Photo from Flickr by New Cham

Both China and Vietnam offer a diverse selection of attractions and sites that allow you to experience the many variations in cultures, customs and languages that will amaze even the most experienced of travelers. Whilst you could spend months traveling around these great countries, one of the best and cheapest ways to get a taste of your own China tailor-made or Vietnam tailor-made adventure is through the extensive and impressive interconnecting rail system that allows even the most budget of travelers to move around with ease.

One of the most popular routes is from the northern city of Beijing down to the northern city of Hanoi, in Vietnam. Ticket’s ranging from as little as, 2,156 RMB ( 220 or $320). Below is a small peak at some of the must see areas and sites but does not do enough justice to how much these amazing countries have to offer.

Beijing

Beijing, the capital of China consists of a blend of the old and the new, encompassing a reputation of being the nations political, economic and international trade center, set amongst some of the world’s greatest historical and cultural sites.

The Great Wall of China, one of the great wonders of the world, being visible from space, is a truly breathtaking site not to be missed. Other must see attractions whilst in Beijing include the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and Summer Place.

Zhengzhou

Zhengzhou lies in north-central China and is great destination to embrace the local culture. Be sure to dine at an authentic Sichuan restaurant whilst drinking a bottle of Dynasty wine, followed by an evening enjoying the famous local music of the Henan Province at the Yu Opera. Other must see sites include the Shaolin Temple and the Henan Provincial Museum.

Guilin

Guilin lies in the South and is renown for being one of the most picturesque places in all of China. The unique landscape boasts some of the most beautiful and enchanting rivers, lakes and caves. Take a boat ride down the scenic Li River; explore the Reed Flute Cave and witness the spectacular views of the Longsheng Rice Terraces.

Nanning

Nanning is the capital of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and is just 160 kilometres from the Vietnamese border. As Nanning is not as well known on the tourist track, the people are remarkably friendly and one should not be surprised to receive an offer to visit one of the local people’s homes for dinner.

Some great sites to visit include Yangmei Ancient Town and the Guangxi Museum.

Hanoi

Hanoi being the capital of Vietnam is a city of great beauty, and one too easy to find yourself lost within. Walking through the enchanting laneways and side streets, you will soon find yourself in the middle of one of the many market places bustling with people and noodle stalls. If time permits, a great way to experience the local cuisine and culture is by taking a Vietnamese cooking class.

Some great sites to visit include the French built Opera House and the Temple of Literature.

Beijing to Hanoi by Rail, the Backpacker’s Choice was originally published by BeforeYOUBackpack.com - Sihanoukville Cambodia - Asia travel tips

Photo from Flickr by Visual Artist Frank Bonilla

So you’ve watched The Hangover. You’ve done your research and have even perhaps bought your pocket guidebook. You’ve practiced your online gambling moves on www.androidcasino.com.au. Now you’re ready to hit Vegas for the big time!

Whatever you do and wherever you may find yourself, make sure you tick these off your Vegas to-do list.

1. Ask a friend to take a photo of you ‘holding’ the Eiffel Tower outside Paris hotel. A cheap camera trick but a photo album essential.
2. Ride the indoor rollercoaster at New York New York . It will lift you up 203 feet, drop you down 144 feet and leave you coasting at 67 mph.
3. Splurge on at least one champagne breakfast buffet (the cheapest being around $15 – just don’t look at the label on the bottle as you’re getting your refill)
4. See a show. Yes, it’s a total budget-buster but the old school glamour and kitsch glitz is something special to behold. Well, if it was good enough for Sinatra then who are we to argue?
5. Buy a horrible tacky souvenir. Something really ugly, preferably plastic with some glitter.
6. Get married to a stranger. Or at least, go to the chapel and pretend that you’re going to get married.
7. Marvel at the Bellagio water fountain show at least once. Every 30 minutes between 3 pm. and 8pm and every 15 minutes thereafter, this huge lake in the middle of the desert explodes with 1,214 fountains shooting water up nearly 500 feet in the air — the whole water show is perfectly choreographed to the sounds of either Frank Sinatra or Gene Kelly. Clean, wholesome fun (oh so rare for Vegas).
8. Got to LAX club at the Luxor, hotspot for the Kardashian clan and countless other LA stars and wannabes. Even if you have to set your alarm from your power nap to make it there, it’s the place to see and be seen.
9. Play at least one hand of blackjack.
10. Put half of your daily budget on RED at a roulette table and cross your fingers that the 50/50 gamble pays off
11. Eat a graveyard breakfast meal. Place your order (red-eyed and regretful, most likely) before 6am and you’ll hit some amazing deals, such as Bill‘s ‘Steak and eggs for $6.99 before 6am’ deal.
12. Hang out with the sharks at Mandalay Bay’s Shark Reef. Okay, it sounds pretty junior-school stuff but these are SHARKS. And you’re in VEGAS. You do the math.
13. Go to a pool party. If it’s good enough for Prince Harry, future King of England, it’s good enough for you, right? Hang out with the vodka-drinking daytime crowd, get your tan on and get down in the knee-height water to Calvin Harris, Tiesto and Deadmau5 to name a few of the acts for summer 2013.

Got another Vegas must-do for Vegas to add to our list? Leave us your comment below!

Written by Laura Richards… Laura is a backpacking freelance writer, blogger and sometimes-telly-maker. Twitter: @iamlaurad Blogs at: laurarichards.tumblr.com

13 Things You Can’t Leave Vegas Without Experiencing was originally published by BeforeYOUBackpack.com - Sihanoukville Cambodia - Asia travel tips

Photo from Flickr by: iamlemonfilm

Backpacking is often about money… Or the lack of it! And that’s what makes it so interesting! Having to take local transport, stay in cheap accommodation and eat like the locals, it’s why many people choose to go backpacking every year… Authentic experiences.

One of the most enjoyable parts of backpacking, for me at least, is the food, and in particular: street food. Cheap and often readily available, street food was a staple of mine for years and it still is. There are definitely 3 stand out street foods from my travels which stand out head and shoulders among the rest…

The first has one to be the king of all street foods… Indian food. It can vary so incredibly based on the region and it’s a type of cuisine that just about every country has a take on. At the end of the day Britain’s favourite dish is in fact an English take on an Indian classic… Chicken Tikka Masala.

India is a place that needs to be experienced, simply writing of the smells and sounds wont even come close to actually being there, even pictures can’t do it justice… But food, now we’re talking! That’s exactly why I headed there a few years ago!

For me Indian street food like Masala or Korma really is as good as it gets, it’s a leap into a culture so vibrant and colourful that you can taste it!

Photo from Flickr by: dominikgolenia

A very close second would have to be Thai street food, if Indian is king then Thai is definitely queen. Street food vendors line the streets all across Thailand and I’ve had some of the best meals of my life at night markets and street corners in Thailand.

I found the spice in Thai cooking to be a bigger player, more aggressive in a lot of dishes, but still only a small part to a huge spectrum of flavours and smells. A dish that I would always turn to on a cool evening when I needed substance was Masaman curry, a creamy hot broth filled with chicken or beef, potatoes and Thai herbs and spices…

If I’m ever in the UK for extended periods of time, I try and sniff out a good Masaman (too much and the three veg gets to me after a week or so). I tend to eat at Red Hot World Buffet when I want to experience a world of cuisines under one roof, but when I’m not sure exactly what I fancy, or when I eat out in large groups because there is something for everyone

The last honourable mention has to go to Mexican food, simple, uncomplicated and EASY to eat… I fell in love with Mexican food because of Tacos… Fish tacos to be exact but to be honest, I’m happy however they come – as long as there’s plenty of sour cream and a good helping of jalapeños.

Mexican food is all about the extras for me, the salsa, the guacamole, the sour cream… Plus the fact that most of it no knives or forks are needed just adds to it’s enjoyment.

Photo from Flickr by: chelle_1278

Again It’s a type of food I’ve found present just about anywhere I’ve been and there’s a good reason for that. Food for me has been the backbone of my travels around the world, taking me to places and dropping me into situations I would never have been had I not been hungry… And I don’t see that changing for a long time to come.

Street Food, Follow Your Belly was originally published by BeforeYOUBackpack.com - Sihanoukville Cambodia - Asia travel tips

Photo from Flickr by Kras.nl

Located in the southern Caribbean Sea is the beautiful island of Curacao. Governed by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, millions of tourists visit Curacao every year to experience the warm climate, exciting culture and excellent nightlife, and there are a number of activities for holidaymakers to try out!

A History of Curacao

Curacao’s first inhabitants were the Arawak tribe, and in 1449, the Spanish captured the island. After enslaving nearly all of the population and forcing them into manual labour, the Spanish were overthrown by the invading Dutch armies in 1643.

The capital soon became a hub for shipping commerce, as well as the centre for slave trade throughout the 1600s. The island benefitted from significant influence by Jewish settlers who had arrived at the beginning of the 17^th century, and as Curacao’s economy continued to grow, the island became one of the biggest sources of trade in the Caribbean.

Mining and the Slave Trade

Salt mining was the first profitable industry on Curacao, although the Dutch established a number of plantations expanding the original infrastructure since claiming the island. At the time, the salt mineral was in high demand, and the island was accepted as one of the world’s leading hubs for international commerce.

The island also became the centre for slave trade in the Caribbean during the 18^th century, and slaves were taken from Africa by the Dutch, and sold to Spain in large numbers as well as the rest of the world. With the continued growth of the slave trade, Curacao became an affluent place to live, and it continues to benefit from vast landscapes of colonial buildings, now historic architecture.

Christmas In Curacao

Curacao benefits from a warm climate all year round, however if you want an experience to remember, then there’s no better time to visit than Christmas! There are a number of activities to try out during the festive season, and although it’s very unlikely you’ll see any snow, you and your family can swim in the crystal-clear waters and relax on the golden-sand beaches. Let’s take a look at some of the best things to do in Curacao at Christmas!

Swimming With Dolphins

Curacao has one of the best dolphin populations in the whole of the Caribbean, and if you’re looking to travel here over the Christmas period, then you’re in for a tropical treat! The world-famous Dolphin Academy offers a variety of packages to feed, swim and dive with these beautiful creatures, and from stunning natural lagoons to private sea water pools, you and your family will experience an adventure like never before.

Deep Sea Fishing

Take a tour of the island on a luxury yacht, and partake in some amazing deep sea fishing! There are a number of tour operators that will take you and your family out to sea during the festive period, and from Bonito and Blackfin to Blue Marlin and Yellowfish Tuna, you’ll see some of the biggest fishes the ocean has to offer! Furthermore, you’ll be able to season and cook your catch, watching the sunset as you sail back into Curacao harbour.

This guest post was written on behalf of cruise.co.uk. Cruise.co.uk get you the cheapest deals on med cruises

Christmas In Curacao: A Taste Of The Caribbean was originally published by BeforeYOUBackpack.com - Sihanoukville Cambodia - Asia travel tips

Photo from Flickr by epSos.de

Planning for emergencies is one aspect of financial planning, and if you don’t have a savings account, you’re probably not prepared to handle a financial emergency. Understandably, starting a personal savings is easier said than done. You probably know the value of having an emergency cushion, but after an assessment of your monthly income, there may be little disposable income.

Saving money is doable, regardless of your income. Obviously, you can’t save a lot if you don’t earn a lot. Nonetheless, something is far better than nothing. Rather than push saving money to the bottom of your to-do list, consider four ways to set up a personal savings this year.

Research automated savings options

Lack of a financial cushion makes it harder to survive a layoff, an illness and other emergencies. Talk to your bank and ask a banker about various savings options. Banks recognize the value of having an emergency cushion, and to help customers achieve their savings goals, some banks offer automated savings tools.

For example, for every transaction you make with a debit card, your bank may transfer one dollar from your checking account into your savings account. This is an automatic transfer, and in most cases, you won’t miss the money. You can build your savings without lifting a finger.

Open a high-yield savings account

Online banks offer the best interest rates with regards to savings accounts. A higher interest rate can grow your money faster and maximize your savings. Don’t rely on your bank’s savings account. Compare rates on high-yield savings accounts offered by online banks. Oftentimes, you can earn an interest rate as high as 0.90% or 1.00%. This is a significant increase compared to the 0.01% on most traditional savings accounts.

Save your work bonuses

A raise or promotion can make your day. And like most people, you might brainstorm good uses for the money. Perhaps a new flat screen television or a new car. But before you run to the nearest electronics store or car dealership, think of better uses for the cash. This is the perfect opportunity to set up a personal savings account.

Research who has the highest interest rates for CDs and open an account with money from your bonus. Certificates of deposits have higher rates than traditional savings account, and they offer a safe way to grow your money.

Look for additional employment

making money after college doesn’t always promise a large salary and extra income. Entry-level salaries can’t always keep up with the cost of living. Rather than live paycheck-to-paycheck and sacrifice a savings account, consider ways to make extra cash on the side. Work a few hours in the evenings or start a side business. Earn an extra $125 a week and you can grow your personal savings by $500 each month.

Change your mindset and focus on saving. This takes discipline and sacrifice, and yes, you’ll deny yourself many extras. However, there’s a certain peace of mind and satisfaction that comes with having a financial cushion. Emergencies will happen, and if you don’t prepare now, you can face financial disaster. Plus, with a little extra in the bank, you’re able to participate in many enjoyments like traveling. Be smart with your money, pay yourself first and make saving a priority.

Make Saving a Priority This Year was originally published by BeforeYOUBackpack.com - Sihanoukville Cambodia - Asia travel tips

photo from Flickr by: onigiri-kun

Whether you plan to pull off a backpacking vacation in Europe or the Americas, or anywhere for that matter, you’re probably going to be relying mostly on your wits to get around. Not that you won’t find hospitality, it’s just that the nature of the backpacking vacation model is one where you go about everything with minimal planning.

So how do you plan when part of the plan is to barely plan? Vacation guides and tourism centers tend to speak to the more traditional traveler and usually support regimented roaming, so they don’t help backpackers out much besides as acting references.

When backpacking, you need on-the-go access to information, and you won’t find a better tool than your smartphone. The GPS chip inside can be used for lots more than just seeing where you are on a map. Check out the best deals on cheap mobile phones before you leave home, making sure that you have a good data roaming package so that you can use these five awesome apps:

1. Where

Where is an all-around app meant to help users find everything from restaurants to weather forecasts relative to their geographic region. It can help travelers who have just arrived in a strange town find a place to eat in minutes and keep wanderers out of the rain who otherwise wouldn’t know a storm was coming up over the Alps. Where helps lighten the load of countless different guides by combining them all into one phone-based app.

2. Wikitude

By utilizing Wikipedia and user-contributed information, Wikitude presents an “augmented reality” through a smartphone’s camera. Users who aim their camera at a landmark will see information about it pop up in the viewfinder. Either you can access awesome information or contribute some after you come across a sight worth remembering.

3. Google Translator

This is probably the most obvious of all awesome apps that you can use when backpacking. Google added a spoken-word translator earlier this year to go along with their text-only translation, which while not perfect can be enormously useful when trying to speak with the locals.

4. SoundHound

SoundHound isn’t explicitly meant for travel, but its ability to identity music can come in handy when you’re sitting in a Mumbai bar dying to know who sings the foreign-language track being played. Honestly, it’s an app everybody should have, backpacking or not.

5. GPS Alarm

The name says it all. When traveling by bus or by rail, it’s a pain having to stay up for your stop. But with this app, you can set your alarm to go off according to your global positioning. Backpackers can comfortably catch up on snoozes when en route from Belgrade to Budapest without having to worry about waking up in Bratislava.

Don’t leave the smartphone behind when you embark on a backpacking adventure. So long as you have service or an internet connection you can utilize a vast array of apps that can assist you on your journey without taking any of the adventure out of it.

Five Free Handy Android Apps for Backpacking Travelers was originally published by BeforeYOUBackpack.com - Sihanoukville Cambodia - Asia travel tips

Photo from Flickr by Sky Dive Masters Party

Las Vegas is one of the most famous cities in the world, and every year millions of people flock to this desert town to experience the glitz, gambling and glamour that ‘Sin City’ provides all day, and all night. Not only does the city offer the ultimate stag do weekends, from the most luxurious hotels to the most famous casinos, but it’s the place for all your friends to come together and experience a holiday of a lifetime.

If you’re thinking about organising a stag do in Las Vegas, then you’re choosing to go out in style – why plan something average for your last few days as a free man! If you’ve ever seen ‘The Hangover’, then you might have an idea of what Las Vegas is all about, however that doesn’t mean your trip won’t require some serious planning. Sin City doesn’t take fools kindly.

Thankfully however, Las Vegas is the capital of second chances, so even if you’ve experienced a stag do before and didn’t enjoy it, this city promises to offer you everything and more. From the moment you get off the plane, you’ll realise that Las Vegas is a city like no other. Nightclubs with waterfalls dominate every corner, helicopters offering tours of the Grand Canyon fly all day long, and if you’ve got the cash, you can even rent a hotel suite with a basketball court inside! Let’s take a look at some of the best ideas for a Las Vegas stag do.

The Ultimate Off-Road Adventure

Las Vegas is a hell of a city, however one of the most exciting activities can be found out in the desert! The ultimate off-road adventure is situated right in the heart of Nevada, and surrounded by harsh mountain ranges and rocky sand dunes, you’ll be able to take the ‘scenic’ route back to the city in sand buggies, fully equipped with the latest suspension and safety features.

Depending on how adventurous you’re feeling, you can either choose a two-seater or a four-seater buggy, and all come with bespoke fuel injection and four-stroke twin cylinders pushing out 760cc’s of power. Depending on the company you’ve booked with, you can swap your buggy for a number of other vehicles, including a hummer!

Indoor Skydiving

Las Vegas also offers a number of companies that specialise in indoor skydiving, and it’s a great way to get a feel for the experience before you do the real thing! With turbines pushing out winds at 125 miles per hour, indoor skydiving is a cheap and adrenalin-pumping experience that would usually pass you by back home. After a full introduction and a brief training session, you’ll be able to pull all the shapes like the real skydivers, and depending on what company you choose, you could also get a hefty discount on a real skydive!

Target Shooting

Nothing shouts ‘best stag do ever’ than a few hours at the shooting range – you are in America of course! Not only will you be able to test out your pistol skills by firing live rounds at a number of targets in a specially designed assault course, but you’ll also able to go head to head  with your friends in a huge game of paint ball afterwards!

Stag dos aren’t cheap especially to Las Vegas so every penny you can save is vital. At cheapflights compare the top airlines to find you the lowest fligths to Las Vegas to save lots of pennies.

Las Vegas Stag Do Ideas was originally published by BeforeYOUBackpack.com - Sihanoukville Cambodia - Asia travel tips

Photo from Flickr by AisforAmy91

If you are looking for the coolest holiday destination you won’t go wrong with a casino resort. Overflowing with luxury and glamour this ever popular type of holiday will have you re-visiting year after year.
Before the days of the Las Vegas strip in all its Americanised glitz and glamour glory, Monte Carlo, Monaco was renowned for providing the playground to the world’s rich and famous.

The Grand Casino and Casino de Monte-Carlo have come to epitomise the grandeur and sophistication illustrious in Monte Carlo boasting the most prestigious tables that only ever taking a back seat to the Formula One Race and the Rolex Monte Carlo masters. Popular hotels include the Hôtel de Paris and the Monte Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort. A rather surprising but worthy mention comes in the form Kathmandu Nepal.

Although not usually immediately associated with the casino industry, Nepal’s Casino Royale is a fine example of how cool a casino should be in addition to the city offering a fun range of adventure activities such as paragliding and mountain biking reinforcing the fun factor. Also consider a visit to the world’s biggest casino haven based on revenue; Macau.

This casino destination has seemingly came out of nowhere to give the biggest players a run for their money. With shopping malls overflowing with designer brands, the swankiest casinos and world renowned hotel names including the Venetian and the Sheraton to boast of it is unsurprising that this Asian gamblers holy grail has fast  become hot property. And finally, how could any article covering cool, fun-filled breaks go without a mention of Las Vegas; where every night is 1999 and even the biggest stick in the mud would find it impossible not get caught up in the party atmosphere.
All before mentioned destinations have been developed around the popularity of gambling. This has been recognised and further progressed with online casinos, like the ones featured at http://www.bellerockentertainment.com, becoming an increasingly popular platform for enjoying Blackjack, Poker, Roulette and more of the nation’s favourite casino games.

For those people particularly interested in the gambling aspect of the holidays, online casinos offer appealing sign-up bonuses and generally produce more winners than the real thing so between those two week  holidays you can now enjoy your favourite games from the comfort of your own home.

Coolest places to have fun and gambling on holidays was originally published by BeforeYOUBackpack.com - Sihanoukville Cambodia - Asia travel tips

Photo courtesy of thehubsa.co.za

It’s perhaps no surprise that the country that hosts La Tomatina, the world-famous tomato-throwing festival, is also home to San Fermin, arguably Europe’s most dangerous festival.

Every year, the Spanish town of Pamplona is flooded with people who dress head to toe in traditional white and throw themselves in the path of several angry bulls. 

So what’s it all about?

The festivities date back to the 15^th century (although some believe earlier), when Pamplona’s residents would celebrate the life of San Fermin, the town’s patron saint. Bullfighting contests were often held around the same time of year, so over the course of centuries, the two merged to become one single annual event. One that was incidentally brought forward to July, to make use of the fine summer weather (making it a more lucrative event for the town’s traders, too).

What’s the deal with the angry bulls?

Every year, the festival begins on the evening of 5^th July, with people packed in the streets, drinking and enjoying themselves. The next morning, those who want to run with the bulls take their position at the start of the 800m-long course, which winds through the streets of Pamplona, finishing up at the town’s bullring. Tall wooden fences mark the route, with crowds of people cheering in the streets on the other side of the divide.

At exactly midday, a rocket is released, which indicates that the participants should start running because just a few seconds later… bang! The second rocket means that six fighting bulls have been released just behind them. The goal? To reach the entrance of the bullring, at the end of the course, without being maimed or killed.

Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald last year, one runner named Mark explained:

“There were a lot of people around me and pushing me and I thought I might get in a bad situation here. Then I decided to keep going. You have to make quick decisions during the run.”

The bulls nearly always make it to the bullring unscathed, but not so the runners – hoards of drunken people stampeding through narrow streets, with no place to hide, unsurprisingly turns up a few injuries.

The facts

Since 1924, 15 people have died (of which 13 were Spanish) and over 200 people been seriously injured.

If you’re thinking of taking a break in Spain in over the summer then it is well worth incorporating a few days of the week-long festival into your schedule. Top Madrid apartments can be rented by the day, leaving you free to take a bus or train to Pamplona for the festival for a few days at the end of your trip. From Madrid, a train will take just over 3 hours and cost about €60; the bus (which will get you there early in the morning, ready to bag a good viewing spot), takes about 5 hours and costs around €25.

Alternatively, if you’re hitting the festival first, then make a break for Barcelona on the coast to chill out afterwards (and perhaps tend to your wounds!). Look at the bargains to be had on top Barcelona apartments and you can be there in just a few hours.

The festival officially closes on 14^th July, so you’ve got a week to get yourself to Pamplona to witness the mayhem first hand. Just make sure you get travel insurance…

Raging Bulls: Spain’s Deadliest Festival was originally published by BeforeYOUBackpack.com - Sihanoukville Cambodia - Asia travel tips

Photo from Flickr by Christina Karchevskaya

Cape Town is one of those remarkable destinations which allow you to enjoy a fabulous vacation whether you’re living it up in a 5-star hotel or simply using backpacker’s accommodation as a base. No matter how large or small your budget, you’re unlikely to exhaust all your options. Realistically, most travellers these days have to keep a close eye on their spending and thus choose to seek out the more character filled, hidden gems which can easily be missed if you’re hopping between the more traditional tourist attractions.

Enter Long Street, Cape Town. This cosmopolitan street with its irresistible charm and bubbling spirit once used to be the border of the Muslim Bo-Kaap. Numerous old mosques can be found along the street, including the Pink Tree Mosque which is the oldest mosque in South Africa and is now a place of interest. From around 1960 to somewhere in the late 1990’s the street lost favour with the local inhabitants and gained the reputation of being a less than desirable area of the CBD. However, ingenious developers realised the street’s potential and set about upgrading the many Victorian-era buildings and at the same time giving its sullied reputation a facelift.

Today Long Street is a feast for the senses. With its bohemian charm it draws both locals and tourists from all across the globe.  The street is lined with quaint little bookstores, jam packed antique shops, street-wear boutiques, several ethnic restaurants, bars and backpacker hostels. Right at the top of the street are the well-known Long Street Baths which consists of various swimming pools, Turkish baths, steam rooms and plunge pools.

Because Long Street is located in the heart of the CBD, it forms the perfect base from which to explore. With the recently implemented Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT) and upgraded train stations, getting around is never a problem. Day trips to various unspoilt beaches, exquisite botanical gardens, world class wine estates, historical sites are all on the cards. Whilst Cape Town’s weather is generally rather pleasant, it can also be terribly windy.

Fortunately the wind lends itself to excellent surfing conditions and has become well known for its premier surf spots. If, however, surfing the big blue isn’t your thing you could always surf South Africa’s best online casino instead.  Extreme sports such as kite surfing, abseiling and rock climbing are all in easy reach. For something a little more commercial one could visit the enormous Canal Walk Shopping Centre or pay a visit to Cape Town’s very own Grande West Casino which is not only a casino but an entertainment complex too.

However you decide to occupy your time, Cape Town is one of those places that keeps drawing you back. A city with so many options that you’ll find yourself wanting more.

What to do in Cape town was originally published by BeforeYOUBackpack.com - Sihanoukville Cambodia - Asia travel tips