SA travellers acquire a taste for adventure
HE Adventure Travel
Trade Association’s (ATTA)
latest industry snapshot
report shows that 83% of
surveyed adventure operators
indicated that their 2018
revenues surpassed those of
2017. South African principal
suppliers agree, reporting that
the local adventure sector
continues on its growth path,
despite the dismal economic
climate.
“We are seeing steady
growth in the SA market
year on year. Our style of
sustainable adventure travel
appeals to customers who
are seeking tours that inspire,
challenge and have a positive
impact on the environment
and communities we travel
to,” says partnership growth
manager of Intrepid Group –
South Africa, Caroline Tinsley.
Roland Müller of
Development Promotions
agrees that South Africans
want more from a holiday than
just relaxation. “They’re after
once-in-a-lifetime experiences.”
Gm for South Africa and
Middle East of On the Go
Tours, Alex Gonsalves,
says the company has seen
consistent sales growth in
South Africa over the last five
years, with the local market
becoming more adventurous in
their travel choices.
“Many South Africans have
done Thailand and Indian
Ocean island beach holidays
and are looking for something
to take them outside their
comfort zones.
“We find that the local
market is big on cultural and
soft adventure experiences
like exploring Vietnam’s Cu Chi
Tunnels or Peru’s Inca Trail,”
says Alex.
“The adventure sector is
definitely growing in South
Africa, encompassing
everything from nature
encounters to
active tours
and adrenalin
activities. There
has also been
an increase in
sports enthusiasts
incorporating
adventure into
their travel
itineraries to
maintain their
active lifestyles
while on holiday,”
says key accounts
manager of Air
Madagascar, Ben Combrink.
Key accounts manager of
Latam, Kathy Lavery, says the
growth in adventure travel is
somewhat millennial driven
and fuelled by Instagram and
hashtags such as ‘live your
best life’.
Gen X-capades
The perception that adventure
travellers are young and
carefree is not
an accurate
one, with ATTA’s
industry snapshot
revealing that
the average age
of adventure
travellers is 49.
“The average
age on our
tours is 45-plus
and it is not
uncommon to
have clients over
50 or 60 looking
for big cultural
experiences, but done in
comfort,” says Alex.
“The average age of an
Exodus traveller is 52,
with our cycling holiday
clients averaging 55,” says
international sales director of
Exodus, Andrew Appleyard.
He says the demand for
adventure holidays from this
generation is driven by a
healthier and more healthconscious older population
who want to stay active.
He adds that these travellers
have often seen the popular
destinations by this age
and now have the means to
explore more exotic locations.
“Millennials are definitely
travelling more, but
Madagascar also attracts
many bird watchers and hiking
enthusiasts from an older
generation,” adds Ben.
Meanwhile Roland says the
age of an adventure traveller
tends to vary, based on the
experience they are selling.
“Adventure cruising
passengers might be a bit
older, but we’ve had young
couples request Hurtigruten
cruises for honeymoons as
well.
“Active trips are generally
requested by younger, or young
at heart and fit travellers,
but age is not necessarily a
determining factor here.”
Many roads lead to Machu Picchu
TPROBABLY the
most iconic
site in South
America, Machu
Picchu is best
reached on foot.
Most hikers
reach the city
by trekking
along the Inca
Trail, which
traverses the
ancient pathway
used by the
Incas. However,
local adventure
specialists say there
has been an increase in
bookings for the lesserknown trails in this region.
The classic Inca Trail is
a four-day trek winding up
from the Urumbamba River
across mountain passes
and through cloud forests
in the Andes. Hikers arrive
at Machu Picchu via the
famous Sun Gate. Latam’s
Kathy Lavery says the trail
is considered a moderate
trek that people of most
fitness levels can complete.
Alternative routes
On the Go’s Alex
Gonsalves says a number
of alternative routes to
reach Machu Picchu have
recently cropped up due
to the restriction of Inca
Trail permits. In this region,
On the Go sells both the
classic Inca Trail and the
Lares Trek.
“In general we find that
the Inca Trail attracts
those looking to tick off
the bucket-list following
the Inca’s original route to
Mach Picchu via
the Sun Gate.
The Inca Trail
is a little longer
and considered
a bit harder than
the Lares Trek,
but travellers get
to visit a greater
number of Inca
ruins along the
original route,”
says Alex.
He says the
Lares Trek tends
to attract those
looking to escape the
crowds and enjoy more of
a cultural experience as
the trail passes through
a number of Peruvian
villages. The highest point
is 4 600m while the Inca
Trail only reaches 4 215m.
It is also a three-day trail
compared with the Inca
Trail’s four days. As no
permits are required for
the Lares Trek, clients
can often book at the last
minute. Inca Trail hikers
visit the Inca ruins and
camp close to another 500
permit holders each night,
while Lares Trek clients will
virtually have the trail to
themselves, says Alex.
Development Promotions’
Roland Müller says
G Adventures also offers a
five-day Salkantay Trek in
this region.
“On this trip you’ll trek
in the shadows of the
impressive Salkantay
mountain, which has
been dubbed the most
spectacular peak in the
Peruvian Andes.”
The Inca Trail for tight schedules
G ADVENTURES has
launched two new Inca Trail
options for customers with
tight holiday schedules.
The new tours are a fiveday, four-night Inca Trail
tour, starting from
R10 520; and a four-day,
three-night tour, starting
from R9 060.
Development Promotions’
Roland Müller says the
operator’s original Inca Trail
trip is a seven-day hike
starting from R14 340,
which also includes some
time to explore Cuzco and
its surrounds.
Both are great options
for clients who have time
limitations. The new trips
are already on sale with
departures commencing
from March 2020.
Other iconic treks
Latam’s Kathy Lavery
recommends the Cotopaxi
volcano in Ecuador, which
she describes as a twoday challenge to orienteer
the glacier of an active
volcano. “This trek is
easily combinable with a
Galapagos cruise while
you are in Ecuador.”
Known as one of the
easiest 6 000-metre
mountains in the world to
climb, the Huayna Potosi
trek in Bolivia provides
incredible views of Lake
Titicaca and Cordillera
Real, says Kathy.
She describes The Fitzroy
trek in Argentina’s Parque
Nacional Los Glaciares as
one of Patagonia’s most
spectacular hikes. “One
of the many highlights of
this five-day trek involves
watching the sunrise over
the massive granite peak
of Mount Fitzroy as it
glows pink and purple and
reflects in the lake below.”
Roland Müller of
Development Promotions’
says another up-andcoming trail is the Lost
City Trek in Colombia.
“Trek through farmland,
steamy jungle and rural
Kogi communities to reach
the lost city of Teyuna.
There is a 1 200-step
final ascent to the Lost
City, but you are rewarded
with stunning views of the
surrounding mountains
along the way.”
Book it!
Save 20% with G Adventures’ Peru Flash Sale, starting October 21, 2019. Book by October 24 and save
20% on Peru trips valid for travel until July 31, 2020.
It’s all about the destination
ADVENTURE operators
are reporting a significant
increase in interest
in South America,
Scandinavia, north and
southern Africa and the
Middle East this year,
with custom itineraries
particularly in demand.
This is according to
ATTA’s industry snapshot.
“Peru’s Inca trail is
more popular ever,” says
Latam’s Kathy Lavery.
She continues that there
has been an increase
in clients travelling to
Patagonia (on both the
Argentinian and Chilean
sides) to see the glaciers
before they melt due to
global warming. Kathy
also reports an increase
in SA school groups
visiting the Galapagos for
educational tours.
Roland Müller of
Development Promotions
says its Norwegian
cruises with Hurtigruten
and the Inca Trail tours in
Peru with G Adventures
are two of their most
popular destinations.
“We’ve noticed an
increase in requests for
trekking trips like the
Camino and Mont Blanc
in Europe. Active hiking,
biking and kayaking trips
are particularly popular
in southeast Asia,
and Nepal is also very
popular with hikers.”
Air Madagascar’s
Ben Combrink says
there has been an
increase in interest
for Madagascar as an
adventure destination.
“Madagascar offers
magnificent hiking trails
with landscapes ranging
from rain forest to arid
semi-deserts. Tulear in
the south is known for
its surfing while Diego
Suares is popular with
kite surfers.”
According to Intrepid,
Turkey, Egypt, Morocco
and Western Asia
are its most popular
destinations. “Jordan,
Israel, Georgia, Armenia
and Azerbaijan have
grown for us in 2019.
Travellers’ safety
concerns have been
alleviated and people
are travelling to see
the impressive sights,
amazing food and to
take advantage of the
great value for money
that these regions
offer,” says Intrepid’s
Caroline Tinsley.
TIC makes activity cover easier
TIC has simplified its
sporting event and activity
cover, making it easier for
agents to issue cover for
the growing segment of
adventure travellers.
“Sporting activities are
automatically included but
we feature seven activities
that require specifically
endorsed cover and 10
activities or hazardous
pursuits that are specifically
excluded,” says Simmy
Micheli, manager – sales
and marketing of TIC.
Simmy says the most
popular demand for sports
and activity cover is for
mountaineering, which she
says makes up about 50% of
the requests TIC receives.
Activities that require
an endorsement can be
bought when clicking on
‘Add Sport’ when viewing
the cover option on TIC’s
website. These include
mountaineering over 3 500m
and/or mountaineering that
necessitates the use of
crampons, ropes, ice-axes
and/or oxygen; rugby; boxing;
cage fighting; roller derby;
touring on a motorcycle with
an engine capacity of over
500cc and professional
sport of any kind.
Totally excluded activities
include sky diving, cave
diving, free diving, cliff diving;
hunting; parachuting or hang
gliding; tow-in surfing; BMX
riding; motor racing; horse
racing; white water rafting
levels five and six; and
climbing past base camp on
Mount Everest.
Full automatic cover is
provided for leisure skiing
and scuba diving, provided
that the diver is licensed or
accompanied by a licensed
instructor.
Lava tunnels, beach braais and heli flips
DESTINATIONS A Buzz’s Janet
McCloughan recently visited
Réunion Island and describes
it as the perfect destination
for adventure travellers.
The highlight of Janet’s visit
was her trip to Réunion’s
active volcano. She says the
views from the crater are
incredible and that the lunarlike scenery created by the
lava is spectacular to hike
through. She also enjoyed
exploring the underground lava
tunnels, which she says are a
series of connected caves and
tunnels formed by hardened
lava of different hues. Janet
suggests that clients stop in
at the nearby town of SainteRose to visit the Notre-Dame
des Laves church. It is said
that a miracle took place here
when lava from an eruption
parted and travelled around
the church, leaving two distinct
lava pathways.
Janet also recommends
a visit to the lively seaside
village of Saint Gilles on the
west coast, which she says
is a great destination for any
sort of watersport. She took a
boat trip from the harbour and
enjoyed a wonderful sighting of
a pod of dolphins.
In addition to the island’s
famous active volcano, there
are three other cirques
(collapsed volcanic craters)
to visit. “Although pricey, a
helicopter trip in Réunion
is really worthwhile, as a
number of the most beautiful
regions, including the Mafate
Cirque, can only be accessed
by helicopter or on foot.”
Helicopters depart from Saint
Gilles and you can choose a
tour of the cirque, a tour over
the active volcano or a longer
trip including all of the above,
says Janet.
Where to stay
The Diana Dea Lodge,
located in a 370-hectare park
close to Sainte-Anne, offers
spectacular views of the east
coast of the island. “It may be
a bit off the beaten track for
some guests, but I loved the
peacefulness of the location,
with the rooms opening out
into the gardens where you
can often spot deer from your
patio,” says Janet.
In Sailine les Bains,
near Saint Gilles, Janet
recommends the Dina
Morgabine. She describes
it as a funky three-star-plus
hotel situated next to a golf
course. Although not right on
the seafront, the hotel offers
complimentary transfers to the
beach.
In the same area, Janet
visited the Ness by D’Ocean,
a new four-star hotel. It is
right on the beach and has a
beautiful pool, beach views
and snorkelling opportunities
in the reef in front of the hotel.
Getting there
Janet enjoyed flying on Air
Austral saying the service and
meals are really great. “They
offer the only direct flight to
Réunion, which is a convenient
four hours. They also have
a premium economy cabin
on the route, which is great
for clients looking to spoil
themselves a bit.”
Animal experiences: new welfare policies
TRAVEL companies
continue to introduce new
ways for people to connect
with and understand
animals, while protecting
their welfare across any
experience that features
them.
Airbnb, for example,
has launched Airbnb
Animal Experiences, which
offers encounters that
include paddle boarding
with corgis, kayaking
with conservationists,
learning alongside
urban beekeepers or
skateboarding with a
record-winning bulldog.
Guests seeking more
adventure can discover
Arctic foxes or even help
rescue puppies lost within
the Chernobyl Exclusion
Zone.
New welfare policy
You won’t find an Airbnb
Animal Experience where
you can kiss a dolphin or
ride an elephant, as the
category is underpinned
by a new animal welfare
policy, created in
collaboration with World
Animal Protection.
The new policy stipulates,
among other issues, that
there should be no direct
contact with wild animals
including, but not limited
to, petting, feeding or riding
animals. Marine mammals
should never be in captivity
for entertainment.
Broader host businesses
should not feature
elephant rides, big cat
interactions, illegal wildlife
trade, sporting events
such as canned and
trophy hunting as well as
animals performing for
entertainment.
Over 100 Airbnb Animal
Experiences are Social
Impact Experiences, which
direct all proceeds from
bookings to non-profit
organisations. These
include supporting causes
such as conservation,
animal rescue and
veterinary care.
Similarly, G Adventures
has also announced
its new animal welfare
policy developed in
consultation with World
Animal Protection, the Jane
Goodall Institute and the
World Cetacean Alliance.
Jamie Sweeting, vice
president of social
enterprise and responsible
travel, G Adventures, says
the policy replaces the
company’s existing animal
welfare guidelines and
acknowledges the operator
is taking things to the next
level across the business.
“With the launch of the
new policy, we’re actively
educating travellers and
holding our staff around
the world accountable for
reporting issues via a new
task force we have set
up internally. The animal
welfare policy will be built
into our traveller conduct
policy and staff contracts.
We want people not only
to abide by the policy, but
to monitor the behaviour
of others and alert us
when they see anyone who
might be causing, often
unintentionally, harm to
the animals with whom we
share our planet.”
A video entitled ‘Wildlife
has the right to a wild life’
has also been launched
alongside the new policy
to educate people on how
to interact with wildlife in
a way that does not harm
animals or put people –
both locals and travellers
– in danger.
New ideas for the old hands
FOR those who have
travelled and cruised the
Mediterranean before
and are looking for new
experiences in the same
location, there are many
options for consultants to
recommend.
Well-travelled guests want
more intimate experiences on
smaller vessels and to visit
the smaller ports that big
cruise ships cannot access,
says Sabrina Allcock, director
of Discover the World in SA.
“One perfect fit would be
Variety Cruises.”
Thaybz Khan, head
of product at Cruises
International, agrees on the
appeal of more intimate ships.
“Look at itineraries that cover
the smaller ports along the
French or Italian Riviera. These
little islands and towns are a
beautiful part of Europe where
the larger ships do not often
stop, but luxury cruise lines do
cover these ports.”
Cathy Lawrence,
reservations manager at
Leisure Travel International,
notes that seasoned Med
cruisers find it easy to explore
Europe with pre- and postcruise add-ons. They will hop
on trains and move on to
other countries. She has also
observed a gradual increase
in the popularity of river and
canal cruising among younger
travellers and families, which,
she believes, is a good way to
enjoy ‘intense’ sightseeing. In
the Mediterranean countries,
she books a lot of LeBoat
cruises in France.
Tiffany Krcadinac, team
leader at Cruisabout
Waterstone, has also seen
interest in smaller ships
as well as cruise and tour
combinations for those
wanting to spend 14 days
away. Yacht charters are less
in demand, she finds, as
clients are hesitant to embark
on self-guided holidays as
these can incur additional or
unexpected costs.
“I worked on ships for many
years and there are numerous
itineraries to consider and
lots of wonderful cruise
liners. I would definitely
say that repeaters need to
branch out on their cruising
experience and try different
ships from different cruise
line companies. The vessel
category and vessel inclusions
can make or break the
itinerary and experience,” says
Tiffany.
For those clients who have
seen and done the classic
Med, there are so many cruise
itineraries that lead off the
Med, says Travkor md, Anthea
Leonsins. Examples include
the Iberian Peninsula (Spain
and Portugal) and now Black
Sea cruises that are open
again for the 2020 season
after they were cancelled for
a few years. These cruises
start in Athens and travel via
Istanbul across the Bosphorus
and then enter the Black Sea
to visit ports in the Ukraine
(Odessa and Yalta), Constanta
and Georgia.”
Travel Vision finds that South
Africans travelling back to
the Med are keen on unique
experiences, getting closer
to the locals and upskilling
themselves in their chosen
interests. Suggestions from
ceo Dharmesh Koovarjee
include Adriatic cruise and
cycle combinations, art and
photographic experiences
and culinary experiences in a
whole range of countries, from
Portugal to Turkey.
A successful sale, he says,
depends on understanding the
clients’ needs and skill levels.
“It’s not just about giving
them a cycling tour. It’s about
giving the right client the right
offering within that category”.
Did you know?
NCL’s Norwegian Joy has the biggest racetrack at sea and the musical ‘Kinky Boots’ will headline the
entertainment bill on Norwegian Encore’s sailings from this month. Norwegian Gateway has new itineraries out
of Rome and 10- or 11-night sailings are ideally positioned for African markets. The grand Norwegian Epic will
cruise out of Barcelona and Rome next year. In 2021, passengers will be able to cruise from Cape Town to
Venice on Norwegian Dawn.
Topping the popularity polls
LOCAL experts agree that the
Greek Isles remain first choice
for first-time Med cruisers,
often combined with Turkey
and Croatia.
Anthea Leonsins, md of
Travkor, highlights the classic
Eastern Mediterranean that
takes in the stunning Croatian
Dalmatian coast, the Greek
islands of the Ionian Sea
and the iconic islands of the
Aegean as well as ships that
only visit the Greek islands of
the Aegean and touch on the
coast of Turkey.
Croatia is currently riding a
wave of popularity, according
to Vicky Steinhardt, marketing
and product manager of
Pentravel.
Vicky says bookings for
sailing boats around the
islands off the Dalmatian
coast are on the increase.
Anthea agrees, and says
chartering crewed yachts off
the Croatian coast, generally
out of Split, is excellent value.
“Get enough friends together
and you have a vessel to
yourself.”
Italy and Spain, popular
ports in the Western Med,
are flavours of the moment
because their economies
make them more affordable for
South Africans, according to
Cathy Lawrence, reservations
manager of Leisure Travel
International.
Most of the sailings she
has booked depart from
Genoa and Venice. Santorini
and Mykonos in Greece and
Palma in Spain are soughtafter inclusions in the itinerary.
Passengers tend to extend a
seven-day cruise with another
week of land arrangements.
For Trafalgar and CostSaver,
it is Turkey that is currently
topping the Mediterranean
popularity polls. CostSaver’s
‘Wonders of Turkey’ is the top
seller overall, says Bronwyn
Strydom, marketing manager.
‘Highlights of Turkey’, ‘Best of
Turkey’ and ‘Best of Greece’
are the top sellers under the
Trafalgar brand.
“These countries experience
fair temperatures throughout
most of the year, which make
them attractive destinations,”
she says.
East or west in 2020?
MSC Cruises has released
soft pricing on a few 2020
sailings. A seven-night
Western Med cruise on the
MSC Grandiosa from May
3-10 from Genoa, visiting
Naples, Messina, Valletta
(Malta), Barcelona and
Marseille is R13 653pps,
including port charges,
gratuities and insurance.
A seven-night Eastern Med
trip on the
MSC Lirica from June 5-12
from Venice to Dubrovnik,
Corfu, Cefalonia/Argostoli,
Kotor (Montenegro), Split
and Trieste is R15 153pps.
The MSC Seaview travels in
the Western Med from May
9-16 from Barcelona to
Ajaccio (France),
Genoa, La Spezia,
Civitavecchia, Cannes
and Palma de Mallorca
from R15 153pps.
Book it!
The ‘Istanbul Culinary Experience’, part of Travel Vision’s Explorer
Collection, is a six-day, seven-night trip on offer until April 30. It
explores the city’s popular neighbourhoods and culinary backstreets
with sample tastings at the best speciality food shops and
restaurants. For R16 920pps, travellers get accommodation, tours,
listed meals and experiences. International flights are not included.
More ashore in the Med
PRINCESS Cruises
will offer interesting
combinations in 2020,
including the Greek
Isles coupled with Israel
departing from Rome. A
comprehensive option
is the ‘Mediterranean
Collection’, 21 days of
cruising to almost every
port in the Med, departing
Barcelona and including
Gibraltar, France, Italy,
Montenegro and Greece.
Next year the cruise line
also introduces the brandnew Enchanted Princess,
which will be based in
Europe and specifically
the Med.
The More Ashore
programme enables
passengers to see the
sights during the day
and experience nightlife
after dark with latenight departures or even
overnight stays.
Passengers can also
take part in the Bon
Appetit partnership –
shore excursions with
a culinary slant. These
include experiences such
as preparing a Greek feast
in a Corfu restaurant,
baking an olive ciabatta
in an Italian bistro, or an
Insiders’ food tour of Nice.
Croatia, a top seller
Capitalising on current interest in Croatia (pictured),
Trafalgar has launched the ‘Pearls of the Adriatic’ Croatian
cruising for 2020. The ‘Highlights of Austria, Slovenia and
Croatia’ tour was one of Trafalgar’s 2019 top sellers and is
expected to do well next year. The all-new ‘Riviera Explorer’
visits lesser-known Mediterranean cities such as St Tropez,
Cannes and Monaco while CostSaver has introduced a new
destination, Egypt, in ‘Footsteps of the Pharaohs’. Note that
there is a 10% discount on selected Trafalgar trips (besides
Turkey and Greece) until December 18. There are no early
payment discounts for CostSaver trips.
Book it!
There is not much time left to take advantage of Cruises
International’s Save & Surf offer where 30% savings are offered
on seven-night Western Med 2020 sailings on Royal Caribbean’s
Allure of the Seas between May and October. Bookings must be
made by October 31 this year. Fares run from R15 020 to
R22 460pps. Certain 2020 sailings with Celebrity Cruises also
made by the same date include perks such as US$250 (R3 800)
on-board credit, unlimited WiFi and free passage for kids.
Why the Med tops cruising choices – how best to sell it
THE Med continues to be
in demand for cruising, with
a high rate of repeaters
alternating between Western
and Eastern Mediterranean
itineraries.
Ross Volk, md of MSC
Cruises SA, describes the
attraction of the destination.
“The accessible airlift, and the
choice and favourable length
of cruise itineraries, make the
Med exceptionally appealing
for South African travellers,
with seven-night itineraries
being the most popular.”
Western Med cruises
typically include Italy, Spain,
France and Portugal, while
Eastern Med itineraries visit
Greece, Croatia, Montenegro
and Turkey, he says.
“Venice is usually featured
as a port of embarkation and
debarkation for the Eastern
Mediterranean itineraries and
Genoa/Naples or Barcelona for
the Western Mediterranean.”
Ross says Eastern Med
cruises usually visit more
ancient cities and ruins such
as Athens and Ephesus, while
historic and cultural highlights
like Barcelona’s Sagrada
Familia take centre stage on a
Western Med cruise.
Both Eastern and Western
cruises offer destinations that
provide exceptional cuisine,
shopping, culture, history
and beautiful beaches. “The
decision on which cruise to opt
for is often made based on the
itinerary that includes the most
cities the traveller wishes to
visit on one trip. Facilities and
specials offered by the cruise
line can also play a role.”
Globally, the Med is second
only to the Caribbean in terms
of preferred international
cruising destinations, but
among South African travellers
it takes first place, says
Jane Davidson, director of
Development Promotions,
which represents several
cruise lines in SA, including
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL).
South Africa, NCL’s largest
source of passengers in Africa,
is already its second-largest
producer of MICE business
internationally and third for
multi-generational family
bookings.
“With so many elements
included in the cruise fare,
which would add up at any
land-based resort, most
passengers return to us within
two years.
“That represents significant
potential for our retail
partners as well as incentive
and events planners on
the continent,” says Nick
Wilkinson, NCL vice-president
and md UK, Ireland, Israel,
Middle East & Africa.
Jane says Western Med
cruises typically include Spain,
France, Morocco, Tunisia and
Portugal, while Eastern Med
cruises visit Croatia, Greece
and Turkey. Italy does double
duty and usually features as
a port of embarkation and
debarkation for both. “The
bottom line is both regions are
equally stunning and it’s hard
to go wrong with either.”
For art and history lovers who
want to explore landmarks,
beaches, cafés and boutique
shops in the Western Med,
Jane recommends the sevenday cruise from Barcelona on
NCL’s Norwegian Epic.
“The cities and seaside
towns of this region are
typically viewed as more
refined, brimming with skipthe-queue art galleries and
museums. It hits the sweet
spot for gourmet foodie
fanatics who love the idea of
spending an afternoon at a
café in a place like St Tropez,
sampling local wine and
dabbling in people-watching.”
Ancient world wonders
For the sand-between-yourtoes person, the Eastern Med
is known for its consistent
weather and sun-soaked
beaches, she says. Prized
ports include Split and
Dubrovnik. “This side is big on
archaeology, mythology and the
wonders of the ancient world.”
Jane also recommends
visiting Italy, Greece,
Montenegro and Croatia
aboard the Costa Deliziosa
(Costa Cruises). There are
departures scheduled over the
December school holidays and
it holds appeal for families
with its 4D cinemas, grand
theatres and roller-skating
tracks.
According to Sabrina Allcock
of Discover the World, Princess
Cruises is experiencing a large
amount of repeat travellers
heading for the Med. By
splitting the Aegean and
Adriatic, short breakaways that
encompass all of the most
popular ports are possible.
She lists many reasons why
the destination is appealing to
South Africans – affordability,
easy air links, perfect weather
between May and early
October, calm seas, beautiful
beaches, culture, history and
excellent cruising.
Did you know?
MSC Cruises offers the Yacht
Club experience on newer ships,
which is essentially a luxury ship
within a ship. This all-inclusive
style of cruising includes perks
such as priority boarding;
butler service; access to Top
Sail Lounge; private restaurant
dining; entry to an exclusive pool
area; inclusive drinks and private
island extras.
