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| DESCRIPTION Discover the arts, crafts, people, wild game parks and scenic beauty of South Africa. Observe traditional crafts like basket weaving, pottery, woodcarving and beading which have been handed down through families for generations. Visit incredible World Heritage Sites with specialized guides. Tour fascinating museums and galleries and take exclusive tours of private homes. Meet contemporary artists in their studios. Travel in townships and villages to meet the local people. In addition to the wonderful arts and crafts, learn about various cultures in South Africa as we stay in rural, tribal and urban areas. Also gain an understanding of the history and political developments that have shaped this country from the San-Bushman to the early colonial settlers and the miracle of the present Mandela / Mbeki era, making South Africa one of the newest democracies in the world. Experience the magnificent coastline of both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, spectacular scenery and diverse architecture from tranquil game park bushveld, rolling hills and thatched rondavels, to rugged mountain peaks, colorful township homes, colonial buildings and homesteads in wonderful gardens. |
Join us for a trip of a lifetime!
Photos (clockwise from top left): Wonderboy Nxumalo from Ardmore Ceramic Art Studio
(photo by Anthony Bannister), elephant in Hluhluwe game reserve,
basket by Beauty Ngxongo, historic Nova Constantia Estate
Photos below: Ardmore teapot made by Constance and painted by Rose,
wood crocodile by a craftsman in KwaZulu-Natal
| ITINERARY (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) Day 1 – Monday, August 1 Fly to South Africa; overnight on the plane Our accommodations in Johannesburg will be the Protea Hotel Wanderers. Day 2 – Tuesday, August 2 Johannesburg, Gauteng province (B, L, D) Arrive in Johannesburg and transfer to our lovely upmarket hotel in the northern suburbs where we stay for the next four nights. Welcome dinner with introductions and overview of the trip. Day 3 – Wednesday, August 3 Johannesburg (B, L) Start with an orientation coach tour of cosmopolitan Joburg ( as it's known ), the economic hub of the southern African region and the city with 6 million trees! Experience the contrasts of the famous metropolis of Soweto (South West Township), quiet leafy suburbs and the revitalized Newtown Cultural Precinct. Visit a selection of the best art galleries and markets for contemporary and tribal arts, crafts and artifacts from all over the African continent. Day 4 – Thursday, August 4 Johannesburg (B, L) Travel through the countryside to the Cradle of Humankind, a World Heritage Site. Our specialized guide will introduce us to ancient evidence of past cultures and the evolution of humans. See archeological excavations and dolomite caves containing fossilized remains dating back millions of years. While pondering about our origins, have lunch as we enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding savannah bushveld. Day 5 – Friday, August 5 Winterveld, Northwest Province (B, L, D) Travel to the Winterveld outside Pretoria to meet the women from the highly successful Mapula embroidery project and enjoy their vibrant, colorful cloths. Continue to the Ndebele cultural village to see the striking, geometric wall-paintings and beadwork for which the Ndebele women have become known for and gain insight into Ndebele life and art. Our accommodations in the Drakensburg will be Didima. Day 6 – Saturday, August 6 Drakensburg, KwaZulu-Natal (B, L, D) Depart for KwaZulu-Natal towards the foothills of the scenic Champagne Valley in the Drakensburg mountain range and the world renowned Ardmore Ceramic Studio. Meet the artists and admire their intricately detailed work. Visit the Bonnie Ntshalishali Museum which commemorates the first famous Ardmore artist and displays the fascinating history of Ardmore. Continue to our luxury thatched chalets at Didima which is themed around the art of the San people, where we will also visit the San Rock Art Centre. Our accommodations in Durban will be the Quarters Hotel. Day 7 – Sunday, August 7 Durban, KwaZulu-Natal (B, L) After breakfast, drive via Howick to the city of Durban on the coast of the warm Indian Ocean. In the afternoon enjoy an orientation tour of Durban city center and suburbs to get a sense of the African, Asian and European cultures that shape this vibrant city. Our hotel for the next three nights is a beautifully restored Victorian building conveniently situated near restaurants and shops. Day 8 – Monday, August 8 Durban (B, L) Visit the Killie Campbell Museum for an informative guide through this gracious colonial home in a residential suburb, now a museum with a superb collection of local African art and cultural items. Our next stop is the African Art Centre for baskets, wood carvings, textiles, beadwork and art-prints. Explore the bustling Indian Market with its many spices, textiles and handcrafts and enjoy a tour of an Indian temple. Day 9 – Tuesday, August 9 Durban (B, L, D) Take a guided tour of the national Durban Art Gallery to view contemporary South African art in a beautiful Edwardian building. At the B.A.T. Center, located alongside the yacht club in the Durban harbor, visit several art and craft galleries plus artists in their studios. Visit the home and studio of a well-known local artist for an exclusive talk. Our accommodations in Zululand will be the Ubizane Tree Lodge. Day 10 – Wednesday, August 10 Zululand, KwaZulu-Natal (B, L, D) Departing Durban we proceed north over the Tugela River past sugarcane fields along the subtropical Zululand coast. Stop at Eshowe to see the unique Vukani Museum, a purpose-designed building housing a wonderful collection of Zulu arts and crafts. We make our way to the serene Ubizane Wildlife Reserve set in a fever tree forest next to Hluhluwe Game Reserve. Day 11 – Thursday, August 11 Zululand (B, L, D) Relax, enjoy leisurely walks, take a river boat cruise or a game drive to discover the Big Five (elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, buffalo) and many birds and other animals at Hluhluwe Game Reserve. In the evening experience the thrill of driving in an open game-viewing vehicle to spot nocturnal animals. Our accommodations on Friday night will be at Shakaland. Day 12 – Friday, August 12 Zululand (B, L, D) After an early morning game drive or wilderness walk, we continue to Ilala Weavers to see a large selection of finely woven Zulu baskets. Stop at a rural open air market for all kinds of hand crafted goods and tropical fruit. Travel to Shakaland for an enriching experience with the proud Zulu people and their culture including traditional dances, food, music and an isangoma (diviner). Our accommodations in Stellenbosch will be the D'Ouwe Werf hotel. Day 13 – Sat., Aug. 13 Stellenbosch, Western Cape province (B, L) Return to Durban Airport for our flight to Cape Town in the afternoon. We stay in the cultured university town of Stellenbosch with its meticulously restored early Cape architecture, streets lined with old oak trees and enchanting shops, galleries and restaurants. Day 14 – Sunday, August 14 Stellenbosch (B, L) Tour the beautiful winelands and historic towns of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek, with grand homesteads in fertile valleys surrounded by magnificent mountains. Indulge in a wine tasting at a renowned wine estate. A guided walking tour of Stellenbosch connects us to its history and heritage and afterwards there will be free time to explore the town on your own. Our accommodations in Cape Town will be The Commodore hotel. Day 15 – Monday, August 15 Cape Town (B, L) Drive to Cape Town for an all day tour of downtown Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula including a drive through Hout Bay and the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve to Cape Point. View African penguins along the coast and stop at Kalk Bay to explore antique, arts, crafts and book shops. Our hotel is ideally situated in the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront in Table Bay amongst a large shopping and entertainment complex where we'll stay for the next four nights. Day 16 – Tuesday, August 16 Cape Town (B, L, D) Visit a successful township empowerment project creating innovative items which are a fusion of traditional craft techniques with contemporary resources. Our next stop is the colorful Bo-Kaap Malay Quarter. Wander along cobblestone lanes and see brightly painted 18th century flat-roofed homes and enjoy a traditional meal. We continue on to take an exclusive tour of the privately owned Cape Dutch home and art and furniture collection of the historic Nova Constantia Estate where we will also enjoy a meal. Day 17 – Wednesday, August 17 Cape Town (B, D) Free day to relax, shop or take optional tours such as Robben Island, Whalewatching, Table Mountain cable car, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, golfing or hiking. Our farewell dinner together celebrates our wonderful African adventure. Day 18 – Thursday, August 18 Cape Town (B) Transfer from hotel to Cape Town Airport to depart for home. Overnight on the plane. Day 19 – Friday, August 19 Arrive home The itinerary is carefully planned but it may be necessary to make some minor changes to take advantage of new travel opportunities. PLEASE NOTE : South Africa's infrastructure is excellent. Roads are in good condition and hotels are world class. The water is safe to drink and the food is superb! The exchange rate is favorable for U.S. dollars. ATM machines are widely available. |
| COORDINATORS Nancy Crow Nancy is an artist. Nancy has been creating contemporary quilts for 25 years and maintains a large studio on her farm east of Columbus, Ohio. Her work has appeared on the covers of two of Maya Angelou’s books and is in the collections of the Museum of Arts & Design, Smithsonian American Art Museum, and The Museum of American Folk Art. She teaches worldwide and offers in-depth workshops on her farm in a recently renovated 1884 timber frame barn. Nancy was named a Fellow of the American Craft Council. Odette Tolksdorf Odette has a long abiding passion for arts and crafts and the people who create them and is enthusiastic about promoting the vibrant work being made in South Africa today. Her childhood was spent in Australia and she has lived in Namibia and in four of South Africa's provinces. Odette now lives in Durban and has travelled widely in South Africa and organized tours focusing on arts, crafts and culture. She is a graduate in graphic design and has been making art quilts and teaching for 20 years, which has taken her to many parts of southern Africa and other parts of the world including six visits to the USA. Jurgen Tolksdorf Jurgen is a keen bird-watcher, photographer, woodworker, nature-lover and philosopher. He grew up in Germany and Namibia and has travelled in many parts of southern Africa learning about the landscape, animals, plants and people of each place he visits. Jurgen came to Durban in 1982 to lecture in Optometry at the University of Durban-Westville. He taught there for 9 years before returning to private practice which he continues today on a part-time basis. Nathaniel Stitzlein Nathaniel is an artist who works with Nancy Crow on coordinating art trips to France, Mexico, South Africa, and Guatemala. They also work together to produce art workshops at the Crow Timber Frame Barn. Prior to organizing tours and classes, he was an admissions counselor for The Ohio State University. In addition, he studied ceramics in South Africa for a year and is a free-lance graphic designer. |
