Repeatedly called “The Bay of Attractions” you can guess that there are no shortages of things to do in Mossel Bay. The only problem is where to start...

See Great Karoo, Little Karoo (Semi-Arid deserts) and return to Mossel Bay via garden route, all in one day:

Take Klein-Karoo Day trip to Oudtshoorn and ride on back of an Ostrich. See Crocs and enjoy Ostrich Show at an Ostrich Farm.

Stop by Cango Wildlife & Cheetah Ranch to see wildlife and even hug a cheetah! Visit Cango Caves and lose yourself in magnitude and beauty of this subterranean underworld.

Experience wonders of indigenous forest with a Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour. Suspended 30 metres over forest canopy, you can traverse from one platform to another along a steel cable.

Close to Mossel Bay is experience and thrill of coming eye to eye with one of nature's oldest predators - The Great White Shark. With no diving qualifications or experience required you can face your fears surrounded by professional shark tour operators and a steel cage.

For a tamer experience, Mossel Bay provides ideal viewing location for nature's friendlier sea fairing animals. Southern Right Whales, Humpback Whales, Brydes Whales, Bottlenose Dolphins and Jackass Penguins can all be seen by boat on open seas.

Mossel Bay is more than just a muscle bound oasis at end of road...

Not that journey to garden route is something to complain about; it's only a semi-arid desert crossing after all. Apart from superb scenery, rich historical excursions and a reputation as Bay of Attractions, Mossel Bay is also a holiday destination with value for money, excellent dining experiences that suite everyone’s tastes and a fair-weathered, and an all year-round destination where local advice of sitting back and just allowing life to happen makes a lot of sense once you get there.

If you ever find yourself adventuring in South Africa, discover Mossel Bay for yourself. The oasis at end of Garden Route...

A cruise that takes in wonderful coastline of Italy yields such treasures as dormant volcano of Mt Vesuvius, ancient Pompeii and stunning city of Rome. The islands of Sicily and Sardinia hold many delights too on a Western Mediterranean cruise.

In Eastern Mediterranean, cruise passengers can discover spectacular Croatian coastline and its beautiful city - Dubrovnik, before diving southeastwards to sample classical Greece and its sultry islands. The island of Crete is always worth a visit, if only for historic Palace of Knossos.

A visit to holy city of Jerusalem is a worthwhile excursion from both Israeli ports - Haifa and Ashdod - on a Mediterranean cruise of Middle East. Egypt's Port Said is well worth a visit too. Port Said provides access to world famous Suez Canal, which takes vessels into Red Sea and onwards in to Arabian Sea.

The Mediterranean region has seen many a civilization rise and fall. It is a crucible of human evolution and is rich in relics left over by more than 6,000 years of occupation. If you've ever wanted to discover what it felt like to be an Egyptian pharaoh, Roman warrior or a Greek philosopher, a Mediterranean cruise can give you just that opportunity..

John Metcalfe http://www.azcruises.com