We love travelling. In fact, if you live in SA, you need to travel often to see that there is still civilised life out there! During all our travels, we enjoy and remember most those little gems that you did not even expect to see, not the big touristy things.One such a place was Melk Cathedral. It is located above the town of Melk on a rocky outcrop overlooking the river Danube in Lower Austria.
This monastic school was founded in the 12th century, and was renowned for its extensive manuscript collection. Due to its fame and academic stature, Melk managed to escape dissolution under Emperor Joseph II when many other Austrian abbeys were seized and dissolved between 1780 and 1790.
We drove past it by accident, and were totally wowed by it's splendour! I was very young, but I still remember thinking that I have NEVER seen so much gold in my entire life! It was truly spectacular.
Even after years of travelling and seeing literally thousands of churches, this one is still one of my favourites.
Travel Spot 2 - Blausee
Another gem I discovered during my travels, was the Blue Lake in Switserland. Thanks to its very special colour and the crystal-clear water, which has its source in subterranean springs, Blausee is one of the best-known mountain lakes in Switzerland. The small Blausee is located in the midst of a small nature park, with a landscape formed by a rock slide that led to the creation of the lake.
This tiny lake is so crystal clear, you can see right down to the bottom, and it has hundreds of trout swimming around in it. This deep-blue crystal clear lake is illuminated by night. A glass-bottom boat for a short boating is stationed for every guest. The large alpine organic trout farm is also open for public viewing.
This lake is steeped in legend of the eternal memory of love which persists beyond death. Legend has it that after a young maiden with deep blue eyes lost the love of her life when he tragically died, she came here to their favourite spot to mourn. In deep sorrow and pain she ran to the lake crying until she fell down into the water losing her life. Her tears turned the lake blue, thus a statue of her was erected by the lake.
Of course they love their tragic love stories and mystery, but it is definitely not a somber atmosphere that greets you when you visit this place. It is magical and romantic, with beauty and scenery that will capture your heart forever.
Travel Spot 3 - Joshua Tree Park
It was probably the coldest, most windy day of the year when we visited the Joshua Tree National Park in America. We were on our way from Las Vegas to Palm Springs, when we came across this beautiful, surrealistic - yes, it looks like a Dali painting - desert park.
Humans have occupied the park's nearly 800,000 acres for at least 5,000 years. The park protects 501 archaeological sites, 88 historic structures and 19 cultural landscapes. As Southern California grew so did park visitation. Joshua Tree now lies within a three-hour drive of more than 18 million people. Rich cultural history adds to the attraction of this place.
Viewed from the road, it doesn't look like much, but if you have a closer look, it reveals a fascinating variety of plants, a constant changing of landscapes and rock formations shaped by strong winds, unpredictable torrents of rain and climatic extremes, the beautiful Joshua trees and we even saw a few coyotes wandering around! It has a romantic, mysterious air about it and is anything but boring. I couldn't stop admiring the wonderful trees and interesting rock formations. I looked like a real tourist, clicking away with my camera! (maybe that is why Theuns & Gerrit drove off without me? ;-)
We truly enjoyed this outing, but this is Harley country, and next time I'll definitely rent a Harley and do it all over again! It presents fantastic photo opportunities because of it's diversity. An inspiring, breathtaking and memorable outing for sure.
Travel Spot 4 - Sorrento
If you were wondering why I do "travel spots" on my blog, it is because I have been to too many overrated places in my life while travelling and wasted a perfectly good day, while I could have seen something of much greater value that is less famous or advertised. My purpose is to highlight the less "touristy" places, where I was able to enjoy myself, take in breathtaking scenery, saw something worth remembering and enjoy the places less visited.
Italy will always be one of my favourites, especially the south of Italy. That is where I visited the absolutely beautiful city of Sorrento. Although this is not exactly a "hidden gem", it is still very untouched by tourists, and in close proximity of many wonderful destinations. This makes it a perfect base to stay, while exploring the south of Italy.
Here are a few personal reasons of why I think you should visit /stay in Sorrento:
1. Although Italy is famous for it's delicious ice-creams, the variety here was just mind blowing! Perfect to cool you down on a hot summer's day.
2. Because it's coastline is mainly cliffs, most of the hotels are built very high and it gives you spectacular views over the Mediterranean sea.
3. You can take a day trip to the Isle of Capri from here on a boat. If you leave early in the morning, you have a full day to explore the beautiful island (which feels much more Greek than Italian), the Blue caves (or Blue grotto's) and the exciting shopping in it's narrow uneven and very steep streets
4. Another breathtaking trip from here, is to explore the Amalfi Coast line. Pack a picnic basket, or stop at the beautiful town of Positano to get some delicatessen, because this trip should be savoured like a good wine. The are multiple places to stop and enjoy the view on your way. Take your time to appreciate the magnificent views. You'll see many tiny islands off the coast, some of which are inhabited by the rich and famous like Rudolf Nureyev . There are also no shortage of olive plantations.
5. They have the most exquisite wood inlay works here. From coffee tables to beds. In fact, the shopping down town in the heart of Sorrento is so much fun, you can find almost anything there, and enough ice-cream shops to keep you motivated.
6. A bit further, but still an enjoyable day trip, is Pompeii. This city was buried under volcanic ash and rediscovered. it is amazing how well preserved everything is. An interesting historical outing.
7. As I have mentioned, the coastline mostly conists out of cliffs, so grab a bottle of Italian red wine (it is really good and doesn't have tannin in it like most other wines, which means that you will not have a headache the next day) and witness a spectacular sunset over the sea!
Buon giorno!
Travel Spot 5 - Banff
We drove past it by accident, and were totally wowed by it's splendour! I was very young, but I still remember thinking that I have NEVER seen so much gold in my entire life! It was truly spectacular.
Even after years of travelling and seeing literally thousands of churches, this one is still one of my favourites.
Travel Spot 2 - Blausee
Another gem I discovered during my travels, was the Blue Lake in Switserland. Thanks to its very special colour and the crystal-clear water, which has its source in subterranean springs, Blausee is one of the best-known mountain lakes in Switzerland. The small Blausee is located in the midst of a small nature park, with a landscape formed by a rock slide that led to the creation of the lake.
This tiny lake is so crystal clear, you can see right down to the bottom, and it has hundreds of trout swimming around in it. This deep-blue crystal clear lake is illuminated by night. A glass-bottom boat for a short boating is stationed for every guest. The large alpine organic trout farm is also open for public viewing.This lake is steeped in legend of the eternal memory of love which persists beyond death. Legend has it that after a young maiden with deep blue eyes lost the love of her life when he tragically died, she came here to their favourite spot to mourn. In deep sorrow and pain she ran to the lake crying until she fell down into the water losing her life. Her tears turned the lake blue, thus a statue of her was erected by the lake.
Of course they love their tragic love stories and mystery, but it is definitely not a somber atmosphere that greets you when you visit this place. It is magical and romantic, with beauty and scenery that will capture your heart forever.
Travel Spot 3 - Joshua Tree Park
It was probably the coldest, most windy day of the year when we visited the Joshua Tree National Park in America. We were on our way from Las Vegas to Palm Springs, when we came across this beautiful, surrealistic - yes, it looks like a Dali painting - desert park.Humans have occupied the park's nearly 800,000 acres for at least 5,000 years. The park protects 501 archaeological sites, 88 historic structures and 19 cultural landscapes. As Southern California grew so did park visitation. Joshua Tree now lies within a three-hour drive of more than 18 million people. Rich cultural history adds to the attraction of this place.
Viewed from the road, it doesn't look like much, but if you have a closer look, it reveals a fascinating variety of plants, a constant changing of landscapes and rock formations shaped by strong winds, unpredictable torrents of rain and climatic extremes, the beautiful Joshua trees and we even saw a few coyotes wandering around! It has a romantic, mysterious air about it and is anything but boring. I couldn't stop admiring the wonderful trees and interesting rock formations. I looked like a real tourist, clicking away with my camera! (maybe that is why Theuns & Gerrit drove off without me? ;-)
We truly enjoyed this outing, but this is Harley country, and next time I'll definitely rent a Harley and do it all over again! It presents fantastic photo opportunities because of it's diversity. An inspiring, breathtaking and memorable outing for sure.
Travel Spot 4 - Sorrento
If you were wondering why I do "travel spots" on my blog, it is because I have been to too many overrated places in my life while travelling and wasted a perfectly good day, while I could have seen something of much greater value that is less famous or advertised. My purpose is to highlight the less "touristy" places, where I was able to enjoy myself, take in breathtaking scenery, saw something worth remembering and enjoy the places less visited.
Italy will always be one of my favourites, especially the south of Italy. That is where I visited the absolutely beautiful city of Sorrento. Although this is not exactly a "hidden gem", it is still very untouched by tourists, and in close proximity of many wonderful destinations. This makes it a perfect base to stay, while exploring the south of Italy.
1. Although Italy is famous for it's delicious ice-creams, the variety here was just mind blowing! Perfect to cool you down on a hot summer's day.
2. Because it's coastline is mainly cliffs, most of the hotels are built very high and it gives you spectacular views over the Mediterranean sea.
3. You can take a day trip to the Isle of Capri from here on a boat. If you leave early in the morning, you have a full day to explore the beautiful island (which feels much more Greek than Italian), the Blue caves (or Blue grotto's) and the exciting shopping in it's narrow uneven and very steep streets
4. Another breathtaking trip from here, is to explore the Amalfi Coast line. Pack a picnic basket, or stop at the beautiful town of Positano to get some delicatessen, because this trip should be savoured like a good wine. The are multiple places to stop and enjoy the view on your way. Take your time to appreciate the magnificent views. You'll see many tiny islands off the coast, some of which are inhabited by the rich and famous like Rudolf Nureyev . There are also no shortage of olive plantations.
5. They have the most exquisite wood inlay works here. From coffee tables to beds. In fact, the shopping down town in the heart of Sorrento is so much fun, you can find almost anything there, and enough ice-cream shops to keep you motivated.
6. A bit further, but still an enjoyable day trip, is Pompeii. This city was buried under volcanic ash and rediscovered. it is amazing how well preserved everything is. An interesting historical outing.
7. As I have mentioned, the coastline mostly conists out of cliffs, so grab a bottle of Italian red wine (it is really good and doesn't have tannin in it like most other wines, which means that you will not have a headache the next day) and witness a spectacular sunset over the sea!
Buon giorno!
Travel Spot 5 - Banff
One of the most understated places in the world to visit, is Canada. It is so different from the glamour and buzz of similar places in America and Europe. It has a wonderfully calm serenity to it.Today I want to highlight the Lake District around Banff in the south western part of Canada. Think "Legends of the Fall", "Brokeback Mountain" and "The Edge", which were shot on location here, and you get an idea of the majestic landscapes I came across. Everything looks larger than life, every tree, every cloud ( I know, but really, the clouds are very different there than what I am used to), which makes you realise once again how wonderful God's creation is, and how small we are in comparison.
I had the privilege to visit a few lakes in the area. If you ever visit Banff or it's surroundings, make sure not to miss these breathtaking wonders of the world. Interesting though, the Banff area was made famous 1888 when Canada's first transcontinental railroad was completed and three railroad workers stumbled across a series of hot springs in the Canadian Rockies. This soon became the fastest and most direct route from Europe to the far East.
It became a hot spot for tourists worldwide, which opened doors to investments, leading to the erection of the elegant 250-room Banff Springs Hotel. (1) The Rockies became prominent amongst the Victorian elites, who visited the Hotel with their string of entourages. Today it is called the Fairmont Bannf Springs Hotel, where I had the privilege to stay for a few days while visiting this beautiful area. If you have to mortgage you home to go stay there, do it, it's definitely worth it! It was built as a castle and therefor the walls are very thick. It was extended and revamped through the years, but never lost it's splendour. It's over life-sized silhouette can be seen from very far. The service and food is very good and makes you feel like royalty. A great spoil is coming back from a night out, just to snuggle up in front of their fireplace, while enjoying pettit fours and a hot chocolate, before you retrieve to your room..
2. Lake Louise. Probably the most magical of all the lakes, and probably also the smallest. The lake is surrounded by mountains which makes for a wonderful backdrop, but even more spectacular is the Hotel's restaurant. The over sized arced windows, frames the view in the most picturesque way with full view of the mountains and lake Louise. In summer people walk around the lake and canoe, and in winter they build ice sculptures there and the lake is transformed into an ice rink for skaters. Possibly the most romantic scenic view in the Rockies.
3. Lake Morraine is a wonderful place to go for a day's hiking. There are quite a few hills surrounding it and it seems very untouched. Featuring a crystal clear blue-green lake, a valley hemmed in by ten lofty mountain peaks, and a hanging valley of larches beneath the third highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies, it's little wonder that Lake Moraine rivals Lake Louise in scenic grandeur and fame. One look from the Rockpile at the lake's edge, and you're hooked, the scene from the back of Canada's old $20 bill is emblazoned into your memory forever.
4. Lake Peyto. After 'n hefty walk uphill between the trees and squirrels, you finally get to the top of the hill and are rewarded instantly by the magnificent view of lake Peyto. This is quite a large lake and the colour is an eerie milky turquoise. The reason for that is because significant amounts of glacial rock flour ( fine-grained, silt-sized particles of rock, generated by mechanical grinding of bedrock by glacial erosion) flow into the lake, and these suspended rock particles give the lake a bright, turquoise color. Because of its bright color, photos of the lake often appear in illustrated books, and area around the lake is a popular sightseeing spot for tourists in the park.
5. Hot Springs. The upper hot springs are open all year round and allow you to enjoy a hot plunge in the midst of all this scenery. A monumental part of Canada's heritage, the Banff Hot Springs were directly responsible for the creation of the first National Park in Canada. In 1885, there was a dispute over who actually owned the hot springs, and the decision to create a National Park ultimately suggested that all Canadians, present and future, had ownership in this Canadian treasure.
6. Bow falls is viewable from a branch on the road to the Banff Springs Hotel. The falls are actually behind the hotel and can be seen from the falls parking lot, en route to the magnificent (7) Golf course which can be seen from your hotel room and folds around the mountain.
Quite a far way from home for me (almost 2 days' flying), but a holiday not to be forgotten. Thanks to my sister and her husband who took me around and really spoilt me. This is a place I will definitely return to, and hopefully one day live there.
Travel Spot 7 - Twelve Apostles
Tucked away in the mountains between Camps- and Hout Bay, is the Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa. This was the ultimate in being spoiled rotten during a holiday!
Outside: Apart from being totally secluded, the setting is spectacular. The hotel has the sea on the front, and the Twelve Apostles mountain range behind it. You can walk amongst the multitude of fynbos varieties and have a romantic picnic in the mountain, or you can opt, like we did, to have a massage in their glass gazebo in the mountains, overlooking the sea. It was a truly unique experience. From where you lie, you can't even see the hotel, so it feels like you are the only people in this stretch of land with a view that has no equal. There are few pools and rock pools to swim in or tan, and it is very well laid out and private. In fact, that is the whole point of this hotel, everywhere you go, you feel like you are the only people in this wonderful location, when you aren't.
Inside: Even though this hotel has 80 rooms and were fully booked, we hardly ever saw anyone except in the restaurants. This and the fact that EVERYBODY who works there knows you by name, even if it is the first time you have an encounter, makes you feel like royalty. They go to the greatest lengths to make you feel welcome, comfortable and absolutely special. The rooms are spacious, the bathrooms luxurious, and even the smallest details are attended to (like the daily newspaper and latest magazines). There are various rooms to relax in like the library, leopard lounge and the balcony of Azure, all with wonderful views. Ideal for a high tea.
Food: No need to travel at all. The Hotel has 3 Restaurants and the food is to die for. For breakfast they have champagne and oysters galore, we had a five-course dinner at Azure that was fabulous and I will not easily forget the Caesar salad I had for lunch - the whole basket it was presented in, was made of Parmesan cheese! The room service is great and the oats crunchies in the spa was not safe with Gary around... What they don't have, they'll go get it for you.
Spoils: The greatest spoil was our shopping excursion - you know me, the shopaholic. This was no ordinary shopping spree, no sirree! We called the front desk to let them know we would like to go shopping at the Waterfront. Within 5 minutes a butler escorted us to the helipad and off we flew to go do some shopping! Wow.
Another great Spoil was movie night! The hotel has it's own small private movie theatre, and you choose the movie and the time! As soon as we were seated, they showered us with trays of treats: ice cream, smarties, jelly tots, milskakes, popcorn and more. We were like exited schoolkids.
All in all, it is one of the most memorable hotel stays we had. I was afraid of getting bored - I've never been so long in one vacation spot - but no chance of that happening. We will definitely go again and I can't wait!
