Annually, European and American travellers flock to the white sandy beaches, blazing heat and lush green surrounds of Cape Town South Africa in the summer months of the southern hemisphere. Chasing a perpetual summer, many prefer to visit the Cape between November and March when the best weather is guarnateed.

But what about Cape Town in the winter months? At Kommetjie Beach Retreats, we welcome both seasons and encourage our international guests to visit and stay with us when the weather gets a bit colder due to the wonderful vacation opportunities that Cape Town winters have to offer. Below is a list of our favourite winter vacation activities for couples, families and singles in and around Kommetjie:

Kite surfing

Despite what many assume about Cape Town surfing and the summer swell and weather, the waves are better in the winter months; particularly for kite surfers when a bit of South Easterly and North Westerly wind kicks in and makes Kommetjie the ideal location for some adventurous water sports. Grab your gear, hire it from Gary’s Surf School– conveniently close to most properties to let and self-catering Kommetjie accommodation and check out Magic Seaweed for a wave and wind forecast before you head on down to the beach for hours of wave action.

Dining out

There are numerous, renowned restaurants in and around the Kommetjie area where families, couples and singles can enjoy quality cuisine by the fire-side with a glass of award winning South African wine. The Food Barn in Noordhoek is our top pick, serving up scrumptious farm breakfasts, excellent tapas and small plates and a blend of international and neo-French food at dinner time, it’s the perfect place to eat and conveniently close to Kommetjie. Harbour House Restaurant in Kalk Bay is renowned for seafood and sushi and is just a short car ride away from your self-catering Kommetjie accommodation. Other spots to try are The Hub in Scarborough, Cape Point Vineyards’ restaurant and Café Roux, opposite The Food Barn in Noordhoek.

Winter beach walks

This is, without a doubt, our favourite winter activity in Cape Town and with miles of unspoiled coastline on both side of the peninsula, you’re really spoiled for choice. Long Beach, in Kommetjie, stretches all the way to Noordhoek, with the Kakapo Wreck as a halfway point while Dangers Beach and Fish Hoek beach are great family spots on the Indian Ocean’s coastline too.

Wine tasting

South Africa, and Cape Town in particular, is home to some of the oldest and finest wine estates and vineyards in the world. Cape Point Vineyards, in Noordhoek offers world-renowned Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, a five-minute drive from Kommetjie while the larger Constantia area is home to several award-winning farms that produce a range of excellent cultivars with good vintage. We recommend Groot Constantia, Steenberg and Beau Constantia this winter.

Rugby

A South African favourite, rugby is a great winter activity in the Cape and games are held weekly at Newlands Stadium which is about a thirty-minute drive from Kommetjie.

If you feel like staying in near the fire, you can always catch the game at The Lighthouse Pub or Fisherman’s in Kommetjie but we’d recommend heading down to The Toad in the Village in Noordhoek which has great atmosphere, a warm, cosy fire and an excellent food and drinks menu.

One of the best and latest trends that we noticed now is the sudden rise in popularity when it comes to smoked meats. We can see that there are hundreds of barbecue joints that sprouted like wild mushrooms out there and as meat lovers, it would be pretty hard for us to find or choose the best ones out there.

Barbecue is a serious business, everyone who loves meat can become an instant critic to the flavor, smokiness, and the taste of its sauce simply because we have our own versions of barbecue that we want these joints to cook it the same way. In fact, there are various barbecue making competitions around the world vying who among them have the most heavenly-tasting barbecue out there.

There are different ways and techniques as well as recipes and sauces that are used according to tradition, and the cities when it comes to making barbecues and smoked meat that is why in this article, let us follow these useful steps in finding the tastiest, and the most authentic smoked meat and barbecue.

RIBS

According to barbecue experts and the best Smokehouse Restaurant, ribs should be cooked with a crispy and caramelized exterior and very tender insides with the meat cooked with a pink tint that is finely textured in the entire slab of the rib. The meat should fall off the bone but not to the point that it is not tender anymore to chew because this is a sign of overcooking.  Ribs should be perfectly cooked that you can bite off a piece of the meat easily but not in a way that it will instantly separate from the bones because you are like eating a mashed meat in that case.

PULLED PORK

If you want to eat a rib which is perfectly cooked it should not look like a pulled pork once you take a bite, but in this case, pulled pork is the ones that spent most of its time being smoked so that it can easily be shredded into pieces and sandwiched in between your favorite buns. But still, barbecue experts say that the pork should still be tender and not mushy because will only make the pork lose its flavors rather than keeping it intact, and an overly soft pulled pork means it is a sign of being overcooked. A good pulled pork must be able to retain its entire flavor, its smokiness, and its spiciness.

BRISKET

Nothing beats a good smoked beef brisket. Since this is a premium kind of barbecue meat, it is quite challenging when it comes to its preparations. The cut of meat that a good brisket must have a grain of muscles that runs in two different directions which makes it require more time to be cooked to perfection. Since it is beef, it should be cooked for more than 10-hours probably 16 hours inside a smoke pit so that it will not become rubbery and tastes bland. A well-smoked brisket is very soft that the meat can melt in your mouth instantly without losing its smokiness and flavors just like what the Smokehouse Restaurant, Bar & Grill Melbourne serve to its customers.

Thinking of traveling to Malaysia for leisure or vocational reasons?  The cheapest and most centrally-located hotel isn’t always the best. More travel hotels are opening up everywhere around Malaysia. The most recentbuilt hotel is essential not the best. You are likely going to be blinded by the looks and decency in those hotels but you need more than just looks. Let’s have a look at the main features of the best hotel near KLIA2.

Your Desired Location

Travel hotels are located either in established areas, touristy areas or up-and-coming residential neighborhoods. It’s up to you to decide the kind of place you will want to take your rest in after a busy and tiresome day. Those who love shopping and busy environments should consider opting for well-established centers since here they will get celebrity spots and huge shopping centers. If you are a down-to-earth person who doesn’tlike the hype inestablished areas, hotels based in residential places will be your best bet.

Reasons For Traveling

The kind of hotel a traveler on a relaxing vacation will find favorable isn’t the same as the one a business traveler will find great. A business traveler will often want a hotel that gives them quick access to their business meeting centers. As for relaxing vacation travelers, they will want a nicely furnished and resort-like property that would give them quality access to leisure amenities like pool and spa. When traveling with kids, you will as well need a different kind of hotel. Your kind of kind will likely be one that provides a kid-friendly environment and caters for the needs of families.

Your Personal Priorities

Everyone has priorities when it comes to hotel booking. Our priorities are often dependent on our budgets. That though does not mean since our budgets are on the lower end, we should settle for less. If location is not a problem, it would be better to settle for a five-star hotel in the residential areas rather than in 4-star hotel in big cities. That’s because the prices in residential up-and-coming locations will be lower than the price of the rooms on already established four-star hotels. Search for several hotels and compare the price quotes. You obviously don’t want surprises and the best way to avoid them is to choose what you can afford.

Conclusion

In case you have plans to travel to Malaysia and most especially KLIA2, choosing hotels like https://www.tunehotels.com/malaysia-hotels/klia2-airport-transit-hotel/ will do you more good than harm. This great hotel provides you witha great view of the KLIA2 airport and has a great range of exclusively designed and beautifully furnished rooms. When you rent a room in this hotel, you will have access to a great range of services and amenities. Among the main amenities, you are assured of include a queen sized 5-star bed, quality air conditioning, hot power shower-connected bathrooms, free Wi-Fi connection, modern table and chair, hairdryer, and a personal electronic safe. You will also get a range of high-end entertainment systems such as HD Television, music system, and lots more. You can visit https://www.tunehotels.com/malaysia-hotels/klia2-airport-transit-hotel/ a room for your next vacation.

If you are a University of Queensland student and are planning to take a vacation, then it is not a simple matter of making a few reservations for you. You would be living and studying on a limited budget, and if you do not want to ask your parents for more money for a vacation, then you need to plan a better use of your existing resources. Here are a few ways to plan a low cost vacation without missing out on the fun.

Strength in numbers – A vacation for a student is always more fun if you have some fellow travelers with you. But more important, in the context of this blog, a group travelling together would be able to negotiate for much better rates, especially when you are looking for accommodation.

The Smart Dates – If you do not have a constraint of dates (as we would expect students to), then it makes much more sense to fix your travel dates outside the usual time when people would be travelling. For example, avoid the weekends or avoid the usual festival holidays like Easter. If you travel during a regular workweek, you would get much cheaper flight tickets and accommodation.

Compare and contrast – The great advantage of the internet is that it brings information to your fingertips very easily. Use that to your advantage to get complete information about travel and accommodation, and find the cheapest options. While looking for best prices, make sure you do not lose out elsewhere. For example, an airline with a cheap ticket might have an unearthly departure time, so make sure it is convenient for you. Again, while looking for accommodation, check out the pictures and user reviews before you get attracted to low prices.

Pack Smart – While traveling for a vacation, many people fall into one of two extremes. They either pack too much, leading to extra airline charges and difficulty carrying luggage around. Or they pack very light but end up buying things which they need during their vacation. Leave out all non-essential stuff from your bags, but if there is something which you know you will need, then do not leave it back, or you might need to buy it during your vacation.

Look for student accommodation – There are places like Student One which offer wonderful accommodation for students who stay at Brisbane. If you are travelling to Brisbane, then you might want to check out Student One and other places like theirs to see if they have short term accommodation you can use on producing your student identity card and paying the tariffs on a daily basis.

If you are a student and have a limited budget, you need not avoid taking vacations once in a while to recharge your batteries for fear of not having enough money for a vacation. You can follow the above tips and easily plan a fun vacation for your friends and yourself. Proper planning will allow you to take a well-deserved break without having to break the bank.

London is a leading destination for many people around the world who may be looking to expand their traveling experiences. The city hosts a large number of attractions for first-time visitors, and it is easy to get confused when attempting to schedule a fun day out and about the town.

Some activities are more popular than others, however, and some of the more widely suggested pastimes that are available include:

Bus Tours around the City

Tourists who would like a guided tour of the city can hop onto one of the famous London buses offering these services to their patrons at an affordable rate. Here an individual will be taken past the various attractions in the city with an experienced guide offering interesting information on the sites included in this foray, as well as answering any potential questions that might be raised by the passengers. Those who have recently arrived in the region and would like to go out for a little sightseeing before choosing a hotel can drop off their bags with a reliable storage service such as LuggageHero, who will store such suitcases for as long as needed at an attractive cost.

Boat Trip down the River Thames

People looking for a more scenic alternative of exploring the city can book a ride down the River Thames via one of the many boating services available. One can cruise down this famous waterway in style while enjoying delicious treats with their friends and family and absorbing the beautiful surroundings. Those who would prefer a more thrilling experience during their London vacation can opt for a speedboat ride down the river, with the fast action involved offering an unforgettable experience.

Witness the Changing of the Guard Ceremony

This transaction is one of the most popular activities available in the city and takes place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 10:45 am depending on the weather. The ceremony is held in front of Buckingham Palace and involves a formal exchange of shifts between the old and the new guard. It is free to watch and takes about 45 minutes from start to finish, although the actual exchange takes place at 11:00 am.

Visit the Tower of London

History buffs can visit this famous location and have themselves regaled with tales of splendor and fascination by one of the iconic beefeaters that serve this facility. This is also where the world-renowned crown jewels are displayed, and individuals can get to see some of the best known precious stones firsthand.

Explore the Architectural History of St. Paul’s Cathedral

This famous building offers one of the best views of the city from its Golden Gallery, as well as additional attractions such as the Whispering Gallery, and its crypt filled with celebrated characters including the Duke of Wellington and Admiral Lord Nelson. Visitors can choose between virtual guides provided by their multimedia touch screen system, or a personal tour undertaken by a qualified member of their staff. Ticket prices are offered at lower rates for children, students, and senior citizens.

With its attractive system of canals, rich past and lively cultural division, capital of Netherlands remains one of the most unique urban destinations in the world.The selection of things to do in Amsterdam in any weather is endless – so if you are visiting Amsterdam for a weekend or for a fortnight, here is an essential list of what to do when in Amsterdam with the best attractions and experiences that you cannot lose in this city.

1. Explore the city with the I Amsterdam City Card

Enjoy free unlimited public transport, free admission to the best museums and attractions in Amsterdam and lots of great discounts and deals with the I Amsterdam City Card.

2. Get on the bike

In Amsterdam there are more than 800,000 bicycles. More bicycles than people! Riding a bicycle in Amsterdam is a way of life, and it is made even easier thanks to the unbeatable network of bicycle routes in the city and flat landscapes. Amsterdam often appears at the top of the list of cities most friendly to cyclists, and there is no better way to explore the city’s streets, its canals and attractions, than driving with the pedals. Riding a bicycle in Amsterdam is safe, fun and invigorating, so do not hesitate and join the locals by riding the bike. Discover more about how to ride a bike and rent a bike in Amsterdam.

3. Lose yourself in the artistic Jordaan

Often referred to as the most charming neighborhood in Amsterdam, strolling through the Jordan is like traveling in time. What was once a working-class area, the narrow streets and picturesque buildings of the Jordan make up one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in Amsterdam, full of independent art galleries, antique shops, courtyards with gardens and bars and restaurants with a fantastic atmosphere. Put aside the map and lose yourself in its labyrinth of alleyways that extend eastward from the Prinsengracht canal, which is known as the Nine Streets; one of Amsterdam’s most gratifying shopping experiences. Here you will find more than 200 retailers, including an exceptional selection of independent boutiques, vintage stores and specialty stores that sell all kinds of products, from designer dresses to handmade cosmetics.

4. Immerse yourself in culture at the Museumplein

Home of the Rijksmuseum, the largest art and history museum in Amsterdam, the Van Gogh Museum and the Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art, the Museumplein is the beating cultural heart of Amsterdam. After its recent renovation, which has made it an international standard, the leafy nineteenth-century Oud-Zuid district is a utopia for any art lover, and the open plaza between buildings vibrates with activity throughout the day with exhibitions outdoors, markets and a large pond in which to dip your toes on the hottest days. And during the winter months, the square transforms into a large outdoor ice skating rink.