South Africa has one of the most tourist-friendly new world wine industries. Its 300-year-long history began shortly after the first Dutch contingent arrived to create a refreshment station at the Cape of Good Hope, and it continues to this day.

The Dutch did not have much success, and the colony’s few wine farms muddled along until the arrival of the French Huguenots in the late 1600s. The options for touring the Cape Winelands are many. Other than hiring a car and staying at accommodation on estates, you can book into a hotel or guesthouse in the village of Franschhoek, or you can stay in Cape Town or another town, and join an organised day trip. These are the top historic estates to put on your itinerary.

Rustenberg, Stellenbosch

The viticulture potential of the land on which Rustenberg wine estate stands in Stellenbosch was first recognised in 1682. When production began is not clear, but there is a 1692 record that shows a bottle of brandy was sold. 100 years later, the estate was producing approximately 6000 cases of wine. The estate is famous for its Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. It would go down a treat at the top racing events that you can bet on at the best horse betting sites.

Groot and Klein Constantia, Constantia

Regardless of when Rustenburg’s potential was recognized, Constantia actually is the oldest wine-producing area in South Africa. Simon van der Stel founded it in 1685. The estate was divided over time, with the largest portion eventually being split into the estates still known as Groot (big) and Klein (little) Constantia.Beautiful gardens, rolling hills covered in vineyards and sublime views are all part of the Constantia wine route.

Boschendal, Drakenstein Valley

The history of Boschendal began in 1685, when the Dutch East India Company gave the land to Jean le Long. In 1688, he sold the estate in the Drakenstein Valley near Franschhoek to Abraham de Villiers, who in turn sold it to his brother Jacques de Villiers. It remained in the family until 1879, when it was bought by Cecil John Rhodes, who turned it into a fruit farm. Wine production resumed in 1969, after Anglo American bought the estate. A consortium of investors now owns Boschendal. The picturesque estate is famous not only for its wines, but for the quality of its restaurant that serves everything from caviar to local dishes, accommodation, other facilities, and activities.

Meerlust, Stellenbosch

Founded by Henning Huising in 1693, the Meerlust Estate near Stellenbosch was bought by the Myburgh family in 1756, who have owned it ever since. Various accommodation options are available, and there are mountain bike and hiking trails to help you work up a thirst. The estate produces red and white wines. The Bordeaux-style Rubicon blend comes highly recommended.

Rust enVrede, Stellenbosch

Willem van der Stel founded Rust enVrede (rest and peace) in 1694. It also was divided, but the larger of the two sections continued under the name. For decades, the estate did not produce any wine, but that changed in 1977, when former Springbok rugby player, Jannie Engelbrecht, bought it. The estate’s cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and syrah are always well received.

Destinations associated with favourite fantasy books and movies offer holidays that can be truly unforgettable. Writers have been inspired by all sorts of locations, and there are many from which to choose.

The problem with being spoiled for choice is knowing where to start looking, and then deciding where to go. A good place to begin is to take a look at a few of the best fantasy book and movie holiday destinations for inspiration, and then take it from there.

Game of Thrones, Croatia

Although Game of Thrones was not filmed entirely in Croatia, the city of Dubrovnik conveys a sense of the hit series in a way that none of the other locations do. While there, which fans will recognize as Kings Landing, you can do walking tours that take you to Blackwater Bay and to the Old Town. Altogether, there are about 19 different locations in the city, so you should be kept busy for a few days.

Lord of the Rings, New Zealand

Peter Jackson filmed much of his stunning interpretations of J.R.R. Tolkien’s masterpieces, the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit, in New Zealand. If you head to the beautiful island country, you can go on studio and set tours that are as exciting as what betting sites in New Zealand have to offer. You can explore Bilbo’s house and other places in Hobbiton, as well as the Mill, and the Green Dragon Inn. It also is possible to visit places in which Isengard and Rivendell’s scenes were shot.

Roswell UFO Museum, USA

In 1947, something crashed into the New Mexico desert. The wreckage, reported to include rubber, sticks, and tinfoil, was collected by the US military, and it was taken to the Roswell Army Airfield. Conspiracy theorists generally do not believe the official explanation of the wreck as being that of a nuclear testing balloon. A visit to the UFO Museum and Research Centre in downtown Roswell is the best place to make up your own mind about a defining moment in history, sci-fi, fantasy, and wider popular culture. Try to time your visit to coincide with the UFO festival.

X-Files, Canada

A staple of 90s TV, the X-Files inspired many hours of the office water cooler and neighborhood pub discussions. Decades later, the show still inspires devotion among fans. If you are one of them, a vacation in Canada may be for you. Even though the X-Files was set in the US, the first five seasons were filmed in Vancouver and around British Columbia. Make no mistake, it is possible to find a few locations that were used in the filming of the series if you do some digging.

Harry Potter Studio, UK

If you attended midnight book launches and movie screenings dressed as your favorite Harry Potter character, you may want to head to Warner Bros’ Leavesden Studios in the UK. The European facility offers Harry Potter studio tours on which you can see costumes and props, and you will get a behind-the-scenes look at some of the movie’s special effects. Professor Snape’s potion laboratory is one of the sets that you can see.

As wonderful as travelling is, it is not always the most earth-friendly activity, especially when it involves long-distance flights and luxury hotels. There are ways to reduce our impact on the environment when we travel, and it does not need to be in a way that is uncomfortable or a hassle.

Faced with a rapidly changing climate, our planet needs all the help it can get. The following tips are just a few easy ways in which you can help make a difference when next you set out on an adventure.

Carbon-Clever Flying Tips

Aeroplanes are one of the worst offenders when it comes to the carbon footprints of various transport methods. It is not always possible or practical to travel the way teenage climate change activist Greta Thunberg does, which is to travel by rail, road, or sail. If you need to fly, you can do it in a way that reduces your carbon footprint.

One way is to fly economy class because doing so is five times less heavy on carbon per person. Packing light also helps, as does travelling directly to your destination.

Eat With the Locals

An eco-friendly travel tip that is also good for your budget is to eat with the locals. Instead of opting for the same boring old global brands that you can find at home, look for the establishments owned and favoured by locals.

They tend to use locally produced ingredients, rather than imported processed foods, which means a smaller carbon footprint created when getting the food from producer to the table. You can use the money to save to try your luck at online betting sites that are licensed and regulated.

Water-Wise Travelling

Many of us can remember that, just a few years ago, bottled water was almost indispensable when travelling. It is not, of course.

When travelling in countries where drinking tap water is not recommended, you can use a portable water purifier or water purification tablets. Some countries have potable water stations set up in major cities. You can find them easily with the help of apps. Remember to be water-wise when brushing your teeth and showering.

Interact With Animals Ethically

For centuries, interactions with wild animals have been tourist attractions in various countries. From organised hunts to elephant rides, human beings have exploited animals for our own senseless purposes. It is high time we focused on ethical animal interactions instead.

Ways in which you can do this is to avoid circuses, zoos, and aquariums. Instead, visit conservation and rehabilitation centres that allow animals to roam freely in their natural habitat. Avoid demonstrations or shows that let people handle animals.

Reuse and Recycle

If you have toothpaste, soap, or other bathing and personal grooming products left over at the end of your stay, it would be a crime not to take them with you, and keep using them until you have finished them – and then recycle or reuse the plastic bottles in which some of them were packaged. Another way of recycling on holiday is to take information leaflets, brochures, and maps to a tourism office so that someone else can use them.