1. Cape Town, South Africa

2. Sydney, Australia

3. Machu Picchu, Peru

4. Paris, France

5. Rio di Janeiro, Brazil

6. New York City, New York, USA

7. Rome, Italy

8. London, United Kingdom

9. Barcelona, Spain

10. Hong Kong, China

11. Kyoto, Japan

12. Queenstown, New Zealand

13. Jerusalem, Israel

14. Siem Reap, Cambodia

15. Prague, Czech Republic

16. Venice, Italy

17. Buenos Aires, Argentina

18. Ko Phi Phi Don, Thailand

19. Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

20. St Petersburg, Russia

21. Florence, Italy

22. Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

23. San Francisco, California, USA

24. Petra/Wadi Musa, Jordan

25. Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

For more information, visit http://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Destinations

“The 27th day of December 2011 is a public holiday throughout the Republic in terms of section 2A of the Public Holidays Act,” spokesman Thabo Masebe said in a statement on Wednesday.

Masebe said the Federation of Unions of SA (Fedusa) wrote a letter to the presidency requesting an extra public holiday because Christmas fell on a Sunday this year and the Day of Goodwill on a Monday. “Based on their recommendations, the president approved the public holiday.” Fedusa sent the letter on November 18 and was told to expect a response after the Cop17 climate change conference, which ended on Sunday. – Sapa http://www.iol.co.za/dailynews/news/december-27-a-public-holiday-1.1198864

http://capetownhappenings.co.za/places_to_see.htm

 Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts (20 Nov 2011 – 1 April 2012 Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens)

Enjoy the summer evening with a picnic and an open-air concert at the scenic Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens – for more information about this event, go to http://dogreatthings.co.za/kirstenbosch/

Hostex Cape (15-17 Mar 2012 – Cape Town International Convention Centre)

HOSTEX is the largest and longest-running exhibition of its kind in Africa, and the only one endorsed by the South African Chefs Association. An integral part of the local food services and hospitality sector returning to the Cape for the ninth time it promises to bring all the attractions which have become firm favourites, as well as some new and exciting additions. For more information about this event, go to http://www.hostexcape.co.za/

SA Navy Festival (16-18 Mar 2012 – Simonstown)

South African Navy ships and submarines will be open for public viewing, Tug rides, flea market, children’s activities, Gun Run Display, Navy Band performance, SA Navy Precision Drill, ship boarding display by the Maritime Reaction Squadron, Lynx & Oryx Helicopters display, live cannon firings, South African Navy diving display, Dry Dock concert, Right of Entry Parade through Simon’s Town, Navy Choir performance, Night Gunnery Shoot and more…  For more information about this event, go to.  For more information about this event, go to http://www.navy.mil.za  

Cape Town Jazz Festival (30-31 Mar 2012 – Cape Town International Convention Centre)

The festival’s winning formula of bringing more than 40 International and Local artists to perform over two days on five stages has earned it the status of being the most prestigious event on the African continent.  For more information about this event, go to http://www.capetownjazzfest.com/

West Coast Lagoon Festival 2012 (31 Mar 2012 – 1 April 2012 - Langebaan)

The West Coast Lagoon Festival held at Club Mykonos in Langebaan is an exciting weekend festival held annually in the West Coast resort town of Langebaan.

The Festival is filled with music events, lagoon sports and the popular Silver Falcon Air Show. An ideal festival for the family to enjoy together, the Lagoon Festival features a childrens’ tent with stimulating activities especially for kids which include a puppet show, craft activities, a special clown to do face painting for the little ones. Jumping castles, biscuit decorating, balloon modelling and mini Olympics are just a few of the activities that will keep youngsters entertained whilst parents can enjoy the serious business of partying up a storm.

Other highlights include food and wine stalls with cooking demonstrations, a beer tent, Miss Lagoon competition and plenty of beach activities.  For more information about this event, go to http://capewestcoastpeninsula.co.za/fevents.php?event_id=1  

Two Oceans Marathon (7 April 2012 – Cape Town)

The Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon presented by Nike is run under the rules of IAAF, Athletics South Africa and Western Province Athletics.

A marathon with global appeal is the Two Oceans Marathon. Hosted in the beautiful sea side city of Cape Town, the Two Oceans marathon attracts some 20 000 participants who willingly taken on 56 kilometers of open road and challenging mountain climbs. An interesting feature of the route of Two Oceans Marathon, is as the name indicates, it passes both oceans surrounding the South African shoreline – the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. It is therefore as stunning as it is challenging.

For more information about this event, go to http://www.twooceansmarathon.org.za/

Shark Motorcycle Rally (27-29 April 2012)

The Shark Rally 2012 will be held in Tulbagh at the Klip River Park. The 12th annual Rally is organized by the Vikings. They have a very interesting program for the weekend with live music, competitions with great prizes. This will be the eleventh year celebration of the annual Shark Rally.

For more information about this event, go to http://www.sa-venues.com/events/westerncape/shark-motorcycle-rally/