Itinerary for South Africa

     Opening my email this morning felt like Christmas!  Finally received our itinerary for South Africa and now I'm even more excited about going...if that is even possible.  And what's even better, I will have time to go see the penguins on the beach!  I just have to figure out how far away they are from where we are staying and figure out the logistics on how to get there but I'll do it!

DAY ONE:
• Meet and greet at Cape Town International Airport and a short transfer by luxury coach to the  Hotel.
 • Lunch is served at the hotel. Spend the day at leisure exploring the Waterfront shops, lounging around at the hotel pool or doing an optional tour.
 • In the late afternoon you will be transferred to the V&A Waterfront for a sunset cruise. The Mother City has one of the best locations to experience the sunset at sea. You’ll have a chance to see the fabulous Table Mountain and city views while the sun dips into the sea on board the Ameera Yacht.
 • Return to sparkling lights around the city. Drinks and snacks will be served on board.
• From the boat you will walk to Mondiall Restaurant for a delectable dinner - a joint venture between acclaimed Relais & Châteaux Grand Chef Peter Tempelhoff and Restaurateur Patrick Symington of Cape Town’s Café Dharma and Asoka Mondiall. Mondiall is one of the most acclaimed restaurants in the Waterfront with a trendy interior to the restaurant selection.
 • After dinner transfer back to the hotel.
• Overnight at the Hotel.

DAY TWO:
After breakfast at the hotel, guests will be collected from the hotel to explore the Cape Winelands region which is the source of many legendary Cape wines.
• First stop will be the beautiful Boschendal Estate where you will be spoiled to some of the finest wines in the region during a wine tasting. Boschendal, with its backdrop of sweeping mountain ranges, deep ravines, imposing peaks and sun-baked rock, is renowned throughout the world for its beauty. Relax under the oaks and sip on excellent wines.
 • From Franschhoek we proceed to Delaire Graaf Estate for a delectable lunch and breath-taking views over the Stellenbosch Valley.
• Lastly we visit Lourensford Wine Estate, a magnificent property steeped in history and dating back to the time of Willem Adriaan van der Stel in the 1700's. In the Wine Tasting Centre guests will have the opportunity to sample some award winning wines and indulge in chocolate hand-made by Tomes. Other attractions on the farm include a Coffee Roasting Company where coffee is freshly ground to order. There is also a variety of boutique cheese, olives and olive oil available.
 • Transfer to the hotel where guests have time at leisure to relax or make use of the hotel facilities on offer.
• Dinner is at Kloof Street House - an eclectic inspired restaurant and bar set in a magnificent Victorian house on the famous Kloof Street, nestled in the Table Mountain valley. Further indulgence in good food and wine.
 • Overnight at the Hotel.

DAY THREE:
Breakfast is served at the hotel before guests are transferred to the Waterfront where we board helicopters for a flip of a lifetime and experience a birds eye view of the Cape of Good Hope!
• Expect to see the pristine beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay with their soft white sand and azure blue water. The formidable 12 Apostles Peaks rise above the road on one side, while sheer cliffs and incredible rock formations drop into the icy Atlantic Ocean on the other side. There is no doubt that the coast of the Cape Peninsula offers magnificent scenery with its great biodiversity.
The helicopters will land at Millers Point where the roaring of Harleys await.
• Travel along the famous and spectacular Chapman’s peak, affectionately known as “Chappies” which is a must for anyone who is passionate about the majestic Cape Town scenery, with steep drops to the sea below and towering mountains rising above you with spectacular views around every bend.
• Lunch is at the legendary Bungalow Restaurant in Camps Bay. • The afternoon is at leisure to relax, go to the beach or hop on the City sightseeing bus.
• Dinner tonight is at the magnificent Koi Restaurant one of the best places to watch the sun set in Cape Town, perched high above the ocean - this dinner will be a feast for the senses.
• Overnight at the Hotel.

DAY FOUR:
Guests have breakfast at leisure in the hotel.
• Check out.
• Transfer to the airport for a flight to the Greater Kruger National Park.
• Transfer for 2 hours to Londolozi Private Game Reserve.
• Check in and enjoy a leisurely late afternoon lunch.
• Depart on a game drive.
• Dinner at the lodge.
• Overnight at Londolozi.

LONDOLOZI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE:
The root of the word Londolozi is the Zulu word for protect and means “protector of all living things” – an ambitious conservation ethic that Londolozi embraces in its sensitivity to the natural world. The reserve is internationally recognised for its far-sighted and progressive management of land and wildlife rehabilitation as well as productive community involvement. • World renowned as one of Africa’s finest game lodges, Londolozi was the first game reserve in the world to be accorded Relais & Châteaux status, reinforcing its commitment to luxurious accommodation, fine cuisine and exceptional service. • Game drives at Londolozi are taken by professional, passionate and knowledgeable rangers and trackers, who amongst them have a wealth of 350 years of experience. With over 16 000 hectares of traversing wilderness, no two game drives are ever the same. Trackers sit up at the front of the Land Rover looking for fresh animal tracks, while rangers drive with astonishing skill into ravines and through thicket in pursuit of elusive animals, simultaneously wowing guests with their outstanding knowledge and unforgettable stories. • Founders Camp honors past guests and staff who have contributed to building Londolozi Game Reserve. It is their efforts which have distilled the legacy of the past 30 years into a common mission. Enchanting and intimate, Founders Camp is ideally situated to provide an insider’s view of the secrets of river life. 10 idyllic chalets, repose in the shade of ancient ebony and Matumi trees along the banks of the Sand River. This is an African safari in the classic style, replete with black and cream ticking fabric and original mahogany beds. Deep leather couches, military chests, compass safari lamps and a riverside lounge sala, create a mood of easy luxury and laid back welcome for discerning travellers.

DAY FIVE:
Early morning wake up call followed by tea and coffee on the camp deck.
 • Depart on a game drive.
• Breakfast at Founders camp.
• Optional morning bush walk.
• Lunch at the Founders camp.
• Afternoon at leisure or enjoy yoga at Varty Camp. Visit the local village, the Learning Centre and the pre-primary school.
• High tea on the camp deck followed by a game drive.
• Dinner at the lodge.
• Overnight at Londolozi.
At Londolozi spectacular Big 5 game drives are offered in the extensive wildlife area with unsurpassed leopard viewing but this is just the beginning of what really constitutes “the Londolozi experience”. Londolozi is the ideal space to escape from the rigours of everyday existence, to shift into a full appreciation of the moment and awaken the senses. With this in mind, created tailor-made activities help recuperate mind, body and spirit. The superb cuisine is considered an essential part of the experience and a vital component of the Londolozi philosophy. Much of the day revolves around specifically crafted culinary delights – mo
rning morsels on the game drive, a fortifying breakfast, lunch and indulgent high tea before the next game drive with its sundowner treats and lastly, the grand finale, a traditional fireside banquet or a private dinner

DAY SIX:
Early morning wake up call followed by tea & coffee on the camp deck.
 • Depart on a game drive.
• Breakfast at Founders camp.
• Check out and transfer for 2 hours to Skukuza airport for your flight to Johannesburg.
• Transfer to Monte Casino in Fourways and check in at the Hotel.
• Freshen up for dinner.
• Transfer to the campus for the gala dinner with Executive Team.
• Return to the hotel and overnight at the Hotel

DAY SEVEN:
Breakfast will be served in the hotel.
• The day to be spent at leisure.
 • Transfer to the airport for departures to the various destinations.

Stay tuned for pictures and review of our trip!

Upcoming trip

     I am always excited to go on a trip but I think I'm even a little more excited about my upcoming trip to South Africa because we don't have to pay for it!  My husband won this trip from his employer.  Our kids are disappointed they will not be joining us but I'm relieved they won't be on the almost 17 hour flight with us....I can just hear it now, "Are we there yet?"  "I'm bored!"  "How much longer?"
     South Africa is on my bucket list of places to visit because I want to see the penguins on the beach and as of right now I do not know if it is on our itinerary since we're not planning it but I told my husband I will sneak away from the tour group if need be to see the penguins on the beach.
     I have to research weather for the time we are there and figure out what I need to pack plus get MiMi to come stay while we are away...so much to do!

Idar-Oberstein

     If you've heard of this town there are probably three reasons why.   First,  you are from the area.  Second,  you are a BIG Bruce Willis fan or third,  you have something to do with gems and minerals.
     In Idar-Oberstein, there is a castle but that isn't the main attraction in this town.   The church built into the rocks is what catches the eye of visitors and growing up in the area, I quickly learned the legend of this church.
    Once upon a time,  there were two brothers who were in love with the same girl but neither knew how the other brother felt. Wyrich, the eldest,  went away on business and while he was gone Emich, the youngest,  secured the affection of Bertha, the girl both brothers were in love with, and married her before Wyrich returned.  When the eldest brother returned and learned about the marriage he became very angry and he fought with his brother which resulted in Emich being pushed out of the castle window to his death.   Wyrich felt very guilty and sad and wanted forgiveness but couldn't seem to find it.   One day the abbott suggested he build a church in honor of his brother at the exact spot where his body landed.   Wyrich built the church and when he was finished he asked God for a sign that he was forgiven.   Almost instantly, a spring sprung up in the church and has been there ever since.   He took this to mean he was forgiven and shortly after the Abbott found him dead in the church and buried him with his brother.   Nobody really knows what happened to Bertha...some say she died of a broken heart. 
     Also, the city is known all over the world for its gems and minerals.   The stores lining the streets are filled with many gems and you are sure to find something in the style you want... necklaces,  bracelets and earrings.
     Then if you are a BIG fan of Bruce Willis you already know he was born here.   His mom is German and his dad was in the military stationed in Germany.

 You can't see the castle in these pictures but it is above the church.

My kids are standing in front of the spring in the church.

Lichtenburg Castle

     For most American girls,  castles are something you get to see in Disney movies but if you happen to grow up in Germany castles become your playground.   Lichtenburg Castle or Kusel castle as I called it growing up was a castle I explored numerous times as a child and was fortunate to spend a week there at a summer camp 29 years ago.   It is the largest castle ruins in Germany and was built around 1200.
     Today,  I got to show my own children my spielplatz..."my playground".  There was a Medieval Festival going on so it was a different type of exploring but we had a good time.

Herrenchiemsee

"I want to remain an eternal mystery to others and myself. "

King Ludwig II

     The "Fairytale King" was definitely a mystery in life and remains so in death.   There are  many theories or opinions about his life and mysterious death.   My kids are reading every pamphlet we receive trying to find out more about this king.  Their fascination began after our visit to Neuschwanstein Castle and continued after our recent visit to Herrenchiemsee, another castle King Ludwig II built. 

     Although,  Herrenchiemsee isn't as impressive as Neuschwanstein from the outside it is far more impressive on the inside...a must see!   It is located on a small island in the Chiemsee.  You have to take a 15 minute boat ride to reach the island but don't expect to see the castle from the boat because it isn't towering high in the clouds but just the idea of having to take a boat to reach the castle was enough to intrigue my kids. 

     Upon arrival to the island, we purchased our tickets and then opted for the horse drawn carriage ride to the castle versus the 20 minute walk...the horse carriage added to the intrigue. Arriving at the castle, we were in awe of the fountains and were delighted when they came to life five minutes after our arrival. But nothing prepared us for the splendor we saw inside on our tour and once again no photography was allowed. 

     This castle was built as a copy of Versailles Palace as a tribute to Louis XIV but bigger and more splendidly furnished than Versailles but this castle was never finished. But the rooms that are finished are very impressive and one can understand why this castle even unfinished cost more than his other two castle combined.   It has a massive porcelain collection,  crystal chandeliers,  hand woven tapestries, and tons of gold. 

Paradise

"Paradise is seldom recognized as such until it is considered from the outside. 

     I am often asked by people who know I have traveled extensively, "where is your favorite place?"   I have pondered this question and still cannot answer it.   Every place is unique and I try to embrace the differences each place offers.  And although I don't have a favorite spot, there are places that have mesmerized me and on my most recent trip I have found another spot! 

  You know you have picked a good spot when both of your kids exclaim,  "WOW, it is beautiful!"  I really can't tell you how I came across this specific town but I'm glad I did.   Originally, I planned on staying longer in Munich and just making day trips from there to Berchtesgarten, Salzburg and Herrenchiemsee but when I came across this town, Rupholding, the description of the town intrigued me enough for me to research and eventually make reservations at an apartment.  It's a small town with lots of hiking trails,  bike riding, swimming pool and museums.  My kids and I are enjoying the beauty of this town and surrounding area so much that we have decided to spend our last day enjoying the area instead of going on our planned day trip to Salzburg...sorry, Mozart...we'll have to meet up another time!

Neuschwanstein Castle

"There are no rules of architecture for a castle in the clouds"

     When planning a trip to Germany, most people will include a visit to a castle on their itinerary but with so many to choose from how do you decide which one to see?  I chose Neuschwanstein Castle because my daughter still believes in fairytales and I knew she would love it.  So I promised her we would go even though at the time I didn't know when.

     The castle was built by King Ludwig II.  He was nicknamed the " Fairytale King " and all you have to do is look at this castle from the outside to understand why he got that nickname and if the exterior of the castle doesn't convince you then take a tour of the interior...unbelievably beautiful!

     For those that might not know, Walt Disney modeled Sleeping Beauty's Castle at Disneyland, California after this castle.  They both have a lot in common.

     Some people will tell you to skip this castle because it's very touristy and that is true but I think it's worth a visit and with fighting the crowds over.  Since I'm traveling with two kids I didn't want to hear the complaints about having to walk up the BIG hill so I told them I would pay for the bus ride up to the middle bridge where all the famous pictures are taken and then we would walk down the BIG hill...easier to go down then up!

     The castle looks different from every area you view it...from the bottom, from the bridge, from the other castle across the way, halfway up the hill, front, back and side but it always looks breathtaking!

     Unfortunately, King Ludwig II died before the castle was finished, only a third was ever completed.  Within weeks of his death the castle was opened for tours to help pay the cost of what had already been done.

     On our trip, I hope to visit another castle King Ludwig II built.