Category Archives: Entertainment, Leisure, Sport & Adventure

The City of Roses, as Bloemfontein is commonly known, not only makes it the perfect stop over but the ideal holiday destination too. These are the six most popular tourist attractions in Bloemfontein.

1. Cheetah Experience
One of the most popular tourist attractions, The Cheetah Experience is a definite must visit for big cat lovers. The centre’s main focus is the conservation and breeding of the cheetah however it also serves as a sanctuary for other wild cat species such as lions, tigers, leopards, servals and caracals. Not only will you learn about the big cats but you’ll also be able to physically interact with certain animals at the centre.

2. Oliewenhuis Art Museum
The Oliewenhuis Art Museum, one of the youngest art museums in South Africa, can be found in one of Bloemfontein’s most scenic gardens. The 1941 Neo-Dutch style mansion was used by King George as his residence in 1947 before being converted into an art museum in 1985. Perhaps one of the most recognized tourist attractions, it houses a permanent collection of South African art pieces and regularly hosts temporary exhibitions.

3. Anglo Boer War Museum
Bloemfontein’s Anglo Boer War Museum is one of the city’s best run tourist attractions. The museum boasts numerous artefacts from the famous South African war and a recreation of scenes from local landscapes. Visitors will be happy to find a knowledgeable and passionate narrator ready to give an informative tour as well as answer their questions.

4. National Museum
Museums always make for great tourist attractions and as expected the National Museum does not disappoint with their fascinating exhibitions, fossils and reminders of an olden day Bloemfontein. Established in 1877, the National Museum can best be described as a natural, cultural and art history museum and is home to some of the country’s most extensive collections of fossils and archaeological artefacts including the Florisbad skull.

5. Free State National Botanical Garden
This beautiful and colourful landscaped garden on Bloemfontein’s outskirts allows tourists to experience nature. Nature walks allow tourists to engage with the guides while moonlight walks provide a different fauna and flora experience. This tourist attraction is a 70 hectare garden with 400 species of plants, 144 species of bird, 54 species of reptile, and about 32 species of mammal.

Everyone has a different idea about the perfect holiday. For some, it involves little more than lying on a beach, sipping a cocktail and reading a good book. For others, it involves challenging themselves, seeking the next adrenaline rush and exploring the ultimate adventure. Sport and adventure holidays are growing in popularity and therefore it would make sense to find the best sport and adventure holidays available around the world.

According to Forbes Magazine, the Adventure Travel Development Index (ATDI) defines adventure travel as “interaction with nature, interaction with culture and physical activity – at least two and preferably all three of these in the same trip.” After researching 315 tour operators, travel writers, tourism officials and hospitality industry experts and ranking countries on 10 factors, including sustainable development, safety and security, natural resources and infrastructure, they came up with the following list:

#10 – Latvia

This tiny country has made it onto the list thanks to its 350 miles of coastline, dense forests and the Latvian Open-Air Ethnographic museum in Riga – one of Europe’s oldest and largest museums.

#9 – Romania

Sport and adventure tourism is giving Romania a much needed economic injection. Visitors come to camp and hike in the Carpathian Mountains, seek solace in the Painted Monasteries of northern Moldovia and explore the Danube delta with its 2 200 square miles of canals, marshes, lakes and islands.

#8 – Jordan

Undoubtedly the main reason for visiting Jordan would be the city of Petra, carved entirely out of a stone canyon in the southern desert. It is estimated to have been built in the 6th century BC by an ancient Arab civilization. Nature lovers can explore the reserves comprised of gorges and desert lowlands, including the world’s lowest reserve at Mujib (410 meters below sea level).

#7 – Slovenia

Formerly part of Yugoslavia, Slovenia stretches from the Alps to the Mediterranean. It is a Mecca for lovers of sport and adventure, with hiking, cycling and various water sports on offer. The country also sits atop some 8 000 caves, which is best explored by hiring a guide.

#6 – Bulgaria

Snow-skiing, hiking and climbing … mountainous Bulgaria has it all. The country also hosts a 1 200 km endurance bike race through the mountains. Tourists seeking a little bit of culture will no doubt lose themselves in historical artifacts from as far back as the Thracians and Romans.

#5 – Czech Republic

The Czech capital, Prague, has long been a favourite of travellers the world over. However, there is much more to this beautiful country than its sophisticated capital. Highlights include downhill and cross-country skiing, nature reserves and wineries in the Moravian region. Cesky Krumlov in South Bohemia is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is famous for its architecture and castle.

#4 – Estonia

Estonia is a tiny, low-lying country on the Baltic Sea. Nearly 50% of the country is forested with gorgeous hiking trails, marshes, lakes and rivers in national parks and campsites. Along the coast are many secluded beaches, limestone cliffs and more than 1 500 islands. Truly a nature-lover’s paradise.

#3 – Chile

A long, narrow country, Chile is abundant in natural resources and features a variety of landscapes; from the high Atacama desert to the famous fjords, mountains and lakes of Patagonia, home of the Torres del Paine National Park.

#2 – Slovakia

Slovakia, the other half of the former Czechoslovakia, scores high in tourism infrastructure, health and hygiene. It’s tourism slogan – Little Big Country – refers to the Carpathian Mountains in the country’s north.

#1 – Israel

It might not be the first country that comes to mind when planning a sport and adventure holiday, but Israel is a top destination for adventure travelers. Outdoor activities include hiking Masada and the Galilee, floating on the salt water of the Dead Sea and water sports on the beaches of Tel Aviv.

Next time you are planning a holiday, break out of your comfort zone and explore the many options that sport and adventure travel offers.

Leisure time, also spare time or free time, can be defined as time that is free from duties and responsibilities. With today’s high-paced lifestyle and most of us having to juggle work, family and many other responsibilities, it seems that there is never enough hours in the day to get everything done. Leisure time is usually the first to go.

However, it is extremely important that we make time to step away from our responsibilities and the things that constantly demand our attention every once in a while. Why is it important?

Firstly, leisure time gives you an opportunity to focus on yourself. We are usually so focused on giving to others and looking after their needs that we forget about ourselves. When we take time for ourselves though, we have an opportunity to reconnect with what makes us happy. It gives us the balance needed to deal with all the other non-leisure activities.

Secondly, it provides relief from the ever present stressors in our lives. Stress is a huge energy sapper and has a damaging effect on the body. Leisure time promotes better emotional and physical health and ultimately enables us to perform better when it matters.

Finally, it can expand our horizons. Many leisure activities, such as joining a club, volunteering or pursuing a hobby, will introduce you to new people and experiences. You will learn new things and gain valuable insights.

It’s up to you how you spend your leisure time. However, don’t make it another item on your to do-list. It should be something that you enjoy and look forward to. Following are some suggestions on how you could disengage from your everyday responsibilities:

• Volunteer

Volunteering brings enormous benefits to yourself and to others. It is a hugely fulfilling way to give back to the community and gives you an opportunity to focus on something you truly believe in. Some ideas for volunteering include helping in a soup kitchen, working at an animal shelter, making your skills available to a charity or other non-profit organisation, or joining a conservation crew.

• Learn something new

Whether it is a foreign language, playing an instrument, cooking or even ballroom dancing, learning a new skill is a very rewarding past-time. It not only allows you to indulge in your passion, but gaining a new skill could even improve your career prospects.

• Indulge in a hobby

Hobbies give you the opportunity to expand your knowledge, improve skills and be focused. Anyone who has ever been engrossed in building a puzzle or a model of some sort, or creating something with their hands will know how time flies when you’re focused on your project.

• Cultivate spirituality

Spirituality should not be confused with religion, although both ultimately serve the same purpose: to reflect, unwind, think about the bigger picture and life’s purpose. Being spiritual is part of being human and is an aspect of our lives which should never be neglected.

Holidays can be nightmares for both moms and kids alike. The initial thrill of not having to go to school quickly fades and those dreaded words “I’m bored” becomes the holiday mantra.

However, with a little bit of creativity and a lot of enthusiasm, entertainment for kids could be as entertaining for the rest of the household.

1. Get them baking

Baking is something both boys and girls can enjoy. There are lots of simple recipes for them to try, which don’t necessarily have to include the oven or sharp knives. They could also try making their own meals – breakfast or lunch are both good options. Let them experiment with creating their own sandwich fillings, jazzing up their breakfast cereal with fresh and dried fruits, yoghurt or seeds, or coming up with interesting pancake fillings. In addition to the entertainment value, they will also learn about good nutrition.

2. Blowing bubbles

Make your own bubble blowing mixture by mixing half a cup of dish-washing liquid, five cups of water (distilled is best) and two tablespoons of glycerine. Pour into storage containers and leave overnight to blend. Loop some wire (garden wire is perfectly fine) into home-made bubble wands. Pipe cleaners work too, but can get soggy.

3. Release your child’s inner hippy

Tie-dying is fun and can give old clothes a new lease on life. It’s also a great way to keep kids entertained. Gather up, fold and tie a T-shirt, or other item of clothing with rubber bands or string and leave to soak in fabric dye. Kids will love the fact that they have “created” their own clothes, plus the entertainment value once the new item is revealed in all its glory is pretty high.

4. Go camping

If the idea of exchanging your comfortable bed for a sleeping bag on the ground leaves you in a cold sweat, why not just leave the camping to the kids? Gather lots of old blankets, sheets and pillows and let them build a tent or fort outside in the garden. Pack them a fun, nutritious picnic and they are guaranteed to be outside for most of the day.

5. Scavenger hunt

Hide a few odd and interesting items around the house and garden. Write down clues to help them find the items. If they find all the items, they win a prize! Keep children’s ages and abilities in mind when writing clues and hiding items.

6. Put on a play

Help your kids think of a few ideas for a play (acting out a favourite story is always popular) and let them discover their thespian side. Provide clothes for dressing up in and a few props and let the fun begin!

7. Fun and games

Don’t underestimate the entertainment value of good old-fashioned card and board games. Teach your kids the card games that you loved as a child, or get the whole family involved in one of the many fun board games around.

8. A learning experience

Spending a rainy day in one of South Africa’s many fascinating museums and science centres will not only entertain kids, but will no doubt be a valuable learning experience as well. Some of the best include the South African National Museum of Military History in Johannesburg, McGregor Museum in Kimberley, the National Museum in Bloemfontein, the Two Oceans Aquarium and Cape Town Science Centre in Cape Town.

9. A puzzling experience

Puzzles are a great way to keep children entertained. There are a huge range of puzzles to choose from; from the traditional picture puzzles, to word puzzles, math puzzles and crossword puzzles. Apart from the fun factor, it will also be a great brain workout.

1. Catch a movie

A funny movie with a big bowl of popcorn will always score high on the entertainment chart. Let your children bring a friend and maybe give another mom a break and a little time for herself.