Jessica
When it comes to international vacations, the most popular cities in the world are Bangkok, London, Paris, Singapore, and New York. Glancing further down the list of the 20 most visited cities in the world, not a single African destination can be found. Furthermore, South Africa is the only African nation to appear on the 25 most-visited countries list. Yet, a UCity Guides survey rated South Africa as the seventh most beautiful country in the world.
Despite its reputation as one of the most beautiful continents in the world, it’s remarkable that South Africa is the only representative on the top 25 most-visited countries list of its 54 sovereign nations. It is understandable, however, that it might be challenging for a continent with many developing nations to compete with the allure of countries like Italy, France, England, Spain, and Greece, where storied cities such as Venice, Rome, Paris, London, Madrid, and Athens have been romanticized for centuries via mythology, literature, and film.
A South Africa holiday may not be the “traditional” choice among international vacationers, but with its stunning paradise resorts and luxury villas, South Africa attractions are surely among the world’s best kept vacation secrets. Even though many Westerners imagine the world’s second largest continent as one big Safari, with over 50 independent countries, Africa is incredibly diverse in terms of culture, ethnicity, race, history, and geography.
While Africa might be best known for its wildlife, and is the home for approximately 10% of the world’s birds, plants, and fish, its coastal cities are equally glorious. In fact, with over 300 sunny days per year, and a year-round high temperature that rarely dips below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, South African paradise resorts attract over 200,000 tourists per month from around the world.
If international vacationers are looking for something a bit different, but no less romantic and luxurious than the typical vacation spots, the diverse African landscape can offer the ideal backdrop to accommodate anyone’s taste. Whether it be spectacular mountain peaks, exotic jungles, or tropical beaches, there are plenty of world-class South African paradise resorts from which to choose.
An African vacation would be interesting. But I have absolutely NO interest in safaris, so it would have to be a coastal vacation. But why would I choose Africa over all the other places I could go?