Sure Etnique Travel Newsletter

Walking down a narrow pedestrian lane, lined with many weathered storytelling buildings, you are met by a comical little character, Cumil, peeping from a manhole in Panska ut. A few yards on a paparazzi-like photographer is peeping around the building’s corner. Schoner Naci greets you in polite style, waving his top hat. To catch my breath, I sit down on an icy cold brass bench on Old Town Square, with Napoleon watching over my shoulder.

You might think it is a typical scene of mimic street actors, which is a popular scene on the Ramblas in Barcelona. However, when strolling along the fairy tale-like narrow curving alleys and streets of this Eastern European city, many interesting characters – street sculptures - will welcome you in and around old town Bratislava, each telling a very original story.

* TEXT and PHOTOGRAPHY by Johann BEUKES .

Catch the Butterfly
of the Little Big Country
During 2005, the Slovak Tourist Board introduced the trademark Slovakia – Little Big Country and incorporated a butterfly logo symbolising energy, life and colour to market their young country.

Last night, while sipping some excellent local red wines of the region, I met an entertaining local in the warmth of Vináreň Pod Baštou, a very unique vaulted wine bar. Marian, the chairperson of the Slovakian Tourist Authority, agreed to show me during the next two days his Bratislava, as well as our mutual interest, the Karpanian Wine Region.

Dobré ráno – Good Morning to you!
Are you ready to be introduced to Bratislava?

I turn around and leaning onto Napoleon’s back, Marian starts to lead me into his country’s history of the Ottomans and Habsburgs, the Velvet Revolution leading onto the Velvet Divorce.

The winding streets of Old Town are really a walk into history: Michalská brána (St Michael’s Gate) down Venturska Michalska to Konkatedrála sv Martina (St Martin’s Cathedral); the Rococo Mirbach palace, Pálffy Palace and Primate’s Palace; the bastion-like Bratislavsŷ hrad (Castle) passing the Good Shepherd’s House, the Jewish Quarters to the asymmetrical cable-stayed modern bridge spanning the Dunaj River.

Two prominent squares are featured in the Old Town area: Hlavné Námesti, the main square with Maximillian’s fountain at the heart facing the gabled Town Hall, where we enjoyed a quick cappuccino in Roland’s Art Nouveau Coffee House. Here Marian showed me a model of the Magic Turk, an automated chess-playing invention by Wolfgang von Kempelen in 1770. Kempelen challenged the audiences to play the Turk at chess and almost all were defeated.

The largest square, Hviezdoslavovo Námesti, is lined with restaurants, bars and cafés. The imposing Slovak National Theatre, home to Bratislava’s ballet and opera performances, borders the one end of a tree-lined oblong square. Many organised walking tours, as well as the popular red tram-trolley, depart from the Ganymede Fountain. At the other end of this heart of the city, another sculpture is facing the leafy promenade: Hans Christian Anderson, with all his fairytale-like characters clinging around his body (the drummer boy, the crowned frog, the butterfly)

During the month of December, not even the icy cold nights can dampen the colourful ambience of the Christmas Markets on both squares. You can see they are already preparing to erect the temporary shelters now.

A wide variety of beautiful buildings features commemoration plaques to luminaries such as Bartok, Mozart, List, Hummel and Pálffy. In addition, set into the cobbled stones are numerous brass crowns along the streets.

The coronation way will lead you all the way to the St Martin’s Cathedral, where 11 Hungarian kings were crowned.

When the road was raised and the elevated highway that is separating the Dóm sv Martina, was built, a Jewish cemetery was buried, including the grave of Chatam Sofer, the great scholar and rabbi. Facing a small square between the cathedral and the road, a striking, but very simple wall mural and sculpture commemorates the contribution of the Jewish community towards Slovakia.

As in many European cities, the best way to feel the ambience of the Staro Mesto (Old Town) is to stroll through the meandering narrow cobblestone streets on foot.


While walking on the foil of fallen leaves and pointing to the grotesque gargoyle-like character of a dwarf peeping at passers-by from his tiny bay window at Panská 29,

Marian reminds me:

Always remember to notice the details both on the floor and on the facades of the historic buildings: only then, you will be introduced to the endless stories of this very special city, only some 80 kilometres down the Danube River from Vienna.

Bratislava is packed with museums; a great variety of themes to cater for almost every taste: from wine to music to cars, from dungeons to clocks to archaeology.

In an otherwise very Baroque city, several excellent examples of the Art Nouveau movement are found within the city.

The striking Blue Church (Modrŷ kostolik) was designed by the Hungarian architect, Ödön Lechner in 1907 to commemorate the 700^th anniversary of St Elizabeth, the city’s only well-known saint.

St Alžbeta spent all her time looking after and feeding the poor and needy. It is told that once, when she was taking bread to the ailing poor, her husband, Prince Louis of Thuringa, stopped her and asked to look under her apron to see if she was carrying roses, as she claimed. When he lifted the apron, the bread had been miraculously changed to roses.

On the outskirts of the pedestrianized Old Town you will find: Freedom Square dominated by a huge tulip-like fountain; Slavin, the largest war memorial in Central Europe, located on one of the most prominent sites on a hill above the city; the inverted pyramid-shaped Radio Building; the aggressive, yet daring dynamic architecture of the Slovak National Gallery; and the august engineering New Bridge marvel.

The end of a rather tiring day was celebrated with a culinary experience of note. It has been a long time since a new restaurant in Bratislava has caused such a furore in gastronomic circles as Camouflage has done. Its stylistically pure, minimalist, snow-white interior contrasts with the bright colourful Andy Warhol paintings – all originals! Situated within the walls of the Erdody Palace, it still hides the many secrets and pleasures of the people who once lived under its roof.

The productions of the chef de cuisine, Martin Corbelič, with his full creative freedom, compete with the latest trends in design and presentation. He has worked in various renowned restaurants in France and Vienna and has been presented by the most prestigious Michelin award.

Food is the oldest way to reach an understanding with people, no matter what language they speak. Anyone who is bold enough to enter Camouflage is fully rewarded with a veritable culinary concerto!

Early next morning I was picked up by Marain at the Art Hotel William, a new hotel located above what Bratislava’s first shopping centre was called Central Passage:

Are you ready to taste the soul of Slovakia – the Karpanian Wine Region?

The arc of the Carpanians has its beginning at the northern outskirts of Bratislava, stretching for 100 kilometres into the distance. The southeast facing slopes of the hills below the forested zone are planted with vines; at the foot of the hills, wine-producing villages were established in the Middle Ages.

Surrounded by deeply late autumn-coloured vineyards lies the small town of Saint George (Svätŷ Jur). In addition to its noted wines, this small town is famous for its monastery where beer is brewed.

Have you tasted any of our local Šariš beers? Today most local beers, like Corgoň, Kelt and Zlatŷ Bažant, are produced by Heineken.

Next along the wooded slopes, you will find the beautiful German settlement of Limbach, renowned for its Mueller Thurgau white wines. This road continues to the regional centre of viticulture, Pezinok. Originally, a mining town, it became a vintner’s paradise in the 16 th century.

Modra is some 25 kilometres from the capital and, as with most towns in the region, signs of settlement reach back to around 3000 BC.

The magnificent Red Rock Castle (Červenŷ Kameň) is the best-preserved castle in Slovakia, thanks largely to the Pálffy family who lived here from the 15^th century until the end of World War II, when they were forced to abandon their seat.

A tour around the castle creates a big impression, specifically since it has been restored to its original beauty and was declared a Slovak National Monument in 1990. However, the enormous wine cellar under most part of the castle is used at weekends in high season for various festivals and historical plays.

Just when I thought that Marian might have forgotten to let me sample some of Slovakia’s best wines, he turned towards me and announced:

Now for the highlight of our wine region tour! We are going to visit Vináreň u Ludvika, a wine cellar in one of Modrás beautifully renovated 17^th century basement cellar, serving some 100 different wines of the region to sample!

Other than the well-known cultivars, I was introduced to white wines like Devin, Pálava and Tramin and Slovakia’s bold reds like Alibernet and Frankovka Modrá. When we finally left the wine cellar, it was almost the end of the winter’s day…

Some 15 kilometres south of the city, Danubiana was established in the magical year of 2000, symbolically on the banks of the Danube where three Central European countries – Slovakia, Austria and Hungary – meet. The blue-and-white building, shaped like a Roman galley, is the brainchild of Vincent Polakovič.

This newest Museum of Modern Art, largely funded by a Dutch millionaire, displays the most influential and remarkable representatives of Slovak and international fine art of the 20^th century.

When we finally arrived at Devin Castle, we were just in time to experience the most striking sunset. It is considered a vital part of Slovak history as well as an impressive sight when you arrive: to see the castle rising up on a tall crag above the confluence of the Danube and Morava rivers.

Dating from Roman times, Napoleon’s advancing troops blew up the fortress in 1809. It later became a central symbol of the Slovak National Revival and still today remains a prominent venue for Independence Festivals and concerts.


We left the castle when dusk was turning into darkness. I was booked onto the Twin City Liner, a fast-speed catamaran travelling between Bratislava and Vienna on the Danube.

During the 90-minute cruise, a young pianist was playing some of the local composer, Ernö Dohnányi’s music – almost a tribute to the Velvet Revolution. I could not have asked for a more suitable note to end off two incredible days (all set on a stage of multiple contrasts) I have spent with Marian, my new friend from Slovakia …

Relaxing in my window-seat, with the last colours of a winter’s day painted on the western skyline, I had the opportunity to recollect every moment I have sensed, seen and experienced of the people and their country during my short visit to Slovakia.

Allow you to call over 100 countries worldwide for the cost of a local cell phone call. is a new service that enables you to make international calls from your mobile phone.

The international part of the call is free.

You will be charged at the rate of a local cellular call. Free minutes apply.

You can call these mobile phones

Bangladesh , Bermuda , Brunei , Canada , China , Cyprus , Hong Kong , India , Korea (South) , Laos , Macau , Malaysia , Mauritius , Pakistan , Puerto Rico , Russia , Singapore , Thailand , United States , United States Alaska , United States Hawaii , United States Virgin Islands

You can call these Land lines

Argentina , Australia , Austria , Bahamas , Bahrain , Bangladesh , Belgium , Bermuda , Brazil , Brunei , Bulgaria , Canada , Chile , China , Colombia , Croatia , Cyprus , Czech Republic , Denmark , Dominican Republic , Estonia , Finland , France , French Guiana , Georgia , Germany , Gibraltar , Greece , Hong Kong , Hungary , Iceland , India , Iraq , Ireland , Israel , Italy , Japan , Kazakhstan , Korea(South) , Laos , Latvia , Lithuania , Luxembourg , Macau , Malaysia , Malta , Martinique , Mauritius , Mexico , Monaco , Morocco , Netherlands , New Zealand , Norway , Pakistan , Panama , Paraguay , Peru , Poland , Portugal , Puerto Rico , Romania , Russia , Singapore , Slovakia , Slovenia , Spain , Sweden , Switzerland , Taiwan , Thailand , Turkey , United Kingdom , United States , United States Alaska , United States Hawaii , Uruguay , United States Virgin Islands , Venezuela , Zambia

There are no hidden charges or pit falls. Calls are charged at local cell phone rates.

Contact johann@etniquetravel.co.za for more information

SPECIALS

Joburg to London - Midweek Special
R 7 520-00 inclusive of taxes and transaction fees
Tickets to be bought and issued by 12 February
Travel period: 17 Jan – 23 Feb, 01 Mar – 06 Apr, 26 Apr – 20 Jun
Subject to availability
Minimum stay - 3 Days
Maximum stay - 12 Months
Stopovers - N/A
Changes - Charge ZAR1300
Refunds - No Refund
Child pays - 75%
Infant w/o seat pays - 10%

Joburg to London - Weekend Special
R 7 740-00 inclusive of taxes and transaction fees
Tickets to be bought and issued by 12 February
Travel period: 17 Jan – 23 Feb, 01 Mar – 06 Apr, 26 Apr – 20 Jun
Subject to availability
Minimum stay - 3 Days
Maximum stay - 12 Months
Stopovers - N/A
Changes - Charge ZAR1300
Refunds - No Refund
Child pays - 75%
Infant w/o seat pays - 10%

Cape Town to London - Midweek Special
R 8 424-00 inclusive of taxes and transaction fees
Tickets to be bought and issued by 12 February
Travel period: 17 Jan – 23 Feb, 01 Mar – 06 Apr, 26 Apr – 20 Jun
Subject to availability
Minimum stay - 3 Days
Maximum stay - 12 Months
Stopovers - N/A
Changes - Charge ZAR1300
Refunds - No Refund
Child pays - 75%
Infant w/o seat pays - 10%

Cape Town to London - Weekend Special
R 8 634-00 inclusive of taxes and transaction fees
Tickets to be bought and issued by 12 February
Travel period: 17 Jan – 23 Feb, 01 Mar – 06 Apr, 26 Apr – 20 Jun
Subject to availability
Minimum stay - 3 Days
Maximum stay - 12 Months
Stopovers - N/A

Please feel free to send us an email or note describing your experience with our Agency, and sharing your travel encounters with our readers, and ourselves.

Go on, join our previous letter writers and share your thoughts with all! - info@etniquetravel.co.za

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Dear Johann

The UFS Business School has been using the services of Sure Etnique Travel since 2002. Sure Etnique Travel offers outstanding professional travel services with a personal touch. All the official travel arrangements, are done through Etnique. They were also responsible for all the MBA study tours since the inception of the tours in 2003, amongst others to Germany, France, Italy, India and Japan.

Since 2002, I have also used Sure Etnique Travel in my personal capacity. The consultants are professional and experienced in the travel industry, leaving no stone unturned to assist.

Sure Etnique Travel is highly recommended for any travel advice and services required.

PROF HELENA VAN ZYL
DIRECTOR : UFS BUSINESS SCHOOL

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DEAR ETNIQUE CONSULTANTS

It is a privilege for the Central University of Technology to have Sure Etnique Travel as on of our preferred travel agents.

They are one of our best and committed agents, and we have been doing business with them for many years.

Their service is excellent, friendly and prompt - it is a pleasure to work with Sure Etnique Travel.

Z PRINSLOO
PROCUREMENT MANAGER
CUT

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DEAR MELANIE & LIZELLE

Our executives travel extensively as they have tight deadlines for meetings and scheduled appointments across the globe. With ever-changing travel plans, we expect our travel agent to be available and on standby at ALL times. Sure Etnique Travel really goes the extra mile for us. We know that we can contact them at any time to help us with our travel arrangements.

The personnel from Sure Etnique Travel always accommodates our many reservations in a professional (and always friendly) way.

CHARLENE VAN BILJON
OFFICE MANAGER
RAUBEX CONSTRUCTION

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DEAR ETNIQUE

We would like to take this opportunity to THANK YOU for supporting us in 2010 with EXCELLENT and ALWAYS only an e-mail / phone call away ASSISTANCE. And then the AFTER HOURS ASSISTANCE which Sanyati used several times. We cannot but rate your after hour assistance TEN out of TEN! We look forward to be working with your GREAT Team in 2011.

Best wishes from the Sanyati Team

Corné Nel
PA to Directors of SANYATI Central

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HI TESSA

Melissa and I would just like to thank you for this wonderful holiday you organised for us, it was an amazing experience and worth every effort and stress and everything!!!!

I can’t wait to come see you and tell you all the news!!!! I will contact you later in the week to schedule an appointment or something so that we can chat, (and maybe throw some ideas around for our next trip hehehe)

The bug has bitten me badly.

In short, everything on this trip was amazing, every place that we visit is just prettier and more breathtaking than the previous!!!!

Kind Regards,
Etienne de Beer (QS)

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DEAR ETNIQUE TEAM

It’s been a year, that I have personally worked with your team and each month you have outdone yourselves with excellent service!

Sure Etnique Travel has delivered this high standard of service to CRC for the last 8 years and therefore established a relationship of trust.

On behalf of our Executive office at CRC, we would like to firstly congratulate you on your performance in assisting a very challenging client like ourselves, with the many changes and “all hour” requests, we so frequently lay at your door! We salute your prompt response to our demanding requests!

Secondly we’d like to thank you for the manner in which each member of your team always assists us with a helpful and friendly attitude! Thank you for your professional service delivery!

It’s an honour and a pleasure working with you!

SUMARA ROSS
CRC BLOEMFONTEIN & PRETORIA

Shopping Festival Specials!!

Afriqiyah Airways (8U) Airfares specials

48kg baggage allowance Economy class!

Jo’burg – Dubai – Jo’burg
Economy class: R3,875.00 per person taxes included
Buy 2 adult tickets and child (2-12 years) fly for free, only pay for child airport taxes

Business class: Total ZAR25,375.00per person taxes included
Buy 1 business class ticket and 2^nd accompanying pax only pays 50% of the fare plus airport taxes!!

Afriqiyah Airways (8U) Flights to DXB connect on Tuesdays and return on Fridays
Terms & Conditions Apply, valid 15 Jan – 31 Mar 2011, subject to class availability

This year eXplore Plus offers extremely exiting GROUP DEPATURES to a couple of our destinations. We trust you & your clients (individuals & groups) will enjoy them and look forward of being of service to you.

Thank you for your support!

2011 GROUP DEPARTURES

SERENGETI - Wildebeest Migration Safari

R19 573 pps
Group 1: 30 Apr - 7 May (4 places available)
Group 2: 8 - 15 May (13 places available)
Group 3: 15 - 22 May (1 place available)
Group 4: 21 - 28 May (2 places available)
Group 5: 22 - 29 May (1 place available)
Group 6: 28 May - 03 Jun (8 places available)

INCLUDED: Return airfare with Kenya Airways from Jhb to Kilimanjaro airport / Airport taxes / Meet and greet at the airport / Return airport transfers / 2 nights acc at Mountain Village Serena Lodge in Arusha (first & last night) (Breakfast) / 1 night acc Lake Manyara Serena Lodge (Full Board) / Afternoon game drive in the park / 3 nights Serengeti Serena Lodge (Full board) / Morning & afternoon game drives (or full day game drive) in Serengeti / 1 night Ngorongoro Serena Lodge (Full Board) / Half day crater tour / 4x4 stretched vehicles / unlimited game drives during safari / Professional and knowledgeable English speaking driver guide / All national Park entrance fees / Half litre of water pp per day during game drives / Travel information pack / Free postage of travel documents.

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KENYA - Wildebeest Migration Safari

from R18 110 pps
Group 1: 6 - 11 Aug (18 places available)
Group 2: 13 - 18 Aug (18 places available)
Group 3: 20 - 25 Aug (16 places available)
Group 4: 27 Aug - 1 Sept (18 places available)

INCLUDED: Return airfare with Kenya Airways from Jhb to Nairobi / Airport taxes / Meet and greet at the airport / Return airport transfers / 1 nights acc at Sarova Panafric Hotel in Nairobi (Breakfast & Dinner) / Afternoon game drive in Lake Nakuru NP / 1 night acc at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge (Full Board) / 3 nights acc in Masai Mara NP at Sarova Mara Game Camp (Full Board) / Morning and afternoon game drives (or full day game drive) / Lunch on last day at Karen Blixen Coffee Garden, Transfer to airport / 4x4 stretched vehicles / unlimited game drives during safari / Professional and knowledgeable English speaking driver guide / All National Park entrance fees / Half litre of water pp per day during game drives / Travel information pack / Free postage of travel documents.

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EGYPT - Cairo / Nile Cruise / Abu Simbel

R22 545 pps
Valid for departure: 22 Apr - 1 May 11 (24 places available)

INCLUDED: Return airfare with Egypt Air from Jnb to Cairo / Airport taxes / Return airport transfers / Tour to visit the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx / 3 nights acc in Cairo at Ramses Hilton Hotel (Full Board) / Full day Cairo Tour / Domestic flight to Luxor / Meet at airport and tranfer to Nile cruise boat / 4 nights on Tiyi Cruiser (Full Board) / Day excursions / Transfer to Abu Simbel / visit temples of Abu Simbel / 1 night acc in Aswan at Basma Hotel (Breakfast & Dinner) / Visit Daraw / tranfer to airport / All entrance fees to sites on itinerary / Air-conditioned vehicles with English speaking guide / Travel information pack / Free postage of travel documents.

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MADAGASCAR - Lemurs & Whale watching

R18 597 pps
Valid for departure: 17 - 27 Sept 2011 (14 places available)

INCLUDED: Return airfare with Air Madagascar from Jhb to Antananarivo airport / Airport taxes / Return road transfer from airport / 2 nights acc in Antananarivo at Palissandre Hotel & Spa (first & last night) (Breakfast) / Visit the Mandraka Nature Farm / Visit small lemur island / Evening walk to look for nocturnal lemurs, reptiles & insects / 2 nights acc at Vakona Forest Lodge (Breakfast & Dinner) / Visit Perinet Reserve / 1 night acc Palmarium Hotel (Breakfast & Dinner) / Boat transfer to Tamatave / Domestic flight to Ile Sainte Marie / 4 nights acc at Princesse Bora Lodge & Spa (Breakfast & Dinner) / 2 x Whale-watching excursions / Flight to Antananarivo / Travel Information pack / Free postage of travel documents.

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KILIMANJARO

R14 837 pps
Valid for departure: 16 - 24 Jul 2011 (12 places available)

INCLUDED: Return airfare with Precision Air from Jhb to Kilimanjaro airport / Airport taxes / Return airport transfers / 2 nights acc in Moshi at Springlands Hotel (Breakfast) / Briefing regarding safety and general aspects of the climb / Tranfer to park gate / 5 nights hiking on mount Kilimanjaro (Machame Route) / National Park, camping & hut fees / Government tourist taxes / Rescue fees (excl evacuation by helicopter) / Qualified English speaking guide (registered with the Natinal Parks Board) / Assistand guides, cook & porters / Salaries for your mountain crew / All meals on the mountain / Camping equipment / Portable oxygen for emergencies / Summit certificates / Travel Information pack.

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THAILAND

Price - to be confirmed
Departure date: October 2011

INCLUDED: All info will be available SOON.

Terms & conditions apply

The eXplore Plus Team specialises in the following destinations:
TANZANIA ISLANDS	Zanzibar / Pemba / Mafia / Chumbe / Mnemba / Chapwani & Bawe
TANZANIA SAFARIS	Serengeti / Ngorongoro Crater / Lake Manyara, etc.
KILIMANJARO	Machame / Marangu / Lemosho / Umbwe / Rongai - routes
KENYA	Mombasa / Malindi / Safaris
THAILAND	Phuket / Samui / Phi Phi Islands / Lanta Islands / Krabi & Bangkok
EGYPT	Cairo / Nile Cruises / Luxor / Aswan / Red Sea diving
MAURITIUS	& Rodriquez Island
LAKE MALAWI	Mumbo Island
VIC FALLS	Zambia & Zimbabwe sides
MADAGASCAR	Nosy Be Island / Sainte Marie / Antanarivo / Perinet / Morondava
MOZAMBIQUE	Bazaruto / Benguerra / Quirimbas & Coastal Areas
WEDDINGS	Zanzibar / Mauritius / Thailand Weddings

Tel: 051 406 2500
Fax: 051 4363793
info@etniquetravel.co.za


The Travel Tower • BaysVillage Centre • Milner Road • Bloemfontein - Tel: +27 51 406 2500 • Fax: +27 51 436 3793 info@etniquetravel.co.za • www.etniquetravel.co.za