If you live in Johannesburg or Pretoria, you don’t have to venture far to have a blast! There are plenty of destinations in Gauteng that are perfect for a day trip with friends and family. Here are our top picks of the best day trips from Johannesburg. Dinokeng Nature Reserve Drive time: 1hr 30 min A massively popular Big 5 game reserve, Dinokeng is open for self-driving day visitors at R250 per vehicle (excluding a R100 conservation fee). Visitors can look forward to seeing abundant game, or even attending special events like cheetah collaring operations. The reserve has ample bird hides, pi ..read more

For all the delusional girls well-acquainted with “Girl Math”, and those trying to understand their genius logic when it comes to travel. It’s no secret that travelling is expensive. Facing buyer’s remorse? Don’t worry, “Girl Travel Math” is here to justify all your travel expenses, no matter how extravagant or small. The cardinal rule of Girl Travel Math is: money comes back, memories don’t.  In girl-world, travelling fixes everything, so it makes complete sense to book a last-minute trip after the smallest inconvenience. After all, how can you heal from life’s curve balls without a spo ..read more

Thailand is not just a backpacker’s haven or a budget-friendly family holiday destination. It’s also a lush, tropical country that offers luxury and comfort on every level. If you find yourself not having budget restraints, here’s where to play, where to stay and how to experience the very best of Thailand. Find flights to Thailand Things to Do in Thailand Find lesser-known beaches: Thailand’s beaches are popular for good reason and the famous spots can become extremely crowded, especially since Thailand’s “peak season” seems to have become year-round. So, do some research and visit smaller ..read more

Summer holidays mean waking up to the sound of crashing waves. They mean losing track of time, afternoon naps in palm-tree-strung hammocks, coconut drinks and unreal sunsets. Start planning your next getaway to these dream travel destinations. Get great deals on flights and accommodation when you book in advance with Travelstart. 1.   Magical Mauritius Nowhere else can beat Mauritius in terms of value, proximity (just a  4-hour flight from Joburg) and family-friendliness. Choose from boutique romantic hideaways and great value, family-friendly resorts which will keep the kids o ..read more

We’ve set out to make your travel dreams come true by helping you to see the world, one fantastic destination at a time. Here are some of our top ultimate dreamy destinations… Explore Romantic Réunion Island Image Credit: The O’Connells Picture this: you’re floating along crystal clear waters, with brightly coloured fish and beautiful fields of coral occasionally breaking up the clean white sands beneath your glass-bottomed kayak. On the shore behind you, endless spotless beaches stretch as far as the eye can see before giving way to vibrant cities, then lush tropical jungles, and finally ep ..read more

Go behind the scenes and take a look at this selection of locations that provided the settings to create the world of Star Wars! After discovering these filming locations, you might want to catch up on all the Star Wars movies! Pick a destination and let your wanderlust begin! Sidi Bouhlel, Tunisia – Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace Image credit: @filippoarosio via Instagram Here’s the first of the 9 incredible Star Wars film locations! This ravine near Tozeur provided The Phantom Menace’s wide-angle scenes for the pod race. Explore the area and recall the intense battle that left onl ..read more

Most foodies would agree that a little fine dining goes a long way, but there’s also nothing quite like tucking into hot, generous helpings of freshly prepared street food. Call it soul food if you will! We round-up the best street food in the world, from the weird to the wonderful. Thai street food When travelling to Thailand, street food sampling is mandatory. One of the most famed of roadside delicacies, Phad Thai may just change your life. There’s something about the combination of crispy tofu, egg, noodles, peanuts, bean sprouts and shallots blended in perfect symphony with a perfectly ta ..read more

Cape Town is arguably the best city on earth, and for many reasons. One of them is that you can have a blast with a massive budget, but also with a tight budget! You don’t need to be ballin’ to enjoy the Mother City. Here are 10 things to do in Cape Town for under R200. 1. Get ice cream and walk on the Sea Point promenade We all scream for ice cream, especially from the Creamery in Mouille Point. Grab a scoop of your favourite indulgent flavour, and go for a stroll – sunset is a particularly glorious time for a walk on the prom! Cost: From R47 per scoop 2. Take the train to Kalk Bay Credit: P ..read more

Thailand is not just a backpacker’s haven or a budget-friendly family holiday destination. It’s also a lush, tropical country that offers luxury and comfort on every level. If you find yourself not having budget restraints, here’s where to play, where to stay and how to experience the very best of Thailand. Find flights to Thailand Things to Do in Thailand Find lesser-known beaches: Thailand’s beaches are popular for good reason and the famous spots can become extremely crowded, especially since Thailand’s “peak season” seems to have become year-round. So, do some research and visit smaller ..read more

Summer holidays mean waking up to the sound of crashing waves. They mean losing track of time, afternoon naps in palm-tree-strung hammocks, coconut drinks and unreal sunsets. Start planning your next getaway to these dream travel destinations. Get great deals on flights and accommodation when you book in advance with Travelstart. 1.   Magical Mauritius Nowhere else can beat Mauritius in terms of value, proximity (just a  4-hour flight from Joburg) and family-friendliness. Choose from boutique romantic hideaways and great value, family-friendly resorts which will keep the kids o ..read more