For many years, hundreds of comedians from all over the world have entertained hundreds of thousands of fans, at the annual trio of Nando’s Comedy Festivals. That is big. Peri-­‐peri big. In fact, it is the biggest and funniest trio of comedy festivals on the African continent!

First up is the 4th Annual Nando’s Jozi Comedy Festival at the Teatro at Montecasino from the 22nd of July until the 31st of July. Comedy fans can catch seven of the best straight-­‐up stand-­‐up acts on offer every night with two extra spicy late night shows added on Friday the 29th and Saturday the 30th of July. Catch the likes of Mark Curry (from Hangin’ With Mr Cooper Fame), Mark Eddie, Michael Loftus, Theo Von and Dave Thornton to name but a few – all on one stage, every night.

More laughs to follow the Jozi Festival at the 3rd Annual Nando’s Durbs Comedy Festival hosted at the ICC from the 4th to the 6th of August. This year’s line-­‐up will see international acts like Mark Curry Dave Thornton and Dan Cummins joined on-­‐stage by SA’s favourite Xhosa-­‐speaking Jewish comedian, Nik Rabinowitz – fresh from his sold-­‐out tour in the UK. The Nando’s Durbs Comedy Festival is presented by DStv and East Coast Radio in association with Graça.

The last laughs will go to the 15th Annual Nando’s Cape Town Comedy Festival – for a first time ever at the Artscape Theatre. Catch the legendary Pablo Francisco (who headlined at the Jozi and Durbs Festivals in 2010) – back by popular demand and for the first time in Cape Town, joined by the likes of Greg Behrendt (co-­‐author of “He’s Just Not That Into You”), Mark Eddie, Michael Loftus and Dan Cummins and many more. The Nando’s Cape Town Comedy Festival is presented by DStv and Good Hope FM in association with Graça.

Another favourite part of the festivals are the very popular local stand-­‐up competitions or “Graça Comedy Showdowns”. See contestants fight it out regionally on-­‐stage during the “heats” with nothing more than their quick wit, a mic, and a burning desire to become the newest comedy hero of the festivals. The winners of each of these annual-­‐search-­‐for-­‐SA’s-­‐new stand-­‐up-­‐stars will get the chance to perform alongside the international comedy heavy weights for the duration of each festival run.

With one of the strongest line-­‐ups yet, you have to be out of your head not to want to come and laugh it off at any of the 2011 Nando’s Comedy Festivals.

View the original post on the Nandos Comedy Festival website.

]]> http://www.sa-hotels-online.com/blog/nandos-comedy-festival/feed/ 0 http://www.sa-hotels-online.com/blog/cape-towns-wheel-of-excellence/ http://www.sa-hotels-online.com/blog/cape-towns-wheel-of-excellence/#comments Tue, 08 Jun 2010 10:03:18 +0000 South Africa Hotels Online http://www.sa-hotels-online.com/blog/?p=138 As an official 2010 Host City™, Cape Town is making sure that it wows international visitors during the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is set to be the home of the 50 metre high Wheel of Excellence.

This wheel comprises 36 luxury cabins, each of which is fully enclosed, air-conditioned and illuminated. From these, visitors will have a spectacular view over the Mother City, the harbour, the waterfront and the ocean, including Robben Island. In addition, views of Table Mountain and the stunning new sports stadium complete this experience. Up to eight people can be accommodated in each cabin and this wheel is equipped to handle harsh weather conditions in style and luxury. Tickets for this experience cost up to R70 per person, making this an affordable way to view the splendours of Cape Town.

The Wheel of Excellence is a new and exciting way to experience Cape Town, which is already a well-established tourist destination in South Africa. This city is known as one of South Africa’s chief attractions. Now, it will also be acclaimed as one of the homes of the biggest wheel of this magnitude and nature. Designed and manufactured according to the latest German and European standards, the Wheel of Excellence can also be enjoyed in international destinations like Malaysia, the United Kingdom, France, Japan, the United States, Australia and the United Arab Emirates.

The SLOW Lounge offers guests a relaxing retreat with the following luxurious indulgences:

• Freshly brewed coffee
• Wi-Fi Internet access (complimentary)
• A chef who creates a range of delicious canapés and snacks
• A Nintendo games room with Nintendo Wii and DS consoles
• Private meeting areas
• A bar with an excellent range of refreshments, including the best local wines
• A library of current books
• Private bathrooms with tasteful marble finishes
• Necessary business facilities
• Apple iMacs and printers

The SLOW Lounges also have facilities that ensure that children are safe and cared for, allowing guardians to relax in comfort. In addition, Cape Town’s SLOW Lounge offers guests massages and wellness treatments in its gorgeous spa.

The opulence, attention to detail and focus on creating a pleasant environment for waiting travellers stands in stark contrast to the usual ambience of airport lounges and eliminates much of the stress of flying.

In order to get the most out of this wonderful destination, travellers have found some of the following tips helpful:

1. As with any other country in the world, there are areas in which it is not safe to walk, particularly at night. Enquire with your tour operator and / or hotel and adhere to their recommendations for your own safety.
2. Do not leave your luggage, handbag or photographic equipment unattended.
3. Carry only the money and equipment that you need on you and leave the rest at the hotel or guest house.
4. Some areas of South Africa are prone to malaria, particularly in the regions around the Kruger National Park. Consult with a travel clinic well in advance and get the prophylaxes required. Take additional precautions by applying insect repellent, burning citronella candles and sleeping under a mosquito net.
5. Summers in South Africa are generally hot and dry. Depending on the area, winters can be mild to cold. Pack the appropriate clothing as well as comfortable shoes.
6. Always apply plenty of sunscreen and wear protective clothing to prevent burning your sun, neck and shoulders. Even in overcast conditions, the sun can be harsh.
7. Tipping is customary at petrol stations, in restaurants and in parking areas. In restaurants, 10 to 15 % is acceptable (depending on the quality of the service). R2 to R5 is the average tip for car guards and petrol attendants.
8. English is one of the 11 official languages in South Africa and tourists will get by with it.
9. When embarking on safari trips, it is vital that you take warm clothing for the early morning and evening, as game drives and walks can become very chilly.
10. On national roads and in rural areas, drivers need to be aware of animals and people crossing in front of cars, particularly at night.
11. South Africa remains one of the areas most affected by HIV and AIDS. Visitors need to take every precaution to have safe sex and not to share needles with anyone.
12. If a South African person tells you that they will do something for you “just now” or “now now”, this means that they will do it later, not immediately.
13. Public transport is not considered to be reliable in South Africa, and the minibus taxis are often unroadworthy. Therefore, it is wise to hire a formal cab or a private vehicle.

A shuttle may be required between the two airports if your flights out and in are scheduled to happen before and after the change-over and visitors should allow for extra time to travel between the city and KSIA. The Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) will provide a shuttle transfer for people who have left their cars at DIA from 1 May to 8 May 2010 at no extra cost.  Thereafter, transfers will be the responsibility and financial cost of each individual.

The 26 wine farms that make up the Wellington wine route alone all present a fantastic array of local wines, many of them acclaimed locally and internationally for their superior quality. The farms are within an easy drive of one another, and are nestled amongst the many other attractions of Wellington and the Western Cape.

Fun activities for the family include grape-stomping, wine walks and mountain bike trails. In addition, excellent food and music make for the ideal weekend away.

The entry price for adults for the entire three-day period is R60 and children under 12 years of age are free.

Hotels Nearby:

• Grand Dédale – Wellington
• Winelands Golf Lodges – Stellenbosch
• L’ermitage – Franschhoek
• Protea Hotel – Franschhoek
• Sugar Hotel – Cape Town

Executive Chef, Sanel Esterhuyse, will prepare a three course set lunch inspired by Elbeth’ collection and paired with wines created local wine maker Hannes Storm from the Hamilton-Russell Estate. Lunch will be served from 12:00 until 14:30.

Elbeth specialises in bridal couture, but has expanded her design range into evening and vintage couture.

Date: 21 August 2009
Venue: Victoria & Alfred Hotel
Entry fee: R300 per person

Contact Information
Contact Tracy Stewart
Tel:  021 419 6677  
Email: events@vahotel.co.za
Website: http://www.vahotel.co.za/

• More information:
  The Victoria & Alfred Hotel

Delegates can look forward to interactive panel discussions and interesting programme topics such as the following:

• Wine Festivals – are we killing the goose that lays the golden egg?
• Overview of South Africa’s Wine Tourism Strategy
• Wine Tourism Uncorked – an overview of Australia’s successful Wine Tourism Strategy
• E-marketing and blogs – how to use the Internet to position your brand
• Lessons learnt by the German wine & tourism industry during the FIFA Soccer World Cup in 2006
• Customers – how to source, treat and keep them
• Is South Africa meeting the Wine Tourist’s expectations?
• Responsible Tourism – what does it mean for the Wine Tourism industry
• International & local best practices shared  by Peter Lehmann Wines in the Barossa Valley, Waterford Wine Estate, Vergelegen Wine Estate and Kleine Zalze – from ordinary  to extraordinary wine tourism brands – what are their secrets in creating unique experiences?
• The new liquor law: implications for the local Wine Tourism industry

Guest speakers at this event include Alan Pick, founder and proprietor of the internationally renowned Butcher Shop & Grill; Itumeleng Pooe, Executive Manager at Cape Town Routes Unlimited; Ken Forrester (Ken Forrester Wines); Robin Shaw, Director Tourism & Business Services: Winemakers’ Federation of Australia; Kevin Arnold (Waterford); Jennifer Seif, CEO of Fair Trade Tourism; and Lynda De Holtnecker, CEO: The Touch Company.

Date: 21 July 2009 to 22 July 2009
Venue: The Vineyard Hotel
Entry Fee: R1710 per day

Contact Info:
Tel: +27 21 7621442
Email: zelda@imfunzelelo.co.za

Visit their website for more details:
http://www.winetourismconf2009.co.za/article/home

More Information:

• Stellenbosch Hotels
• Cape Winelands Hotels
• South Africa Hotels

This particular festival is held each year to celebrate the return of the Southern Right Whale to the Hermanus Area – the Walker Bay waters to be exact.

The festival begins on the 24th September and runs until the 28th September. The festival will feature a range of activities and festivities to choose from including live shows, arts and crafts, activities for kids and Eco Experiences.

If you thinking of visiting this lovely town, only about 120km outside of Cape Town, then make sure to have your accommodation booked.

More Information

• Hermanus Hotels
• South Africa Hotels

As the team gets closer to home, it’s great to see the beautiful country that we live in and it’s even better to see celebrities exploring the vast bushveld and towns us South Africans have come to love.

The Long Way Down is currently featured on the National Geographic channel on Sunday evenings at 8pm (SA time), so watch Ewan and the gang for their adventures in our neighborhood in the following weeks.

More Information

• Mapula Lodge
• Botswana Lodges