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| Dear Traveller, | |
Thank you for booking your travel with ABC Travel, we hope you have an enjoyable trip. Here is some useful information:
Here's a 5-day forecast for Cape Town
 Monday Hi 26° Lo 18° | Tuesday Hi 26° Lo 18° | Wednesday Hi 31° Lo 20° |  Thursday Hi 29° Lo 22° | Friday Hi 28° Lo 21° |
Table Mountain fire battle won: Dry conditions and strong winds aided the fire that raged uncontollably on Table Mountain on 26 January. A 65-year old British woman was killed, and several people were rescued from the mountain. The blaze was finally controlled on the weekend; a British man accused of starting the fire will appear in court on 10 February.
See our Cape Town travel guide for the latest advice.
Cape Town Minstrel Carnival
Every New Year, thousands of minstrels take to the streets in a dazzling display of colourful satin uniforms, shiny parasols, painted faces and foot-tapping banjo tunes that accompany the traditional folk songs, many of Cape Malay origin. The parade is known colloquially as the 'Coon Carnival' ('coon' referring to a member of a minstrel troupe) among the predominately Afrikaans-speaking 'coloured' community who make up the majority of the performers. The traditional event has its origins in the 19th century when minstrel entertainers on American cruise ships stopped off in Cape Town; their sounds and styles were incorporated into the New Year festivals of the newly freed Malay slaves. The Carnival begins in the new year and the festivities continue into January with extravagant street parades; singing, dancing, costume competitions and marches through the streets from the central city area of District Six. For more information contact Rashaad Abrahams on (0)21 762 9672 or email totaleventsolutions@telkomsa.net
Venue: Streets of Cape Town and Greenpoint Stadium; Date: 2 January 2006; Time: 9am
J&B Met
One of the most prestigious and anticipated events on Cape Town's social calendar, the J&B Met is not only about thoroughbreds, but is a day of glamorous fashion, entertainment and sophistication, accompanied by J&B Scotch Whiskey. The R1.5-million prize money is in keeping with its status as the premier horseracing event in South Africa, and the Official After Party is a highly rated post-race event that continues the festivities well into the early hours.
Venue: Kenilworth Race Course; Date: 28 January 2006; Website: www.jbmet.co.za
Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts
Bring family and friends and relax on the lawns with a picnic and a glass of wine as the sun sets behind the mountain, while listening to a mixed selection of classical and contemporary music. The setting provides for one of the most spectacular concert venues in South Africa, the stage framed by the backdrop of Table Mountain and all around the well-kept beds of the Kirstenbosch Gardens.
Venue: Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens; Date: Every Sunday from 27 November 2005 to 2 April 2006; Time: 5.30pm to 6.30pm; Website: www.nbi.ac.za
Spier Summer Arts Festival
The annual summer program at Spier celebrates a proudly African line-up, presenting a diverse variety of performances. Music, theatre, film, comedy and the famous sunset Christmas carols all take place within the unique Winelands development in the Stellenbosch region.
Venue: Spier Wine Estate; Date: 6 December 2005 to 1 April 2006; Website: www.spierarts.org.za
Shakespeare at Maynardville Open-Air Theatre
Inspired by the annual productions in London's Regent Park, Shakespeare has been performed every summer at the open-air theatre in Wynberg, generally performed with a local twist to add to the entertainment. On warm summer evenings many theatre-goers begin the evening by picnicking in the park before the show begins. For more information phone (0)21 421 7695.
Venue: Maynardville Open-Air Theatre; Date: 10 January to 18 February 2006; Time: 8.15pm
Vodacom Super 14 Rugby
Super 14 rugby is the eagerly awaited annual clash between the 14 provinces of South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. This year at Newlands the Western Province Stormers take on the Waratahs on the 18 February, the Brumbies on the 24 February, the Highlanders on the 4 March, the Hurricanes on the 11 March, the Cheetahs on the 18 March, the Crusaders on the 29 April, and the Bulls on the 13 May. The tournament runs from 10 February to 27 May 2006.
Venue: Newlands Rugby Stadium; Date: 18 February to 13 May 2006; Website: www.sarugby.co.za
Bryan Adams Concert
International superstar, Canadian Bryan Adams tours South Africa for the fourth time and his shows promise to be every bit as popular. His Kirstenbosch performances were sold out for three consecutive nights and were the place to be in January 2003. Bryan Adams is one of the biggest recording artists in the world with rock songs and ballads consistently reaching number one status.
Venue: Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens; Date: 6-8 March 2006; Time: 8pm; Website: www.bigconcerts.co.za
South Africa vs Australia: One Day International Cricket
The Proteas take on Australia in the second one day international match of Australia's tour to South Africa, in which five ODIs and three test matches will be played.
Venue: Sahara Park Newlands; Date: 3 March 2006; Time: 2.30pm; Website: www.cricket.co.za
Cape Argus Pick 'n Pay Cycle Tour
The Argus is the largest timed sporting event on earth, attracting more than 35,000 cyclists from around the world. The spectacle is also enjoyed by thousands of spectators who line the 67-mile (108km) route, which follows some of the Cape's most spectacular coastal scenery. The race is enjoyed by serious cyclists and social riders alike.
Venue: Start: City Centre; Finish: Greenpoint Stadium; Date: 12 March 2006; Time: 6.15am; Website: www.cycletour.co.za
Kirstenbosch Winter Concert Series
Come and enjoy Cape Town 's top musical talent in the warmth of the beautiful Silvertree Restaurant at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. Tickets include a welcome drink and soup, and patrons are also welcome to have a main course or dessert and coffee during or after the concert. The annual event continues from the summer sunset concerts (November to April), ensuring visitors a treat in classical and contemporary music all year round.
Venue: Silvertree Restaurant; Date: April to October 2006, TBC; Time: 5.30pm to 8.30pm; Website: www.nbi.ac.za
Two Oceans Marathon
Boasting some of the most spectacular scenery of any road event on earth, the Two Oceans has become the second most famous ultra-marathon in South Africa after the Comrades Marathon. Runners race over and around the mountains of Cape Town every Easter Saturday in what is well known internationally for its scenic beauty despite the gruelling course.
Venue: Start: Main Road, Newlands. Finish: UCT sports fields, Upper Campus; Date: 15 April 2006; Time: 6am; Website: www.twooceansmarathon.org.za
Robbie Williams
British superstar Robbie Williams is coming to South Africa in what is promised to be the music tour of the century.
Venue: Green Point Stadium; Date: 13 April 2006; Time: 8pm; Website: www.robbiewilliams.com
Cape Times Waterfront Wine Festival
Featuring many of the Cape’s top wine estates, producers and boutique wineries, with over 350 different wines to taste, the Wine Festival offers a unique opportunity to sample many of the Western Cape's finest wines under one roof. Chat to enthusiastic wine makers and mix with wine lovers in a relaxed environment. Complementing the wine is the adjacent Cheese Hall that offers an array of cheeses from boutique cheese manufacturers, as well as local deli products, olives and olive oils to taste and buy.
Venue: Market Square, V&A Waterfront; Date: May 2006, TBC; Website: www.waterfront.co.za
Cape Gourmet Festival
Widely acknowledged as South Africa's premier food, wine, travel and lifestyle event, the annual Gourmet Festival is a blend of culinary events showcasing its restaurant industry to the rest of the world. It is the only African associate of the esteemed World Gourmet Club in St Moritz and is the finest culinary festival on the continent, highlighting international as well as local foods. Incorporated into the extravaganza is the Good Food and Wine Show, the pinnacle of the festival, where chefs cook the best of contemporary South African cuisine.
Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre; Date: Good Food & Wine Show: 18-21 May 2006; Website: www.gourmetsa.com
Regards,
ABC Travel
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Disclaimer: Much of the information in this email is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they're relying with the relevant authorities. Neither Globe Media nor your travel agent can accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above. This email was generated by wordtravels.com on behalf of ABC Travel.