ART: Cape Town

Cape Town in South Africa is certainly one of the most beautiful cities in the world being surrounded by the ocean on one side and guarded by the Table Mountain on the other.

The rich cultural mix of the historic city is immediately evident. Members of various African tribes from the north with their distinct styles of dress are as visible as the Dutch, French, Indonesian Indian, British and of course the various shades in between. It seems hard to imagine that apartheid was such a harsh reality; and international sanctions had isolated this vibrant country for years. Yet the sight of Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela and other Black freedom fighters had been imprisoned for decades is a reminder of the grim past. Cape Town is worth visiting just to pay homage to Robben Island, now a World Heritage Site.

Well worth a visit is also Camps bay, the Atlantic Seaboard, Blouberg and of course the City Bowl.

The colourful city is wedged between the famous landmark Table Mountain, the top of which gives a birds-eye view of the city, and the Atlantic Ocean. One can climb to the top of this lovely 1000 meter mountain via a hundred different and equally scenic paths or enjoy the thrill of a revolving cable car ride.

The mountain is within the Table Mountain National Park that thrives right in the center of the city. Take a relaxed afternoon walking among the wooden walkways and designated pathways. The biodiversity in this park is amazing and it comprises of three distinct areas that extend from Signal Hill at its north end to Cape Point at its south.

Cape Town has plenty for lovers of adventure sports like bungee jumping, skiing and paragliding. One can even enjoy the thrill of diving with the sharks on a package that takes you by boat off the South coast at Gansbaai, Dyer Island and Geyser Rock in Shark Alley. It is in a secure environment when you go down inside a cage with a mask and snorkel but hey this is the great white shark we are talking about!

The mix of races and the position of Cape Town, between the European and Asian influences, are very obvious in its lifestyle, food, architecture and even gardens. If you visit Cape Town you probably need not go anywhere else in the world to find out how people live!

» Ravenstein: Camps Bay holiday apartment, sleeps 12, from Euro 450
» Harbour Edge: City Bowl holiday apartment, sleeps 4, from Euro 160
» Big Bay Beachclub 118: Blouberg holiday apartment, sleeps 6, from Euro 45

ART: Auckland

The Southern Hemisphere has always been a fascination with Europeans since their summer is in December and winter in June. A dream come true for skiers from countries that are ‘right side up’ as they can ski through out the year by going to countries like New Zealand!

New Zealand has more sheep than people and the entire country is as unspoiled as one can imagine. Auckland which is the largest city in New Zealand and holds one third of the nation’s population, yet one can be immersed in Mother Nature’s ample bosom within thirty minutes of leaving the downtown area!

When landing in this North Island city, be prepared for the magnificent vistas that surround Auckland providing images of brilliant blue sea and majestic mountains. The City of Sails as it is nicknamed appears to be the perfect place for a stress-free life.

One can escape to stunning beaches, hit a hiking trail or disappear into one of the nearby enchanting islands all within half an hour. Whether Auckland South or Auckland West, the city is a melting pot of cultures with people of all races and nationalities living and working here. The sunny climate, the inherent Polynesian traits and joie de vivre of the inhabitants add to the pleasure of being here.

Hiking is a great pleasure and the joy of being in the rainforests is indescribable. The trails in the nearby Waitakere and Hunua Ranges that are west and south of Auckland are highly recommended. A short bush walk in the Hunua Ranges Regional Park can bring you to a delightful spot by the Hunua Falls. The forests are dense with native trees and there are programs to sensitize school kids about the environment at the Falls.

Waikatere Ranges are a chain of hills 25 kilometers west of Auckland with the Maori name Te Wao nui a Tiriwa. On the coastline, the hills have stretches of surf beaches in their midst. Plenty of regenration of the native bush is happening in these ranges as well.

Within easy reach of Auckland, there are the enchanting islands of the Hauraki Gulf. Here you can catch a ferry and be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a pair of dolphins on the way to Waiheke Island or Rangitoto Island. The latter is about eight kilometers from Auckland and one can go across to Motutapu Island by a causeway. Rangitoto is made of volcanic rock and about two hundred types of plants grow on it. It has the largest Pohutukawa forest in the world.

Whale watching trips are organized in these waters. We would also recommend the underground aquarium at Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World with its transparent viewing tunnel.

Some Auckland accommodation on Holiday Velvet:

» The Spencer on Byron: Auckland hotel, from $185
» Kiwi International: Auckland hotel, from NZ$99
» Ateas Chalet: Auckland hotel, from $350

ART: Goa

Goa has an attraction for tourists to India that is second only to the magnetic draw of the Taj Mahal. The colorful state along the west coast of India is a wonderful place to relax on the golden sands of the beaches along the Arabian Sea. This is heaven on earth with beautiful beaches, great facilities, less humid weather and more efficient airports. Goa is not just a place, it is an experience not to be missed.

The best time to go is between November and March when the temperatures are a little cooler. The maritime breeze that wafts inland makes it comfortable even when the sun is high. It is the most popular time to go but there is plenty of space for everybody!

The beaches are fringed with swaying coconut palms and bougainvillea in a riot of colors filling the gardens. Calangute and Colva beaches are especially popular, with their shacks on the beach that offer cold beer and the freshly cooked catch of the day. The weekly village market at Anjuna draws hordes of people looking to buy and sell the widest range of things imaginable. Candolim and North Goa are also not to be missed.

Dolphin watching, paragliding wind surfing and even bungee jumping have added to the attraction of Goa. Many leading fashion designers and artists have shifted base to Goa and most hotel chains have their places there, making the place quite a hot spot with the glitterati.

Part of Goa’s unique charm is the strong Portuguese influence that still pervades everywhere even though the state ceased to be a colony of Portugal in the mid 1960s. It is common to find names like Alvares and Fernandes. Typical old whitewashed churches built a couple of hundred years ago dot the countryside. The main town Panaji, or Panjim as the Portuguese called it, is home to the Church of St Francis of Assisi where his relic is embalmed. Old Panjim has a distinct flavor of old Lisbon with cobbled streets that rise steeply from the banks of the Mandovi River that meanders slowly through the town.

Ancient temples in their typical large courtyards are in the center of most towns. Some like Mangesh and Shantadurga draw devotees from everywhere. Christmas and New Year are a very special time of the year in Goa. This is the height of the tourist season and charters bring Europeans by the plane loads. The magical time is shared by locals and tourists alike.

Goa in the monsoon has its own charm when the rains lash down and cool the place after a hot sultry summer. If you do not mind the risk of being stuck indoors during a particularly bad spell of rain, this is a magical time to be in Goa with the fresh green paddy fields everywhere and luscious mangoes to eat.

Some Goa accommodation on Holiday Velvet:

» Casa Praia: Goa villa in Candolim, sleeps 12 people
» Otter Creek Tent: Goa villa in North Goa, sleeps 2 people

ART: Florida Beaches

The first thought that comes to mind when anyone thinks of Florida is its sunny beaches with pristine sands. Hardly surprising when there are nearly nine hundred miles of beaches! One could, start at Jacksonville Beach on the Atlantic Ocean and go down to Fort Lauderdale and Miami to the tip of the peninsula and St Augustine. Then one could go up again on the other coast to Panama Beach, South Walton and Pensacola on the Gulf of Mexico.

Everyone probably has a few favorites, probably because of the memories associated with the vacation. How does one pick the best? That really depends on what are one’s interests and priorities. There are family friendly beaches like Daytona where kids can have a ball in the perfectly safe waters. Daytona in the right season offers the fascinating opportunity to watch the hatching and emerging of the baby sea turtles from the eggs of the endangered sea turtles that nest there. The journey of the young ones from the shore to the water is fascinating and fraught with danger from predatory birds.

Places like Sunny Isles Beach have playground equipment for young children in beachfront state parks along the shore. Many beaches have attractions close to the shores that adults would enjoy like the glamorous Miami Beach. Still others are unspoiled by modern distractions and facilities like some of the beaches in Martin County, north of Palm Beach. The natural beaches, all on barrier islands, have nothing but sand and sea, perfect for quiet relaxing vacation. There is not a high-rise in sight.

Perhaps one of the most romantic places to be in Florida is St. Augustine at the very tip of the peninsula. Here you can watch the sun rise over the horizon of the Atlantic Ocean in the early hours of the day and as the evening comes to an end you can see the golden ball dip into the Gulf of Mexico. It is hard to decide which is more beautiful- the golden dawn at sunrise or the rosy dusk at sunset!

North Beach at Fort De Soto Park is a favorite – it has something for everybody. Made up of five interconnected islands off the southern tip of the Pinellas peninsula, it offers miles of sand, great fishing, canoeing, kayaking, bird-watching, biking and walking trails. There is even a historic fort nearby.

Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, affectionately known as Dr. Beach, picks the top ten beaches in the country every year based on a number of environmental factors. His top choice for 2006 is Florida’s Caladesi Island State Park with its three 3 miles of nature trail, sailing and fishing opportunities. One of the few natural islands along the Gulf Coast, Caladesi´s white sands is accessible only by boat. There are miles of kayaking through mangroves.

Here a sample of Florida holiday villas and Florida apartments on Holiday Velvet:

» Mi Casa e su Casa: Florida apartment, up to 8 people, from $600
» Gulf Coast FL Beach: Florida villa, up to 6 people, from $185
» My Paradise Home: Florida villa, up to 6 people, from $100

ART: Los Angeles

Los Angeles - the City of Angels, where a million dreams come true or are shattered! Los Angeles in South California draws people to it like a magnet. It offers Californian sunshine, plenty of entertainment for kids, thriving business and it is the home of showbiz. Many people firmly believe that Los Angeles is the place to live - well if not live at least visit.

A difficult city to move around in without car, it might be worthwhile to take some of the attractive tours offered around the city. It is a large city divided into many sections such as Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Venice Beach, South Bay and many more including starry Hollywood.

The old part of city, the conjurer of dreams, is best visited on foot and you can follow the path of the legends of yore when you do so. Take a guided tour to places whose names you have heard so often; Sunset Strip, Melrose Avenue and Graumanns’s Chinese Theater. Standing on the Walk of Fame is almost as thrilling as seeing the celebrities who had their own stars on the world famous pavement.

Downtown Hollywood is a disappointment and is just another suburb, definitely not spilling over with film stars! As they say Hollywood is a state of mind and the chance of getting a little stardust is greater in Beverly Hills, where they live or work. Take a drive past Beverly Hills and a visit the Universal Studios and who know’s who you might see.

The visit to Universal Studio is an education in itself. You can watch behind the scenes of several TV shows and movies and expriencing the effort that goes into each scene on the set makes you realize why this is a multi-million dollar industry.

When you earn the kind of money that the stars do, you need some place to spend it so Rodeo Drive, which was immortalized in the movie Pretty Woman, offers three blocks of the most exclusive and expensive shopping in the world.

Six Flags Magic Mountain and Disneyland Resort are both must do’s on the list of all young at hearts. Disneyland Park is home to eight different areas from Mickey’s Toon town to Main Street USA. The interactive games, parades and rides all add up to a day of fun and nostalgia where fairy tales almost come true.

The perfect romantic way to round off a day’s excitement is to take a night boat cruise. Sip champagne and dance under the stars after a superb meal – Los Angeles truly is magical.

Here is a sample of Los Angeles apartments on Holiday Velvet:

» Webster8: Los Angeles apartment, sleeps 3, from $1500
» Venice Place: Los Angeles villa, sleeps 2, from $180

ART: Vibrant Miami!

Pulsating, vibrant Miami! Its very name conjures images of golden beaches, high fashion, high energy and glamour. Maybe it is the result of the constant media glare on visiting celebrities to this glamorous city or the influence of watching endless reruns of Miami Vice, the attraction of Miami to visitors is probably next only to that of New York and Los Angeles.

South Florida is great region to take a vacation for a multitude of reasons and one of them certainly is Miami, nestling between the Everglades and Atlantic Ocean on Miami River. It is towards the southern tip of the peninsula and practically surrounded by water.

Rent a car on arrival at Miami International Airport as driving is the best way to get around the city. Rental companies offers cars at very competitive rates as public transport in the city is pretty unimpressive. You can also land at Fort Lauderdale which is less crowded and offers cheaper fares and in just twenty minutes you can be in downtown Miami.

A large city divided into several districts each with its unique flavor, Miami is very multicultural. Over sixty percent of the population of Miami is Hispanic and it is not for nothing that Miami is called the Gateway to Latin America and the Capital of the Americas. Cubans, Nicaraguans, Colombians, Venezuelans, Puerto Ricans, Argentineans, Ecuadorians, Brazilians, Dominicans, Haitians, and Mexicans make up the cosmopolitan mix. Castro’s takeover in 1959 brought a change not only to Cuba , it changed Miami forever. A steady influx of refugees from Cuba changed the ethnic composition of the city entirely. Now there is a neighborhood in Miami called Little Havana.

South Beach with its famous beachside promenade lined with Art deco buildings is not actually within Miami, but Miami Beach is just as glamorous. Celebrity spotting is big pastime here. The city is not just about glitzy expensive boutiques and restaurants and scintillating nightlife. You can just as easily have a great Cuban meal for a song and shop at down to earth places.

Home to several major international political and trade events and Awards ceremonies, Miami’s Coconut Grove Expo Center has something going on all the time. Yes Miami is a big business center too!

Despite its image as a playground for adults, kids can have great time here at its several animal parks and science museum and of course enjoy the water sports! The Parrot jungle is a private collection of over two hundred varieties of colorful parrots, parakeets and macaws. Not to be missed is the seaquarium with its extensive collection of marine life including dolphins and whales. The Deering Estate at Cutler is a little known nature park in Miami which hardly a hundred people visit a day. This unspoiled retreat in the heart of the city is a haven with a number of rare plants, tropical hardwood hammocks, and the endangered Rockland pine.

ART: The Bahamas

If you have decided to go on vacation but not sure of destination then you could do a lot worse that looking at the Bahamas. The Bahamas consists of around 700 islands, spread over 100,0000 sq miles. These islands are surrounded by cays (locals pronounce it as “keys”) which are a tropical havens... .

Shining sky blue sea water and white beaches are the heart of the Bahamas. Each island is different from the other in terms of culture, heritage and customs. Nassau and Paradise are the main islands and both these islands have 26 beaches. Pink Sand Beach on Harbor Island is spread over an area of three miles and is famous for the pale pink powder. Eleuthera is renowned for the pineapples and Abaco for sailing. Grand Bahama Island is the main center for tourists. Kayaking, horseback riding, national parks and botanical gardens are the specialty of this island. Acklins and Crooked Island, The Berry Islands, Cat Island, The Bahamas out Islands, The Exuma Islands, and San Salvador are some of the other islands of Bahamas.

The islands of Bahamas not only offer the calm beaches but also many adventure sports for the lovers of adventures. For the lovers of water sports a wide range of adventure water sports awaits you at the Bahamas, like sail boating, canoeing, kayaking, parasailing, scuba diving and deep-sea fishing. Here you can also experience high-speed boating to have a view of some of the deserted beaches and some rare spices. Kite Surfing is another adventure sport on the Bahamas.

ART: Sydney Entertainment

Today's Sydney is a mixture of modern skyscrapers and old buildings from the British colonial period. Just move around the city of Sydney and you will find a wide range of fun & entertainment, beautiful beaches, bars and restaurants.

The area from Darling Harbor to Kings Cross, Oxford Street to The Rocks is full of great pubs, jazz haunts, rock venues and nightclubs. Only in Sydney is the Minus 5° bar world famous. The whole room, the bar itself, tables, chairs, stools - even the curtains at Minus 5° bar are made of ice. Even with the parkas, hats and gloves one can not stay more than 30 minutes in this bar. Dining at the 360 Bar and Dining Room at the top of Sydney Tower offers not only great food but some of the best views across Sydney. Lowenbrau is another place for the fun loving people, where beer and fun flows freely throughout the year. Another attraction of Sydney is IMAX Theatre, which is screening 3D and 2D films on the world’s biggest screen.

Water is obviously a major attraction in Sydney and there are plenty of things to do other than go to many of the city’s beaches. These can include a ferry ride places like Manly, Darling Harbor, and Taronga Zoo or the River Cat to Parramatta and around the Sydney Harbor or Sydney's Northern Beaches. You can also book world-class cruises, such as Harbor Cruises, Matilda Cruises, and Captain Cook Cruises.

One of the major attractions of Sydney is The Sydney Entertainment Center located by the side of Darling Harbor. This center has hosted some of the big names in the field of entertainment. Major museums include The Rocks Discovery Museum, which is located in Kendall Lane, the Susannah Place Museum and the Australian National Maritime Museum.

Sydney city center is around the Harbor which is crossed by one of the city's most famous landmarks—Sydney Harbor Bridge. Here you can enjoy one of the most breathtaking views across the harbor with the Opera House and bridge in full view. Sydney also has around 37 beautiful beaches spreading across North Palm in the north and down to the Cronulla in the south. The two best-known beaches are Bondi and Manly.

Latest Sydney Holiday Apartments on Holiday Velvet:
Sydney Holiday Apartment in Sydney Northern Beaches -
Apartment Manly Oceanfront Apt
B&B in Sydney -
Bed & Breakfast Manly Harbour Loft
Sydney Villa in Sydney Northern Beaches -
Sydney Villa Oceans 28

NEWS: Cape Town Accommodation

We have new Cape Town holiday apartments additions!

Capes Citi-Loft
Welcome to The Cape's Citi-Loft. An up market loft apartment in Mutual Heights, one of South...
»Capes Citi-Loft apartment

Gulmarn
This luxurious apartment is ten minutes walk from the historical centre of Cape Town and five minutes away from the...
»Gulmarn apartment

Greenmarket Place
501 Greenmarket Place is a one bedroom up market, contemporary apartment in the centre of Cape Town’s trendy...
»Greenmarket Place apartment

Mountain Close
Mountain Close is a spacious one bedroom apartment that is situated high on the slopes of Table Mountain.  The...
»Mountain Close apartment

Rutland Lodge B&B
An original period Herbert Baker Cape Dutch house, built in 1904 and recently sympathetically restored to an exclusive...
»Rutland Lodge B&B

The Granger
ALL NEW!! 2 Double bedrooms apartment, all with en-suite, 3rd guest bathroom -open planned lounge/dining...
»The Granger apartment

BigBay BeachClub 118
This self-catering two-bedroom apartment in a secure holiday resort situated on a coastal road is the ideal place for...
»BigBay BeachClub 118 apartment

Atlantic View
Our Cape Town apartment is situated in Camps Bay, 10 minutes from the Waterfront and Cape Town CBD, and 5 minutes...
»Atlantic View apartment

Sunset Hills
This Camps Bay Boutique Apartment is a charming, designer studio apartment situated in the famous and beautiful...
»Sunset Hills apartment

ART: Copacabana and Ipanema

The very thought of Rio De Janeiro fills the mind with lively images of beautiful beaches and with rythmes of the ‘Girl from Ipanema’. Beach life is the part and parcel of Brazilian culture and this is the most evident in Rio. The people of Rio visit the beaches not only for enjoying the sun but also to socialize, play sports like football, volleyball and surfing. Even poor weather conditions and winter are not a hurdle for ‘The Cariocas’ (popular name of the locals) to visit the beaches.

Copacabana, one of the most beautiful beaches, is located at the foothills of Rio. It is believed that the name Copacabana has Bolivian roots. This is a 5 Km long beach, spreading from Princesa Isabel Avenue and up to the Forte De Copacabana.

The Copacabana area is always vibrant with people of all ages creating a party like mood. There are also a number of bars and night clubs located all along the beach. Day or night the beach is always alive with some sort of activity. Copacabana is divided into many parts, known as postas. Life-guards are available at each posta.

In the southern part of Rio de Janeiro, by the side of the Copacabana beach is the district of Ipanema. All along the beach at Ipanema, many world class restaurants, cafes and shopping are located. At the western end of the beach there are two hills known as the ‘Two Brothers’. Like the Copacabana beach, this beach is also divided into several parts, known as postas. Certain postas are popular for the presence of a certain kind of gathering. This beach is always alive with many sporting activities like football, volleyball and foot volley (a sport which is played in Brazil only).

If you get a chance to visit Rio De Janeiro, do not miss the opportunity to visit these marvelous beaches.

ART: Cliff Divers in Acapulco

Perhaps the most popular of all the destinations in Mexico is Acapulco.

Not only is the climate, beautiful coastline, warm people and great food a major incentive to go to Acapulco, one of the most interesting sights to see is the cliff divers. These are brave local men that earn their living by cliff diving. These clavadistas or cliff divers’ swan dive off a cliff called La Quedabra which is a 130 feet drop into 12 feet of rough surf. The divers are featured in shows where the price is from anywhere between 20-50 pesos. This amazing sight is quite breath taking and it is a fact that there have been no recorded deaths so far.

Thinking about going diving in Acapulco, apart from needing to know where the nearest hospital is, you might also like to stay in one of our wonderful villas in Mexico:

»Las Promesas - Sleeps 8 people
»Casa Las Ardillas - Sleeps 24 people

ART: Barcelona Beaches & Parks

Barcelona is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe and is a great place for entertainment and art - and also for beaches and parks.

PARK GUELL
One of the most popular parks is the Guell Park. Commissioned by Eusebi Güell and designed by Antoni Gaudi, Guell Park Guell contains amazing stone structures, stunning tiling and fascinating buildings and was created as a stylish park for Barcelona aristocracy. There are also many other parks that boast beautiful gardens, statues and fountains that can be considered to be works of art. The parks of Barcelona are inviting and appealing and can provide a nice relaxing spot for anyone that appreciates nature and a peaceful atmosphere.

BARCELONA BEACHES
When visiting this great city, one must also check out the beaches, you cannot skip the beaches of Barcelona! Like many city beaches, the beaches in Barcelona are extremely popular and draw people from all ages. There are also locations available around the beaches where extra curricular activities such as jogging and biking can be done. There are also water sports on offer at some of the beaches that can provide kayaking and others. The main beach of Barcelona is in Barceloneta, which is in the heart of the city and next door to the marina and the port.

To find out more on Barcelona please visit our about Barcelona section.

ART: Barcelona Sonar Festival

Barcelona is well known for the music festivals and the Sonar Festival is one of the most popular. Every June, the Sonar Festival is a progressive music event held over three days and three nights. The festival was held this year from the 15th of June to the 17th of June. This was the 13th edition of the festival and featured both national and international artist that are well known.

The Festival boasts of over 300 activities and includes Dj sets, concerts and film. The festival uses all the latest technologies to provide a state of the art entertaining festival using all forms of multimedia. In Sonar Festival 2006 there were all kinds of music from electronic music to dance sounds as well as other exotic music types such as the sounds of Jamaica. This is a meeting point for artists, the public and music professionals from all sectors of music and the modern arts. There are two very distinct and separate parts to the Sonar Festival. The ‘Sonar by day’ which is held in the Museum of Contemporary Art, and features not only great live music and DJs, but also art installations, screenings of low-budget films, and also fairs where you can buy records. The ‘Sonar by night’ part attracts some of the biggest names in avant-garde and techno music.

This city has much to offer and has great food and accommodation in Barcelona. If you are seeking accommodation in Barcelona there are many hotels and other accommodations such as apartments that can provide luxury and comfort. Barcelona is a gem of a holiday destination with activities for persons of all ages.

Thinking about going to the Sonar festival in 2007? check out some of Holiday Velvet's apartments in Barcelona and the Gothic Quarter:

»Ramblas Bacardi - Sleeps 4 people
»Flat Tibidabo Slope - Sleeps 8 people
»Rambla 1 - Sleeps 2