Knysna has fast become one of the most popular places to visit in the Western Cape. But with its warm weather and attractions it’s no surprise that tourists flock to this small town when holidaying in South Africa.Knysna is the type of place you will leave thinking that you wished you had more time to explore. Its abundance of tourist attractions means that there will be activities and sights that will suite all visitors.

If water sports are on your agenda then Knysna is a perfect destination. Knysna has a beautiful lagoon which can be explored by either hiring a boat, or you are welcome to bring your own. You can also take a ferry across to Featherbed Nature Reserve or to the Knysna Heads. You will also find a lot of good surfing spots which friendly locals will be able to tell you about.

Adventure activities are very popular around this area. Whether you are into paragliding, abseiling, or experiencing the thrill of hanging from a cable and gliding from one tree top to another in the dense Tsitsikamma Forest, you can find it all here. Horse riding on the beach is another popular activity. Organised horse-trails can be arranged through various companies if exploring forests and other trails are more your thing. If leisure sports is what you are looking for, then a trip to Knysna’s 18 hold gold course is waiting there for you.

When it comes to wildlife, Knysna has various Animal farms right on its doorstep. You can see game, crocodiles, elephant, cheetah and ostrich, or leopards at a lot of wildlife ranch. There are many Nature Reserves in and around the Knysna area. Knysna is also famous for the Knysna Seahorse which can be found in the Knysna Lagoon. It is considered to be one of the most endangered seahorses in the world. A visit to see this celebrated African fish should definitely be a must on your stay.

Knysna accommodation is of a exceptionally high standard as well, with many 5star guest houses and bed and breakfasts around.

This article was brought to you by House Hammond - a luxurious 5star Knysna guest house

• Green Point Stadium Cape Town
• King Senzangakhona Stadium Durban
• Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium Port Elizabeth
• Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit
• Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg
• Soccer City in Johannesburg
• Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria
• Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein
• Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg
• Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane

• Take a boat trip through the Knysna logoon
• Go diving in the lagoon
• Visit the elephant park
• Visit monkeyland
• Hiking around the mountains in the Knysna region

• A line of at least 80 people waiting to go through a metal detector while three other metal detectors stood switched off with 4 or 5 members of staff standing chatting about their weekend (I heard them clearly as I walked through to departures)... this was in Venice (Marco Polo airport
  
• After collecting luggage and coming towards the area where you declare items there was no one around... not one person was there to check peoples bag after a plane with 300+ people had just landed... this was at Heathrow
  
• After landing at Cape Town airport I had to tell three people the purpose of my visit then have my bag searched by two people, the first who did not believe that I had nothing to declare (no shoes, DVD's, CD's.. he said looking surprised) the second then asked if I had anything to declare, I told him the guy at the front had already asked and I told him I didn't... he then stuck his hand forcibly into my bag and began to rummage around asking if there were any dairy products, after 5 or so seconds he said to move on and then began to harass the next person

• hang gliders
• windsurfing boards and sails
• surfboards
• kayaks, canoes and oars
• pole vaults
• javelins

Lapland Adventures in Sweden

For the best Lapland adventure holiday ever, jet off to Swedish Lapland. Hidden in the far North of Sweden, you’ll find one of the world’s best kept secrets – Swedish Lapland. Pristine wilderness, spectacular scenery and some of the most adrenalin fuelled activities ever are just some of the highlights of this amazing area!

Whatever time of year you decide to visit Swedish Lapland you’ll find friendly people, tasty food, intriguing wildlife and exhilarating activities. There’s something for all the family to enjoy in Sweden, and if you like the great outdoors you’ll love a holiday in Sweden. 

Sweden is synonymous with purity. Imagine fresh air, clear water, unspoilt scenery and some of the most refreshingly cheerful people you will ever meet in your life. In the summer months you can explore the great outdoors during long hours of daylight. See beautiful rivers and lakes, and enjoy canoeing, river rafting and more. A holiday to Sweden at this time of year will certainly provide you with a much needed breath of fresh air, as well of course as some of Sweden’s most stunning scenery!

If you’re looking for a winter wonderland, then it doesn’t come any better than Swedish Lapland! In the winter in the far north of Sweden, something truly magical happens. Each year a team of dedicated architects, designers and artists from around the world, work together to create the ICEHOTEL®. After months of work, this glittering, shimmering, hotel emerges, sculpted out of ice from the river Torne itself. This is the magic of Swedish Lapland at it’s best!

A visit or stay at the ICEHOTEL® in Sweden is enough to bring out the child in everyone. Winter activities abound here – from snow shoeing, cross-country skiing and sledging, to adrenalin fuelled snowmobiling, husky sledging and much more! In the winter months you can also of course look for the mysterious northern lights. Visiting the far north of Sweden during the winter will maximise your chances for seeing this magical natural phenomena, and any glimpse of nature’s most spectacular light display, is guaranteed to take your breath away! 

For further information about holidays in Sweden visit Discover the World’s website at http://www.arctic-experience.co.uk/sweden/

The Icehotel

Ever dreamt of sleeping on ice? Well now you can! You can choose from a range of ice hotels and snow lodges for your coolest holiday ever, including the world famous Icehotel itself! You can now sleep in an ice hotel in a number of stunning holiday destinations in the heart of scenic Lapland.

Every winter something magical happens in the pristine wilderness of Swedish Lapland. A team of snow builders, architects, designers and artists from all over the world come together to create a new hotel made entirely of ice. This isn’t just a staggering piece of artwork, it’s a luxury hotel as well – it’s the world famous Icehotel© in Sweden. Imagine shimmering ice sculptures and cool, crisp air, as you chill out in style at this seriously cool accommodation!

The Icehotel© in Sweden is located in pristine wilderness in Jukkasjarvi, which is 200km north of the Arctic Circle and just a short drive from the airport in Kiruna. Imagine sleeping in a carefully sculpted bed of ice that can only be described as a work of art – surrounded by shimmering ice formations everywhere you look! From the moment you step into the Icehotel© you’ll be inspired. From the grand ice pillared hallway illuminated by a spectacular ice chandelier, to the towering walls and sculptures, you can’t fail to enjoy this unique holiday stay.
 

Nestled amidst tranquil, snow-cloaked forests in Northern Finland is Kakslauttanen Hotel and Igloo Village. Here you can stay in log cabins, glass igloos, or ice rooms. Staying in a glass igloo you can look out at the stunning scenery surrounding you and if you’re lucky enough you may gaze out into the night sky and see the mystical Northern Lights. You can even choose to sleep in an ice room on an ice bed for a truly unique experience! The Lainio Snow Village lies amidst spectacular scenery in Finnish Lapland. Here you can stay in igloo-shaped bedrooms or elaborate ice suites. You can’t fail to be enchanted by a holiday to this magical place!

At the tip of Northern Norway, in Finnmark, you can stay at The Alta Igloo Hotel. Tucked away in this stunning part of Lapland, this magical hotel has an ice chapel and is filled with delicate works of ice art. Whichever type of ice hotel you decide to stay in, you’ll certainly be guaranteed an ice night to remember!

New Zealand shot to fame on the big screen as home of middle Earth and a stunning location for a holiday to get away from it all! The Lord of the Rings films, shot amidst some of New Zealand’s most breathtaking scenery, portrayed a timeless land of endless beauty. A captivating and inspiring holiday destination, for anyone who loves the great outdoors. 

Quite simply New Zealand’s scenery is breathtaking and a holiday to the land of the long white cloud will inspire and energise you! The feeling of being engulfed in this unique landscape, is immense and unforgettable. The Lord of the Rings films depicted just some of New Zealand’s highlights, and on holiday here you can explore New Zealand’s finest countryside.  

For many people a holiday to New Zealand is a chance to get active - go walking against a backdrop of stunning scenery, go hiking on a glacier or cycling along quiet country lanes. Take a boat trip out on the spectacular Milford Sound or experience an amazing wildlife encounter by going whale watching or swimming with dolphins.

But New Zealand is also a land that is so beautiful, the scenery itself is enough to relax and soothe the mind, after a holiday here you’ll feel refreshed and rejuvenated, no matter how active you are or how much you take it easy. Begin your own journey through New Zealand now, and look forward to a holiday amongst some of the world’s most picturesque scenery.

Because of Iceland’s unique landscape it has some of the best outdoor activities in Europe:

The Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland’s most recognised attractions. Set amidst a field of black basalt lava, the powder-blue mineral rich waters are from a geothermal project - the temperature in this stunning lagoon averages 35-40°C

Whale Watching

The crisp and clear North Atlantic around Iceland is teeming with whales of various species. There are many locations around Iceland that are ideal for whale watching

Iceland Jeep Safaris

Due to Iceland having a rough and rugged landscape it can be difficult to get around and see all of the natural beauty on offer. Luckily 4x4 jeeps have been converted with high ground clearance, large snow tires and the latest safety and navigation equipment to take you to see the real Iceland

This article was provided by Discover the World – the Iceland Experts