds, too.

Whale watching...
Marine Square, Hermanus
South Africa’s whale watching season starts in June, so head to whale-watching capital Hermanus and a stay at the luxury Marine Square. The Hermanus cliffs are one of the best places to spot whales from land in the world, so pack a pair of binoculars and keep your eyes peeled! The Marine Square’s suite-apartments are an ideal base to return to after a long walk, decked out as they are in all-white furniture and home comforts like flatscreen TVs and free Wi-Fi.

Getting away from it all...
Ichibi Lakeside Lodge Hotel, Wilderness
Dying for a nature-escape? Ichibi Lakeside Lodge in the heart of the Wilderness on South Africa’s Garden Route is the ultimate place to unwind. A private estate of picturesque green views, overlooking Langvlei Lake and just ten minutes from pristine beaches, the country house offers a little slice of paradise for those in need of peace and quiet. Golf-lovers are amply well-served by the area’s cliff-side courses.

Stretching out on the beach...
The Plettenberg Hotel, Plettenberg Bay
Some of the best beaches in the world are found in South Africa, and The Plettenberg Hotel on Plettenberg Bay sits on a particularly pretty one. Simple, stylish and serene, the hotel takes in wildly gorgeous coastal views while offering cool decor and warm service within. Sup of fresh seafood and local delicacies at the terraced Sand restaurant, take a dip in one of two swimming pools or while away the hours on your private balcony. It’s all easy here.

Spotting the Big Five...
The Outpost, Kruger National Park
Think South Africa, think wildlife-spotting: The Outpost hotel to the north of Kruger National Park is the prime place to do this in style. Clean-lined architecture and simple-sleek interior design create the ultimate oasis of cool in the surrounding wilderness, and game drives and hiking is on offer from experienced guides. After a long day seeking out the big five, head back to your open-air suite set into the hillside and relax in front of king-sized views.

Isabel Clift is a London-based writer and editor for travelintelligence.com, which brings the best collection of luxury, boutique and design hotels together with the finest travel writing on the web. Follow Isabel’s travel-related chatterings on Twitter: @Isabel_Clift, or go to travelintelligence.com to browse a fantastic collection of luxury hotels from around the world, including a huge variety of luxury hotels in London.

Most likely thoughts of safaris, wildlife, natural beauty, history, and cultural diversity come to mind. But what about images of faith and religion? Although not too many people think about it, Africa is also a very rich spiritual destination. South Africa is no exception to this rule. It’s for reasons such as these and many more, faith-based groups from North America and around the world can be found at anytime traveling throughout the “plateau continent.”

Religion, tourism, and Africa are intimately tied together. Mass tourism as we know it today, is believed to have originated in the Egyptian Empire. As religious festivals were often held during the time of the pharaohs, these events often drew outside visitors to the city. Thus was born not only tourism, but also religious tourism. Fast forward several millennia and religious tourism in Africa – including South Africa – continues to exist to this day.

Travel by religious groups to modern-day Africa take many forms. Among the most popular types includes mission trips and volunteer vacations (voluntourism). However, that’s not all. Many religious groups and individuals also travel to Africa for pilgrimage and leisure purposes, as well as to embark on safaris or attend conferences and events.

Although faith-based travel in many ways differs from traditional leisure travel, there are many similarities. For one, pre-planning is a prerequisite for any type of religious travel. This is all the more true in regards to travel health and medicine. Although people of faith place much trust in God during their travels, they also know they must also not “test” God while traveling – and this especially includes the areas of health and medicine. For this reason, many religious groups and communities who plan to embark on missionary travel, volunteer vacations, or the like to Africa, often properly prepare themselves ahead of time in regards to their personal health. More than most others, people of faith know that if they fall ill during their travels due to lack of preparation, they not only “hurt” themselves, but they also hurt those they had come to assist and serve.

It’s for reasons such as these and more, I am constantly encouraging, recommending, and reminding religious travel leaders to properly prepare their groups for their upcoming travels, especially in regards to health and medicine. And among my recommendations, I point them to Passport Health due to their excellent reputation and diversity of travel medical products and services. Although we as people of faith often believe in miracles and God’s healing ways, it’s much more rewarding and gratifying to put our prayers towards those we’re helping during our travels, as opposed to one’s own health and recovery.

Kevin J. Wright, President of the World Religious Travel Association (WRTA), is one of the world’s most recognized religious travel and hospitality authorities. As the leading global network for the 300 million religious traveler industry, WRTA represents organizations and professionals from 30-plus countries on six continents including tour operators, travel wholesalers, cruise lines, destinations, suppliers, travel agents, religious organizations, and group planners. WRTA hosts the annual World Religious Travel Expo, the most important tradeshow and event in the faith tourism and hospitality marketplace.

Men’s Health Month is a great time to discuss the signs and symptoms of the virus and the issue of HPV vaccination for men.

What is HPV?
Human papillomavirus (HPV), which affects both men and women, refers to a large group of more than 100 related viruses. Some of these viruses cause genital warts in both males and females, cervical cancer in females, and to a lesser extent, penile and anal cancer in males. It is estimated that HPV can affect up to75% to 80% of both men and women in their lifetime.

How do men get HPV?
HPV is typically transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact. Men get genital HPV through genital-to-genital contact, primarily during vaginal and anal intercourse. For this reason, it is considered a sexually transmitted disease (STD). It might also be possible to acquire it during oral sex, which is not as common. Many people who have HPV don’t even know it, because the virus often has no signs or symptoms in its initial stage. That means you can get the virus or pass it on to your partner without knowing it.

Is there an HPV test for men?
No, there currently is not an approved HPV test for men. A diagnosis is made based on symptoms (if they exist), such as genital warts.

What is the HPV vaccine?
The HPV vaccine is used to prevent cervical cancer, genital warts, and precancerous genital lesions. Although the vaccine can help prevent these conditions, it cannot cure or treat them. Gardasil is the only HPV vaccine currently available and approved to prevent genital warts in boys and men ages 9 through 26. It is given in a three-shot series in the upper arm over six months.

What are the side effects of the vaccine?
Possible side effects include: pain at the injection site, fever, headache, diarrhea, and nausea. These symptoms can be treated with over-the-counter preparations. If you experience more serious side effects, such as a very high fever or signs of an allergic reaction, you should report them immediately to your healthcare provider. As with other vaccines, fainting has been reported after some individuals were given the HPV vaccine, therefore it is recommended that you be observed for 15 minutes after being vaccinated.

So….should males between the ages of 9 through 26 get the HPV vaccine?
The vaccine is recommended to prevent disease. It is 90% effective in preventing genital lesions in young men.

If you are in the Baltimore area or would like to visit, join us for a night of discovery, live music, delicious food, world class wines, networking and fun!