Called a world in just one country by some people, South Africa offers a wide range of delights. From Johannesburg's northern jumble (built on gold mines) to Cape Town's sophistication, there's a lot to see here. While South Africa was once regarded as a place to avoid, due to the existence of apartheid, this has not been the case since the middle of the 1990s. Since this time, the beauty that South Africa has to offer has really been revealed. This colorful nation includes many different cultures and attractions that visitors will be happy to enjoy.

Now, the sunny beauty of South Africa is drawing in droves of tourists. The Western Cape is probably the most popular, featuring incredible mountain vistas, wine production, wonderful beaches and excellent scenic views. However, the Republic of South Africa has more than just this area to offer. It's surrounded by the ocean on three sides, so there are all kinds of clean, beautiful beaches.

You'll have the chance to visit townships, game reserves and tribal villages, as well as staying in luxury hotels, visiting theme parks and enjoying great shopping. Dining is fantastic in South Africa, too. You can breakfast in a deli that seems straight out of New York City, take your lunch in a traditional shebeen, have your cocktails on the deck of a cruise boat at sunset, and finish with dinner in one of the area's finest British restaurants, a relic of the colonial period.

In addition to the country's great cultural diversity, there's also an incredible wealth of animal and plant life. The climate varies from snow capped peaks to desert, and includes swamps and wetlands, grasslands and forest as well. The country has been the source of many of our most influential fossils, and you'll find many different historical attractions, too.