SOWETO Day Tour

Let one of our Cardinal Tour Guides show you how to do the Soweto Township the right way. Herewith some of the highlights the Soweto Tour Includes:

Diepkloof: Enter Soweto via the up-market area called Diepkloof Ext where some of the houses can cost in the millions.

In complete contrast we visit a large hostel in the area, in days gone by the notorious hostel system was used as single gender accommodation for migrant labourers, it is now used as informal lodgings for family units.

Soweto Towers Power Swing: Orlando Towers offers you the first ever wing between2 cooling towers, a whooping 100m from the ground.And they're not just any towers! These two cooling towers are the largest landmark in historical Soweto, now one of South Africa's biggest tourist attractions

Baragwanath: We pass Baragwanath Hospital, the largest hospital in the southern hemisphere. Soak up the sites, sounds and "smells" of Africa at close quarters - informal open-air butcher shop, herbalists, barbers and market etc. Enjoy a ‘Smilies’ breakfast (the meat of a cow or sheep’s head) and sip on an Omqombothi (traditional beer) at on of our local shebeens.

Rotsos Shebeen: This is one of the most typical shebeens in Soweto. Here guests are able to mingle with the friendly locals.Rotsos Shebeen is opposite the Baragwanath Hospital, the biggest hospital in the Southern Hemisphere.

Lunch: A highlight of a visit to Soweto is a delicious lunch at one of the well run restaurantspatronized by both tourists and locals alike, offering typical "township" fare including dom bolo (steamed bread), moro ga (spinach), Umqhusho (Khosa samp and beans-Nelson Mandela's favourite dish), Mogodu (tripe-not for the faint hearted!) and a variety of meats, salads and vegetables. Desserts and drinks are not included.

Vilakazi Street: The tour bus will drive through Vilakazi Street, which is the only street in the world where two Nobel Prize winners lived: Nelson Mandela & Desmond Tutu. Unfortunate we won’t be able to enter as the Mandela Family Museum has been closed for renovations.

Hector Peterson museum: After lunch the trip continues to the neighbouring suburb of Orlando West & the Hector Peterson Memorial. Here clients can spend some time wandering through the museum, learning about the student uprising of 1976.Visit the fascinating museum which is a state of the art multi media centre depicting scenes leading up to the student uprising of 1976 and the eventual transition to democracy in South Africa.

Regina Mundi & Thokoza Park: This is one of the biggest Catholic churches in South Africa. The Reginal Mundi Church is the focal point of much of the struggle in the 70's and 80's and home to the famous Black Madonna and Child painting. This church is also known as “The Parliament of Soweto”

Should you require more information on this or other tours around South Africa, please have a look on our website or contact Charl at charl@saitravel.co.za

attractions in RIO

Corcovado
The distinctive statue of Christ the Redeemer, arms spread to welcome the world, is the symbol of Rio de Janeiro and one of the seven New Wonders of the Modern World. It rests on top of Rio de Janeiro's Corcovado Mountain, 2,330ft (710m)... see full details

Sugar Loaf
The summit of Rio's unique 1,299ft high (396m) belvedere, named Sugar Loaf because of its resemblance to the loaves of sugar used by the Portuguese colonists, can be reached by a two-stage cable car ride. The first stage takes visitors up 722ft (220m)... see full details

Botanical Gardens
Rio's Botanical Gardens were created in 1808 by the Prince Regent of Portugal as a temporary site for acclimatising imported plants. Today it is home to some 2,600 species of plant life, particularly bromeliads and orchids. Colour is added to the botanical treasures by... see full details

Ipanema
Immortalised in a popular song, 'The girl from Ipanema', this part of Rio offers not only its legendary beach, but numerous excellent hotels, bustling nightlife, sophisticated shopping opportunities and quality restaurants, all within walking distance of each other. Ipanema (the name, incongruously, means 'bad... see full details

Copacabana
This famous Rio beach neighbourhood was just a small fishing village until a new highway changed the face of it sometime in the 1900s. The Copacabana Palace Hotel first opened its doors in 1923, and since then the area mushroomed with Neoclassical and... see full details

Buzios Peninsula
Once the preserve of pirates and slave traders, the peninsula of Buzios, 105 miles (169km) north east of Rio, is today the haunt of the rich and famous who flock to the city (once a fishing village) to enjoy the 20 or so... see full details

Estádio do Maracanã
Built over 50 years ago for use in the Soccer World Cup, this stadium is the largest on the continent, seating a crowd of over 95,000. The stadium is currently used to host the local soccer league games, and is the home of... see full details

Tijuca Forest
The world's largest urban forest, Tijuca spans 7,900 acres (3,200ha) and sits on Rio's doorstep. Inside the forest, walkabouts will lead you past caves, waterfalls and an abundance of exotic and rare flora and fauna. Stop and enjoy a pre-packed lunch at the 'Mesa... see full details

Rio Scenarium
The most festive spot in what is arguably the most festive city in the world. Rio Scenarium is a three floor dance club dedicated to sultry, sweaty summer salsa nights. The decor is interesting, set in an abandoned antiques warehouse, the club is... see full details

St Petersburg Attractions

The Winter Palace and the Hermitage Museum
The magnificent green, white and gold Winter Palace is superbly situated on the banks of the Neva River, a 656 ft-long (200m) Russian Baroque building that is the biggest and most lavishly decorated palace in the city. The palace was the official residence of... see full details

Palace Square
The main square of St Petersburg and one of the world's most magnificent plazas, Palace Square contains the picturesque Baroque buildings of the Winter Palace and Hermitage Museum on one side and the Classical yellow and white former General Staff buildings of the Russian... see full details

Nevsky Prospekt
Almost three miles (five km) long, Nevsky Prospekt is one of the best-known streets in Russia and is the main thoroughfare of St Petersburg, starting at the Admiralty whose gilded spire is a famous city landmark, to the Moscow Railway Station and then... see full details

St Isaac's Cathedral
The golden dome of St Isaac's Cathedral dominates the skyline of St Petersburg, the colonnade around the cupola offering superb panoramic views over the city. It was commissioned by Tsar Alexander I to be a magnificent imperial cathedral, and the ensuing masterpiece was of... see full details

Peter and Paul Fortress
Situated on a small island on the Neva Delta across the river from The Hermitage, the Peter and Paul Fortress is the oldest building in St Petersburg. Planned by Peter the Great as a defence against possible attacks from the Swedes, the fortress... see full details

Attractions in Moscow

The Kremlin
The oldest part of Moscow dating back to the city's foundation in 1147, and situated at the very heart of the city on top of a hill, the Kremlin is a fortress surrounded by a thick red wall interspersed with 20 towers. The... see full details

Red Square
Red Square is a dramatic open cobbled space in the centre of Moscow, originally the city's market place that served as a public gathering place to celebrate festivals, listen to government announcements or to witness executions, especially common during the reign of Ivan the... see full details

St Basil's Cathedral
St Basil's Cathedral with its multicoloured domes is the most famous image of Russia, standing on the edge of Moscow's Red Square, a striking design that was commissioned by Ivan the Terrible to commemorate his victorious military campaign against the Tartar Mongols at Kazan... see full details

Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre
Moscow's oldest theatre, the Bolshoi dates from 1824 and is Russia's most famous theatre, with its world-renowned opera and ballet companies in residence. Completely rebuilt after a fire in 1856, the grand building is a masterpiece of Russian neoclassicism, including an eight-columned entrance porch... see full details

Tretyakov Gallery
The Tretyakov Gallery houses some of the great masterpieces of traditional Russian art from before the Revolution and has the world's finest collection of Russian icons from the 11th to the 17th centuries. The gallery's collection of paintings, graphics and sculptures covers Russian art... see full details

Poklonnaya Hill
Poklonnaya, literally meaning 'bow down', lies in the west part of Moscow and was historically a spot for Western visitors of the city to pay homage before entering the city. Today it is a beacon to Russia's military strength, having withstood invasions by... see full details

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour
After Napoleon retreated from Russia, Tsar Alexander I declared that a cathedral be built in remembrance to the soldiers who had died defending mother Russia. Decades later the cathedral was demolished by Stalin (who found the monument abhorrent), only to be built again on... see full details

Borodino Panorama Museum
The battle of Borodino, is regarded as the bloodiest of the Napoleonic wars, seeing over 70 000 casualties in a single day, an event which saw Napoleon brand the Russians as being 'invincible'. The Borodino Panorama Museum was inaugurated in 1960 and serves... see full details

Moscow Metro
Visitors to Moscow are strongly encouraged to take a ride on the city's glorious underground rail system. The 'tarmac' consists of marble floors, ornate pillars and the walls are adorned with realist artworks. Moscow's metro boasts over two and half billion passenger rides per... see full details

Attraction in Paris

Being a most popular tourist destination, Paris sees over 30 million foreigners a year. There are numerous iconic landmarks to explore as well as many world famous institutions and popular parks. Some sights are visible from many parts of the city, such as the Tour Montparnasse, the Eiffel Tower and the Basilique du Sacre-Cœur.Take a trip to the Louvre and marvel at Da Vinci's Mona Lisa or the Venus de Milo, do a spot of shopping on the Champs-Elysées and have a look at the Arc de Triomphe in the Place de l'Étoile circus. Paris is simply brimming with museums and the Invalides Museum is a great place for culture seekers and is the burial place of many great French soldiers, including Napoleon Bonaparte. There are a few other clerical masterpieces to behold besides Notre-Dame, such as the Gothic 13th-century Sainte-Chapelle palace chapel.Stroll through the Jardin des Plantes, Paris' first public garden, created by Louis XIII's doctor for the cultivation of medicinal plants, or for an action-packed day of fun, head over to Disneyland. The Pompidou Centre is a must-see, housing the Musée National d'Art Modern, while the square to the west of the building attracts a varied assortment of street performers. With its history, culture and countless attractions, Paris has something for just about everyone.
Eiffel Tower
Gustave Eiffel, the architect of the Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel) could never have guessed that it would become Paris's signature sight and attract more than six million visitors a year. It was built as a temporary structure to commemorate the centenary of the French... see full details

Notre-Dame
Notre-Dame looms large over the Place de Parvis, on the Isle de la Cité, and is the most enduring symbol of Paris. Built between 1163 and 1345 the Cathedral is considered one of the of the world's Gothic masterpieces. The massive interior can... see full details

Louvre
One of the world's great art museums, this vast edifice houses an extraordinary collection of paintings, sculptures and antiquities from all over the world. The Louvre was opened to the public in 1793, soon after the Revolution, to display the spectacular treasures looted from... see full details

Pompidou Centre
Built in the 1970s and named after former French president Georges Pompidou, the futuristic Pompidou Centre is now considered part of the Parisian landscape. The outrageous design, complete with its glass elevators, was the inspiration for the Lloyds Building in London and attracts visitors... see full details

Musée d'Orsay
This great museum is fairly new by Paris standards. It is situated in a railway station by the Seine and houses a vast collection of works from the significant 1848 to 1914 period. There are important works from the Art-Nouveau movement but the... see full details

Musée Rodin
The Rodin Museum is situated near the Musée d'Orsay and is housed in what was once the Hôtel Biron, the beautiful hotel where Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) once lived and worked. Inside are many of Rodin's great marble sculptures including The Kiss and The Hand... see full details

Musée National Picasso
The Picasso Museum is situated in a 17th-century mansion in the heart of Paris. The collection was started in 1973, after the French government accepted Picasso's own collection in lieu of death duties, and was added to after his widow's death in 1990.... see full details

Arc de Triomphe
The world's largest triumphal arch, the Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile is set at the centre of a star-shaped configuration of 12 radiating avenues. It stands 165ft (51 metres) tall and the names of major victories won during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods are... see full details

Les Invalides
Les Invalides were built by Louis the 14th in 1670 as a military hospital to take care of wounded soldiers. It comprises the largest single collection of monuments and museums in Paris all relating to the military history of France. It is a... see full details

Jardin des Plantes
The Jardin des Plantes is France's main botanical garden. Covering 28 hectares (280,000 m²) the garden was originally planted by Louis XIII's doctor in 1626 as a medicinal herb garden. In 1640, it became Paris's first public garden. In 1739, after a long period... see full details

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