by Editor | Nov 3, 2008 | Ecotourism, New Articles
By Chester Godsy
A mountain view in the Kluane National Park
Stone sheep
A native totem pole
During a recent two week trip to Canada we included a nine day visit to the Canadian Yukon. While there, we sampled local favorites like wild salmon and visited the Kluane National Park.
This park and the surrounding parks adjacent to it make up one of the largest protected wilderness areas in the world. The remote region of the Yukon boasts an extremely low human population density and pristine areas. Click here to read a dedicated article about Canada’s Yukon.
by Editor | Oct 27, 2008 | Accomodations, Ecotourism, New Articles, Products, Restaurants, Spas
The library in the main building at 1933
A family owned and managed four suite villa on the banks of the Sabie River within the large Sabi Sand Reserve and across from the http://simonandbaker.com/kruger, 1933 offered luxury accommodations including many creature comforts, appetizing home style meals, Big Five game viewing, and a dedicated team of staff for villa guests.
“In fact, 1933 is the family recreating the old camp,” said Nick More, partner and co-owner of the property, about the role of 1933 within the Lion Sands Reserve where it is located. The Lions Sands Reserve is situated within the larger Sabi Sand Reserve. “The old camp which was built in 1936 by my great grandfather and was called Warthog Wallow Camp. Since the great floods of the Sabie River of 2000 our family has wanted to rebuild and rekindle those memories that we created from that camp, and that was achieved late last year, 2007. We called it 1933 in memory of the year in which Lion Sands was first purchased.”
A lioness and her cubs
A view of the main building from one of the neighboring suites
“Working at this area where the word ‘no’ does not exist exaggerates the demand of the position in ensuring that every guest in catered for. A home style menu is served daily, allowing me to draw inspiration from the environment which surrounds me, resulting in classic dishes. Lunches are light and simple offering a range of flavours, influenced by combinations to compliment to each other.
Dinner varies from night to night, from home style a la carte dinners, boma, Bush Dinners, each offering a unique feel and experience with a zest of flavours. I also enjoy working with other people as it gives me an opportunity to gain experience in all levels of cooking. It allows me to experience different cultures which I can include in the preparation of my dishes,” said Sannie Mbeva, cook at 1933.
Guests view a sleepy male lion at Lion Sands
The newly built riverside rental home provided personal service and posh bush accommodations ideal for small corporate groups, celebrities and families. 1933, ensconced within the world famous Sabi Sand Reserve, was a setting of lavish comfort in a game viewing reserve, offering guests the pleasure and space of a carefree home and exclusive access to the property for the duration of their stay. Our team’s visit was enhanced by private game drives, delicious meals and on site spa treatments. Click here to read a dedicated article about 1933.
by Editor | Oct 20, 2008 | Luxury Travel, New Articles
Delta’s BusinessElite seats on a trip to South Africa
When Delta began offering direct service from the United States to South Africa, we thought the American carrier’s entry into those international skies would drive the quality of the route up prompting others to push their service to a higher standard.
The airline’s reputation for friendly and efficient service and its extensive operations with increasingly broad international reach made us think Delta would deliver a better than average or even an excellent product, especially in the usually profitable business category.
Instead, Delta’s BusinessElite service on that route was significantly below our expectations. It was the worst travel experience we have encountered aboard that large carrier. Click here to read a dedicated feature on Delta BusinessElite service from the United States to South Africa.
by Editor | Oct 13, 2008 | Accomodations, Luxury Travel, New Articles
By Elena del Valle
The bedroom of our suite at Cybele
Our suite had a private terrace with a pool
During a three week game viewing trip to Botswana and South Africa earlier this year we included a two-day break at Cybele Forest Lodge and Spa, a secluded property near the http://simonandbaker.com/kruger. While there we relaxed in the landscaped forest environs, enjoyed couples spa treatments and yummy meals.
We liked the quiet elegance of this Relais and Chateaux property with friendly and service oriented staff and will recommend it to friends searching a spa oriented getaway property between Johannesburg and the http://simonandbaker.com/kruger. Click here to read a dedicated article about the Cybele Forest Lodge and Spa.
by Editor | Sep 8, 2008 | Ecotourism, New Articles, Spas
Massage tables await us on the deck of our suite at Ivory Lodge
It is common for luxury bush properties to offer activities for guests in between the traditional early morning and late afternoon game viewing drives. Outside of meal times, guest time can be spent in suite or taking advantage of activities options on offer. In summer, guests can take a swim in the lodge pool or their suite’s private plunge pool, play a board game, work out, read a book or go for a bush walk.
The pool at River Lodge
Increasingly, luxury lodges are offering spa treatments. Lion Sands, one of the reserves within the Sabi Sand Reserve adjacent to http://simonandbaker.com/kruger has its own spa on site. Guests can enjoy a treatment at the spa, located at River Lodge, one of the reserve’s three properties. Alternatively, guests at the ultra exclusive Ivory Lodge and 1933, the beautiful new rental villa, can opt for treatments in the comfort of their expansive suite or at the villa’s open river facing deck. Click here to read a full length article about Lalamuka Spa at Lion Sands.
by Editor | Aug 25, 2008 | New Articles, Restaurants and Food
Delicious desserts we sampled at The Tasting Room
In a picturesque village in the heart of South Africa’s Cape Winelands, and a short drive away from Cape Town, we found a special place. We wouldn’t have known from the street sign on the main road of Franschhoek that behind the understated facade there was a world class gourmet corner worth a special trip.
The wine cellar at The Tasting Room
Inside, a cozy dining room, a lovingly organized wine cellar stocked mainly with local wines, warm and attentive staff and kitchen wizards made our evening a delight. Click here to read a complete article about The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Francais in Franschhoek.
