What to do in Cape Town this weekend (17th – 19th April)

The time to plan your weekend in the Mother City is back, there’s a lot to choose from this time, whether it be a lifestyle expo in the Cape Flats or digging into some amazing grub with your loved ones on Saturday and Sunday.

Cape Flats Lifestyle Expo – 17 April
The Cape Flats is an area that everyone overlooks, but it is actually a very vibrant and expansive place in the Mother City. Come and see the spirit of empowerment and entrepreneurship come alive when the annual Cape Flats Lifestyle Expo comes to the Wittebome Civic Centre in Wynberg this weekend. The expo will be packed with many exhibitors where you can learn all about building skills and businesses, there will also be a variety of hearty foods to eat and activities for the kids.

Date: 17 April 2015
Time: 10:00 – 22:00
Venue: Wittebome Civic Centre
Price: R10

Pinotage and Biltong Festival in Stellenbosch – 18 April
This fair is as proudly South African as they come. The Pinotage and Biltong Festival will bring together SA’s signature wine and our most-loved meat at the L’Avenir Estate in Stellenbosch this Saturday. The festival is bound to be filled with enough rainbow nation goodness for everyone, so bring along your family and friends and tuck into the wide selection of biltong flavours (spicy chilli, lemon & herb, smoky BBQ etc.) and don’t forget to sample the red, white and pink Pinotages from 14 different wine farms.

Date: 18 April 2015
Time: 11:00 – 18:00
Venue: L’Avenir Estate
Price: FREE – R150

Sunday Lunch & Free Live Jazz at Kloof Street House in Cape Town – 19 April
Enjoy the last few hours of the weekend with the sweet sounds of jazz and amazing food at Kloof Street House. Every Sunday afternoon, from 12pm – 4pm you can listen to a FREE jazz performance at this amazing eatery. That means that you and your family or friends can relax in the magical little garden and enjoy some groovy tunes, but it would be dull without a hearty meal! Pick a delicious lunch of anything from beetroot and goats cheese risotto, toasted pumpkin seed and truffle oil to chicken chimichurri flatbread, avo and horseradish crème fraiche.

Date: 19 April 2015
Time: 12:00 – 16:00
Venue: Kloof Street House
Price: Variable

So, there’s plenty happening in Cape Town this weekend, make sure to take a look at some of these cool activities before you miss out!

Contact 808 Cartwright Corner if you are looking for a luxurious, self-catering apartment with amazing views of the Mother City. Do you need a shuttle service to and from Cape Town International Airport? Contact Airport Shuttle today!

Written By: Christine Romans

5 important health tips for travelers

These simple, yet effective health tips will help you stay healthy while you are travelling. It may seem hard, but it is actually a lot easier than you may think. Taking a few precautions can make all the difference in the world.

~ Prepare a First Aid Kit ~
Before you leave for your departure, you should put together a number of items that you might need. Make sure to include things like sunscreen, pain relievers, mosquito repellent, bandages, tweezers etc.

~ Carry Medications in Original Packaging ~
If customs or other authorities search your bags, you’ll want everything to be properly marked, so there is no question about the authenticity of your prescriptions or supplements.

~ Immunizations and Prophylaxes ~
Make a note to check the Center for Disease Control’s website before your departure date to determine which (if any) immunizations or other medications you’ll need to take in advance. Certain countries have requirements before you enter the country, while other countries only have recommendations.

~ Eat Well ~
Even though you will definitely be tempted to do otherwise, one of the easiest things you can do to keep your energy and spirits up is to eat the right food. Try your best to skip all the sugar, cut down on the carbs and eat whole foods such as nuts, fruits and water instead of fizzy drinks.

~ Exercise ~
If you exercise regularly at home, keep up the routine and exercise when you are travelling too. Stay at a hotel with a gym or a pool, walk everywhere instead of taking a taxi, take the stairs and skip the elevator. Don’t let the extra pounds sneak up on you, because you’re enjoying the local cuisine more than you should.

It’s true; it can be hard to stay healthy when you are travelling. With all the different foods and amazing places to see, you may fall off the wagon, so make sure to keep these five important health tips in mind.

808 Cartwright is an amazing, self-catering apartment with amazing views of the Mother City, book in today and make the most of your stay in Cape Town. Need a shuttle service to and from Cape Town International Airport? Contact Airport Shuttle today!

Written By: Christine Romans

Why travelling alone is worth it

Travelling alone can seem like a scary and daunting idea. When you have a buddy to travel with you to remember the good times and get through the bad times together it’s great, but there are a few advantages to travelling alone that make it worth a try at least once in your life!

*You get to make all the decisions*
When you are travelling alone, you don’t have to worry about ruining someone else’s trip or having to visit places you don’t want to go. You can act on your every whim, which is a great feeling. Traveling alone means that you can be unashamedly selfish and get the best possible experience for you!

*It challenges you*
Yes, traveling alone can be scary. It makes you step outside of your comfort zone and challenge yourself to do and try new things. Travelling is supposed t be about stretching yourself and discovering new things around the world and yourself! When you travel alone you will have to deal with all problems that come up on your own and it can be a true test of your abilities.

*New friends at every stop*
When you travel with friends or family you always have someone to chat to and laugh with, but this also means you don’t get to know the locals as much as you could. Traveling alone forces you to speak up in the pub or at the hostel and create new friendships with locals and other travelers.

*No need to look flawless*
Travelling alone means that there is never anyone for you to compete with, so, you don’t have to put on make-up or your best outfit just because your best friend is. If you want to dress up you can, and you can do it for yourself rather than anyone else. On the other hand, if you want to wear the same comfortable shirt for a few days in a row, no one is going to know!

*Become confident and Independent*
The best reason to travel alone is simple: traveling solo allows you to become confident and independent in ways you never knew you could be. For some people just sitting in a restaurant having breakfast alone is extremely awkward, but once you have traveled alone your confidence will go off the charts. It will leave you feeling empowered and capable of handling anything that gets thrown your way.

Whether it’s getting to do whatever you want to do and nothing you don’t, or making new friends across the globe, there are many, many reasons why everyone should travel alone at least once!

Contact 808 Cartwright and book in today, its the perfect self-catering apartment to rest your head and enjoy the amazing Cape Town views. Need a shuttle service to and from Cape Town International Airport? Call Airport Shuttle.

Written By: Christine Romans

Spooky destinations you may not want to visit alone

It’s true, we all like to scare ourselves every once in a while, even if we don’t like to admit it! Here are some of the creepiest places known to man that you should definitely put on your travel list…

Old Jewish Cemetery – Prague

This cemetery dates back to 1478. It has gotten so overly crowded, that they just keep adding layers and layers. Now there are actually 12 layers of graves stacked on top of each other, with 12 000 visible tombstones, but about 100 000 underneath!

Hanging Coffins – Sagada, Phillipines

The Igorot tribe bury their dead in hanging coffins attached to the sides of cliffs! They believe that this brings them closer to their ancestor’s spirits and keeps them safe.

Abandoned city of Pripyat – Ukraine

This city is completely abandoned now, and it once had a population of 50 000 before the Chernobyl nuclear accident, which led to an evacuation.

Island of Dolls – Mexico

Don Julian Santana was the caretaker of this island and legend tells that he found the body of a little girl that drowned in the surrounding waters. After he found her he discovered a doll floating in the water and hung it in respect of her spirit. He did this for 50 years until he drowned in the waters himself. The island is now a tourist attraction for people to come and hang dolls themselves.

Hashima Island – Japan

This Island used to be a mining city and was home to thousands until the coal ran out in 1974 and then it was quickly abandoned. If you want to view the eerie island you can even take a virtual tour on the Hashima Island website.

Chapel of Bones – Portugal

This creepy chapel contains the bones of about 5 000 monks. All the walls and pillars are covered with human skulls and other parts of skeletons, held together by cement. There are even two bodies hanging from the ropes on the wall and one is the body of a child.

Cambridge Military Hospital – England

This hospital was once a state-of-the-art military facility where plastic surgery was pioneered for injured WW1 troops who survived Somme. It was in operation from 1887 to 1996 until it was closed due to high costs and asbestos in the walls.

Abandoned Psychiatric Hospital – Parma, Italy

This hospital is creepy enough as it is, so the shadow paintings that were added by the artist, Herbert Baglione just adds so much more to the scare-o-factor of the place.

If you're looking for some genuinely creepy destinations to visit, then these are perfect for you. From abandoned cities to overcrowded graveyards, all of them will scare you silly!

Are you travelling anytime soon and need a comfy, self-catering apartment in Cape Town with amazing views? Contact 808 Cartwright today! For a reliable, speedy and friendly shuttle service to and from Cape Town International Airport, give Airport Shuttle a call.

Written By: Christine Romans

4 self-defense skills every female traveler should know

Traveling can be life-changing, but it can also be a dangerous experience if you’re not careful. Whether you are traveling in your own city or abroad you must always take key precautions to protect yourself and your belongings.

Between keeping track of your personal items (wallet, phone ID card), trying to figure out your way around the city and visiting multiple destinations each day, things can get quite chaotic!

To help all women stay safe while travelling, here is a list of personal safety tips to keep in mind when in an airport, train station or unfamiliar city…

1. Stay aware of your surroundings by scanning your environment. No matter how busy you are, never allow your mind to wander. It might seem important in the moment to be making a to-do list in your head, but if you are worrying about other things you might not notice the obvious, like someone following you, reading your email over your shoulder or sliding a hand into your purse.

2. Park in well-lit areas. Avoid spots next to vans, trucks or cars with tinted windows. You want to keep your car and yourself as visible as possible, so you should also avoid parking next to tall bushes, shrubs or plants that could block views of you or your vehicle.

3. Don’t wear your purse so that the strap crosses your body. Wearing your strap around your body makes you more connected to your bag. If someone tries to steal your purse, you will be pulled with the strap. This could cause you to become unbalanced or end up in a physical alteration with the thief. If your purse is simply draped on one shoulder you can easily let go.

4. Dress casually and comfortably. Now it’s not the time to try and make a fashion statement. Leave the high heels and flashy jewelry at home or in your luggage until you arrive at your destination. Jeans and sneakers will help you to blend in and if needed enable you to make a quick getaway.

Always keep one arm and hand free of luggage and other gear. Many people think it’s wise to travel with lots of bags, purses and laptop bags, but if your arms and hands are tied up with bags you will have no means of defending yourself from an attacker.

Contact 808 Cartwright Corner for a comfy, self-catering apartment with amazing views of the Mother City. Need a shuttle service to and from Cape Town International Airport? Call Airport Shuttle today!

Written By: Christine Romans

6 beautiful gardens to visit in Cape Town

You probably only know the obvious gardens everyone talks about in Cape Town (Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, the Company’s Garden) and if you aren't a resident in Cape Town these are the obvious gardens at which to start, but lots of us want to know and explore the Mother City’s other hidden gardens.

All of these gardens are beautiful and filled with amazing plants, flowers and trees. So, if you’re planning on spending the Easter weekend in Cape Town this year, make sure to visit these unknown gardens…

pArderne Gardens – Claremont
This is a wonderful, cool space for you and your family to have a picnic or take a stroll. Although, on weekends it is used for wedding photographs, but during the week it remains uncrowded. Filled with shady glades, Japanese style ponds, lawns and huge trees, it is truly a magical place to be.

pGroot Schuur Estate – Rondebosch
Groot Schuur Estate was originally the house of Cecil John Rhodes, it was restored by Herbert Baker and today it is an incredible museum open to the public by appointment. This beautiful place is definitely worth a visit, especially for the veranda that looks out onto the gardens that slope upwards towards devils peak. There is also a huge rose garden bordered by plumbago and other flowers.

pTokai Arboretum – Constantiaberg
This is basically a national monument filled with an amazing collection of mature alien trees, cypresses, pines, giant redwoods and many other exotics. There is also a clearing for a tea garden where you can have a lovely afternoon tea, muffin and coffee in hand.

pRust en Vrede – Durbanville
The beautiful old manor house here is now the site of a combination coffee shop/art studio and what many don’t know is that there is a 1.5 hectare garden there! The coffee shop overlooks the beautiful garden and you are welcome to stroll around and enjoy the natural beauty.

pDurbanville Rose Garden – Durbanville
Head here during the spring and summer and it will be the perfect picture of sweet-smelling roses and buds! This is a gorgeous rose garden with over 500 blooming varietals and 4500 rose bushes. You can top the days outing with a great cup of tea at the clubhouse, but only if you make it there on Sunday afternoons between October and May.

pBabylonstoren – Paarl
Okay, so it’s not really in Cape Town, but it’s worth a mention! This gorgeous fruit and vegetable garden, set against the Drakenstein mountainside is something you should see at least once. Its garden takes its inspiration from the original Company’s Garden in Cape Town, but the accent here is definitely French and the over 300 varieties of fruit, vegetables and herbs with ducks and hens is just absolute heaven.

You've probably explored other gardens in Cape Town, but if you have never visited these yet – make sure you do!

Contact 808 Cartwright for a luxurious, self-catering apartment with amazing views of the Mother City. Need a shuttle service to and from Cape Town International Airport? Call Airport Shuttle today!

Written By: Christine Romans 

What to do in Cape Town this Easter Weekend (3rd – 6th April)

Ring in the Easter Weekend with plenty of fun-filled events… you can do anything this weekend, from joling on Friday and Saturday night to family Easter adventures on Sunday.

Friday Night at The Bay Harbour Market – 3 April

There’s only one place you should make a beeline for this Friday and that’s the Bay Harbour Market in Hout Bay! Although a lot of people call it the sleepy seaside village, the Bay Harbour Market has more energy than the Road Runner after a sugar overload. The Market will be filled with the usual manic Friday vibe, amazing craft beers, a jam-packed live music line-up, mouth-watering homemade food and the stores do business as usual.

Date: 3 April
Time: 17:00 – 21:00
Venue: Bay Harbour Market
Price: FREE

House DJ Billy Kenny Concert in Cape Town – 4 April
The British house and techno king, Billy Kenny, is bringing the beats to the Mother City this Saturday. If you are a house addict, listen carefully. The Imperial has got you covered this Easter weekend… Although Billy Kenny has only recently joined the scene with his hit single “Work” last year, this guy has got quite a devoted following. So, Kenny will definitely make sure you have an unbelievable evening. You can also get amped up for performances by other amazing beatmakers like The Funk Connection who create a truly original live electronic performance unlike anything else!

Date: 4 April
Time: 21:00 until late
Venue: Imperial
Price: R80 – R100

ABSA KKNK Festival – 5 April
Grab your friends and family and enjoy this amazing Afrikaans arts and culture festival in Outshoorn this Sunday. The Klein Karoo National Arts Festival is an eight day multi-platform performance affair that features theatrical productions, concerts, kiddies entertainment, dance performances and visual art installations.

Date: 5 April
Time: 08:00 until late
Venue: Various locations in Outshoorn
Price: Various

The Golden Easter Egg Hunt at Kenilworth Racecourse – 6 April
Immerse yourself in the horse races while the little ones take part in the awesome Easter egg hunt! This year’s event is truly a winning one, the kiddies can even collect R10,00 in loot when they scavenge for Easter eggs! Here’s what to expect on this amazing family day with the whole clan… world class racing, massive prizes, a visit from the Easter bunny and a deliciously tasty buffet.  

Date: 6 April
Time: 11:00 – 17:00
Venue: Kenilworth Racecourse
Price: FREE

There is plenty happening in the Mother City this Easter weekend to keep you and your family busy, make sure to plan ahead and check out some of these great events!

Book in at 808 Cartwright Corner this Easter weekend and enjoy the luxurious comfort and amazing views of Cape Town. Need a shuttle service to and from Cape Town International Airport? Contact Airport Shuttle today!

Written By: Christine Romans