It’s the kind of thing that can earn you the intense dislike of your friends and family: A tour around the country staying at five-star hotels, backpackers and everywhere in between, while eating, partying and touring at the best places on offer in this wonderland of ours.
If it’s any comfort Lauren Clifford-Holmes and I usually spend our reporting time on disasters, protests and press conferences, or hunched over our desks churning out news. It’s the kind of thing that can get you down about the state of the nation. This was our chance to get out and explore all that is beautiful about the motherland and boy did she sweep us off our feet.
If the Soccer World Cup was just about the soccer we wouldn’t bother having it in South Africa. As one business woman in Soweto told us, the real deal would mean people falling in love with the country, telling others and returning for more.
To this end the Mail & Guardian is featuring the best on offer in three major host cities: Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town. We’ll tell you where to stay, party and eat out — and how much it will cost you.
Of course there are six other host cities, all of which we cover in the Know Your City section of our brand-spanking new 2010 site. But for the big three we’ve produced a range of videos, reviews, articles and more.
It’s the Verashni and Lauren Tour and yes, it was tougher work than you’d imagine, swanning about hotels and eating out every night.
Join us as we visit all three cities, sampling various accommodation options as well as the must-see places and local cuisine:
Finding the best bunny in Durban