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Set on the main European London-Madrid line, Le Mans is just 50 minutes from Paris by TGV. Its historic heritage has made this mediaeval town the most popular film location for French cinema. But far from being a “museum town”, Le Mans is strikingly lively and creative.

Like Nantes, Toulouse and Montpellier, Le Mans is on the way to becoming the next fashionable weekend destination of coming years. The fact seems crazy because this town has been so neglected for so long, too often remembered for its rillettes (potted meat) and its 24 Hour car race and the fact that it witnessed the birth of the first automobile in history, in 1873. And yet, on closer inspection, you can feel in this town a certain buzz, an atmosphere that is both friendly and committed. The charm of the surrounding countryside, the proximity of the capital, all served by an inspired and enterprising town policy, today combine to make Le Mans a “pioneer” town as regards quality of life.

Less famous than neighboring Tours or Angers, Le Mans immediately impresses visitors, not expecting to find such architectural gems or such harmony between stone, water, vegetation and sky! Along the Sarthe River, above the old tanneries district, you can admire the beautiful Gallo-Roman wall built under Diocletian in the 3rd century. This red 1,300-m-long surrounding wall, marked out with eleven towers and adorned with black and white geometric patterns, is one of the best preserved military buildings from the Roman world, along with the surrounding walls of the two Imperial capitals, Rome and Constantinople.

At the summit of the mound dominating the river, the Celts erected the town’s historic nucleus over 5,000 years ago and left an impressive menhir symbolizing both fertility and the centre of the universe. This mysterious pink sandstone rock, with its pleated forms, still stands against the Romanesque and Gothic cathedral of St Julien today.

Around the cathedral Vieux Mans (the old town) is a magnificent real life film set, with its winding alleys, 14th century half-timbered fa

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The Cape Overberg of South Africa is a relatively undiscovered travel destination yet it is a treasure chest filled with wonderous South African delights. This is the region on the southernmost tip of Africa. As regions go in South Africa it is quite small geographically. It takes only 2.5 hours to travel between the Eastern and Western boundaries, and 1 hour between the Northern and Southern boundaries. This makes it a perfect spot for exploring - you can never really get lost! The Overberg has everything - mountains, rivers, oceans and landscapes that are constantly changing. There is never a day or a vista that is the same.

If you’re looking for adventure there are a whole lot of things that will get your adrenalin going from abseiling to great white shark diving. Nature lovers will never get enough with our spectacular Cape Fynbos that has thousands of different species and can be seen almost everywhere you go - up mountains, along sea cliff paths, in botanical gardens, on the roadside…and with all this nectar about you can imagine the abundance of bird life!

Fishermen watch out, you may have discovered Heaven. From fly-fishing to deep water sea fishing to rock pool play-fishing. Inland, along the shore, salt water, sea water - you name it. The mighty Breede River is a particular favourite among avid fishermen - some arrive and never return. They settle along the banks and fish ’til the end of their days.

How does a selection of 10 different golf courses sound? Each in their own unique setting - nestled in our undulating rens, with spectacular mountain or sea views - or both. The famous Arabella course where the annual Nelson Mandela Invitational is played is one of them!

There are many seaside villages that are ideal summer holiday spots with pristine beaches, coves filled with rock pools and lagoons to canoe, windsurf or float in. Why not enjoy a holiday on one of our local working farms and expose your kids to the delights of lambs being born, cows being fed, tractor rides and fruit picking?

Relax and pamper yourself at one of the Spa’s or many health and beauty salons. Disappear into magical nature at one of the many retreats.

Watch whales, climb mountains, eat delectable country meals, take your 4×4 on a real journey along a dirt road through a spectacular valley, bring your bike and cycle through apple orchards, discover magical forests, experience local wines in the place they were created, go quad biking, river rafting sandboarding or just enjoy a good book surrounded by absolute beauty.

So no matter what the weather start planning your trip now!

Vanessa Alberts
http://www.overberginfo.com - Electronic Gateway to the southernmost tip of Africa

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If you’re heading to London later this summer, you’ll be able to visit Trafalgar Square in the heart of the city and see the newly-restored monument to Admiral Horatio Nelson and his familiar lions. An extensive refurbishment has been ongoing since early 2006 - a little more than 200 years after Nelson’s death at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

Nelson’s Column, which was built as a tribute in the 1840s, is the centerpiece of Trafalgar Square (home of the National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, nearby St. Martin-in-the-Fields and favorite site for political rallies and celebrations). It cost nearly

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