Arbo Valley Travel and Tours

Sandton rules as the most important financial and business district in South Africa and perhaps also the sub – Saharan Africa. Till 1990 it was Johannesburg city center that was the heart of the city but than a mass exodus from the city center to this northern suburb that made Sandtorn to be known not only as a physical center but also as a refuge of the “White Flight” from Johannesburg CBD. Sandton hotels are varying from one to four stars hotels and up to the 5 stars luxury hotels as well as suites hotels. When looking for accommodation in Sandton it is highly recommended to stay in one of the Don Suite Hotels which are the Don Sandton I, Don Sandton III and the Don Sandton IV.

Sandton is a sophisticated province that host top investment banks, Johannesburg stock exchange, financial consultants and perhaps the biggest convention center in Africa.

The district is known as “Africa’s richest square mile” and it is headed up with many Manhattan style sky crapes that are operating as landmarks in the whole region of Johannesburg, particularly are the city’s roof top as they are made in pyramid style. It is advisable if you are ending your day tour here to stay in one of the Sandton Hotels and enjoy their short distance to many of the Sandton attractions.

Sandton can be reached from around the globe through the Johannesburg international airport. From the airport and through the city all kinds of transportations are available starting from taxi, trains, public buses and rental cars. You can also reserve a special pickup from the airport to any destination in Sandton.

Attractions in Sandton:

 Mandela Square

Situated in the center of Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa. The square is named on Nelson Mandela. It is surrounded by luxury hotels and restaurants. Near by the square you can find Sandton most popular shopping center.

The square has six meters of Bronze statue of Nelson Mandela. The statue was made not only to respect the vision of the former president to freedom and justice in South Africa but also to create a focus for local tourists as well as foreign tourists to reflect on the events that led to the creation of a rainbow state.

You will always see some tourists trying to take their picture along with this Hugh statue,

Melrose

The streets of Melrose are tree lined that allows the coffee shops to set up their tables under the tress.

Luxury restaurants and coffee shops fill the whole area with enticing aromas. You can walk along the magnificent streets and see the world class petite shops and architecture. A whole day can be spent at the Melrose Wild Bird Sanctuary where you can see more than 120 wild bird species.

Melrose continue to develop but its idyllic nature keeps on attracting many to visit .

Morningside

Located just outside of Sandton, this up market suburb of Morningside stands along both sides of Rivonia Road. In the center of the northern surface of Johannesburg but is able to maintain peaceful and relatively quiet against the massive surge of Johannesburg heavy traffic.

The walking distance village in Maude Street offers a quiet alternative to Sandton city with the quiet and relaxing restaurants and coffee bars that gives you another way to pass the afternoon. The shopping center of Morningside offer a calm environment

Sandton is offering a great place to stay after a long business day or touring around Johannesburg. You can easily look for accommodation in Sandton by touring the area or the internet or just ask your travel agent. You should take into consideration the one of the Don Suites hotels which are part of the Sandton Hotels that will offer you great locations along with unique service that will make your stay pleasant and comfortable.

Don Sandton I

The hotel is located in the main business center of Johannesburg where you will find first class pubs, shops, restaurants, cinemas and more. The hotel offers one and two bed room suites with designer furnishings that will cater your daily needs.

Don Sandton III

The hotel is ideally located near by the upmarket Village Walk Shopping and Entertainment Center where you can the find world class of restaurants, cinemas and shops. The rooms are fashionably furnished and you have a selection of studios, one, two and three bedrooms suites.

Don Sandton IV

The hotel is an annex of the Don Sandton III. This suite hotel is offering spacious one bed room suites. All suites are furnished in Georgian style and have a computer workstation with modern desk lamp as well as a fax. Each suite has a warming fireplace. Like all of the Don Suite hotels all of the suites in Don Sandton IV are equipped with kitchen.

 

Holiday resorts for swingers and tailor made swinging holidays are becoming more and more popular as the concept of living the swingers lifestyle is gaining social acceptance and respectability.

Whilst the Hedonism resorts in Jamaica have been providing swinger lifestyle holidays for over two decades now, more recently several swinger resorts in Spain have been establishing themselves as popular holiday destinations for British and other European swingers.

The Spanish swinger holiday resorts are generally on a much smaller scale than the Caribbean ones and there is far less in the way of laid on entertainment. Many British swingers do not see this as a disadvantage however, preferring to avoid the organised fun and games that is so popular with the U.S. swingers who holiday in the Caribbean. In Spain, the swinger holiday resorts are often nothing more than a large villa suitable for accommodating as few as four couples per holiday. Other resorts comprise of a group of similar villas sharing a swimming pool.

Twenty minutes away from Spain’s Costa Blanca (the white coast), there is one such resort that comprises of four luxury villas. They are located in a very beautiful valley, offering seclusion and an atmospheric spot to enjoy a quiet, yet very erotic holiday. Swinger couples renting the villas share nude sunbathing around a lovely swimming pool. It is here or on the large communal terrace that the swinger holidaymakers meet up, socialising over a drink.  The only time the holiday becomes a little more organised is on Saturday nights when the swinger parties are held. The numbers attending are made by visitors who may be staying at other resorts in the area plus some local swingers too.

Elsewhere in Spain there is a swinger holiday hotel with eighty rooms and three suites for swinger groups. The hotel is located on the Costa Del Sol near to Malaga. Also located on the outskirts of Malaga is a four double-bedroom villa with totally secluded pool and terrace facilities suitable for both swinging and naturist leisure. Further east along the coast near to the resort of Nerja another similar villa offers swinger holidays with regular parties.

On the Canary Islands there are popular swinger resorts on Fuerteventura and Tenerife. On Gran Canaria there is very popular swinger party venue where you can find something going on any night of the week but you will need to stay elsewhere because it does not accommodate.

The swinger resorts referred to above are just a few examples of many such resorts that  are springing up in Spain. Those described are all located in coastal regions but if you don’t mind being an hour or so from the nearest beach, there are some very good resorts to be found further inland.  Our own swingers club, Club-Aphrodite.com provides members with up to date information about swinger holidays.

Bowing:

 

Bowing, known as “ojigi” in Japanese, is one the most common and important forms of nonverbal communication in Japan. Although sometimes looked upon as an expression of subservience in the West, bowing is an integral part of Japanese society that is incorporated into every aspect of daily life, from greeting an old friend in the supermarket, to apologizing to your boss at the office. In can also be used to express deep felt gratitude, as a means of saying goodbye, good morning and good night, or as a silent way of subtlety acknowledging your embarrassment when accidentally jostling someone on a crowded train. Ultimately the bow is an expression of respect for others and of personal humility, and techniques vary, from a small nod of the head, to bending at the waist at right angles to the floor. The basic protocol of when, where, and how deep to bow are determined by a complex system based on the relationship with the other person, his or her age, rank, and the circumstances of the encounter. For foreigners who wish to make an impression in regard to Japanese business associates, it’s important to avoid being too casual with the mere nod of the head, or unknowingly awkward by bowing deeply when its not suitable. Having said this, most Japanese understand the potential for confusion in this respect and usually don’t expect non Japanese to understand the subtleties involved, and therefore will often extend a handshake when meeting foreigners.

Inside a Japanese Home:

 

All Japanese homes adhere to strict rules in regard to removing ones shoes before entering a house or room, and this is one custom the Japanese will not make allowance for just because you are a foreigner. Upon entering a private residence guests should take off their shoes at the entrance of the house known as the genkan. Slippers are then provided by the host or hostess, and are to be worn for the duration of your visit. There are two exceptions to this practice. Upon entering a room furnished with a tatami floor, slippers are removed, as tatami mats should only be tread upon in socks or bare feet. The second exclusion to the rule is when you enter the washroom of the home. Slippers are again removed and left outside the door in exchange for a pair designated for the bathroom.

Even though most Japanese homes are now furnished with western style sofas and chairs, there still may be an occasion when you will be required to sit on the floor in the traditional Japanese fashion, especially in large family gatherings where meals are often held sitting on the tatami floor around a low table. The formal way of sitting for both men and women is known as “seiza”, which is basically a kneeling position where the legs are tucked under as you rest on  knees, legs, and feet. Foreigners however are not expected to to sit in seiza for long periods of time, and many Japanese because of their westernized life styles are no longer attempting this uncomfortable position as well. Therefore a more casual style has been adopted. Men usually sit cross legged, while women sit on their knees laying both legs to one side. The former position is considered exclusively male, while the latter is to be used by women only. Although it is not entirely necessary and will not be expected, it is also customary in Japan when visiting someones home to bring a small gift known as “temiyage”. This does not need to be an extravagant present, something as simple as a bag of fruit or a bottle of sake, as more than anything it represents your appreciation for being invited.