Tag: Travel

Sharks have been losing teeth for 400 million years. Here’s a guide to uncovering some of these plentiful fossils across the country

During Mid-Autumn Festival, Chinese around the world eat the miniature molded and filled cakes to wish their families wealth and happiness

These selections from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest images capture this South American paradise

To mark the musician’s 82nd birthday, consider a romp through these 11 sites that hold meaning to him

In a test of skill and courage, competitors navigate dangerous river rapids, narrow channels and rummaging bears in the wilds of Alaska and Canada

From Hawaii to Michigan, these waterways offer slow floats with loads of nature and scenery to take in along the way

Whirling eagles and vultures, sheer limestone gorges, vast steppe grasslands of raw beauty where endangered Przewalski’s horses, straight out of prehistoric cave paintings, and slinking gray shapes of wolves, take refuge – it’s hard to believe this true wilderness is comfortably in reach of the coast and cities of Southern France.

For people who want to see the wild parts of France without having to go into the high mountains, head towards Florac in the heart of the Cévennes National Park. Hike to revel in its landscapes and wildlife, visit its museums to bear witness to poignant battles for religious freedom, and stand still in time seeing farmers and their goats working with the harsh nature as they have for thousands of years.

And at day’s end, wander through chestnut forests to listen for the “phantom of the forests” under the expanse of stars in Europe’s biggest dark sky reserve. Incredible experiences await you at Cévennes National Park – here’s how to get there and what to do when you arrive.

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Experience the rhythm of ancient farming life

The combination of goat bells chiming from steep slopes and darting sheep dogs cleverly doing their work with Cévenol farmers makes you feel linked to hundreds of past generations. The 3000-year-old agro-pastoralism tradition is what got the park its Unesco status as an example of a living and evolving cultural landscape. Be part of this by rounding up goats, helping with milking, and making cheese at one of the oldest eco-museums in France and the Farm des Cévennes. Between June and September, a wide range of other farms open their gates to visitors.

Don’t miss the transhumance, the seasonal movement of animals between summer and winter pastures, in early June in Espérou. This is one of the last places where shepherds still drive their animals on foot (rather than in trucks) along drailles, ancestral paths that run through the park. You’ll be hypnotized by the sight of hundreds of sheep running through villages, wearing red pom-poms, accompanied by music and lots of good food.

Hike through wilderness and history

The park has more than 5000 km of paths of all lengths and boasts 300 one-day hikes where spectacular views of the Mediterranean plains are easy to get from Mount Lozère or Mount Aigoual. Or set off on one of the many 2-3 day circuits along sheer gorges where soaring vultures will make your heart sing. For easy walks for all the family, take the sentiers de decouverte, Interpretative Trails, which explore subjects like local heritage, geology or botany and seek out menhirs and birds.

Several of France’s GR long-distance walking trails cross through the park. The most famous follows the footsteps of Robert Louis Stevenson and his donkey from Puy en Velay towards the Mediterranean. Wend your way over heath-like hills covered in broom wildflowers and through hidden valleys with quiet stone villages each with a tale of the historic past. Pont-de-Montvert, close to the source of the Tarn river, is one of the best preserved, with a fascinating history. Stevenson’s book Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes is a perfect companion along the way. This was also the spot where the Camisard War started in 1702.

Plunge into the history of religious rebels

The wild hills saw a fascinating part of European history when Protestant Cévenol peasants, camisards, turned to armed revolt after 1685 when Louis XIV clamped down on Protestant religious freedom. War occurred between 1702-1704 and hundreds of villages in the region were destroyed.

Engross yourself in the story of religious freedom and repression in the Musée du Désert in the house of the famous camisard leader, Rolland, aka Pierre Laporte. The displays are in French but a pamphlet with English translation is provided. Feel transported back as you walk around a typical kitchen and bedroom from the time and amongst paintings of the secret congregations in the forests and caves in the hills. See the foldable pulpits and the collection of secret bibles.

Be a humble witness to a wall where Huguenots snatched their place in history by painstakingly
recording the name of every man sent to the galleys and how they died. Be inspired by the stories of the women who never abandoned their faith and were sent to a prison near Montpellier, one of whom wrote letters from there for 37 years. The museum will change your ideas on what the words freedom and strength of character mean.

Plunge deeper into the region’s history in the coal mining museum in the post-industrial town of La Grand’Combe or the museum on the region’s silk industry in Saint-Hippolyte-du-Fort.

Spot vultures, wild horses and listen for the roar

The park has a particularly high number of plant and animal species due to its diverse landscapes and climates. Before you go, spend some time online on the park’s in-depth atlas, which gives information including soundtracks and maps with the latest sightings.

At the Maison des Vautours, take in the plunging view on the Jonte Gorge, learn about the successful reintroduction of the vultures, then lift your head to see their black circling shapes, falcons and maybe the magnificent royal eagle. Get back down to ground level at Micropolis, just outside of the park, where you can spy on the fascinating insect world.

Travel into the vastness of the Causse Méjean for a rare chance to see Przewalski’s horses, the world’s only horses never to have been domesticated. They died out in the wild in the 1960s and have been set free here to readapt before being reintroduced to the Mongolian steppes.

In September and October, pack a torch and dare into the dusk on Mont Aigoual to listen for the “phantoms of the forest”. Nothing beats walking on hills in the dark and hearing the strange roaring of the stags during the breeding season. Several places organize outings including the Maison de l’Aigoual.

Star-gaze in Europe’s biggest International Dark Sky Reserve

Travel up to the top of Mount Aigoual or Mount Lozère for sunset and admire the stunning views out towards the sea and the Pyrenees. When night arrives, listen for the chip chip of flitting bats, the hoots of owls and see the spectacular expanse of stars.

If it’s August, look out for the annual Perseid meteor shower. For dedicated star lovers, there are organized hiking trips led by an astrophysicist and one guesthouse has built a stay around star-gazing, providing telescopes and initiations to constellations.

Travel out of time underground

It’s not strictly in the park, but Demoiselles Cave is worth visiting if you’re driving in from the southeast. Guided visits take you in Europe’s first underground tourist funicular. Be amazed by an immense cathedral-like cavern full of stalactites and stalagmites that have formed over thousands of years into stone forests, petrified mushroom clouds and hanging daggers.

What and where to eat in Cévennes National Park

The people of the Cévennes once lived off chestnuts, the so-called “bread tree” because it saved them in scarce times. Buy them at markets preserved in jars, cooked over coals or delicious with cream in the Cévenol soup. Don’t miss the Chestnut Festivals, especially in Lasalle and Anduze, in Autumn which are a real spectacle of passionate chestnut enthusiasts.

The region is also famous for pelardon, a goat cheese, only produced in the Cévennes, which comes in small rounds from fresh creamy to highly matured and crumbly. It’s delicious on a good fresh baguette and with local honey.

Local markets are a great place to buy the park’s best products. One of the biggest and most typical in the southern part of the Cévennnes is in Lasalle where people flow down out of isolated valleys for the day and are happy to see friends.

One of the delights in the Cevennes is unexpectedly coming across restaurants and bars in isolated villages as neo-rurals bring new life and make the most of local products with French flair as they do at the Balade Gourmande in tiny Soudorgues.

How to get there

The attraction of the Cévennes is its remoteness, but this makes getting there tricky. The best option is to come by car, hired in Montpellier or Nîmes. The roads are narrow and windy, so measure distances in terms of time and not kilometers. Difficult access means visiting the park for at least 2-3 days or longer and sticking to one area is better.

There are few permanent bus routes, but more options in the summer months with additional shuttles (navettes/cars). Information tends to vary with each town and village so head to the tourist office website specific to your chosen location and check out their transport page, ring the local office or check the Occitan transport website. Check the date of the timetable you’re looking at to make sure it’s the latest and beware of changes to timetables during different seasons, on public holidays or weekends.

Where to stay in Cévennes National Park

For a choice of hotels and restaurants choose larger, touristy places like Florac, St Jean du Gard or Anduze and around Mount Lozère – it has a ski resort and is a good option in winter.

Many of the smaller villages have Airbnbs and if situated along the more popular hiking trails, have gîite d’étape – guest houses. For those wanting a sense of life off the tourist trail and with few amenities, head to Le Pont-de-Montvert, Le Bleymard or Sainte Croix Vallée Française. If you stay a week, it’s worth looking at rural guesthouses.

Campsites abound, particularly along the beautiful Mialet and Tarn rivers, which get relatively crowded in summer.

Other planning tips

There is a confusing profusion of websites and tourist offices covering the park, each corresponding to different administrative regions. Many villages have their own tourist office.

The best thing is to choose the geographic area you will travel to and then find the corresponding tourist website or office. Good websites cover the Causses et Gorges, around Mount Lozère, and the southern edges. The park itself has a global information website and a planning platform, as well as three park offices in Florac, Aigoual and Génolhac.

Weather-wise, look out for the épisodes cévenols, periods of extremely heavy downpours usually in Autumn, which can cause flooding and prevent driving.

Many attractions and amenities in the park change timetables or close down completely in winter, so check before you go.

As South Africa‘s flagship coastal city, Cape Town has plenty to offer visitors from stunning surroundings, a fascinating culture, and world-class attractions.

While beach lovers and outdoor enthusiasts will prefer the warmer months, winter in Cape Town has its own perks, making it an appealing year-round destination.

So whether you want to see colorful wildflowers, hike up Table Mountain, or simply relax on the beach, here are the best times to visit Cape Town.

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December to March is the best time for beaches and sunny weather

If you want to head to the beach, the best time to visit Cape Town is in the summer (December to March). This is when you’ll find warm weather, clear skies and long days, creating the perfect mix for sun-seekers.

The weather does get hot, especially in January and February, when average temperatures hover around 86°F (30°C). Cool down by dipping your toes in the cold water of the white sands of Camps Bay Beach or Clifton’s four beaches on Cape Town’s Atlantic coast. For warmer water, head to False Bay, half an hour’s drive south of the city center, but be prepared for crowds.

As the peak season, expect lots of music, art, and cultural events. The city comes alive with Christmas and New Year festivities too, with street decorations and bustling Christmas markets selling gifts, crafts and food. The city’s Christmas lights are switched on during the Festival of Lights on the first Sunday in December. Kirstenbosch Gardens also hosts Carols by Candlelight the same day (book in advance). If you’re traveling with children, go and meet Santa at the V&A Waterfront.

For a unique glimpse of Cape culture, catch the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival (the Tweede Nuwe Jaar Parade) on January 2 at the city’s main public square, Grand Parade. Minstrel performers in colorful costumes dance, sing, and play authentic ghoema (small drums). Otherwise, visit in March for the Cape Town Carnival complete with stunning floats, elaborate costumes, and dancing.

Visitors should also expect crowds and higher accommodation prices – sometimes as much as 80% compared with the low season – especially the local school holidays which typically fall between mid-December and mid-January. If you plan on visiting around Christmas and New Year, plan to book a couple of months in advance.

Autumn (March-May) and spring (September-November) are the best time for hiking and winery visits

The shoulder seasons are beautiful in Cape Town. If you want warm weather with fewer crowds, this is the time to go. March, April and November, in particular, often have warm, sunny days, and little rain, suitable for swimming.

You’re much more likely to have attractions to yourself and, with temperatures hovering around the 77°F (25°C), this is the perfect time for exploring some of Cape Town’s hiking trails. Hiking is easier now than in the summer heat, and clear skies make for marvelous city views. Either walk up the iconic Table Mountain or Lion’s Head, or trek through the lesser-known Silvermine Nature Reserve.

This is also a lovely time to visit the nearby Cape Winelands. The wine estates in Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl look gorgeous with colorful autumn leaves or spring flowers. They are also quieter than in the summer, allowing for a more relaxed experience.

Easter usually falls in March or April and there are often several Easter-themed events in Cape Town, including egg hunts and lunches at wine estates and restaurants. If you’re lucky enough to visit at this time, try pickled fish, this classic Cape Malay dish is a favorite at Easter.

June to November is the best time to visit Cape Town for lower prices

Winter brings cooler temperatures, rain and wind. This means fewer crowds and more affordable accommodation. It’s perfect for budget travelers.

During this time it’s good to focus on some of Cape Town’s indoor activities, especially on rainy days. There are several excellent museums and galleries in town, including the District Six Museum, dedicated to preserving the memories and history of the vibrant, multi-ethnic community that was forcibly displaced during the apartheid era.

Other good options include the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art, with collections of works of emerging and established artists from across the continent; the Iziko South African Museum which showcases the country’s natural and cultural history like fossils and indigenous artifacts; and the Cape Diamond Museum, which gives visitors a comprehensive overview of South Africa’s diamond mining history. This is also the perfect time of year to try Cape Malay cooking at one of the excellent cooking schools in Bo-Kaap.

Winter is the best time for whale watching

One of the highlights of Cape Town’s winter season is the opportunity to witness the majestic southern right whales as they migrate along the coast. The whale-watching season runs from July to November, with the highest concentration of sightings typically occurring between August and September. While you can sometimes see the whales from the False Bay coast, opt for a boat tour to see the enormous whales up close.

Late summer and early spring are the best time for wildflowers

Wildflowers brighten the parks and reserves around Cape Town in August and September. The weather is mild and sunny, perfect for picnics surrounded by colorful flowers, including purple lupins and orange poppies, dotted with small blooms of meadowfoam.

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden comes alive with red, blue, orange and yellow Namaqualand daisies; vygies in many colors; and blue flax which is hidden between the daisies.

If you have more time, head further afield to the West Coast National Park, an hour’s drive from Cape Town. From late August to September, it transforms into a colorful paradise with several species of wildflowers covering the landscape like white rain daisies, purple suurvy and blye sporrie. Wander through the trails surrounded by carpets of colorful flowers and see if you can spot some of the local antelope along the way.

France’s massive appeal – those top-class cities, beaches and landscapes – beckons all year round, but there are certain times when it’s better to visit depending on what you want to do.

We’ve got all the insight you need on how to avoid the crowds, stretch your budget, navigate peak tourist season and the festivals you can’t afford to miss. Find out the best time to plan your next vacation to fabulous France.

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June, July and August are about peak times and sunshine

High season in France is hot and getting there can be hectic. Roads are usually a nightmare on the weekends, with traffic warnings going from orange to black. Hotel prices are at their peak, and you might need to book restaurants in advance. Many restaurateurs in larger cities will close for their own summer break. But it’s also the time when summer events and markets are in full flow, and you can enjoy glacier skiing in Tignes and Les Deux Alpes.

France celebrates the arrival of summer with the nationwide Fête de la Musique on June 21. Under hot summer skies, Nîmes and Arles get into a féria mood with Spanish-style parties and shows in their Roman amphitheaters. The iconic Le Mans 24-Hour Grand Prix kicks into gear and Nuit Blanche, when cultural sites are open all night, makes its move from October to June in 2023 to take advantage of the better weather.

Everything is happening at once in July – the incredible Tour de France, Bastille Day celebrations all around the country on July 14, major festivals in Avignon and Aix-en-Provence and Provence’s lavender fields in full bloom. Booking ahead is imperative and this isn’t the time for a budget break.

The Feast of the Assumption is on August 15 – another holiday when everything closes. Contrary to public opinion, Paris gently buzzes in August, especially on the Seine’s Paris-Plage and Parc de la Villette’s open-air cinema.

Enjoy a more relaxed pace in April, May, September and October

Everything is a little more easygoing and gentle during the French shoulder season. As France warms up from April onwards, particularly in the south, that’s the time for a more leisurely exploration among the spring flowers. 

Even if Easter doesn’t fall in April, there’s a sense of the country opening up and shrugging off its winter hours. Cafe terraces become full again as people spend more time outdoors enjoying the warmer weather. The seasonal shift is celebrated at the International Garden Festival in Chateau de Chaumont-sur-Loire and the Bourges Spring Festival.

With two to four public holidays in May (depending on when Easter falls), opening hours can be a tad unpredictable. But May is also the month of the Nuits des Musées when hundreds of museums around the country open their doors for free from dusk till 1am. It’s also when the global sensation that is the Cannes Film Festival whirls into town and drenches the south of France in silver-screen glamor. Unsurprisingly, prices shoot up for the duration of the festival.

La Rentrée – when France goes back to work and school in September – signals the end of summer, but that’s also when villages hold their own festivals. The weather is as hot as August, but prices start to drop. Time your visit to make the most of the largest flea market in Europe at the Braderie de Lille or delve into American culture with a European twist at the Festival of American Cinema in Deauville.

October brings an autumnal mellowness, but you can still swim in the Med (and, occasionally, the Atlantic). It’s also harvest time, with wine fairs and food and drink festivals around the country. Join the party at Fêtes des Vendanges in Montmartre, Salon du Chocolat in Paris, and Fête des Vendanges in Banyuls-sur-Mer.

Enjoy lower prices and a slower pace between November and March 

Apart from a brief burst of activity during Christmas and New Year’s, France’s rural regions go into hibernation mode. Opening hours get even more restricted than usual, with many restaurants open three to four days a week. But cities are still lively.

November brings plunging temperatures and two public holidays – November 1 and 11 – bring more closures as well as winter hours. But it’s a good time for a city break as prices go down. Sample gastronomic delights at the Annecy Wine and Food Festival or the Beaujolais Nouveau weekend.

France loves to put on a big show for Christmas. Even if you don’t ski, the magic of the mountains goes into overdrive when festive decorations come out. Watch Lyon come to life as the Festival of Lights bathes the city. When you’re not on the ski slopes, head to the shops for the big January sales – les soldes d’hiver. Quieter streets will make city breaks a pleasure, especially in the south where the weather can already feel mild.

February heralds the arrival of Valentine’s Day and, unsurprisingly, it’s taken seriously in France – book ahead if you’re planning a romantic weekend. It also marks the start of carnival season, some in anticipation of Lent, others just for the sheer fun of it. Shake off the winter gloom at Nice Carnival or the Menton Lemon Festival.

Spring comes with its own soundtrack in March in the form of world-class musicians – Festival Banlieues Bleues north of Paris. Enjoy some late-season skiing without February’s crowds.

Plan carefully for ski season

Ski season is huge in France but timing can be a delicate art. Early skiing in December can be tricky with the occasional lack of snow, but January is usually your best bet. Avoid February if you can, as half-term holidays are spread across the whole month. Prices rocket during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

 

Not all visitors need a visa to enter South Africa for purposes of tourism or business.

Citizens of many countries are on a visa exemption list issued by South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs, meaning they are free to visit the country for a period of time, in many cases up to 90 days.

That makes it easy to see some of the country’s best places to visit, photograph the country’s wildlife, eat biltong and other local dishes, see where two oceans meet, and commemorate Nelson Mandela at the 27 Madiba’s Journey sites.

Here’s what you need to know about visas for South Africa.

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Travelers with passports from the US, Canada, the UK and most EU countries don’t need a visa 

If you’re traveling with a passport from the US, Canada, the UK and many EU countries, you do not need a visa to visit South Africa as long as your trip is for tourism or business and isn’t more than 90 days. You’ll need to have a ticket showing your return travel exiting South Africa, meet a few passport requirements and, depending on where you’re traveling from, provide other documentation. But keep in mind that requirements can change quickly.

Check the visa exemption list for the latest information that fits your passport. It’s also wise to double-check the Republic of South Africa’s website, the South African embassy or consulate site in your country (such as South Africa’s US embassy) as well as the international travel advisory site from your government (like the US State Department) before you purchase your flight as well as shortly before you depart.

Don’t forget that regardless of whether you hold a valid visa or are exempt from needing one, it is the decision of the immigration officer at your port of entry whether you’re allowed to enter the country, how long you’re eligible to stay, and what conditions you must follow.

There is an eVisa system, but it’s not working for everyone

Travelers that need a visa can apply online through eVisa South Africa, a system that is currently live for users from some nations, including citizens of Albania, Croatia, Slovakia, India, China and Mexico.

Some visitors will need to apply for a visa at an embassy

Other passport holders will need to apply for visas at the South African embassy or consulate in their home country. You’ll likely need to go in person and bring a BI-84 form (completed in black ink), two passport-size photos plus additional documentation. The fee depends on your passport, the type of visa you’re requesting and how long you plan to stay. 

There are passport requirements that all visitors to South Africa must fulfill

South Africa’s immigration regulations state that your passport needs to be valid at least 30 days beyond your planned date of departure from the country. However, both airline and immigration officials are known to insist on that validity period being six months. To ensure that you’re not refused boarding on your flight or sent back home as soon as you arrive in South Africa, play it safe and make sure your passport’s expiration date is at least six months after the date you plan to leave South Africa. 

You’ll also need to double-check that you have enough empty passport pages. Each entry into South Africa requires you to have two empty pages, and they need to be consecutive. These empty pages need to be the ones marked with “visa” (rather than “endorsements,” “amendments” or “observations”).

Have proof of onward travel, and you might need a yellow fever certificate

Even if you’re exempt from needing a visa, you’ll need to have proof of onward travel showing you won’t be in South Africa more than 90 days. There are also health requirements. South Africa requires proof of yellow fever vaccination, for example, if you’ve been in one of the countries designated by the World Health Organization to be at risk for yellow fever during the 10 days before arriving in South Africa. That includes several African countries such as Kenya, but also countries like Argentina and Panama.

There are several visa types

South Africa has several types of visas, including for visiting family, studying, attending conferences, other kinds of work, medical treatment, a three-day transit visa, visas for those who want to retire in South Africa, and those for people under the age of 25 participating in an exchange program. South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs’ visa website and their VFS.Global site have details for all passport holders.

Fines are issued for those that overstay their visas

Visas to South Africa can be extended. Applications and fees can be brought to one of the dozen visa facilitation centers in the country. Fines are enforced for staying beyond your allowable date, including if you’re exempt from needing a visa.