Legend of the South Pacific: Seduced by Samoa

by Bev Malzard A storybook name made famous in the Western imagination by the likes of Robert Louis Stevenson and Margaret Mead, these ten lush volcanic islands of Polynesia halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand (and once controlled by the latter) are still full of unspoiled landscapes and beaches, as well as friendly people and traditional lifestyles (at least outside the larger cities such as capital Upolu). Australian writer Bev Malzard describes being slowly seduced by a visit to the island of Upolu... keep reading

Port St. Johns, Rough-hewn Gem of South Africa's 'Wild Coast'

by Pierre Vaneck  Located in the Eastern Cape about 900 km (360 miles) from Johannesburg on the Umzimvubu River and a long stretch of unspoilt Atlantic coastline, Port St. John's is a town which mixes a certain amount of grit with unsurpassed natural beauty, great outdoor options, and fascinating local characters. The bucolic setting has made it a draw for Hollywood; Shout at the Devil and Blood Diamond were shot here... keep reading

images: Tmarki | Pierre Vaneck