Air France Business class

Has anyone flown the above long haul recently? Any comments on quality, slippy seats etc. Not sure which aircraft, but looking at Paris/Cape Town route, so maybe someone will no what ac this will be.
Also can anyone advise on how safe this area of SA is. Is it just a usual precautions .....
Thanks

[Decker]

Looked at them but didn't do them. Whereabouts in Cape Town? (Currently that's like a "Is London safe?" question. Or my favourite at San Diego Zoo - "Wow you're from Liverpool? Do you know Michael? Blonde guy?"...)

Cape Town is pretty safe really. Much the same as any major European city. The normal precautions apply - Don't be flashy with money, keep camera safe, etc.

The Minister of the Interior did have a slight issue last time we visited. A young guy was pestering us. She politely told him to go away, then firmly told him to p-off. But he made the mistake of not doing as she suggested, but actually moved closer to her - not wise with the MOTI as he got within range of her right hook. Seldom have I seen a better delivered punch, and it certainly took him by surprise! In reality I believe he was just a pest and not a threat, so the MOTI's reaction was probably slightly unwarranted. But my point was that it was the only incident I have ever had in about 15 trips to capetown and SA, and you would certainly do worse in Ibeezzer.

Sorry to double post, but I forgot to suggest that you stay away from Bo Kaap at night - it is about the only place in the centre you should avoid though - a little bit like Islington . If you want to visit the area, go with a guide during the day.

And I want to hear that you climbed up and down table mountain. [y]. But watch out for the Todgerboks - they'll have you leg off in a blink of the eye!

Hi there,

My brother's just done this route for his honeymoon, and it's not the flat seats.

Milliemoo

Thanks for your help.
Can anyone suggest an itineary/Hotels. We are looking at maybe 4-5 nights in Capetown (Hotel Commodore??) then along the coast(garden route) to see some of the countryside. We like scenery,beaches,restaurants,bars,live music,museums etc. and are planning on February. Weather seems to look good but again, any feedback is welcome. Also any advice on car hire and what to look out for.

"But watch out for the Todgerboks - they'll have you leg off in a blink of the eye!"
Thanks for the warning.With a name like that, I think I will protect more than my legs[:0].Maybe some sort of cricket box may be in order.

The commodore is nice and right in the V&A waterfront, although a pretty standard business style hotel IMHO. Good service when I stayed last (3 years ago). For something more boutique and small try the cape heritage. The owner cannot do enough to please and the building is a lovely colonial place. It's not quite as central, but to be honest CT is not a big place. If you are very rich it has to be the cape grace. If you are fairly rich then the V&A hotel

Allow plenty of time for your drive up the garden route. I suggest you go to Cape point and see the tip of Africa (well actually it isn't but it's a good story!) and the penguins. Visit the Botanical Gardens in CT on your way out of town (Tres beautiful). Then stop at Hermanus to watch the whales (very good seafood restaurant in the fishing docks on the edge of town - looks like a real dive and the docks are horrible but the food is Mmmmm and the view from the restaurant out to sea is great). You could them move on to Aniston Bay where there is great swimming and huge, white sand dunes for walking. Back onto the N2 and you can head for Mossel Bay - some nice beach front B&B's here but I cannot remember the name. If you drive into town you will find them easily - they look like New England homes. Not much to detain you in Mossel though - really a seaside resting point. You could carry on up to Knysna, where there is great walking in the forests. If you fancy you can go riding in the forest, eat by the campfire with your Boar guide (a fascinating chap who has had an unbelieveably tough life) then stay in a tee-pee overnight - PM me if you want me to look out the details for this. I would suggest you then turn around and head for the N12 - Give Oudtshoorn a wide birth unless you are really into Ostriches and don't mind crowds. Head back towards CT via swellendam stopping where ever takes your fancy. Swellendam is a nice historical town. The mountains and dessert on this part of the drive (you are well off the garden route by now) are fabulous - the scenery knocks the garden route into a cocked hat. Some times you see wild tigers around here[:(][:w]. As you start to drop out the mountains you will enter the wine regions - I am sure you know what to do! Paarl or Stellenbosch are worth a call, or maybe even both if you have a problem with drink like me. It's also worth calling into the pretty town of franschhoek, even if it is a total tourist mecca. There are many good restaurants there, and I mean good - world class good. Le Quartier Francais is the most famous, although I have been distinctly under whelmed on my visits and personally prefer Bouillabaisse, a sea food restaurant. But there are others on this board who swear by the QF. You will need to ring in advance (at least a couple of days) to book, although this should be about the only time you need to do so.

Don't plan your trip too much, it is better to go with the flow of how you feel on the day and what takes your fancy. Booking is seldom required. And don't try to go too far (You could even skip Knysna quite happily). There is so much to see and do if you stop and take the time to look. But if you drive past at 70mph you will see nothing. Generally I would try to stay in smaller places - B&Bs. You will get loads of friendly advice, a really warm welcome and the standard is so much higher than in the UK. Some are very luxurious (and can be expensive but not always).

Whatever you do, if you are confronted by a herd of todgerbok do not wave your arms (or anything else for that matter) around to scare them off - people who do that seldom live to tell the tale. The best advice is just to say "ni" to them - they hate that and usually run away.

One final insight, not just to the Cape but SA as a whole. The South Africans have been investing heavily in developing their identity fraud industry. And they have become fabulous at it. This is really great if you happen to be in the market for a fake driving licence. However, it can cause problems if all you want to do is buy stuff with your credit card! Take all the normal precautions - at cash machines make sure you are not being watched, and look for extra additions on the machine. If the machine eats your card do not leave the machine until you have sent someone into the bank to get your card or have phoned your company to cancel it. Don't throw your receipts away anywhere. When paying make sure the card does not leave your sight - this may mean you need to leave the table to go to their swipe machine in a restaurant rather than just tucking the card into your bill as you would in the UK. I fell for this one and they had about £500 away (which MBNA had to cover, much to my delight) within 23 minutes of me leaving the restaurant. Some of my other points in this post have been frivolous, but this one is deadly serious. Please don't let it put you off your trip - it really isn't anything to worry too much about. It is just that so many of the people are so poor, and they see us rich Europeans,.....Just be sensible and careful and all will be well.

Thanks for the time it took to right this Jeremy, very much appreciate it.
I think we are going to end up flying down with Qatar via Doha and will use your info to plan our trip (no comeback on you if we get it wrong, so don`t worry).
Cheers, Paul

No problem. Sharing knowledge is the main purpose of the site IMO.

Enjoy your trip.

Just booked the flights tonight. SA here we come.

It depends how far along the coast you want to go to; False Bay isn't that far and is pretty good - I'm trying to remember where we had a really great breakfast there[:I] Also, Hermanus is pretty good too and is well worth a visit. If you want to go inland a bit, try Paarl which is very nice as well.

VS.

We stayed at the Radisson SAS, V&A Waterfront it was a great hotel with great staff - couldn't fault it. Had to wait on our room on arrival - front desk told us to tell the bar staff and we got free drinks.



jj....... [y]

someone will no [:0] what ac this will be.
Just noticed this. I can`t believe I spelt it like that.[:#]

I flew AF business class a few months ago. Outbound was on a packed 777-200 with old business class and it wasn't very nice. But that could be because it was a packed night flight. Return was dayflight on 777-300ER with about 4 people in business. Absolutely excellent flight, but then again could be because it was empty and a brand new aircraft. Not sure how long that massage feature will keep working after a few months worth of use, but nice seats none the less.

AF

Hi,

I was in Cape Town in Feb, and we stay in the Arabella Sheraton Grand, it is by the convention centre, it is a LOVELY hotel, the staff are great, and fall over you to help. The breakfast is amazing, everything you could want and more, there was sparkling wine, hot food, bread rolls, cakes, healthy food, cheese, hams, the list goes on! It is close to the V&A Waterfront, they have a bus, but the walk is about 5-10mins. Make sure you take a trip up to the wine region, it is great! When I go back I would like to stay at least 1 night in Stellenboch, it is so beautiful. Like other posts, Hermanus is lovely, Knysna, if you have time go to Titsikama NP, it is stunning. We took a week to drive from Cape Town to Port Liz, with 1 and 2 nights along the way. The best Private Game reserve is Shamwari, we stayed there, and was blown away, saw all the of the big 5, and lots more. If you need any more info I am happy to help, I love SA, and could go on for hours!

In regard with how safe it is, you just have to be careful, make sure that you are not flashing your money, or any expensive jewellery about, and you'll be fine.

BTW if anyone has been on AF in their new J Class, I am going to Mauritius in March for my birthday, would be great to hear anyone's opinion.

Hope you have a great trip [y]

Dominic

[Decker]

Spooky - we did the Arabella Grand then onto Shamwari last year... met someone in Shamwari who I'd been training on the Isle of Man 6 months previous. As my colleague says "It's a small world - but I'd hate to have to paint it". Would agree with all you say and add a vote for the cigar bar in the Sheraton and Le Quartier Francais in Franschhoek.

God it is really a small world!!! When did you go? We were there in late Feb in to early March.

Originally posted by Decker
Spooky - we did the Arabella Grand then onto Shamwari last year... met someone in Shamwari who I'd been training on the Isle of Man 6 months previous. As my colleague says "It's a small world - but I'd hate to have to paint it". Would agree with all you say and add a vote for the cigar bar in the Sheraton and Le Quartier Francais in Franschhoek.

OMG Shamwari was amazing, we stayed in Long Lee Manor, and loved every minute! [^] However on our 2 day wasn't too impressed at getting up at 4am! But amazing to see so much game. I went to the Born Free Centre, as my company, and I booked the flights to rescue one of the lions there, and wanted to see her, it was so amazing, words just can not describe.

Hello Dominic,
What was the weather like in February? .We are going 11th - 27th mainly Capetown, winelands etc. Thanks

I had a friend flew earlier this month with AF in business to Shanghai and he said they were good -food was also very good -

Thanks for the feeback on AF but we have booked with Qatar instead.

I look forward to trying out AF J Class, I will post a TR on it!

Thanks Dominic