Mossel Bay’s Oystercatcher Trail and the Cape Nature Tierkloof Trail in the Gamkaberg Reserve are among the thirty spectacular walks included in “Unforgettable Walks to Take Before You Die.”

The 256 page book is authored by photographers and writers Steve Watkins and Clare Jones and draws on their collective years of international travel experience.

The authors have selected thirty of the world’s most inspiring, spectacular and beautiful walks, each of which can be done within the space of a two-week break.

South Africa’s remarkable tourism growth continues as arrivals reached the 9 million mark for the first time in the country’s history. 

Addressing the National Assembly on Tuesday, Environmental and Tourism Affairs Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk announced that over 9 million travellers visited South Africa in 2007 – an 8.3% increase from 2006 when the country received 8.4 million visitors.

“Global growth over the same period was just over 6%, indicating that South Africa continues to outgrow global rates,” added the minister.

Winchester Mansions, a beachfront boutique hotel in Cape Town is the only South African property to make the Top 100 Best Value listing of Budget Travel Magazine and TripAdvisor.  

The Top 100 Best Value awards were created to highlight the world’s most reliable hotels with an average rate of $250 (R1750) or less.