Latest news with #Trafalgar
The Citizen
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Key benefits of Sectional Title
As property buyers weigh their options in South Africa's recovering real estate market, Sectional Title schemes continue to stand out for their affordability, convenience, security, shared amenities and strong investment potential, says Andrew Schaefer, MD of leading property management company Trafalgar. This is reflected in the fact that Sectional Title (ST) properties now account for more than a third of home sales nationally, and more than 50% of sales in some areas, compared to just 10% of the market in 2010. 'In addition, the rising demand for ST homes has seen values in this sector of the residential market grow more than in the freehold sector in recent years and led to an increasing focus on ST projects among developers.' He says the key benefit of ST schemes for home buyers and investors is, of course, their relative affordability, aided by the fact that in new apartment and townhouse developments, VAT is usually built into the purchase price so there is no additional tax for purchasers to pay. 'Meanwhile the recent increase in the Transfer Duty threshold from R1,1m to R1,21m has also put more pre-owned ST homes within the 'tax-free' category. The average ST home price in SA is currently around R1,2m, compared to an overall average home price of R1,5m. 'Purchasing an ST home is thus an ideal entry point to the market for young professionals aiming to build equity in property without overextending themselves financially.' But ST is also a good option for investors, especially in a well-managed scheme where property values are protected and enhanced by regular maintenance and upkeep, jointly funded by all owners through the payment of their monthly levies, says Schaefer. 'The Sectional Titles Schemes Management Act (STSMA) provides a clear set of rules and governance requirements that ensure transparency, accountability and a good level of financial certainty and security for ST investors. And on top of that, ST schemes often provide stronger-than-average rental returns due to the ever-rising demand for apartments and townhouses in SA's big metros and other growth nodes.' Meanwhile, he notes, ST schemes are becoming an increasingly popular retirement property option for seniors, who are finding that they offer a cost-effective way to own property compared to individual freehold ownership, where owners bear the full cost and effort of maintenance, or HOA-run estates where the entry costs are usually much higher. 'ST schemes typically also offer controlled access, boundary walling or fencing and on-site security, which are top priorities for older buyers seeking a safe and secure lifestyle. And levies are also generally lower and more predictable in ST schemes than in estates, which helps retirees manage fixed incomes more confidently. 'These days, many schemes are also working to foster a sense of belonging by promoting social interactions among neighbours, enabling owners to make the most of communal living while retaining their autonomy and privacy.' Ultimately, Schaefer notes, ST ownership is about smart, sustainable living, 'and whether you're an investor or a home buyer, it's a property solution that combines great value with long-term peace of mind'. Issued by the Trafalgar Property Group
CNA
08-07-2025
- Business
- CNA
Travel agency Trafalgar and sister brands launch 16 new tours, including to villages of France and the Balkans
Trafalgar and sister brands Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold will be launching 16 new itineraries for travel in 2026, marking the largest introduction of new trips in the past seven years. Spanning five continents from Patagonia to Portugal, and the Balkans to the Great Lakes, the newly announced trips aim to meet evolving traveller desires for immersive, personalised and culturally rich travel experiences. The tours will feature a mix of nature escapes, culinary explorations, heritage-rich adventures, and women only departures, offering something for every kind of traveller. 'Asian travellers are looking for more new and meaningful experiences. With an audience that has matured in terms of travel styles and taste, we find that more travellers are embracing a slower, more mindful pace of travel,' said Nick Lim, chief executive officer in Asia for The Travel Corporation, in a press release. 'Our new itineraries are designed to reflect this evolutionary shift.' NEW 2026 TOURS INCLUDE: Trafalgar: • English Adventure – A family-friendly trip through castles, countryside, and culture. • Villages of France – Slow travel through storybook towns, vineyards and rustic cuisine. • Best of South Korea – A modern-meets-traditional tour through Seoul, Gyeongju and Busan. • Best of Sri Lanka – A second, alternate route exploring the island's southern treasures. • Scenic Great Lakes with Mackinac Island – An inland North American gem featuring charming towns and freshwater beauty. • Spain, Morocco & Portugal Whirl – A cross-continental adventure connecting three dynamic cultures. • Best of Romania, Transylvania & Hungary – Gothic castles, medieval villages, and hidden Eastern European treasures. • Balkans Coast Explorer – Discover Albania, Croatia and Montenegro's rising-star coastal charm. Insight Vacations: • Adriatic Escape – Explore coastal gems from Dubrovnik to Montenegro, combining culture, cuisine and sea views. • Wonders of Sri Lanka – A journey through ancient cities, lush highlands and sacred temples. • Soul of the Deep South – Discover soulful cities, civil rights history and iconic music trails. • Soul of the Deep South (Women-only) – Meet the women who championed songwriting, civil rights and cuisine across the soulful cities of the South. • Heart of Patagonia – Traverse one of the world's last great wildernesses between Argentina and Chile. • Contrasts of Brazil & Argentina – Samba, steak and the soul of South America. Luxury Gold: • Spectacular Scotland – From lochs to legends, an in-depth look at Scottish heritage. • Ultimate Portugal – From Porto to the Algarve, a journey through wine, architecture and coastlines. These new trips are available to book now for 2026 departures. Visit the individual brand pages or head to the roadshow at Nex shopping mall from now until Jul 13 at level 1 atrium for more information.
News.com.au
14-06-2025
- News.com.au
Hidden gems in Europe revealed where the Aussie dollar can get you much further
If your plans for a European summer have been derailed by the terrible exchange rate, then never fear – there's a trick to enjoy the continent without breaking the bank. At the moment the Australian dollar is abysmally weak – one Euro is close to two Aussie dollars, at time of writing. But Europe's hidden gems are a bit of a life hack when it comes to saving a buck and also avoiding the crowds. Trafalgar, a travel company which provides guided trips to more than 70 countries, offers a tour to central Europe called Bohemian Highlights. The two-week trip took us to five countries, Germany, Poland, Austria, Hungary and the Czech Republic. Trafalgar is a way to see a lot of sites all while travelling in style – and I quickly learned that some of the places we visited were considerably cheaper than others. Any country we encountered that hadn't yet converted to the Euro currency was way less of a hit to my hip pocket. Throughout the action-packed trip, I also noticed Trafalgar didn't just check off the most iconic tourist spots to visit - we also ended up at places a little off the beaten track. The trip was way cheaper than western Europe, particularly the Polish, Hungarian and Czech parts of the tour because each country has their own currencies – the zloty, the Hungarian forint or HUF, and then the Czech crown, respectively. The Aussie dollar got me really far in all of these places. Our Budapest tour guide told us Hungary had resisted converting to the Euro as it would cost an arm and a leg – and everything would become more expensive for its citizens. As a result, I was able to splash my cash and felt a minimal dent in my bank account. In Poland, in a cute little town square in the city of Krakow, I got a lamb goulash for little as $A3. Hungary's buzzing Budapest and Prague in the Czech Republic were still considerably cheaper than the German or Austrian part of the tour. But that's not the only reason I felt I had stumbled upon a lucky break in Europe. Trafalgar's specialist tour guides were able to take us to places and give us a slice of history that I would have otherwise been totally oblivious about. Trafalgar gave us a bit of a taste of life outside the major touristed hubs. On the longer journeys between cities and countries, the Trafalgar tour bus stopped at PoznaÅ' in Poland, and Tabor in the Czech Republic. It was a nice taster of what a smaller, less touristed village was like. In Krakow, Poland, we ended up at a buzzing restaurant on the outskirts of Krawkow, a bit of a drive away, that resembled a barn. The downstairs was filled with Polish voices as it was a favourite among locals and we were able to participate in polka dancing. In Vienna, we ate at a place I can only describe as wacky. Called Marchfelderhof, the restaurant has become famous over the years because the owner offers free dinners to celebrities. They literally rolled out a red carpet for us as we approached and there was not a single centimetre of wall space free. Trafalgar took us to Szentendre – a quaint small Hungarian village – to escape the bustle and busyness of Budapest. The biggest highlight had to be an all-you-can-eat buffet down the Danube River in Budapest. The entire boat was booked out just for our tour group as we leisurely cruised down the second longest river in Europe, sipping on sparkling wine and watching the beautifully lit Hungarian parliament building on the banks. At every city, a Trafalgar 'local specialist' - someone from the area who specialised in its history - took us through the city and gave us insight into the little quirks and culture of where we were. Basically every place I visited in central Europe loved their pork and ham – pork schnitzels, sausages, meatballs, cured meats, you name it. I soon learned that dated all the way back to when the Ottomans occupied parts of eastern and central Europe and couldn't eat pig as part of their religion. As a result, Europeans relied heavily on pork and ham and it's because a staple in their diet. Another fun fact I learnt (other than discovering paprika is just dried and crushed capsicum) is that Hungarian consume a pound of paprika per person per year. Despite it being known as a Hungarian spice, it too came from Turkiye and was introduced during the Ottoman invasion. At a Hungarian cooking session, I was also taught that you have to turn down the heat before you add paprika to any dish. If you don't, then it's bitter as the sweetness burns off. In Poland, I bought some amber jewellery for a family member. The local expert revealed that amber is a polish specialty. There's a whole industry of 'amber hunters' who scour the beaches in Poland because the rough sea is known to churn up amber. As soon as we arrived in Vienna, we were told the city had free Wi Fi everywhere (I wish I'd known before as I could have saved money on my phone bill by not organising data while I was there). We were also informed that 'every tree in Vienna is marked' – as the city keeps a tree registry, allowing those who are curious to look up the age, height and diameter of every tree there. Did you know that Berlin has no city centre as a result of the city's divided history during the Cold War? I didn't but a local specialist told us that during a working tour of the German capital. German students have to visit a concentration camp at least twice in their schooling. Currywurst sausages are iconic to Germany and I learned it was because after WWII, meat quality was so bad that one woman came up with mixing sauces in sausages to mask the taste – partly inspired by ketchup from Americans and Worcester and chilli sauce from the English
Daily Mail
13-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Lord Nelson's fateful words written just three days before his death at the Battle of Trafalgar... revealed in unseen letter
A previously unpublished letter by Admiral Lord Nelson sent three days before the Battle of Trafalgar has emerged 220 years on. The British naval hero is primed for action as he writes from on board HMS Victory that he 'hopes for a good battle which God of his infinite mercy grant us very soon'. He adds that he 'hopes the result will be for the general benefit of Europe and little England in particular'. Nelson had his wish on October 21, 1805, masterminding his greatest triumph over the combined French and Spanish fleets. But it would be his last stand as he was fatally shot by a French sniper after urging his men to 'do their duty'. He died below deck on HMS Victory about three hours later having been told his fleet had been triumphant. The three-page letter, signed Nelson & Bronte, was penned to Admiral Sir Thomas Foley, one of his 'Band of Brothers', from Victory on October 18, 1805. It is one of the last letters he wrote as he put down his quill to get into battle-mode ahead of the epic sea confrontation. The letter has remained in the Foley family for over two centuries but is now tipped to sell for between £15,000 to £20,000 at London-based auctioneers Christie's. Thomas Venning, head of books and manuscripts at Christie's, said: 'The letter is apparently unpublished and according to our research is the latest letter by Nelson to have appeared at auction in recent decades. 'We know of one other letter he wrote on October 18 but from the day after he completely focused his attention on the upcoming battle. 'At the time he wrote it he would not have known he would be going into battle three days later, but the delightful weather he mentions is what encourages the French and Spanish fleets to leave Cadiz. 'The recipient was one of his 'Band of Brothers' and the content is extraordinary.' Just before he left Portsmouth for Cadiz on September 18, Nelson received correspondence from Foley and the letter now for sale was the naval commander's reply. Nelson wrote on October 18 off Cadiz: 'I see no prospect even with this Large fleet of getting thro' them with[ou]t a good battle which God of his infinite mercy grant us very soon and I hope that the result will be for the general benefit of Europe and little England in particular.' He adds that 'our weather is delightful' which was prescient as the favourable conditions enticed the Franco-Spanish fleet out of the safety of Cadiz, prompting the battle. He signs off by complimenting Sir Foley's wife and remarking 'I wish her Ladyship would produce you a Boy'. Sir Foley had led the British attack in HMS Goliath at the Battle of the Nile and was Nelson's flag captain on board HMS Elephant at the Battle of Copenhagen. The sale takes place on July 9. It comes as the Union Jack flag that was flown at the front of HMS Royal Sovereign during the Battle of Trafalgar goes on sale at a separate auction. Sovereign, commanded by Admiral Collingwood, was first into action against the French and Spanish fleets as Lord Nelson watched on admiringly from HMS Victory. The British naval hero reputedly said: 'See how that noble fellow Collingwood carries his ship into action.' The 100-gun first rate ship cut the enemy line and engaged the Spanish three decker Santa Ana in a titanic duel. Over the course of the battle 183ft-long Sovereign suffered huge damage, with most of her masts and rigging shot away. The 5ft by 9ft flag, which until it was restored still had wood splinters in it, was salvaged from the vessel when the fighting ended. It has been preserved for 220 years and is now being offered for sale by antique dealers Greens of Cheltenham. Battle of Trafalgar: Epic sea clash that laid foundations for Britain's global power - and claimed the life of Lord Admiral Nelson Fought on October 21, 1805, the Battle of Trafalgar is one of history's most epic sea clashes. Not only did it see Britain eliminate the most serious threat to security in 200 years, but it also saw the death of British naval hero Admiral Lord Nelson. This was not before his high-risk, but acutely brave strategy won arguably the most decisive victory in the Napoleonic wars. Nelson's triumph gave Britain control of the seas and laid the foundation for Britain's global power for more than a century. Despite signing a peace treaty in 1803, the two nations were at war and fought each other in seas around the world. After Spain allied with France in 1804, the newly-crowned French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte had enough ships to challenge Britain. In October 1805, French Admiral Pierre-Charles Villeneuve led a Combined French and Spanish fleet of 33 ships from the Spanish port of Cadiz to face Nelson and Vice Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood. Nelson, fresh from chasing Villeneuve in the Caribbean, led the 27-ship fleet charge in HMS Victory, while Vice Admiral Collingwood sailed in Royal Sovereign. Battles at sea had until then been mainly inconclusive, as to fire upon the opposing ship, each vessel had to pull up along side one another (broadside) which often resulted in equal damage. Nelson bucked this trend by attacking the Combined Fleet line head on - and sailed perpendicular towards the fleet, exposing the British to heavy fire. He attacked in two columns to split the Combined Fleet's line to target the flagship of Admiral Villneuve. 11. 30am Lord Nelson famously declared that 'England expects that every man will do his duty', in reference to the command that the ships were instructed to think for themselves. The captains had been briefed on the battle plan three weeks before, and were trusted to bravely act on their own initiative and adapt to changing circumstances - unlike their opponents who stuck to their command. Vice Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood led the first column and attacked the rear of the line, and broke through. Nelson sailed directly for the head of the Combined Fleet to dissuade them from doubling back to defend the rear. But before he reached them, he changed course to attack the middle of the line - and Villeneuve's flagship. Speeding toward the centre of the line, HMS Victory found no space to break through as Villeneuve's flagship was being tightly followed - forcing Nelson to ram through at close quarters. In the heat of battle, and surrounded on three sides, Nelson was fatally shot in the chest by a well-drilled French musketeer. The Combined Fleet's vanguard finally began to come to the aid of Admiral Villeneuve, but British ships launch a counter-attack. Admiral Villeneuve struck his colours along with many other ships in the Combined Fleet and surrendered. 4.14pm HMS Victory Captain Thomas Masterman Hardy dropped below deck to congratulate Nelson on his victory. 4.30pm With the knowledge he has secured victory, but before the battle had officially concluded, Lord Nelson died. 5.30pm French ship Achille blew up signalling the end of the battle - in all 17 Combined Fleet ships surrendered. ... so did Nelson really say 'Kiss me, Hardy' with his dying words? By RICHARD CREASY for the Daily Mail (in an article from 2007) It was Britain's greatest naval victory and for more than 200 years historians have analysed every detail. Now, amazingly, a new eye-witness account of the Battle of Trafalgar has emerged during a house clear-out. It gives not only a first-hand view of proceedings from the lower decks but also a different interpretation of one of history's most enduring arguments - Admiral Lord Nelson's dying words. Robert Hilton was a 21-year-old surgeon's mate on HMS Swiftsure, a 74-gun ship that played its part in the destruction of the French and Spanish fleets and of Napoleon's dream of invading England. It was 13 days later, after Swiftsure had made it through gales to Gibraltar for repairs that Hilton took up his pen and wrote a nine-page letter home on November 3, 1805. In it he says Nelson's last words, relayed to his ship's company from Nelson's flag captain, Captain Hardy, were: 'I have then lived long enough.' Many people believe Nelson said: 'Kiss me Hardy.'
Daily Mail
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Shocking moment Antiques Roadshow expert is BOOED by BBC crowd after 'low blow' joke fails to impress
An expert on Antiques Roadshow failed to impress the crowd with a 'low blow' joke. Matthew Haley was presented with an intriguing letter written by Lord Nelson about a sheep during an episode of the BBC show which first aired back in 2015 and was recently repeated. The guest explained it was given to her step-father's great-great-great grandfather who 'was given the sheep by Captain Bainton'. She added: 'He was the captain of HMS Leviathan at the Battle of Trafalgar and Nelson gave Captain Bainton a sheep.' The honourable sheep lived through the Battle of Trafalgar 'and then when Captain Bainton came back to the UK, he then gave the sheep and the letter to William Raymond and this is the letter,' the guest revealed. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Matthew Haley was presented with an intriguing letter written by Lord Nelson about a sheep during an episode of the BBC show which aired back in 2015 The guest (pictured) explained it was given to her step-father's great-great-great grandfather who 'was given the sheep by Captain Bainton' Matthew was taken aback by the letter and commented: 'Absolutely bizarre. It certainly is the first Nelson that I've ever come across that talks about sheep. 'Here he is, writing from HMS Victory in June 1805, a few months before the Battle of Trafalgar,' he commented. The expert added: 'He's gone to the West Indies and he says 'I don't know how you're doing for stock but all I got in the West Indies was one sheep which I can give you'. 'And the sheep went on board and it went to the Battle of Trafalgar.' Matthew explained how the Royal Navy would have farm animals on their boats to help feed the sailors. He said: 'It looks like the sheep was given some sort of award for its duty in Trafalgar.' The guest replied: 'Well somehow it survived, came back and William Raymond the farmer who was given the sheep, crossed it with some south Devon sheep and said it had really good progeny, was well known for its beauty and fleece.' 'So the sheep won a medal, really, really fantastic,' Matthew commented. A 'boo' sound appeared to come from the surrounding crowd as well as a few laughs and the guest chuckled as she commented: 'Low blow.' He went on to reveal it was a written by Nelson with his left hand and was 'very collectable'. 'At auction, I would really see it making certainly in excess of £5,000,' Matthew said. The guest looked surprised and said: 'Wowzers.' Matthew then attempted to make a sheep joke and quipped: 'Not much of a baa-gain.' A 'boo' sound appeared to come from the surrounding crowd as well as a few laughs and the guest chuckled as she commented: 'Low blow.'
