So, you have done the vacation thing – winters in the Caribbean or the Mediterranean, summers in Europe, spring holidays spent on the sun warmed beaches of South America – and now you are wondering just what is left in the way of a holiday destination. And anyone tired of more traditional vacations or for anyone seeking thrills and adventure – not to mention excitement and exotic culture – should be a holiday safari in the lush, beautiful wilds of Africa.

People automatically think of animals when they hear the word “safari,” and while animals are certainly a large and interesting part of any Safari in Africa, they are by no means the only part.

There are a wide variety of activities offered in most holiday safari packages. There are riding and walking tours, during which visitors can see not only game but also breathtaking scenery and depending on the region of Africa, motorboat tours, canoe trips and the self drive itineraries can ensure you get to unearth the hidden Africa.

Visit local tribes and Bushmen, learn about customs and cultures, and take part in game drives and hikes, which are a staple when on Safari.

Observing animals in their natural habitat is a tradition among holiday safaris in Africa and instead of asking what kind of animals you should expect to see on an African safari. A better question would be to question which can you might not expect to see! The Big Five, referring to leopards, lions, elephants, buffalo, and rhinoceroses, can almost always be found, drinking from watering holes, lounging the heat of the day away, or hunting food (or prey, as the case may be), but they are by no means the only animals you can see. And again, depending on the region of Africa where the safari takes place, visitors can enjoy a diverse range of birds and not to mention giraffes, gazelles, wildebeests, and alligators.

In between all of these exciting, adventurous activities, there is also ample time for rest and relaxation, whether it be reading or napping through the balmy heat of midday or taking leisurely tours through the bush. And after a long day, there is no greater retreat than to enjoy the beautiful African sunset, while looking onto the breathtaking countryside. So experience the raw, primal world of nature for yourself and learn about the rich local cultures and customs by booking your own Safari holiday in Africa, which is sure to offer something for everyone.

So, you have done the vacation thing – winters in the Caribbean or the Mediterranean, summers in Europe, spring holidays spent on the sun warmed beaches of South America – and now you are wondering just what is left in the way of a holiday destination. And anyone tired of more traditional vacations or for anyone seeking thrills and adventure – not to mention excitement and exotic culture – should be a holiday safari in the lush, beautiful wilds of Africa. You just have to decide, when and where to take the first step.

 

About the Author

Vision of Africa is a small, independently owned tour operator, offering a range of stunning African holidays and African Safari holidays. So for that perfect Safari in Africa, look no further than the experts, Vision of Africa.

 

 

If you mention gourmet food, most likely two countries come to mind: France and Italy. But if you take a step back, you’ll discover that much of the French traditions have their origins in Tuscany, from when the Firenze chefs followed the French court of Caterina de’Medici in the 1500s. Tuscan cooking has a deceptively simple quality to it, based on purity and the natural taste of ingredients, rather than trying to mask the flavours with seasonings and sauces like in other cultures. Gourmets in Tuscany are in for a real treat, but what can they expect to sample while abroad?

The varied geography of Tuscany contributes to the flavours you can expect to enjoy. The area mixes mountains, villages, cities and sea-coasts. Near the sea, you predictably can enjoy a huge selection of seafood, the highlight of which is Cacciucco – a famous soup with a flavour that varies depending on the catch of the day. Elsewhere in the region, you’ll find local meats grilled over open fires. One of the best known dishes in Tuscan cooking is Bistecca Fiorentina, perfectly done T-bone steak served with a splash of olive oil. With the Tuscan hills home to pheasant, rabbit, partridge and wild boar, game has also played an important part in Tuscany’s gourmet cuisine throughout the years, if you manage to grow tired of farmed meats, and the warm Mediterranean weather if of course perfect for vegetables to grow and develop a rich, full flavour. Many of them have had such a strong growth that they can be delicious eaten raw, or steamed and drizzled with olive oil and a little garlic, but to me the best way to enjoy these luscious legumes is a local method called ‘saltare’. Saltaring involves steaming the vegetables, and then sautéing them in olive oil, chili peppers and garlic.

Of course, herbs and spices are a huge part of Tuscany’s gourmet cooking, and once again the varied local terrain means that aromatic herbs can be sourced locally with very little trouble. Rosemary and sage are favourites in Tuscany’s food and both can be found in abundance in the local hills. Alongside all the ingredients-waiting-to-happen you will see as you explore the Tuscany hills, you will notice an abundance of olive trees. The olive oil from these is considered too good to be used for frying, and is more commonly used as a condiment – drizzled over meat, vegetables and the local salt-free bread.

Said salt-free bread (it was believed that bread kept its freshness better without) is best accompanied with the pecorino cheese – a sheepsmilk cheese with a variety of age-dependent flavours, perfect to conclude a gourmet Tuscany meal.

You may have noticed the complete absence of pasta from this list of Tuscany’s food, and that’s no mistake. It’s not actually an integral part of the Tuscan dining experience, but occasionally fresh pasta does sneak onto the menu. Pappardelle topped with meat or tomato bases sources will be on some menus if you miss the staple, and Pici – hand rolled small pasta made from flour and water – is quite common throughout the south of the region.

The wines are well worth an article in their own right, but to be brief, the Chianti proves a big draw to people looking to take luxury holidays in Tuscany. First invented back in 1860, nowadays bottles are distributed across the world from the region. Chianti Classico is only bottled in the area between Florence and Sienna and each bottle shows the growers’ logo: a black cockerel against a gold backdrop.

The food of Tuscany still manages to set the standards of Italian cuisine. At times Tuscan cooking appears basic, but behind that lies a real love of food and wine, using only fresh local ingredients. If you’re looking to experience the authentic food of Italy, you could do much worse than a luxury holiday in Tuscany!

About the Author

Antonio Cresce is the Italy Specialist for Key2Holidays, a travel company that can help each individual customer plan their own perfect luxury holiday in Tuscany. They also offer luxury holidays to South Africa, Dubai, Mauritius, Cuba, the Far East and many other popular destinations. Wherever you want to go, Key2Holidays has a dedicated team of experienced travel consultants to help you to plan and book your ideal holiday.