Travel Tips: Holidaying City-Style

As mentioned in our recent blog which offered some advice on how to make the most of your visit in South Africa, we’ll be sharing more details on how to enjoy the city, the wild and the beach in South Africa (and beyond) with Newmark as part of our “Travel Tips” series. In this blog, we’ll specifically look at some of the boxes that we feel should be ticked when planning your city-vacay.

 
1) Familiarise yourself with the lay of the land

One of the most practical and enjoyable ways of establishing your whereabouts and getting a decent taste of the city you’ve chosen to explore is via a guided tour. In Cape Town, you could join in on a Free Walking Tour or choose from one of our recommended tours (including a helicopter flip). Alternatively, you could opt for a hop-on hop-off bus tour in Cape Town or Johannesburg with City Sightseeing. If you’re staying with us at Hallmark House and are itching to explore the arty neighbourhood of Maboneng, then why not try out a cycling tour? If you’d feel steadier on your feet, you could always choose to do a walking tour instead!

2) Pack a variety of clothing items

There are two reasons we say this. The first: To be prepared for weather changes. If you’re thinking of holidaying in Cape Town, take note that this city is known to boast four seasons in one day – it’s part of the city’s charm. The second: To be ready to try out a diverse list of activities. Whether you plan to visit Cape Town or Johannesburg, or both, there is much to be enjoyed and your clothing shouldn’t be the factor holding you back.

In Cape Town, you can dine at award-winning restaurants and local establishments; visit museums and theatres; take fascinating tours; hike up various trails; view the region from atop Table Mountain; relax on pristine beaches, and much more. You can explore wine estates, historic and cultural developments, parks and nature reserves; you can enjoy a wealth of outdoor activities including trail runs, walks, water sports, boat trips or flights over the city and its surroundings.

You can similarly look forward to a variety of activities in Johannesburg, from participating in outdoor sports in certain areas to attending theatre productions, discovering more about South Africa’s culture and history at a number of museums, exploring its artistic output at various galleries, shopping at world-class malls or trendy designer shops, and savouring outstanding cuisine at local and internationally-inspired restaurants.

We recommend you pack:

• A variety of light-weight and warm clothing
• A variety of casual and smart clothing, as well as workout gear
• A hooded jacket for rainy seasons
• A choice of casual and smart shoes, as well as walking shoes
• Beachwear (for Cape Town)
• A hat and sunglasses
   

 3) Look out for awesome specials

Cities are full of hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, theatres and other establishments. And do you know what that means? You will no doubt find some irresistible bargains. Often, all it takes is some research and some “shopping around”. If you’re keen to visit a particular place, keep an eye on that establishment’s website, sign up for its newsletters and follow its social media accounts – you might just come across a special offer or two that would make the visit even more worthwhile. Check out Newmark’s Exclusive Offers here.

4) Put your safety first

It doesn’t matter if you’re in New York, London, Paris, Cape Town, Johannesburg or anywhere else for that matter, you should always be thinking of your safety and following precautionary measures to look after yourself, your loved ones and your belongings. You’ll be pleased to know that all of our city hotel rooms are fitted with electronic safes or safety deposit boxes where you can store your valuables while you explore Cape Town or Johannesburg. You are of course welcome to ask our friendly general managers or concierges about safe areas versus areas to avoid locally. If you’re travelling with Uber, be sure to read the list of general safety points the company shares, here.

5) Make it Instagram official

Will your friends, family and colleagues believe just how diverse South Africa’s major cities are? We wouldn’t want them to think you’re exaggerating! Will your memories of all your urban adventures fade with time? Let’s not take any risks. Follow Newmark at @newmarkhotels on Instagram (and Facebook), and feel free to tag us when sharing your #NewmarkExperiences.

We look forward to hosting you in South Africa’s Mother City and the City of Gold!