PARIS HOP ON HOP OFF BUS

From only R373 per adult and R182 per child
The easiest way to see Paris – this ticket allows you 2 consecutive days of unlimited fun, information and exploration! Just hop on and get going!

There are 4 TOURS to choose from, or simply do all 4:

PARIS GRAND TOUR:
The main tour, "Paris Grand Tour" has running commentary in 8 languages and lasts approximately 2 hours. It stops at "Madeleine", "Opera", "Louvre Museum", "Notre-Dame", "Saint Germain-des-Prés", "Orsay Museum", "Concorde", "Champs-Elysées", "Arc de Triomphe", "Trocadéro", "Eiffel Tower "and "Invalides".

BASTILLE – BERCY:
The "Bastille - Bercy" tour has running commentary in 8 languages and lasts about an hour.It stops at "Saint-Paul", "Bastille", "Gare de Lyon", "Gare d'Austerlitz" and "Parc de Bercy".

MONTMATRE – GRAND BOULEVARDS:
The "Montmartre" tour is commented throughout in 8 languages and lasts about an hour.It stops at "Funiculaire de Montmartre", "Gare du Nord", "Gare de l'Est" and "Grands Boulevards".

MONTPARNASSE – ST.GERMAIN:
The "Montparnasse - Saint-Germain" tour is commented throughout in 8 languages and lasts about an hour.It stops at "Jardin du Luxembourg", "Observatoire", "Catacombes", "Invalides" and "Saint-Germain-des-Prés".

Rates excl gratuities and transport to/from departure points.

Rates are subject to increase and currency fluctuations
Child rates valid for children age 5-11. Children 0-4 go for free!
No refunds for unused tickets.
We need to get the original voucher to your clients – please allow enough processing time!

Festive Season in Paris

It is difficult to imagine any city offering you a festive season more romantic and exhilarating than Paris!
The atmosphere, lights, food & wine, shopping…it will brighten up your life!
This holiday may be the start of a life-long love relationship with the City of Light.

INCLUDES:
Return economy class flights ex Johannesburg to Paris on SAA&LH
Estimate airport taxes
4 Nights accommodation
Continental breakfast daily

EXCLUDES:
Items of a personal nature
Visa and insurance cost
All transport and meals not mentioned above

4 Nights from R13 990 pps

VALIDITY
Nov ‘08-Jan ‘09

Getting around in London

Transport:

London's legendary Tube network remains the quickest and easiest way to get around the city, though it is best avoided during rush hour. The famous red buses are a more pleasant, if slower, way to get around. One-, three-, and seven-day Travelcards are good options for tourists; they can be used on buses and the underground and can be bought at any newsagent. Oyster cards, a reusable, discounted, pay-as-you-go option, are now available to overseas visitors, but they must be purchased beforehand online or from overseas travel agents. The ubiquitous black cabs are excellent but very expensive; minicabs are cheaper but must be ordered in advance. Illegal minicabs tout for business around London's theatres and nightspots; they are often the only option late at night but should not be taken by single women or those who don't know the way home. London's main attractions are fairly close to one another; many are situated along the River Thames, and if the weather is nice, walking or taking a riverboat are good options. Driving is not a good option in central London, as parking is difficult to find and very expensive, and those who park illegally are faced with steep fines at best. A 'congestion charge' is also payable by those driving into central London from Monday to Friday between 7am and 6.30pm. However, driving is the only option for those wanting to explore the countryside. Car rental companies require the driver to be over 25, have a full driving license, and hold a credit card. For more information, visit http://www.tfl.gov.uk/

Shopping in London

Shopping

A European shopping Mecca, London has fantastic fashion stores, with famous brands lurking around every corner. Visit the renowned Oxford and Regent streets for big brands like Gap, Zara, Topshop, H&M and United Colours of Benetton. Don't be put off by their loud exteriors; some shops are actually quite affordable. For music lovers head to Virgin or HMV where you might even spot a famous musician as publicity performances are often held at these stores.

Renowned for its markets, Camden in North London has become one of the fourth most visited sights in London. A haven for punks, Goths and other alternative sub cultures the myriad of stalls and shops sell outrageous retro outfits, colourful accessories and modern party outfits that really have to be seen to be believed.

For an enjoyable weekend outing, Portobello Market is a gem (look out for the Farmers Market in the vicinity). Made famous by the romantic Hollywood film Notting Hill, there are many attractive coffee shops, independent retailers and cheap stalls selling clothing, jewellery and music to explore.

If you are a foodie then head to the Borough Market adjacent to London Bridge. Dedicated to gastronomy, visitors can sample homemade pâté, buy fresh cherries, olive oil, sweet cakes and the likes. General groceries can be bought at one of the major English supermarket chains such as Tesco, Marks and Spencer, Waitrose and Sainsbury's.

Something to do while in London...

LONDON DINNER & SHOW DEALS
What is the one thing you are SURE to do in London? Yes, it is SHOWTIME! Sure Tours is bringing you great value combo’s for dinners and shows. It cannot be any easier than this, and be warned: you snooze, you loose…

LES MISERABLES & PLANET HOLLYWOOD from only £20.50 pp
Combine a 2-course dinner from the pre-theatre menu at Planet Hollywood with an Upper Circle ticket (normally £12.50, side view restricted) for Les Miserables at The Queens Theatre.
The offer is valid Monday to Friday.
There is still availability for the following dates:
11-14 & 18-22 Dec ’06
(Dates for 2007 to be confirmed soon!)

Planet Hollywood is a madhouse of giant proportions. From the scurrying waiters to the continuous soundtracks to the projection screen going up and down, to the sounds of happy kids, to the visual overload of a collection of museum-quality film memorabilia, Planet Hollywood's atmosphere is absolutely unique.

Restaurant booked for 6pm.

Click here for sample menu

Les Miserables at Queen's Theatre: multi award-winning adaptation of Victor Hugo’s titanic novel about one man’s struggle against adversity in 19th century France. Truly ‘the people’s musical’…...

Performance starts 7.30pm
Premium package also available: £50-tickets for Les Miserables and dinner at Bertorelli’s on Frith St from only £51 pp

Festive Season in London

Your favourite season in the world’s favourite city – you are heading for your best holiday ever!
Shopping, festive lights, ice-skating, live music, shows… don’t miss out on the fun!

Our package INCLUDES:
Return economy class flights ex Johannesburg to London on SAA
Estimate airport taxes
4 Nights accommodation
Breakfast daily


Prices from R 13 835.00

Subject to availability and currency fluctuations

Valid until 10 January 2009

London Attractions

Attractions

With iconic attractions such as the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Tower Bridge, visitors to this eclectic city will be kept busy with the multitude of sights to explore. Visit the stoic lions on Trafalgar Square, be bowled over by the grand interior of St Paul's Cathedral or take a stroll through St James Park and watch the famous changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.Venturing more into the heart of the West End, follow the crowds to the bright montage of lights and billboards at Piccadilly Circus and from there take in Chinatown, Soho and Covent Garden. For those with an appreciation for history and the natural world, the superb British Museum and Natural History Museum in South Kensington are a must. The south bank of the Thames draws visitors with the London Eye, the London Aquarium and the über-cool Tate Modern.An easy and pleasurable way to see the major sights is on one of the city's red buses or, weather permitting, on foot. Many visitors use the underground to travel the short distances from sight to sight, missing the opportunity to gain a better picture of this vibrant city. A boat tour down the river Thames is also a great way to view some major sights and to learn more about the central role this river has played in London life.

Madame Tussauds
Madame Tussauds is the most famous wax museum gallery in the world, with more than 400 life-sized models of stars, famous politicians, royals and sportsmen, as well as the most infamous criminals the world has known. Inside the Museum the 'Spirit of London' ride... see full details

Tower of London
The Tower of London is perhaps as famous for its traditions as its imposing structure. It is guarded by a special band of Yeoman Warders, known as Beefeaters, and dotted with several large, black birds – the Ravens. Legend has it that if... see full details

Houses of Parliament
Originally built for Edward the Confessor more than 1,000 years ago, the Houses of Parliament, or Palace of Westminster, remained the principal residence of Britain’s monarchs for the next 400 years. Thereafter it became the administrative centre of the country. In 1834 the great... see full details

Tate Modern
Housed in the former Bankside Power Station, which has been transformed by Swiss Architects Herzog & de Meuron into a spectacular new modern building, the Tate Modern is Britain's new National Museum of Modern Art. It showcases an exhaustive collection from 1900 to the... see full details

National Gallery
The National Gallery has an imposing and regal façade stretching across the northern side of Trafalgar Square, and houses over 2,000 paintings from every major European school of painting from the 13th to the 19th century. It was opened in 1938 at its present... see full details

British Museum
With more than 6,000 historical objects from all around the globe, the British Museum houses one of the world’s greatest collections of antiquities, including the Parthenon Frieze or Elgin Marbles, the Rosetta Stone and the Roman Portland Vase dating from the 1st century AD.... see full details

London Eye
At 443ft (135m) tall, and weighing more than 250 double-decker buses, the London Eye is the most spectacular new addition to London’s skyline. With incredible views of most of London’s major attractions, and an opportunity to put the city’s geography into perspective, it is... see full details

Shakespeare’s Globe
Situated on the bank of the Thames, just 656ft (200m) from the site of Shakespeare's original Globe theatre, this fantastic recreation will transport visitors back to the time of the very first productions of Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet and Twelfth Night. The reconstruction took... see full details
Buckingham Palace and the Queen’s Gallery
No visit to London would be complete without experiencing the pomp and ceremony of the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, but now visitors can actually get a peek inside during the annual summer opening of the State Rooms, and see some... see full details

Harrods
Harrod's, which proprietor Mohamed Al Fayed calls his 'Palace in Knightsbridge', promises one of the most extravagant and luxurious shopping experiences in the world. With 22 restaurants, and a wide range of departments and services across its seven floors, it is easy to see... see full details

Camden Market
Camden Market is one of the most exciting shopping experiences London has to offer. Even if you're just browsing, the market is definitely worth a visit with its huge variety of food, antiques, bric-a-brac and clothing stalls, bars, nightspots and crowds of people ranging... see full details

Greenwich
This is the home of the Greenwich Meridian, which splits the globe into East and West and is responsible for setting the world clock on zero degrees latitude. Greenwich has a host of attractions including Greenwich Market with its variety of arts, crafts,... see full details

London Dungeon
Take a trip through London’s dark and gruesome history, meet Jack the Ripper and see what became of his victims, or see the chaos and destruction caused by the great fire of London. The London Dungeon brings history’s most notorious killers and evildoers back... see full details

St Paul’s Cathedral
The great dome of St Paul’s Cathedral has been a distinctive landmark on the London skyline for centuries. Built in 1673 by Sir Christopher Wren, after the previous St Paul’s was burnt to the ground during the Great Fire of London, it is the greatest of... see full details

Piccadilly Circus
One of London's best known, but most overrated sights, Picadilly Circus is at the junction of Picadilly, Regent Street and Shaftesbury Avenue and is surrounded by neon advertising and fast-food restaurants. However with its Tube station, Picadilly Circus is a good starting point for... see full details

3 For 2 Night Special

Stay 3 nights and only pay for 2 at The Cellars-Hohenort

or The Plettenberg

Includes:

- Return economy class airfares

- 3 nights luxury accommodation at the Cellars-Hohenort or The Plettenberg

- 3 days weekend car rental with 200 free kms per day

- Full English Breakfast daily

- Airport & departure taxes (subject to change)

Excludes:

- Meals & drinks not specified above

- Gratuities & any items of a personal nature

The Cellars-Hohenort

3 Nights B&B from:

R 3 599 pps Self Drive

R 5 795 pps ex Johannesburg/Durban

R 5 875 pps ex Port Elizabeth

The Plettenberg

3 Nights B&B from:

R 3 599 pps Self Drive

R 5 651 pps ex Johannesburg

R 6 120 pps ex Cape Town

Valid to the 15th Dec 2008

Thailand - How do you know you've been in the Land of Smiles for too long?

Thailand is an amazing place to live. The friendly people, delicious food and beautiful scenery are just a few reasons to live here. However, the culture is very different from what most westerners are familiar with. Below is a list to help you determine if some of the more curious Thai cultural oddities have rubbed off on you.

Link to the original post - http://ezinearticles.com/?Living-in-Thailand---How-to-Know-Youve-Been-in-the-Land-of-Smiles-For-Too-Long&id=1477119

You see an elephant in the street and don't think "Oh wow! An elephant!" but instead complain about how it's slowing down traffic.

You wake up in the morning with a hankering for rice and noodles, not eggs and toast.

You think that riding your motorcycle the wrong way down one-way streets, running red lights and riding on the wrong side of the road are perfectly normal.

You think that Singha and Chang are actually pretty decent beers.

You see a family of four and their dog riding together on a single motorcycle and you only wonder what they ate for dinner.

You wear sweaters and sweatshirts despite the steaming hot weather.

You are deeply concerned when your favorite rice dish goes up in price by $0.15 to a staggering $0.60.

The language actually starts to make a little sense.

You have no problems eating raw pig organs mixed with pig blood and spices.

10 year olds riding motorcycles in the streets do not faze you.

You think Sangsom and Mekong are actually pretty decent whiskeys.

You haven't cooked a meal in months, besides what can be made with a hot water maker.

You find that some of the Thai music is actually pretty decent.

Shaking somebody's hand feels weird.

You can ride a motorcycle with 10 grocery bags, a bookshelf and a hot pizza box strapped to it.

You ask for every meal extra spicy.

You put spicy fish sauce on everything.

About The Author
Tom Bak is a professional software developer with over ten years of programming experience on diverse projects, including seven years of videogame experience with numerous published console game titles. He is currently working on a free word game and an online word puzzle.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Bak

the Last Friday Fun Traveler IQ Test...

Here is how it works:
Study the above map
Play the Traveler IQ Test, by clicking here

Here are 20 world geography facts that you might find surprising or interesting:

1. Portland, Oregon, where it rarely snows, is about 130 miles farther north than Toronto, and over 200 miles farther north than Boston.
2. On France’s southern Mediterranean coast, Cannes, the sunny summer playground of the rich, which is sometimes incorrectly called ‘tropical’, is about 10 miles farther north than Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
3. Buenos Aires, Los Angeles, Cape Town, and Sydney are each thousands of miles apart and are known for having unusually pleasant year-round climates, and they are all almost identical distances from the Equator.
4. San Francisco and Melbourne, Australia are both known for mild and fast-changing climates, and they are identical distances from the Equator.
5. Estcourt Station with a population of 4 is in the northernmost tip of Maine, and it sounds like it’s probably snowed-in all winter, and yet London, England is still almost 300 miles farther north.
6. The 49th Parallel, which makes up the long and straight US/Canada border in the west, is about 120 miles north of Estcourt Station, Maine.
7. Glasgow is about 280 miles north of London. Keep going another 250 miles north for Stockholm, another 370 miles north to reach Reykjavik, and 413 miles north to reach Hammerfest, Norway, which is almost 5,000 miles north of the Equator.
8. The entire country of England, with over 50 million residents, is a wee bit smaller than the state of Louisiana.
9. If you combine England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, then together they are a bit smaller than the deceivingly large state of Michigan.
10. France is about 30% larger than the state of California.
11. Crescent City, California is about 15 miles south of the Oregon border, but it’s about 10 miles farther north than Newport, Rhode Island. In other words, you can still be in California and be farther north than coastal Rhode Island.
12. Madrid, with summers so blazing hot that most people take a long break from work every afternoon, is about 10 miles farther north than Salt Lake City, Utah.
13. About two-thirds of Africa is in the Northern Hemisphere.
14. Rome, which is located in the center of Italy, is located at the exact same latitude as Chicago. (I knew that one, because I'm smart)
15. Tehran, Iran, with its scorching summers, is located on the exact same latitude as relatively mild Tokyo, Japan.
16. About 90% of the world’s population lives in the Northern Hemisphere.
17. The incredibly remote island of Tahiti is slightly east of Anchorage, Alaska, which is slightly east of Hawaii. In other words, Hawaii is closer to the 180° longitude the International Date Line is based on than is Tahiti.
18. If you are trying to get a handle on the climate of India it helps to know its northern border is the same as the northern border of Mexico in Tijuana, and the southern border is about the same as the southern border of Panama.
19. Sunny and just-barely-tropical Rio de Janeiro is about 25 miles farther from the equator than Hong Kong.
20. Scientists recently discovered that Florida and Hudson Bay in Canada are getting about 1 inch closer every 36 years. Pass the SPF-30, eh?

Link to original article: http://www.bootsnall.com/articles/08-04/20...rprise-you.html

Tips for Nervous Flyers

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS ago, most of the people who feared flying had not actually flown on a plane. Today, many people who have flown or even fly regularly still suffer some kind of anxiety about flight.

If you're a frequent flier who is still frequently nervous, try these tips.

Preflight

Eat a nutritious or comforting meal before flight. If your blood sugar is low your body will be stressed and tired, adding to any anxiety you already have. Avoid stimulants such as coffee and colas, since the caffeine can make you jittery.

Recognize your anxiety or fear rather than denying it. It's natural to feel a little anxious when embarking on a new experience or going to unfamiliar places. Fear or anxiety does not translate as inevitable disaster.

Give yourself more time to get to the airport and more time to check in. Rushing will only increase your anxiety, and leaving everything to the last minute will only postpone it, letting it "spill over" to your flight. Instead, spread your anxiety over a longer period (this may sound silly, but it works). Consider "allowing yourself" to be nervous in the boarding lounge or terminal and move around to relieve your anxiety.

It might also help to watch the planes land and depart, or identify which type of plane you'll be on. Think of how many planes with passengers take off from this airport alone every day, every month, every year, without mishap.

Boarding

Some fear of flying experts recommend telling the flight staff upon boarding that you are an anxious flyer, or even going to the cockpit to briefly meet the captain. It can be comforting to know that the person piloting the plane and "controlling" your flight is more than a voice on the intercom.

Inflight

Although experts agree it's better to be aware during the flight, if you're one of those people with an overactive imagination, you might find occupying your mind effective. Use the headsets provided and listen to music, or bring aboard a magazine or book that contains lots of pictures. Or use your imagination to visualize a calming scene to keep your breathing deep and relaxed.

Loading up on alcohol is not an effective way to relax, since it gives you a feeling of loss of control.

Usually, people with active or paranoid imaginations are simply misinformed. One of the easiest ways to overcome your anxiety is knowledge. Find out more about airplanes and the activities that go on during a flight.

Learn how to identify the sound of the landing gear going up or down, the sound of the flaps moving, and the sound of the engines as the pilot reduces or applies more power. If you're curious about certain sounds or movements, ask a flight attendant.

Pilots often reduce power after takeoff (at about 1000 feet) because of noise abatement restrictions. Sometimes this gives you the sensation of falling or being suspended because the rate of climb of the plane is slower and the engines quieter. Become familiar with different aspects of the flight.

Understand that turbulence does not affect the plane. The plane is moving through air, and although you can't really see it, air is always moving. Think of the plane as "riding the airwaves" just like a boat rides the waves. Try not to resist any movement or your body may become rigid and tense.

Experts advise you to avoid "stonewalling" your anxiety or trying to pretend it's not there. On the contrary, pay attention to what you're feeling so that you either get used to a little anxiety and recognize it, or if it begins to build, you can apply techniques to alleviate it.

Landing

Although circling in the clouds may seem like flying blind, the circling is actually a well-controlled holding pattern. Planes are usually "stacked" with a vertical separation of 1000 feet and are monitored on radar. Pilots follow set procedures for landing and closely monitor their instruments. (That's more than we can say for most drivers.)

The most effective way to feel in control is to be informed and relaxed. You may not be "at the controls" when flying but the people who are, are professionals in a business closely monitored for safety.

To have a look at the original post click here...

Did you know?

*- Rome is closer to Tunis than to Berne, Vienna or Belgrade.
*- Istanbul is the only city that resides on two continents; Europe and Asia.
*- The continents of Europe and Asia are not separate land masses, but they are divided by the Ural Mountains.
*- Tokyo has more neon signs than any than city in the world.
*- Think about it! The Eastern-most opening of the Panama Canal connects to the Pacific Ocean while the Western-most opening of the canal to the Atlantic Ocean; and not what would seem more logical, the other way around.
*- The smallest island with country status is Pitcairn in Polynesia with 1.75 sq. miles.
*- As strange as it may be, Antarctica is essentially a desert of snow and ice with a total annual precipitation of approximately only two inches.
*- Antarctica is the only landmass in the world that is not owned by any one specific country.
*- Alaska has approximately 5,000 earthquakes a year, 20% of which measure more than 3.5 on the Richter Scale.
*- While the state of Minnesota is known for its 10,000 lakes, the country of Finland contains 187,888 lakes.
*- Although Hawaii is mainly known for its 6 major islands, namely: Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui, The Big Island and Lanai, the state actually comprises 132 islands, reefs and shoals.
*- There are some 81,000 islands off the coast of Finland, 20,000 of which comprise the Finland Archipelago.
*- Indonesia is comprised of 13,667 islands.
*- While Warsaw, Poland has the largest Polish population, Chicago, Illinois boasts of having the world's second largest number of Polish residents.
*- The town of Tidikelt in the Sahara Desert did not receive a drop of rain during a ten year period.
*- Forests cover approximately one third the landmass of the United States of America.
*- Antarctica comprises 90% of the world's ice cover. If melted, this would represent approximately 70% of the earth's fresh water.

Traveller IQ Report

Traveller IQ Addicts unite! Thanks to Starlagurl who advised us that there is a whole forum with regards to Traveller IQ!

starlagurl said...
Cool, glad you're liking our game! You can chat about strategy and compare scores with other Traveler IQ addicts (including me) in our travel forums