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International skateboarders will show off their skills in one of the most lucrative skateboarding competitions to be held in Kimberley this weekend.

The Maloof Money Cup will be hosted between 30 September and 2 October and will offer prize money worth $500 000. The competition is the brainchild of businessman Joe Maloof, whose family are the owners of NBA team the Sacramento Kings and the famous Palms Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, among other extensive music and television interests.

“The Maloof Money Cup is a perfect opportunity for South Africans to get together in welcoming the world to … Read the rest

Where:
A rainforest-covered peninsula on Madagascar's northeast coast. The peninsula separates Antongil Bay from the Indian Ocean. The region is home to Masoala National Park. Maroantsetra town is the arrival (by air) and departure (by sea) point for visits to the peninsula.

Why:
Accessible only by foot or sea, Masoala is home to one of the last remaining rain forests of its type. Two percent of all of planet earth's animal and plant species reside here. As if that weren't enough, the forest's primordial grandeur tumbles all the way down to the edge of the surrounding sea, where sculpted … Read the rest

Allee Bleue Wine Estate in Franschhoek is one of many properties with extensive grounds and big trees around the country to offer a new, smart take on the picnic concept. It will present the “chic-nic”, a stylish variation on al fresco dining and the traditional picnic, starting on 1 October. Visitors to the winelands estate can enjoy a sit-down picnic with wicker baskets full of gourmet food designed to eat in a leisurely fashion with friends, family and children. A safe play area and duck pond provide a welcome diversion for youngsters, freeing up parents to truly relax.

The … Read the rest

Last week we looked at the busy first half of 2002. This week, we look at the second half of 2002, which was marked by the hosting of the World Summit on Sustainable Development. This saw South Africa, and particularly Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, prepare to host 65 000 visitors. The country wondered whether the industry was ready to host numbers of this size, but it proved to be a successful event that set local tourism and hospitality businesses, as well as the public, on the road to thinking "green", focusing on responsible tourism across the board, and … Read the rest

Dear readers,

I have been producing this series of Flashbacks for a little over three months now: each week summarising entire years in a feature-length article. Looking for what is different and what remains the same in the hospitality industry during the last 25 years of Hotel & Restaurant (originally named Hotelier & Caterer) has shown that the secrets to success are timeless.

While tastes in food and decor - and hairstyles and size of shirt collars! - may have changed and technology has advanced in leaps and bounds, the rules of offering guests a quality experience remains the … Read the rest

Anyone who's traveled much will tell you that New York City hotels are among the priciest in the world. Still, there are bargains in the Big Apple, including these:

Hotel QT. Flash is hard to find on the cheap, but these spiffy digs give good groove for the buck. Yes, the rooms are quite small, but what the place lacks in volume it makes up for in style. The pool (photo, right) is a knock out, the amenities include DVD players, flat-screen TVs, and the location in Midtown can't be beat.

Larchmont Hotel. If Greenwich Village is where you … Read the rest

A one-of-a-kind 18-litre bottle of 2009 Cape Winemakers Guild Auction Reserve will be among the line-up of rare wines to go under the hammer at the 27th annual Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction at Spier near Stellenbosch on Saturday. The proceeds of this collector’s wine will go towards the guild’s Protege Programme, a mentorship initiative for young, upcoming winemakers.
The bottle contains a blend of top 2009 vintage wines from the members of the guild. It was blended by Duncan Savage of Cape Point Vineyards and Andries Burger of Paul Cluver Estate Wines.
Exceptional wines with a great diversity … Read the rest

Give yourself a couple of days in the tasting rooms of the California Wine Country and a certain antsiness might set in. You may find yourself looking longingly at the rows of grapevines or craning your neck to check out a winery's equipment. If you're starting to fantasize about the winemaking life, you're in luck.

A few local wineries offer short, hands-on winemaking programs, called "crush camps," usually during harvest in September and October. You'll see the inner workings of harvest and even blend your own bottle of wine. Here are some top options for camps, from short stints … Read the rest

The five-year-old Protea Hotel Cairo Road in Lusaka’s CBD is undergoing a refurbishment worth more than US$300 000.

The public areas have so far been revamped, with the room renovation soon to be underway. The reception area, bar, restaurant and conference room on the ground floor have been transformed while the restaurant has been converted from an open plan area to a more private setup. The bar area is now separate from the dining room with extra seating.

The next stage of the refurbishment will incorporate all of the 75 bedrooms. The bedrooms will undergo a soft refurbishment giving … Read the rest

It's an out-of-the-way destination in Italy, but unforgettable nonetheless...

Where: L'Aquila, Italy, 58 miles northeast of Rome. The city is 2,600-feet above sea level, on the shoulders of rugged Gran Sasso, the Apennine Mountains' highest peak.

Why: L'Aquila boasts a striking mountain setting, fine architecture, a dramatic piazza, and unusual local cuisine. It's delightfully free of the tourist crowds that beset other Italian cities.

Top Outing: Start at the imposing 16th-century, Spanish-style castle that houses the National Museum of Abruzzo (photo below). Then walk past narrow Corso Vittorio Emanuele's 19th-century arcades to reach "La Piazza," the city's heart. Get … Read the rest

It's no secret that over the past five years Argentina has become one of the hottest travel destinations in the world. The country's economic crash in 2001 and the subsequent devaluation of the peso turned Argentina into an absolute bargain for dollar and euro-toting tourists. Millions have been pouring in to enjoy the country's exotic destinations, like the breathtaking Iguazu Falls, the colorful valleys of Salta and Jujuy, and the pristine beauty of Patagonia.

Because of Argentina's size -- it is the world's eighth-largest country -- airline travel is a must for any tourist on a tight schedule, and … Read the rest

Four-star Cape Dutch-style Kievits Kroon in Pretoria has grown its reputation in fine-dining, winelist, conferencing and wellness. Its food and wine pairing events at Granita have showcased the cuisine of executive chef Sammy Mashile as well as the restaurant’s extensive winelist.

Kievits Kroon MD Alan O’Leary is delighted to report that a third consecutive Diamond Award in the 2011 Diners Club Wine List Award has firmly established this upmarket estate as one of the top hotels in the industry with a fine-dining restaurant that can compete with the best gourmet destinations in South Africa.

He says: “Our focus on … Read the rest

Get up, lazybones, and meet your guide at 9 a.m. on Wednesday at the Clock Tower in Old Jaffa for a walking tour of one of the oldest ports in the world. Jonah set out for his meeting with the whale from these shores, and Alexander the Great, Saladin, and Napoleon all left their mark here. The cobblestone lanes lead you past ancient catacombs, the Church of St. Peter, restored Turkish-period houses, artists' studios, and you'll see the wave-battered mythological Andromeda's Rock.

Sharpen Those Blades: Could anything be more fun than exploring the city streets at night on rollerblades? … Read the rest

Lovelane Caravans, Roskilly's Organic Farm, Helston

Fans of retro will be in their element in Lovelane's period caravans, restored to their former glory and equipped with nostalgic touches such as thimble-like gold-rimmed cups from the Queen's coronation, a Goblin Teasmaid or a hand-embroidered tablecloth.

The campsite is a short stroll or bike ride to Roskilly's farm – famous for its ice-cream – where you can watch cows being milked, and try trifle, clotted cream and apple crumble flavours in the courtyard cafe. The farm is one of many great family days out from the campsite – two great beaches … Read the rest

The Fairtrade Label South Africa (FLSA) is set to hold the first Fairtrade Week around the country. The campaign is aimed at raising public awareness about Fairtrade products and processes. The Fairtrade Week slogan is: “Taste the Change”, and is designed to encourage consumers to learn about the potential of fair trading: the significance it plays in improving lives in farming communities and in offering consumers an ethical choice.

FLSA executive director Boudewijn Goossens explains: “I am confident in the ethical consciousness of South African consumers. I have no doubt that they will be excited in tasting the positive … Read the rest

For travel nuts, trips top many a resolution list--- who doesn't want to resolve to explore the Greek Islands? However, before you were your own travel agent, your list might have included a more basic promise to be a smarter traveler. Looking back at a travel mishap, you might crave some sort of divine intervention---a way to go back and know then what you know now.

But what's the fun in that? Some of the best travel stories involve lost luggage, misspent money, and a few wrong trains. We've compiled a light-hearted list of forums threads that delve into … Read the rest

I would begin with breakfast at Rochelle Canteen on Arnold Circus in Shoreditch (arnoldandhenderson.com). This lovely, understated restaurant with communal tables is housed in a converted bike shed, part of a former primary school now used for studio space.

I would then take a tour of 19 Princelet Street Synagogue (having planned well in advance as it is rarely open due to its fragile condition, 19princeletstreet.org.uk). Once a Protestant Huguenot weaver's house, it has a shabby facade that gives no indication of the beautiful secret Victorian synagogue built by Jewish immigrants over the former gardens of the house.

I … Read the rest

South African Tourism (SAT) has appointed Amanda Kotze-Nhlapo as executive manager of the newly-established National Convention Bureau (NCB), effective 1 November 2011. She was most recently head of the Convention Bureau and Events at Cape Town Routes Unlimited.

The NCB is designed to enhance South Africa’s business tourism capacity and continue to grow the country’s status as a world-class destination for international conventions, exhibitions, incentives and events. The objective of the NCB is to make a significant impact in consolidating, co-ordinating and strengthening efforts to attract meetings and conventions to South Africa.

“Amanda’s appointment to drive the National Convention … Read the rest

Back in September 1992, Hotelier & Caterer (as Hotel & Restaurant was called then) editor Andrew Moth said in his hugely popular Viewpoint column: “The South African Tourism Board has responded with commendable speed to expressions of concern from hoteliers over the lack of a level playing field for all suppliers of accommodation. For years hoteliers have had to collect from their guests and pay to Satour [now called South African Tourism] grading levies in return for which they have received advice from inspectors on how to run their establishments and marketing assistance.

“This is not the time or … Read the rest

As questions go, "How can I stay in an expensive part of London during one of the world's biggest sporting events for nothing?" seems as pie in the sky as asking, "How can I get the body of an Olympian by next Tuesday?".

And yet living in the lap of luxury for two or three weeks during the Olympics, without paying a penny, is not only possible, it just got easier.

Housesitting company Trusted Housesitters reports a rise in the number of home owners in London looking for short-term housesitters in July and August.

"I think people were waiting … Read the rest

Nightclubs, casinos, theatre, dancing girls, exploding volcanoes, million-dollar paintings -- you could easily spend a lifetime in Vegas and still not exhaust the city's bottomless gift for glitz and razmatazz. But if time is limited, you'll need a list of the best things to see and do in a short time. The following itinerary will help you structure a trip that takes in a wide swath of Las Vegas culture.

Day 1. The Strip is huge, so it's best to divide it into two chunks. On Day 1, explore the southern end of the Strip, as far north as … Read the rest

Syke Farm Camping Ground, Buttermere

Syke Farm is tucked away in a quiet Lake District valley to the south-west of Keswick in the tiny hamlet of Buttermere. This is an unpretentious, no-frills campsite with an unapologetically back-to-basics approach. Facilities are fairly basic – there's no reception or shop, and the only source of provisions is the farmhouse in the village offering eggs and milk. The remote location and scant facilities almost makes it feel like you've stumbled upon a bygone era – but spend a few days relaxing in Buttermere, gazing into the bubbling beck and eating too many … Read the rest

The renovation of the Protea Hotel Presidne tin Cape Town reaches the halfway mark next month.

The Protea Hotel President’s renovations started in July last year and after a 2010/2011 summer break, three floors of the hotel will be complete by the end of the next month.

Hotel GM Debra Sivertsen says the refurbishment of the rooms and apartments had been extensive. Changes at the property include the fitting of flat screen televisions, laminate flooring replacing carpets, all rooms and apartments are now equipped with semi-self catering kitchens including microwaves and fridges as well as the normal tea/coffee facilities, … Read the rest

Hilton Worldwide is set to open its first hotel in Erbil, the capital city of Iraqi Kurdistan. Comprising of 200 serviced apartments, DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Erbil is expected to open at the end of 2013.

The new hotel will be strategically located on Erbil’s central thoroughfare, close to the recently expanded Erbil International Airport and the Ainkawa district, one of the city’s main retail and entertainment centres.

Rob Palleschi, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton brand says: “I’m delighted to be bringing our brand to such an important city in the Middle East. DoubleTree by Hilton has built its … Read the rest