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Weekend Getaways from Johannesburg - AA Travel Guides
Weekend Getaways from Johannesburg
| This Week's Theme |
Weekend Getaways from Johannesburg |
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The first few months of a year are a great source of stress for most families, as it's a time of settling into new things - perhaps it's your children's first year in "big school" or you are working in the hours for that new postion you took up at the beginning of the year. Whatever it is, your Christmas holidays are by now a long distant memory and you are itching to take a weekend break.
There is no doubt that a relaxing weekend away is one of the best ways to rest your body and revive your soul, inspiring you to get back to work on Monday morning full of vigour and ready to tackle any stress that is thrown your way. Yet many people find excuses to put this off - and opt for one long holiday at the end of the year instead.
There are numerous interesting and worthwhile destinations within a three hour drive of Johannesburg, which means that you can leave work early Friday afternoon, enjoy two nights away, still make the most of Sunday and be home before sunset Sunday - refreshed and ready to tackle the week ahead. Now is also a great time to have a rest before hitting the final stretch of 2009.
A weekend away is the perfect amount of time for you to explore a place you have never been to before, reconnect with your partner and leave all the stresses of the city behind. And now that there are no school holidays till the end of the year, you can enjoy these destinations without all the crowds, with |
many establishments offering great specials too. Another bonus about visiting nearby destinations is that your fuel and transport costs will be realtively low.
Johannesburg is located within 2-3 hours of some of the country's most well-known tourist spots including those in Free State, North West, Mpumalanga and Limpopo. Why not visit Magaliesburg and the Cradle of Humankind or Dinokeng in Gauteng, Parys in the Free State or the lovely village of Dullstroom in Mpumalanga?
Go on, treat yourself and your partner to a weekend away at a nearby destination...you know you want to! |
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| Dullstroom-Emnotweni - Mpumalanga's Fly Fishing Mecca |
Dullstroom is a trout fishing destination par excellence. |
The lovely little village of Dullstroom, located in the heart of Mpumalanga's Steenkampsberg Mountain Range, is extremely popular as a weekend getaway for those living in Johannesburg and Pretoria. With it lush alpine-like vegetation, it's plentiful waterways packed with trout and loads of fresh country air, this really is no surprise.
Roughly a two and a half hour car journey from Johannesburg, this part of Mpumalanga is perfect as a convenient getaway destination for those looking for a bit of rest, relaxation, adventure and clean country air - great to refresh and inspire the body and mind.
The cool sub-alpine climate means that even in the heat of summer things in Dullstroom stay wonderfully chilled, and the cold water here means one thing: trout! In fact it is possibly even South Africa's fly-fishing mecca and Dullstroom is by far one of the county's most popular spots to practice your "River Runs Through It" routine. Most establishments cater for the anglers and will supply rods, bait and tackle. If you are unsuccesful at the lakes, or just too lazy to catch your own, there are scrumptious restaurants in town that serve delicious fresh trout dishes.
Besides the fishing, Dullstroom offers fascinating boer war architecture, great walks, intersting memorials and is of course a perfect stopover en-route to the Kruger National Park. |
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Find Accommodation in Dullstroom |
Top Reasons to enjoy a Weekend Getaway now
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Read more about Dullstroom |
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| Cradle of Humankind - World Heritage Site |
The magnificent Sterkfontein Caves |
The Cradle of Humankind is possibly the world's most famous archaeolgical site, and has been important in the piecing together of our knowledge of where we came from. A World Heritage Site, this rural valley is not only attractive to scientists, anthropologists and archaeologists, but is fast becoming a very popular tourist spot for local and international visitors.
This ancient and ruggedly beautiful area of Gauteng is literllay a stone's throw away from both Johannesburg and Pretoria, and it shouldn't take more than 45 minutes by car to reach. Great even for a day out exploring, it is recommended that you stay a couple of nights to really make the most of what's on offer. Top highlights include the award-winning Maropeng Vistors Centre that show how the area is regarded as the cradle of modern humans by means of highly-interactive and hi-tec displays and exhibits, and indeed that this must surely be the most important cultural sites on the planet. Close to Maropeng is the world-famous Sterkfontein Caves, where major discoveries including "Mrs Ples" and others have helped crack the code of our ancestry.
Besides the fossils and rocks, the region offers tourists incredible scenery, great bird-watching opportunities, excellent mountain biking trails and the nearby Magaliesberg Mountains. |
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| Find Accommodation in the COH |
Read more about the Cradle of Humankind |
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| Parys - Home of the Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site |
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Parys, scenically situated on the banks of the Vaal River, makes for a fantastic weekend destination for stressed out city slickers. Roughly 115km south of Johannesburg, the town, with its tree-lined "island" resorts and loads of activities, is becoming popular with those looking to enjoy a relaxing destination not too far from home.
Parys lies close to the world-famous Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site, where 2,000-million years ago a giant meteorite struck the earth and changed the planet for ever. The crater, about 42km in diameter, can be seen clearly from space, and back on earth has resulted in some unique geological formations, fascinating terrain and interesting flora.
Other than a visit to the site, tourists to Parys can enjoy some interesting old architecture, enjoy the displays at the museum and relax along the banks of the Vaal River. If you are feeling energetic, there are fantastic mountain bike and hiking trails that will have you exploring the Vredefort Dome from deep within.. |
Entries are now open for the AA Travel Guides American Express Awards. Click here for fact sheet and entry form |
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Read More about Parys |
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| Magaliesburg - Enjoy the rugged beauty of the Magalies Meander |
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Magaliesburg is one of Gauteng's most well-loved weekend destinations, not only because it is conveniently located within an hour's drive of Johannesburg and Pretoria, but also because of the incredible scenery and great activities on offer.
The village lies in a rustic valley in the southern foothilss of the Magaliesberg Mountain Range and is perfect for weekend warriors looking to enjoy good food, great hiking and mountain biking trails and even those with a penchant for history. The bush is typically African, while the artists and crafters that can be met along the Magalies Meander, are both intriguing and friendly. Why not take the steam train from Johannesburg if you're even too stressed to drive? |
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| Accommodation in Magaliesburg |
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Rich in culture, nature and history of Africa, the tourist hub known as Dinokeng, offers tourist a fabulous opportunity to explore and enjoy warm African hospitality.
Best of all, Dinokeng is literally on the doorstep of Pretoria and Johannesburg and is a short 45 minute drive to the northeast. Located within 200 000 hectares, Dinokeng offers something for everyone, from diamond tours in the Victorian-esque village of Cullinan to Big Five game viewing.
There are over 275 tourist attractions in the region, and exciting outdoor adventures to enjoy too. Taking in the towns of Cullinan, Rust de Winter and Hamanskraal amongst others, Dinokeng gives you a wonderful opportunity to discover something and something old. So be sure to book some accommodation and get down to the "place of rivers" for some quality rest and realxarion - perfect for a weekend getaway. |
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Read More about Dinokeng |
Dinokeng Specials |
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| Mpumalanga |
Stonecutters Lodge |
Dullstroom |
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THE ROMANCE PACKAGE FOR TWO: Two-night Package - Total price R 3460, Three-night Package - Total price R 4320 Packages must be booked 48 hours in advance and are not available over long week-ends. THE PAMPER PACKAGE FOR TWO: Two-night Package - Total price R 5,430 Three- night Package - Total price R 6,300. Packages must be booked 48 hours in advance and are not available over long week-ends |
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| Gauteng |
Budmarsh Private Lodge |
Magaliesburg |
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Magaliesberg Classic Country Festival
23-27 September 2009
Enjoy an outing to the countryside on Heritage Day, with the Magaliesberg Classic Country Festival. Book two nights at discounted rates, from R990 per person per night, for a Luxury room, or from R1190 per person per night, for a Superior Room.
Book for 3 nights, and get the fourth night free.
Be sure to visit the Budmarsh stand at the festival for a light lunch of Breaded Panco Prawns and wine.
Festive Season Getaway at Budmarsh Private Lodge
11 December – 4 January 2010
Owing to popular demand Budmarsh Private Lodge has decided to join in the fun of the festive season, and will be open during the month of December this year! Book from R850/person/night, sharing, for any room, including a 3 course dinner, bed & breakfast. Rooms will be on a first come first serve basis. As this is the best family holiday of the year, we can’t resist inviting the kids to come along, so children under 10 years are welcome, and can stay free when sharing with their parents in rooms 1, 4 or 11.
Christmas Eve Dinner
To celebrate Christmas, dinner will be a 6 course extravaganza on Thursday 24 December, at an additional R125/person. Each guest will receive a small gift at the Christmas Eve Dinner. You are welcome to invite family to join you for dinner, subject to availability.
Christmas Lunch
Christmas Lunch will be in the format of a buffet braai, at an additional R120/person. |
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| Gauteng |
Zenzele River Lodge |
Dinokeng |
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20% Discount on all River Lodge bookings. Luxury Chalets @ R1112.00 per person per day (VAT excl); Standard Rooms @ R864.00 per person per day (VAT excl); Includes breakfast, lunch & 3-course dinner. |
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