Embark on a journey through Qatar's rich cultural heritage without leaving Hamad International Airport (HIA). Qatar Duty Free proudly presents Souq Al Matar, an innovative blend of retail and dining, immersing travelers in the vibrant energy of traditional Qatari markets. Let's explore this groundbreaking concept that redefines airport experiences.

Summer, with its blazing sun and rising temperatures, brings forth unique challenges for our skin. From clogged pores to breakouts, diverse skin types face a range of issues. Oily skin may battle increased sebum production, while dry skin can become dehydrated under the intense sunlight. Even those with combination and sensitive skin are not exempt from summer's impact. In this blog post, we'll explore the common skin concerns of summer and unveil the perfect trio of Avene products to tackle them.

The R330 million Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal in South Africa’s main port of Durban today was officially inaugurated by President Cyril Ramaphosa ahead of the start of South Africa’s 2023-24 cruise season.

Beat the heat of the summer season by sipping on a gin and tonic in the stunning natural paradise that is Sun International’s only beachfront resort, Wild Coast Sun near Port Edward.

Disney has officially unveiled its captivating holiday campaign, "May Your Wishes Come True," marking the celebration of its 100th anniversary. This enchanting campaign is centered on the profound significance of wishes and features the debut of the first-ever live-action festive ad, titled "A Wish For The Holidays." The ad draws inspiration from the upcoming Walt Disney Animation Studios' movie, "Wish," and will be showcased in over 50 countries.

As the summer season makes its grand entrance, people across the board are rekindling their health and fitness routines. Whether the goal is to shed those extra winter layers in time for summer or to hit the reset button on their overall well-being, it's evident that gyms are filling up once again.

The Walt Disney Company Africa and LIFT unveiled a co-branded celebratory aircraft livery to kick-off Disney’s biggest festive campaign to date in South Africa, “May Your Wishes Come True”.

The livery features some of the most iconic and memorable characters from Disney, MARVEL and Star Wars^TM, including: Disney’s Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Moana, Black Panther, Grogu^TM, Elsa, Spidey. A brand new character also makes an appearance, Asha, from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ upcoming “Wish", which releases in cinemas nationwide from 22 November. The Disney inspired plane (tail number ZS-GAS) will appear in South African skies and at airports from 20 October and service routes between Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.

On board, customers can expect special Disney and LIFT surprises, as well as kiddies activity packs to make flying with little ones a breeze during the busy holiday season, with giveaways and more treats. The excitement won't stop there, because LIFT has additional surprises between 1 and 12 December for lucky travelers on select flights, as South Africans get ready for the festive season.

Fans and travellers who spot or travel on the Disney-inspired Plane can share their pics on social media, using the hashtag #DisneyandLIFT and tagging @DisneyAfrica and @LIFT__SA. 

Says Christine Service, Senior Vice President and General Manager of The Walt Disney Company Africa: "To mark our 100^th year anniversary (16 October 2023), The Walt Disney Company is celebrating the fans and storytellers who have sparked the joy and magic that embodies Disney over the last century. We hope that this exciting and unique collaboration with LIFT will bring delight to travellers of all ages this holiday season as we mark this milestone anniversary.”

Says Luke Roberts, General Manager, Consumer Products, Games and Publishing, The Walt Disney Company Africa; “Rolling out in stores nationwide from November, “May Your Wishes Come True” is Disney’s biggest retail campaign to date. With the holiday season approaching and “Wish” releasing in cinemas nationwide from 24 November, we are inspired by the universal truth of wishing to be together at this special time. This collaboration with LIFT truly celebrates this togetherness with families and fans.”

Says Jonathan Ayache, CEO of LIFT.: “As a beloved family brand, Disney is a perfect fit for LIFT. With our new livery, together we celebrate the love, magic and family togetherness that signals the festive season. We’re proud to link arms with Disney, through this collaboration, our hope is to ignite a sense of fun, wonder and excitement for the whole family during the upcoming season of school holidays and family celebrations.”

Customers can visit www.lift.co.za to book flights and stand a chance of flying on the #DisneyandLIFT aircraft. Travellers aboard the airline will continue to enjoy all the perks LIFT has to offer including complimentary snacks, coffee from vida e caffè and extra-friendly service from the stylish cabin crew. LIFT has flexible flight changes with unlimited penalty-free changes and no cancellation fees up to 24 hours before departure.

Samara Karoo Reserve, near Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape’s Great Karoo region and home to the Big Five, over 60 mammal species and 225 bird species, was recognised in the Top 15 Resorts in South Africa.

On Monday 16 October, Zolani Mahola, "The One Who Sings", joined LIFT to treat travellers to a surprise Silent Disco performance in the sky. 

Acclaimed experiential department store We Are EGG The Zone @ Rosebank in Johannesburg marked its first anniversary this past weekend with a vibrant celebration, attended by a long list of celebrities, fashion designers, influencers and key media.

Visiting the Western Cape in spring is an unparalleled experience. As the province sheds its winter cloak, it comes to life with a burst of vibrant wildflowers, breathtaking scenery, and a mild and inviting climate. Spring always brings a burst of colour to the landscapes opening the opportunity to experience mother nature work her magic.

Less than an hour’s drive from the Mother City nestled in the Cape Winelands, Franschhoek is one of the premier wine-producing regions in the country known for its picturesque vineyards, wineries surrounded by stunning landscapes.

With its surrounding breath-taking mountain ranges Franschhoek is an outdoor enthusiast’s playground, welcome the spring wildflowers  with a short hike, work your way through dozens of winding trails - leading to views that will leave you in awe.

If sampling the finer things in life is more your style, then one of the more than 45 wineries nestled in the valley, should do the trick - ranging from spectacular to the family owned, this region is known for producing astonishingly good wines, and what better way to sip your way through the list than by travelling in style on the Franschhoek Wine Tram running on tracks that are more than 100 years old the tram is a must visit if you find yourself in Franschhoek.

Whether it’s a weekend away to decompress or a weeklong staycation there are quite a number of accommodations offers – from rustic country style accommodation to quaint luxury boutique offerings like the Protea by Marriott Hotel Franschhoek.

As tourism month kicks into high gear, it's the perfect time to celebrate and support local travel by embracing the opportunity to savour the sites and flavours of Franschhoek creating cherished memories.

De Hoop Nature Reserve, a World Heritage site and Marine Protected area in the Overberg region is world renowned as one the best spots for land-based whale watching in South Africa. Every year, between June and November some 40% of the world’s southern right whales come to these shores to breed.

According to marine conservation photographer, Jean Tresfon, Koppie Alleen in the De Hoop Nature Reserve had the highest concentration of whales. He recently undertook the first official aerial survey of southern right whale numbers for 2023 with Dr Els Vermeulen of the UP Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit.

“The first whale we spotted, in Hermanus just under the cliffs near the Old Harbour, was upside down with a tiny calf on her chest. As we went on, we started to see more and more southern right whales, with 346 whales (of which 172 were calves) counted between Struisbaai and Skipskop Point. But, as expected we found the main concentration of whales at Koppie Alleen. There were so many whales here that the counting was an exercise in itself! The final number was 472 whales, (236 were calves) in the bay at Koppie Alleen, while another 115 whales (57 calves) were counted along the rest of the De Hoop coastline towards Cape Infanta."

The final figure from the aerial survey from Hermanus to Witsand of 1 136 whales, showed a substantial increase over the numbers counted over the past four years, but still less than the record numbers seen in 2018.

“Whale time is definitely a favourite time at De Hoop Collection,” said William Stephens, owner of De Hoop Collection on hearing the results. “This figure comes as no surprise. Koppie Alleen, with its relatively warm and calm waters is a haven for whales and their calves and is in fact the most important nursery area on the South African coast for southern right whales and this results in impressive numbers of whale sightings.”

The De Hoop Collection situated in the heart of the magnificent reserve and just three hours from Cape Town, offers a range of affordable accommodation from campsite rondawels, self-catering cottages and houses (sleeping from two to six people) to romantic suites, an old stone Manor house and the recent addition of the De Mond Villa.

Member of Cape Country Routes, the De Hoop Collection is the perfect destination for a weekend getaway – here you get to experience a unique outdoor experience like no other - the sea, the beaches, a Ramsar listed vlei, rare indigenous plants, diverse animal and bird life… and the Whales. “De Hoop continues to be the best spot for whale watching in South Africa From the high vantage point of the pristine dunes of Koppie Alleen our guests get to enjoy incredible sightings of the whales breaching, tail slapping and spyhopping - a term for when a whale rises partially out of the water in an upright position”.

Book now and experience the magic that is De Hoop!

Call or email Samantha at De Hoop Collection +27 (0)21 422 4522, res@dehoopcollection.co.za

Reservations: 021-422 4522 or res@dehoopcollection.co.za, www.dehoopcollection.com

Nestled within the breathtaking Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve, the Thaba Eco Hotel has always been an icon of excellence in the world of hospitality. But hold onto your hats, because they've just unveiled a transformation that's set to redefine luxury and sophistication in the industry!

A Seamless Blend of Heritage and Modern Luxury

For nearly two decades, Thaba Eco Hotel has been synonymous with hospitality excellence. Today, they're taking their commitment to the next level by introducing their newly refurbished Superior King Suites. These suites are the result of months of meticulous planning, design, and craftsmanship, all aimed at providing guests with an elevated and unforgettable experience.

Picture this: The Superior King Suites have been carefully reimagined to seamlessly blend the allure of Thaba's heritage with contemporary opulence. Every detail, from custom-built furnishings to harmonious color palettes, has been chosen to evoke a sense of timeless elegance. These suites reflect Thaba's dedication to offering a unique and captivating stay for its valued guests.

A Transformational Approach to Hospitality

At Thaba Eco Hotel, they believe in going beyond just renovating rooms. It's a holistic approach to hospitality, where every interaction, service, and detail is designed to ensure guests' utmost comfort and delight. It's all about crafting unforgettable experiences.

Introducing Our Brand Ambassadors

As part of their commitment to personalized hospitality, Thaba Eco Hotel is proud to introduce its esteemed Brand Ambassadors. These ambassadors, inspired by Thaba's resident wildlife, represent different facets of their transformational hospitality approach:

1. Kagosi, the luxury seeker: Kagosi embodies modern elegance and appreciates excellence in service and personalization. He envisions responsible luxury, making him the perfect advocate for Thaba Eco Hotel.

2. Dineo, the romantic: Dineo is a connoisseur of luxury romance, finding beauty in comfort and romantic settings. She represents Thaba as the ultimate wedding venue and experience.

3. Lesedi, the family traveler: Lesedi focuses on family-oriented travel in exclusive, safe environments. Thaba is the ideal destination for unforgettable family moments.

   1. Ruri, the Trendy Traveler: Ruri craves modern luxury and cutting-edge experiences. Thaba offers a fusion of style and substance for her journey.

   2. Thato, Thaba's Eco-Conscious Ambassador: Thato embraces nature, sustainability, and premium eco-friendly experiences.

   3. Kabo, Thaba's Bleisure Ambassador: Kabo blends work and leisure seamlessly and appreciates luxury, fine dining, and exceptional service.

   4. Oteng, Kraal Restaurant's Ambassador of Culinary Elegance: Oteng embodies sophistication and an appreciation for fresh, innovative gastronomy.

      
      

      

   A World Where Opulence Meets Sustainability

   
   
   Thaba Eco Hotel invites you to step into a world where opulence meets sustainability, where contemporary design merges with the ultimate in hospitality experience. Their commitment to preserving the environment and offering luxurious experiences is at the heart of their transformation.
   
   
   

   
   

   A Celebration of Shared Journeys

   In the words of Kirsty Marais, Chief Excellence Officer for Thaba Eco Hotel, "We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our cherished guests for their unwavering support throughout our journey. Thaba Eco Hotel's transformation is a celebration of our shared voyage, and we invite you to immerse yourself in the allure of our newly refurbished Superior King Suites, partake in our bespoke experiences, and create memories that will linger long after your departure."

   
   

   

   So, what are you waiting for? The Thaba Eco Hotel's transformation promises a travel experience like no other, where luxury meets nature, and heritage meets modern opulence. It's time to embark on your next adventure in the heart of South Africa's stunning nature reserve. We can't wait to hear about your unforgettable stay at Thaba Eco Hotel. Until next time, fellow explorers!