2010 is coming!

It's now 2008 and in two, probably very quick years, the World Cup will be nearly upon us. Think back to 2006, the last one in Germany - it doesn't seem that long ago does it? Our message this month is, start planning now!

We're not saying you've got to book your hotels and flights - I don't think you even can - what I'm saying is start looking at where you're going to want to go when you get here.

South Africa has so much more to offer the visitor than the football World Cup. Don't get me wrong, in 2010 it will pretty much be the only thing on my mind, but if you are coming, we're strongly advising you to take a couple of weeks out either side of the event, to visit some of the most beautiful and wondrous places in the World.

You have the absolutely amazing Garden Route, the beautiful spectacle which is the Mother City, Cape Town, the heat and proximity to the wild in Durban and so much more in South Africa alone, without even mentioning the neighbouring countries, that it would take us a long long time to list them all right now.

Our point is, it's not just the football that you're coming for. It might be the number one reason but you'd be mad to pass up this opportunity to explore a little when you are here.

Come back again later this month when we'll be adding some of our favourite destinations and a forum, where you'll be able to ask all the questions you may want to ask about visiting South Africa, the World Cup in 2010 or pretty much anything you'd like.

Viva South Africa.

Websites well worth a visit if you're planning a trip (all open in a new window):

• Wikipedia page on South Africa - lots of general information on South Africa with links to neighbouring countries
• South Africa Tourism Site - great site for planning with lots of links and loads of information
• Lonely Planet Guide to South Africa - loads of the basics, but well worth a visit

The above sites are not definitive but are a great starting point and from them you'll create your own list. Maybe you'll come back in a few weeks and tell us what you've got when we open up our forum for people wanting to travel to South Africa in 2010.