Playtimes HK Magazine Winter Issue 2018/2019 | Page 92

travel
Tromso
Norway
The city of Tromso is one of the most
enchanting places in the Arctic Circle.
No wonder it is one of the best places
to go on a winter holiday. During the
Christmas period Tromso becomes
fairy-tale-like beautiful with all those
lights and a festive mood.
In December the town lives in
darkness as the Polar Night prevails:
not a single ray of sun reaches this
corner of the world. This is why it is
also the best time to admire Aurora
Borealis – the green lights are the most
visible now. It is also the perfect chance
to say you’ve been to the North Pole—
well, the Arctic Circle, anyway—for
Christmas. Plus, there’s dogsledding,
great food, and a mountaintop cable
car. Here, “day” is just a couple hours of
twilight blue.
Cape town
South Africa
Occupying an enviable position on
South Africa’s southwest coast,
beautiful Cape Town is a compact city
blessed with stunning views, vibrant
streets and untamed nature.
Dominated by the imposing Table
Mountain (pack hiking boots to tackle
the Kasteelspoort route on foot, or
take the cable car to the top), Cape
Town’s size means it is easily explored
on foot. Wander the colour-pop streets
of former Malay Quarter Bo-Kaap,
before taking a leisurely stroll to the
V&A Waterfront, where artisan shops
sit alongside award-winning farm-to-
table restaurants. The Robben Island
Museum is a must-visit – accessible
only by boat, you’ll visit the prison where
former South African President Nelson
Mandela was held captive for 18 of
the 27 years that he spent imprisoned.
Keep a day to visit the thriving penguin
population at Boulders Beach, quaff a
glass or two on the Franschhoek Wine
Tram or visit Cape Point.
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