Around the World: Arderne Gardens

Cape Town, South Africa

This garden has been well-loved by South Africans for nearly 200 years. It began as a private residence in the 1840s. Ralph Henry Arderne was a timber merchant living in the area and his unique position allowed him to acquire dozens of exotic seeds. On his land he built a house known as “The Hill.”

Garden of Champions

Gardens on the estate became a favorite spot for local residents to stroll and enjoy nature. When Arderne died in 1917, the property was divided and The Hill was demolished. Eventually the city government purchased the land and continued to make this place a relaxing spot to enjoy nature.

Today, the park is known for its trees, of which there are over 300; a koi pond, and the sprawling green lawns. Six of the trees have been designated as Champion Trees, meaning they are the largest tree of a species based on trunk circumference, height, and average crown spread. The Moreton Bay Fig is one of the largest trees in the country. The Arderne Gardens are popular for weddings, leisure seekers, and botany enthusiasts.

Moreton Bay Fig - a Champion Tree of Arderne Gardens. Photo Credit: By Marie Frei - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=42543661
Moreton Bay Fig – a Champion Tree of Arderne Gardens. Photo Credit: By Marie Frei – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=42543661

How to Get There

By car from Cape Town, it’s only 12.4 km south. To fly to Cape Town, we’re partnered with over 90 airlines, so no matter their city of departure, we can get your clients there. As a top airfare consolidator, Sky Bird Travel has the lowest net fares to South Africa. Call or email us today to get started!

 

Are your clients looking for something off the beaten path? Are they not interested in tourist traps? Stay tuned for our Around the World series. Several times a week, we share interesting things to do in exotic places. Give your clients a new experience in old places!

 

 

Around the World: Dar al-Makhzen

Rabat, Morocco

For over a thousand years, sultans and kings have maintained a palace in Rabat, the nation’s capital. The current palace was built in 1864. The sultan chose the French architects Louis-Paul Pertuzio and Félix-Joseph Pertuzio to design the palace.

A City Within a City

In addition to housing the royal family, there are other buildings situation on the complex as well including: a small mosque, a mechouar for public ceremonies, living space for the royal family and Moroccan Royal Guard, a college, a cooking school, and a library.

Tour the palace for an up-close look at Moroccan history. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in the Morocco of centuries past and the Morocco that’s adapting to the 21st century. Don’t miss the Arabic motifs and local horticulture when exploring the extensive gardens.

Front of Royal Palace. Photo Credit: By Bernard Gagnon - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5392259
Front of Royal Palace. Photo Credit: By Bernard Gagnon – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5392259

How to Get There

Dar al-Makhzen is located in the city proper of Rabat.  To fly to Morocco, we’re partnered with over 90 airlines, so no matter their city of departure, we can get your clients there. As a top airfare consolidator, Sky Bird Travel has the lowest net fares to Morocco. Call or email us today to get started!

 

Are your clients looking for something off the beaten path? Are they not interested in tourist traps? Stay tuned for our Around the World series. Several times a week, we share interesting things to do in exotic places. Give your clients a new experience in old places!

 

 

 

Around the World: Nyatapola Temple

Kathmandu, Nepal 

This impressive structure was constructed quickly – only a five-month period from 1701-1702. It is dedicated to the goddess of prosperity, Siddha Laxmi, and located in Bhaktapur – about 40 minutes outside of Kathmandu.  The name means “City of Devotees” and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site which includes buildings of cultural and natural value.

The Nyatapola Temple is considered one of the tallest pagodas in the country – standing at over 30 meters high. The temple is so structurally sound that it managed to survive a 8.3 magnitude earthquake in 1934.

Front of Nyatapola Temple. By Varuna 20001 - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8875114
Front of Nyatapola Temple. Photo Credit: By Varuna 20001 – Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8875114

Religious Figures

While the temple is primarily dedicated to Siddha Laxmi, there are other religious figures in the temple architecture as well, mostly those that pertain to the legend surrounding it.

The legend goes that an angry god, Bhairab, was causing destruction. To counteract this, Parvati the goddess took the form of Siddha Laxmi and carried Bhairab away. The king ordered a temple with guardians be built on the site. Guardians included two elephants, two lions, two griffons, and a tiger and lion goddesses. According to tradition, Laxmi’s image is kept hidden within the temple and only priests are allowed to see it.

Idol Sardul in front fo Nyatapola Temple. Photo Credit: By Krish Dulal - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28681449
Idol Sardul in front fo Nyatapola Temple. Photo Credit: By Krish Dulal – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28681449

Visiting

Climbing the steps of the temple affords visitors an up-close look at traditional Nepalese architecture and sculpture. It’s not as well-known as other temples located within the city of Kathmandu, which makes it the perfect place to see the religious history of Nepal without all the tourists.

How to Get There:

Nyatapola Temple is only about 40 minutes east of Kathmandu.  To fly to Nepal, we’re partnered with over 90 airlines, so no matter their city of departure, we can get your clients there. As a top airfare consolidator, Sky Bird Travel has the lowest net fares to Nepal. Call or email us today to get started!

 

Are your clients looking for something off the beaten path? Are they not interested in tourist traps? Stay tuned for our Around the World series. Several times a week, we share interesting things to do in exotic places. Give your clients a new experience in old places!