Weekender Alicante North Issue 119

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38 FRIDAY 29TH NOVEMBER 2019 www.weekender.news Cape Town Penguins, Mountains & Beaches FIRST-TIME visitors to Cape Town tend to be immediately struck by the city’s beauty – and indeed, the city is often ranked as one of the world’s most attractive. Along with its stunning coastline and sandy beaches, relaxed cafes and refined architecture, a large amount of credit for this must go to Table Mountain. Large, striking but not imposing, the mountain provides a unique, breathtaking backdrop for South Africa’s favourite city. However Table Mountain also hints at Cape Town’s wilder side, one that may not be immediately obvious. The iconic mountain can be reached by cable car, which has a revolving platform so everyone on board gets a view during the journey. However, the more adventurous can experience the mountain by foot. The keenest hikers can tackle the Platteklip Gorge route to the top, although easier routes are available. Regardless of the path taken, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife – the mountain is home to the dassie, the closest living relative to the African elephant, as well as colourful lizards, native birds and more species of plant than the entirety of the UK. Most unusually, Cape Town is also home to penguins. Yes – you heard right! You can drive to Boulders Beach, where the penguins are found, or take a kayaking tour to get up close to the rocks on which the penguins perch. Extend your kayaking trip around Cape Point, where whales and dolphins can often be spotted. Other exciting activities include South Africa’s latest craze of sandboarding, on offer a short drive outside Cape Town. Similar to snowboarding, sandboarding sees thrill-seekers slide down sand dunes at speed. If that sounds too much, basic routes are available for firsttimers or the faint of heart. Of course, Cape Town offers far more than just adventure – visitors can have the holiday of a lifetime and only break a sweat sunbathing. Camps Bay provides a long sandy beach populated with palm trees and is a favourite of the locals to enjoy sundowners in the long summer evenings. South Africa offers incredible value for money. Prices are down by 20% in Cape Town compared to last year, due to the Sterling’s strength against the South African Rand, according to the 2016 Worldwide Holiday Costs Barometer from Post Office Travel Money. This makes Cape Town the lowest-priced long haul destination surveyed and the third cheapest overall. A culinary haven, Cape Town diners can enjoy a three-course meal for two – including wine – for the equivalent of around £23.00. Real foodies should try Pot Luck Club; the small plates restaurant is a Luke Dale- Roberts venture, one of the world’s most innovative chefs who also runs Test Kitchen, a celebrity hangout and well worth the three-month waiting list for reservations. And don’t forget the wine. Cape Town is full of great options for budding sommeliers. A glass of wine costs an average of £1.45 and the Cape Winelands, located just outside the city, provide countless opportunities for vineyard tours and tastings. Alongside world-class wines, Cape Town is in the middle of a craft beer revolution. The Weinhaus + Biergarten bar was arguably the birthplace of this hop-inspired uprising, led by local heroes such as Gary Pnematicos, founder of Cape Town’s own Citizen Beer. After a few tipples, visit one of Cape Town’s famed jazz bars. A heady mix of saxophone, piano and vocals can be found at bars such as the Alexander Bar Upstairs, Asoka, the Crypt Jazz Restaurant and the Piano Bar. Fun for all the family! Opening Hours Monday - Friday 9.30 - 17.00 Saturday 10.00 - 13.00 Itinery: Barcelona, Funchal, Barbados, Grenada, St. Maarten, Curaçao, Aruba, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panamacanal, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Puerto Vallarta (Mexico), Cabo San Lucas (Mexico), San Diego (USA), 2 days San Francisco (USA), Kahului/Maui (Hawaii), Honolulu (Hawaii), Apia (Western Samoa), Suva (Fiji Islands), Aukland (Neuseeland), 2 days Sidney , Brisbane , Cairns, Alotau (Papua Neuginea), Kiriwina/Trobriand Islands (Papua Neuginea), Rabaul (Papua Neuginea), Boracay (Philippinen), Manila (Philippinen), Keelung (Taiwan), Ishigaki (Japan), Naha/Okinawa (Japan), 2 days Osaka (Japan), Shimizu (Japan), 2 days Tokyo (Japan), Nagasaki (Japan), Busan (Südkorea), 2 days Shanghai, Hongkong, Shekou (China), Da Nang (Vietnam), Nha Trang (Vietnam), Singapur, Kelang (Malaysia), Colombo (Sri Lanka), 2 days Dubai, Kashab (Oman), Muscat (Oman), Aqaba (Jordanien), Suezkanal, Heraklion (Griechenland), Civitavecchia Rom (Italien), Genua, Marseille, Barcelona Balcony Bella - 19.149€* Inside Fantastica - 13.999€* Tips not in the price included Tips not in the price included Inside 599€* Balcony 949€* Tips not in the price included Tips not in the price included Tips not in the price included Inside 599€* Balcony 949€* Inside 599€* Balcony 959€* Inside 599€* Balcony 859€*
Facebook: @TheWeekenderSpain FRIDAY 29TH NOVEMBER 2019 39 Utterly Bellissima! I boarded the MSC Bellissima from Barcelona on Friday, 8th November. Checking in was smooth and swift. When check-in was finished we got the chance to pose for a picture with my cabin-mate in front of the ship’s wheel! This was the first use of our cabin card. Soon after we were on the ship. Crew had taken our luggage before we checked in, so we didn’t have to worry about wheeling cases around. We made a beeline for the Edge Bar, to get ourselves comfortable and raise a glass to the beginning of our cruise with a cocktail. We were on the Premium Drinks Package, which meant unlimited drinks up to the value of €10. This gave us lots of choice, and we had so, so much to choose from! The drinks menu is vast, and everything is clearly labelled and priced. Cocktails are beautifully made! We enjoyed sitting at the Edge bar, people-watching. Beside us were the famous Swarovski stairs, and if you look down you can see live music and people enjoying themselves. Our dining plan meant we had dinner at a set time, at a set table, at 7.30pm each night. Our restaurant was called Poseidonia. We got ready, enjoyed a drink in the champagne bar first, and coming 7.30, made our way to the restaurant. We were presented by a line of waiters on each side of us welcoming us, which I thought was a lovely touch. We got shown to our table and sat down, waters and wines poured for us. Our waiters were called Aslim and Pande, and they took very good care of us. The menu in Poseidonia changes every night, with some options available all the time, such as grilled chicken, or house salad. I loved the excitement of not knowing what would be on offer each night! Dinner normally took 1.5 – 2hrs. I had the cheese board for my dessert every night. I honestly couldn’t fault a single thing! On two of the nights, a photographer came around to each table, offering by Karla McGarvey, Worldwide Horizons to take photographs, which would be available for viewing or purchasing the next day. Again, a lovely touch and nothing to lose! After dinner, the ship is buzzing with activity. There are lots of shops. There’s a perfumery, a shop selling top jewellery and handbags, a chocolate shop, and most of these are open late. I got two pieces of Swarovski jewellery at a 20% discount, which is great. The gift shop with MSC – themed items is also great, and very reasonably priced. We wanted somewhere we could sit (8 of us) and chat and have a laugh, and we found ourselves at masters of The Sea pub, on Deck 7. They have a huge selection of beers on tap, and something I’ve never seen before, ‘Beertails,’ which is exactly what you think it is – cocktails made with beer! I recommend the ‘Spiced Apple Pie’ – mmmm!! We were very well looked after by Yudhi, Eka and David for the 3 nights we visited and we were never left thirsty! On the ‘MSC For me’ app, you can see daily activities, special offers and a map of the ship, which does come in very handy at times! There is also a great feature which allows you to message friends and family. A very handy feature for when the boat is at sea, meaning data roaming is not available. Wifi packages are available, but at €39.90 a day, I decided to give it a miss! I can catch up with everything when the boat is docked so I didn’t miss it too much. The casino is suitable for smokers, which is handy as the wind is cutting outside poolside. However, half is non-smoking so there’s something for everyone. We saw a Cirque de Soleil show in the Carousel Lounge, which was located at the back of the casino. We took the €15 option of Cocktail and Show. The options were two premade cocktails, and one nonalcoholic one. The show was great, something different and in my opinion a bit of an escape! Located on the 15th deck is the ‘marketplace,’ the buffet restaurant, which is open 20 hours a day. It starts at 6.30am, serving breakfast. The choice is vast, with both continental and English breakfasts on offer, and everything in between from pancakes and omelettes to kippers and herrings. You are absolutely unlimited in what you choose and how much of it you have. Tea, coffee, waters and juices are available at dispensers. If you have the premium drinks plan, you can use the buzzer at the table and have a drink brought to you – fruit juice and cappucinos or something stronger. The place is always bustling, and the queuing system may not have a whole lot of structure, but be assured the food will not run out! Staff members are incredibly attentive, and are always serving, clearing, or cleaning. At lunchtime, the buffet changes, and there is a cheese station, an ethnic station, a salad bar, and much more. One day when we were there, there was a huge turkey being cut, and slices being served. You’ll never go hungry here. Also, there are stations at each entrance and exit for hand sanitizers, which I appreciated. Our cabin was situated on the 14th deck. A compact room, but it optimised all of the space. The bed was the star of the show – so big and so comfortable! We met the room attendant a couple of times. Our rooms were al- Baltic Capitals Cruise Flight Alicante to Copenhagen, 1 night 4* City Centre, 7 nights Helsinki, St Petersburg, Tallin, Kiel, Copenhagen Inc Drinks, taxes & tips. Caribbean Easter Cruise Incl Flights from Alicante 14 nights Miami to San Juan, Virgen Islands, Freeport, Ocean Cay, Costa Maya, Gran Caymen, Jamaica, Miami PRICE SLASH - NEW DATES! 10th April - 2190€ 17th April - 1999€ Pullmantur All Inclusive 7 nights Med Cruise , Interior, tips & taxes ways tidied, sheets changed and new towels for us. The shower was lovely, water always perfect. We took advantage of the free breakfast room service which came with our package. A continental breakfast with teas, coffees, juices, bread and yoghurt, it arrived promptly the next morning and highly enjoyed it! All in all, I had an amazing time on the Bellissima. I came home with memories and also those in the form of photographs, which aren’t cheap, but in my opinion, totally worth it. The photographers are very good at what they do. We were always looked after, felt spoiled, and the whole experience was a very special one. It was my first cruise and it’s safe to say I now have the ‘cruise blues!’ Thank you, MSC, for an amazing 3 days on the med, it was a holiday I’ll never forget. 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Weekender Alicante North Issue 119

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