With our daily lives becoming more challenging and demanding, it's essential to take advantage of South Africa's incredible climate, natural diversity and cultural heritage by heading for the proverbial hills for a weekend getaway.

Due to South Africa's popularity as a premier travel destination; the tourism sector is well established with a remarkable choice of first class accommodation, thrilling activities and weekend packages up for grabs.

Romantic Weekends

Romantic weekends away needn't be confined to big anniversaries or celebrations. Regular breaks with a loved one is, without a doubt, an essential ingredient for a fulfilling and enduring relationship. There are a number of great romantic weekend ideas guaranteed to accelerate the passion in any liaison.

• Hot Air Ballooning Safaris – drift high in the sky, sip champagne in-flight and marvel at the majestic scenery below.
• Sunset boat cruises – sail the seas and enjoy a sumptuous candlelit dinner while hugging the coastline, and your partner, as night falls.
• House Boat getaways – depart immediately for a secluded sojourn with the special person in your life. Packed dinners and breakfasts are included, as is a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine!

Relaxing Weekends

With the world constantly moving at a frightening pace, we all need a bit of rest and relaxation and a restful weekend away is the perfect solution.

• Spa packages – select from a long list of world class spas situated in some of the most spectacular spots in the world. Be pampered, polished and primed for the long week ahead.
• Limousine treats – hire a limousine, together with driver, and discover the Cape in laid back luxury. Packages include picnic hampers, chilled wine and total privacy.

• White shark cage diving – dip into the big blue in the safety of a metal cage for an up close encounter with Great White Sharks.
• Formula One racing experience – rip around a Cape Town or Johannesburg race track in a Birkin S3 or Reynard single-seater racing car for an unbeatable ‘full-throttle' experience.
• English Electric Lighting Jet Flight – feel the incredible power and g-force of a genuine jet fighter, break the sound barrier and be astonished at the curvature of the earth from 50,000 feet.

Nature Weekends South Africa is world renowned for its ‘Big Five' wildlife viewing opportunities and has a host of incomparable conservation areas and nature reserves.

• Big game safaris – make for any number of National Parks or privately owned game reserves for the complete bush experience. Sleep in luxury, eat world class cuisine and enjoy early morning and evening game drives with a guide.
• Tree top canopy tour – soar high above the forest canopy in a full body harness and experience a bird's eye view of the forest and its countless inhabitants.
• Elephant back safaris – you'll be seated, in total comfort, on the back of an elephant and will have the added advantage of getting close to the other animals. A DVD of your experience, all meals and a champagne breakfast are all part of the deal.

Gourmet Weekends

Cape Town and surrounds is particularly well known for its wines and great food, with Franschhoek regarded as the culinary capital of the country.

• Cape winelands Tour – indulge in a chauffeur driven tour of the winelands, pop into a number of wine farms for tasting and then enjoy all your meals in luxury.
• Top flight restaurants – Fly to Cape Town for the weekend and select from 80 restaurants in the V&A Waterfront and literally hundreds from the greater Cape Town for unbeatable gastronomic delights.