Weekendin Singapore Nov '13 | Issue 08 | Page 50

WeekendinFEATURE WeekendinFEATURE Mountain biking on Whistler in the summer HOLIDAY City-seeing tours available in Joburg VISA REQUIRENMENTS Singaporeans: No (up to 90 days) British/Australian/Other Passports: No (up to 90 days) VISA REQUIRENMENTS Singaporeans: No British/Australian/Other Passports: No TRAVEL ROUTE Singapore Changi Airport - Tokyo (HND)/ Dubai (DXB) - Vancouver (YVR) TRAVEL ROUTE Singapore Changi Airport - O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) FLIGHT PROVIDERS Singapore Airlines: Tokyo Emirates: Dubai Air Canada: Tokyo FLIGHT PROVIDERS Singapore Airlines: Flight to Johannesburg (Direct) Emirates: Flight to Johannesburg (Via Dubai) Qatar Airways: Flight to Johannesburg (Via Doha) CONNECTING FLIGHTS TO VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (YVR) •Singapore Airlines •Emirates •Air Canada Great terrain for snow skiing Travel to Whistler Beautiful mountain vistas, ancient forests, crystal clear lakes and rivers, and fresh, clean air – much of what makes Whistler such a unique and memorable destination lies in its awe-inspiring and pristine natural surroundings. Located in the spectacular Coast Mountains of British Columbia just two hours north of Vancouver, Whistler is Canada’s premier, year-round destination. Whistler features two majestic mountains with a vibrant base Village, epic skiing and snowboarding, four championship golf courses, great shopping, restaurants and bars, accommodation to suit every budget, hiking trails, spas and arguably the best mountain bike park in the world. The 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games have come and gone but the spirit and energy live on in Whistler. With exciting legacies like the Whistler Sliding Centre, Whistler OlymWeekendin 48 Johannesburg Stadium Dornier ready for take off A great view from the ski lifts pic Park and Whistler Olympic Plaza, the Games will forever be a part of Whistler’s tapestry. The memories of celebration, athletic achievement and connecting with people from around the world will never be forgotten. Visit the Olympic Venues for tours and events to relive the Whistler Olympic Experience. Winter With the largest ski area in all of North America, Whistler ski resort can rightly claim itself the number one winter destination on the continent. With an average snow fall of 30+ feet a year, the November to June season is long, and snow is plentiful. Blackcomb and Whistler Mountains feature 8,171 acres of terrain and 200 marked trails and 33 lifts. For the serious skier who lives life on the edge, there are amazing alpine bowls, steep powder chutes, mogul fields, and secluded tree Travel to skiing. For intermediates and cruising skiers, there are many varied and well groomed runs. Just starting out or never skied before? Whistler Blackcomb has one of the best ski schools in the world. Summer The fun and activities don’t stop when the snow melts. With its crisp mountain air, crystal clear lakes and lush emerald forests, there’s something to do every day whether it’s a thrilling adventure or just some quiet time listening to nature and absorbing the magnificent scenery. There are numerous activity providers in the area who specialise in providing the “summer adventure” of a lifetime. Try mountain biking, a heli-fishing tour, atv ride, backcountry hike or sightseeing adventure to get your adrenaline pumping. Johannesburg An African city of note, Johannesburg is characterised by contradiction and an apparent seamless combination of irreconcilable differences. The largest city in South Africa, Johannesburg is also the wealthiest and, without doubt, the economic powerhouse of Africa. labour and the settlement quickly expanded to become the largest in the country. The locals refer to it as Egoli - City of Gold in the Zulu language. Mining is still a major part of the industry around Joburg/Jozi but business and information technology are now leading the way. It is a cosmopolitan city with people from all over the continent and the rest of the world. With a population of about 8 million in the greater metropolis (including Soweto), the city has expanded and now connects to Pretoria, South Africa’s administrative capital. It is the only real global city in sub-Saharan Africa and the capital of Gauteng, South Africa’s wealthiest province. To the first-time visitor Johannesburg, or Jozi as it’s more commonly known, can be a little daunting, more so because of the misrepresentation by the media of Johann esburg as something of a war zone. The city was formed in the 1880s after gold and diamonds were discovered on the Witwatersrand. This gold rush led to numerous people flocking to the area in search of riches and The Sotho word, Gauteng, meaning “Place of Gold”, is the new name of the Pretoria - Witwatersrand - Vaal Triangle, one of the largest industrial regions in the southern hemisphere. A more fitting label would be hard to find. Vibrant, exciting Johannesburg, the provincial capital of Gauteng offers visitors a large selection of recreational, cultural and historical attractions. Situ- ated some 50 km north of Johannesburg, Pretoria is renowned for its colourful gardens, shrubs and trees, particularly beautiful in spring when jacarandas envelop the avenues in mauve. It’s the sprawl of the leafy northern suburbs - there are over six million trees in Johannesburg - that draws the visitor: buzzing, trendy suburbs like Parktown and Norwood, with their restaurantlined avenues that cater for the dining and décor set; the high street of Greenside that so easily dons the mantle of hip chic; fashionable Melville (forget venturing a little further to Yeoville - Jozi’s Greenwich Village it might have been but not any longer), and the sprawling malls of Sandton, all combine to make the city a great place to be. 49 Weekendin