At first glance Johannesburg or Pretoria may seem like ‘just another city’ but once you scratch the surface a pleasant surprise awaits - the hidden gems and welcoming ambiance of Gauteng, South Africa’s pulsating heart. Gauteng, the smallest of South Africa’s nine provinces, is the financial hub of South Africa and the economic powerhouse of the Southern African region. Johannesburg and Pretoria are only 60 kilometres (37 miles) apart and a quick trip on the Gautrain will connect you between the two cities and also to OR Tambo International Airport, the Southern African hub for most of the world’s leading airlines. Johannesburg, nicknamed ‘Jo’burg’ and ‘Jozi’, is a city with a true ‘African’ vibe and an infrastructure that makes tourists feel comfortable. Pretoria, the Jacaranda City, is an elegant haze of purple in spring with its streets, parks and gardens full of blossoming Jacaranda trees. A few days can easily be swallowed up with a host of great things to see and do…boutique shopping, craft markets, art galleries, Soweto and the Apartheid Museum, cafés and restaurants, theatre, sports events, nature reserves, adrenalin adventures and some excellent child-friendly activities. A wide variety of accommodation options are available to suit all tastes and budgets.