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October 22, 2009

WOW! What a fabulous week I've had in South Africa. Meredith and I, along with Ainslie MacLeod and Kelli Nicholls, arrived into Johannesburg on Saturday 19th October. On Sunday we were treated to a fabulous African shopping experience at Rosebank Market where I bought all sorts of beaded work, African crafts for my family back home. Afterwards I spoiled myself by having sosaties (African pastry made of ground beef, chicken or vegetables and curry spices) and bilton (African style jerky).

We then went to the Apartheid Museum where we got a moving experience through time and learned Apartheid struggles. Here's a very enlightening quote from Nelson Mandela that brought tears to my eyes:

To be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.

We've had two splendid days on safari at Madikwe Safari Lodge with ourselves and 26 other Soul Safari friends. We've been totally spoiled by amazing game sightings, delicious food, lots of surprises, warm and friendly service and Ainslie's teachings.

You would think that we couldn't top this week, but it's only going to get better when we got to Cape Town. Speaking of which, I hope you enjoy this week's newsletter on some of our favorite properties in Cape Town.

Enjoy!

Love and hugs,

Sandy Salle

Experience Traditional Cape Culture and Luxury in the Heart of South Africa

Nothing in the world can compare to Cape Town's surreal atmosphere, inspirational spirit, world-famous accommodations, fascinating culture, and delectable food and wines. Whether you're looking to enjoy a romantic honeymoon or an unforgettable family vacation, Cape Town, South Africa has everything to satisfy your every individual needs and desires.

Located in close proximity to a wealth of day trip destinations including Cape Winelands, Robben Island, Hout Bay, and Simon's Town, Cape Town is the ideal place to get a taste of everything southern Africa has to offer. But, Cape Town is famous for more than its perfect location, stunning landscape, and exceptional amenities—a handful of award-winning accommodations simply add to Cape Town's extraordinary characteristics.

Below are three spotlights on some of Cape Town's most celebrated and luxurious accommodations:

Cape Grace:

Ambiance and Location: If you're looking for a hotel where intimacy and privacy are at an optimum, then Cape Grace is the perfect place for you. Radiating elegance from every intricate detail, Cape Grace is nothing short of exceptional. Its location in Cape Town's famous Victoria and Alfred Waterfront make it a close walk to some of Cape Town's most celebrated shopping hubs, restaurants, and hot-spots.
Rooms: Designed with elegant, comfortable, and sophisticated décor, each of Cape Grace's 121 rooms is individually designed with subtle reflections of Cape Town's bright spirit and accents of authentic Cape culture. Rooms to choose from include the penthouse, three bedroom suite, two bedroom suite, one bedroom suite, rooftop terrace, rooftop luxury, superior, and luxury.
Exclusive Activities: Cape Grace prides itself on its personalized and exclusive services and amenities, including its private yacht charters and the Spa at Cape Grace. At the spa, you can choose from a variety of revolutionary treatments and massages that will completely refresh and rejuvenate your senses. And, if you want to experience luxury and relaxation at its best, then a yacht charter is the perfect activity for you. When you book a chartered cruise, you choose where you want to go on your private 56 foot Aicon fly-bridge luxury motor yacht. Whether you want to see Robben Island, Haut Bay, Langebaan Lagoon, or any other bay or island off the coast, the choice is yours.
Dining: If you're looking for an exceptional dining experience rich with a fusion of both local and international flavors, than Cape Grace's award-winning Signal Restaurant is where you want to be. Crafted from the freshest local product and some of South Africa's best chef's, Signal's dishes are an absolute treat to taste.

Tintswalo Atlantic:

Ambiance and Location: Situated at the bottom of Chapman's Peak among a foundation of lush flora, Tintswalo Atlantic has some of the most stunning, panoramic views of mountains, the ocean, and the charming Hout Bay village. In addition to its picturesque location, Tinstwalo Atlantic prides itself on its ability to creatively fuse comfort with high-end décor and provide you with everything you need to feel relaxed and pampered.
Rooms: Describing Tintswalo Atlantic's exclusive suites as "unique" doesn't do them justice. Named after a handful of famous islands around the world, each suite is decorated to emulate the atmosphere of the island it's named after. Rooms include the Sicily Island Suite, Antigua Island Suite, Sainte Marie Island Suite, Madura Island Suite, and more. Although every suite reflects a different ambiance and color palette, each and every one is luxurious and comfortable.
Dining: Dining at Tintswalo Atlantic is a completely new and exciting experience. Sip a glass of delectable Cape wine as you watch Chef Danelle Paulsen create magnificent dishes in the kitchen. You can also participate in an extremely rewarding cooking class with Chef Danelle by booking an appointment in advance.

Victoria and Alfred Hotel (V&A Hotel):

Ambiance and Location: Located on the pier head in Cape Town's V&A Waterfront, the V&A Hotel exudes a Cape colonial and contemporary ambiance that creatively integrates luxury and a harbor feel. Because the hotel is located on a working harbor, you can enjoy Cape Town's lively seaside culture come to life each and every day. V&A Hotel's centralized location also makes it easy to walk to five-star restaurants, historical monuments, boat cruise docks, and some of Cape Town's most famous shopping hubs.
Rooms: Designed with sophistication, comfort, and Cape Town spirit in mind, V&A Hotel's rooms are the perfect getaway for honeymooners and families alike. Choose from superior luxury double rooms, mountain facing suites, piazza facing suites, and superior loft bedrooms.
Luxury Amenities: The hotel features a rejuvenating spa, gym facilities, and a pool with a dining and bar area. In addition to these amenities, V&A Hotel also offers complimentary WiFi high speed Internet and a large flat-screen television in each and every suite.

Ride Kenya Safari - AUGUST 23- SEPTEMBER 2, 2010

Trip Name: Kenya Riding Safari
Length of travel: 11 days (August 2010)
Countries Visited: Kenya

Highlights: With access to over 1.4 million acres, including two national parks, Ride Kenya has one of the largest wilderness concessions in Africa today. From the vast dry lake beds of Amboseli to the east, to the majestic Chyulu Hills to the west, Ride Kenya horse safaris traverse a variety of quintessential and game rich East African landscapes. With Mount Kilimanjaro as the back drop, the rides meander amongst 38 species of large mammals, including the Big Five, making Ride Kenya horse safaris an unforgettable experience. Ride Kenya mobile safaris are reminiscent of the safaris of old. Rides tend to cover between 15 to 30 miles per day during which the luxury camp is moved ahead to the next destination.

Detailed description of itinerary (in PDF)

Contact us today, and utilize our detailed destination-planning services and expert advice to send you on a life-altering experience like none other.

Meredith Hill and Sandy Salle Hills of Africa Travel specializes in customized African safari tours.

We offer spectacular adventures with personalized and customized service, guaranteed to provide you with the experience of a lifetime.

Hills of Africa Travel is a team of extraordinary travel agents and tour operators who are passionate about sharing the magic of Africa through first-hand knowledge and exemplary customer service. Our expert knowledge, experience, and passion for our customers allow us to create a personalized safari adventure of a lifetime for all travelers.

Whether you're taking a romantic honeymoon safari, a fun-filled family safari, or have always dreamed of experiencing the natural beauty of Africa and its wildlife, our exceptional agents and dedicated tour operators are here to provide you with the perfect African safari vacation.

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The Hills of Africa Travel Newsletter is written by Meredith Hill and Sandy Salle and Hillsofafrica.com. If you have any questions or comments, please send them to: hoainfo@hillsofafrica.com