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Soaring mountains, stunning beaches and a colorful histor y that harks back to the ver y dawn of humank ind… this is South A frica, one of the most spellbinding spots on the planet. It's also one of the most affordable, where the dollar can stretch as far as the views from God 's Window. e extraordinar y diversity of tribes, creeds and even cuisine that characterizes South A frica inspired Nobel Peace Prize winner A rchbishop Desmond Tutu to call it, "e Rainbow Nation." He couldn't have chosen a more fiing name. Roughly twice the size of Texas, South A frica is a fully-integrated society more than 50 million strong. Even though it has 11 official languages, the common language is English. People who have never been to A frica oen think of it as a homogenous whole, similar to the United States. But nothing could be further from truth. e continent of A frica, which is the size of China, India, the United States, and most of Europe combined, is made up of 54 ver y different and separate countries. It is important to note, that while A frica is regarded as a third-world continent, South A frica is a first-world countr y – as well as a top-rated travel destination. e New York Times named Cape Town number one of "52 Places to go in 2014;" National Geographic Traveler voted it one of "2014 Places of a Lifetime," and Travel+Leisure proclaimed Cape Town as one of "e Best Places to Travel in 2014." Conde Naste Traveler, Trip Advisor and other industr y authorities continue to bestow upon South A frica numerous, prestigious awards. Cape Town is South A frica's oldest city and carries the distinguished title of e Mother City. Some would say that, with her rugged beauty, she is indeed the mother of all cities. A mong her countless charms is the renowned Table Mountain, offering a panoramic view of the city; Robben Island, the once isolated A lcatraz of South A frica's political prisoners— including Nelson Mandela— and e V& A Waterfront, a magnificent jumble of preser ved historical buildings housing galleries, dining and shopping venues, perched at the harbor's edge. Have you ever sipped wine from the land where the grape was grown? e Stellenbosch region is the longest contiguous wine route in the world. Other must-do's include visiting the adorable A frican Penguins at Boulders Beach; watching whales from the rocky shores of Hermanus, and witnessing the kaleidoscope of sights and fragrances found in e Cape Floral K ingdom. South A frica's animal k ingdom, however, is a horse of different color. Picture this. A er an early morning wake- up and some freshly brewed coffee, you embark on a game drive with a ranger and tracker before the heat of the day k icks in. You spot not just one elephant, but a dozen – from a playful baby to a two- stor y bull – and a regal gemsbok, with its slender, scimitar-like horns that may have inspired tales of the fabled unicorn. e roar of a lion, just yards away, leaves you nearly breathless. is is Greater K ruger National Park. Home to the Big 5 (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros), it is also known for its luxurious safari camps with optional sleep-outs under the stars and blazing boma fires. Don't miss Dullstroom, famous for fly-fishing; the dramatic Blyde R iver Canyon; cascading Mac Mac Falls or sleepy Pilgrims Rest, a town that pays homage to the Gold Rush era, all accessible en route to or from your safari camp. Whether city or bushveld-bound, South A frica is on most people's wish list. ere's a reason. Come, discover your own. For information on South A frican adventures contact: Go Touch Down Travel & Tours Direct 877.480.6881 | touchcorporation.com "I believe that South Africa is the most beautiful place on earth… we have been blessed with a truly wonderful land." ~ Nelson Mandela The Adventure Capital of the World Wrien by Lisa Codianne Fowler Travel SOUTH AFRICA 20 | FLORIDA HOMES MAGAZINE Needs caption?

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