Where to go for your autumn adventure
Autumn travel is for colour, culture and smaller crowds – as these six destinations prove. When Britain’s summertime ebbs away to autumn,
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The area has a sub-tropical climate and the days are warm all year round. The city has a mixed ethnic population and is home to South Africa’s largest concentration of Indian-descended peoples. The oceanfront parade is known as the Golden Mile and is Durban’s main focal point, with many bars and restaurants in the surrounding shopping malls and hotels.
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An exhilarating walk through the streets, alleys and arcades of Durban is the best way to discover the art deco architecture and cultural diversity of this buzzing city. The starting point is the iconic Moses Mabhida stadium, the latest and most striking addition to Durban’s skyline. From here, board a city bus and head to some of the city’s remarkable historical sites and explore the rich cultural diversity of the city. The latter is epitomised by the fact that the largest mosque in the southern hemisphere is across the road from Durban's only cathedral. Engage with the city's Indian history, stopping to smell the vivid spices at the Victoria Street market. Marvel at the variety of wares in the lively commotion of Warwick Junction – the commuter hub where you will stop off for a traditional Durban lunch of ‘bunny chow’. The final part of the tour will see you cross Durban's main street and board a local minibus taxi to take in some more of the city.
Start your tour in the centre with a stop at the Markets of Warwick to pick up fresh ingredients for your home-cooked lunch later on. Head out of the city, taking in the picturesque scenery of the lush 'valley of 1,000 hills' along the way. Descend into iSithumba to meet a local guide who will take you on a walk through the village to learn about the legend behind the surrounding rocks. In the village you will visit a traditional healer, a local chief, and engage with Zulu traditional customs first-hand. End the tour by sharing a home-cooked meal with a local family in their rondavel or under the trees outside.
Experience the exciting and diverse city of Durban through the eyes of a local. Visit the oldest standing house in the city, embrace the hustle and bustle of the markets at Warwick Triangle and taste the local lunchtime delicacy known as 'bunny chow'. Set off from the Berea area of the city, learning about Durban’s origins along the way, before taking in the skyline from a favourite lookout point. Continue to the commuter hub of Warwick Triangle and immerse yourself in the vibrant diversity of the Victoria, muti and early morning markets. Engage with citizens as you explore arcades across the city, and educate your palate with a true testament of Durban's Indian culinary heritage, 'bunny chow', a hollowed out loaf of bread filled with curry. Finally, visit the historic city centre, including the city hall and the inner-city gardens, followed by a scenic drive along Durban's harbour, Africa's busiest port.
Combine the best of both the city centre with the township areas. Learn about the city's colonial heritage with a visit to the Elephant House, the oldest home in the city. Enjoy a panoramic view from the Gecko Moon lookout point before proceeding to the lower inner city, including the fascinating cultural and culinary heritage on show at Warwick market. Explore KwaMashu and Inanda to pay respects to leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. John Dube, and stand on the site where Nelson Mandela voted in South Africa's first democratic elections. Spend some time in the company of local people outside a spaza shop before having a shisanyama lunch at a traditional tavern. At the end of the tour, visit a family home to get a personal feel for the township way of life. Both the city tour and the township tours can be taken separately.
The term 'shebeen' was originally associated with illicit bars where alcohol was sold without a licence. In South Africa in particular they are a real institution: they became famous as an alternative to legal bars and pubs which, under the apartheid regime, black South Africans were not allowed to enter. In those days shebeens would be operated from the back of someone's house and would serve home-distilled alcohol. They were seen as places to get together, discuss politics, hold discussions and generally have a good time. Take a tour of some of these establishments, which today operate like a normal bar, albeit possessing their own unique township flavour.
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