All three our scheduled train tours for 2010 from Cape Town to the Kruger National Park (KNP) in Mpumalanga are fully booked. The good news is that we’ve obtained more space inside the KNP to host a fourth train tour. It will be hosted from 20th to 30th October 2010 and will include again 3 nights stay in the KNP as well as visits to the Lowveld’s natural wonders. The tour price remains unchanged and accommodation is in good lodges and hotels. Travelling off the train is in a luxury air-connditioned bus. More info

Baie van ons gereelde passasiers en Nuusbrief-lesers het by die Beeld vakansie-skou, 19 tot 21 Feb 2010. by die Galagher Conference Centre in Midrand, opgedaag en ‘n besoek aan ons stalletjie gebring. Dankie vir die ‘kom groet’. Die wenner van die kompetisie wat daar aangebied is, was Me. Hannalie van der Merwe van Rant-en-Dal in Roodepoort. Sy gaan Paasnaweek op ‘n treintoer vanaf JHB na DBN op die Premier Classe trein. Hierdie toerpakket is besig om BAIE gewild onder die publiek te word. Terloops, daar is nog ‘n klompie plekke op hierdie toer beskikbaar.

Die Namakwalandse Blomme in seisoentyd is ‘n natuurwonder. Vele mense verlustig en verkyk hul elke jaar vanaf so vroeg as Juniemaand aan hierdie natuurverskynsel. Die blomme, omgewing, klein dorpies en pragtige natuur aan die Weste van ons land is iets wat ‘n mens ten minste een keer in jou lewe MOET sien. Talle van ons passasiers ry dikwels vir ‘n 2de, 3de en selfs 4de keer saam op ons treintoere om weer te gaan blomme kyk.

Ons bied vanjaar weer 12 sakpas-treintoere vanaf Pretoria/Johannesburg Meer inligting na Namakwland toe aan, asook 6 treintoere vanuit Durban Meer inligting. Hierdie toere vind in Augustus en September 2010 plaas.

Vir diegene wat bietjie meer luuks wil reis, word daar ook twee toere in Augustus op die Premier Classe trein vanaf Pretoria/Johannesburg na die Blomme aangebied. Meer inligting Ons bied ook ‘n Motorfiets-op-Treintoer na die Blomme toe in September 2010 aan. Dis ‘n unieke eerste toer. Meer inligting

Why is 'abbreviated' such a long word?
Why the sun lightens our hair but darken our skins?
Why women can’t put on mascare with their mouth closed?
Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavour and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons?
Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?
Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour?
Why isn't there mouse-flavoured cat food?
Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitoes?
Why do they sterilise the needle for lethal injections?
You know that indestructible black box that is used on airplanes? Why don't they make the whole plane out of that stuff?
Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?
If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the terminal?

• That this Newsletter is now sent out monthly to more than 197 000 subscribers. Thanks for reading it!

Have you bought your ticket for any (maybe just one) of the 64 games to be played in South Africa? Whether you like football (soccer) or not, just go and attend one fixture. Be part of history and the hype surrounding it.

PE’s new soccer stadium

Die besprekings vir die 2011 Argus fietswedren treintoere vanaf Johannesburg na Kaapstad het reeds geopen. Kry meer inligting by ons en bespreek NOU reeds u plek

We’ll be hosting only two train tours from Jo’burg to Namibia during 2010, compared to the 5 tours we did in 2009. This is mainly due to the unavailability of the train set due to the Soccer World Cup to be hosted in South Africa this year.

Namibia had exceptionally good rain during the summer and the veld is lush and green. Even the desert looks different compared to other seasons.

Both tours are again 10 days long and are scheduled for 19 – 28 May (fully booked) & 31 May to 9 June 2010. More info

Quad riding at Swakopmund

Travel with the Premier Classe train to DBN.

As always we have an affordable train package for the Rugby enthusiasts. Get a group of friends to join you on this stylish weekend train trip from Fri, 7 – Mon, 10 May 2010. Bring the family along as they will have time to spend on the beach (Durban weather in May is great!), visit uShaka Marine World and have lunch at the SunCoast Casino.

Incl. in the package:

• Return train trip on the luxurious Premier Classe train (accommodation in a 2-bed compartment, 5-course dinner & breakfast incl. on train)
• Return transfers to Hotel, ABSA Rugby stadium and Train station
• B&B in 3-star hotel (one night)
• JB Train Tours representative
• Rugby ticket: Sharks vs Stormers

Price: R3 350,00 pp sharing

Contact Jolene for more info at jolene@jbtours.co.za or 011 913 2442.

Our core business has always been to sell train tourpackages but as our passengers requested us to also assist them with the purchasing of train-tickets-only on the Premier Classe train, we have decided to also offer this service to you.

The ticket prices vary from route to route, as well as during different seasons. The price per person per trip will be shown in the relevant information document. Please remember as well that ALL meals and high tea, as well as bedding, are included in this ticket price.

The price you pay for the ticket involves NO additional administration fees. You pay the same price to us compared to buying directly from Premier Classe and we are cutting out the hassle on your behalf.

Have a look at the affordable rates here: http://www.jbtours.co.za/upmarket/train-tickets-only.php

Kom ry vanaf Johannesburg na Kaapstad saam op die Trans Karoo Toeriste klas trein en geniet ‘n naweek se rugby op Nuweland in Kaapstad wanneer die Bulls en die Stormersteen mekaar kragte meet in die laaste rondte van die 2010 Super 14 toernooi.

Vertrek Vrydag 14 Mei 2010 en arriveer terug Maandag 17 Mei 2010. Die toerprys is sakpas teen R2200 pp en sluit die retoer treinkaartjie, rugbykaartjie, twee nagte verblyf op die trein en een nag verblyf in ‘n top hotel in Kaapstad, asook etes, in. Meer inligting

38 staff members from a company in Vanderbijlpark went on a weekend bus trip in March to Sun City to watch the ‘Cliff Richard and the Shadows’ show.

Everything was arranged for them. We have collected them with a luxury bus at their offices, accommodated them in an upmarket hotel, bought the tickets for the show, wined and dined them – and all of the arrangements were taken care of by a JB Train Tours representative traveling along.

If you are interested in a corporate bus or train trip – contact Jolene today at 011 913 2442 or jolene@jbtours.co.za

Good news for vegetarians, as well as people who prefers halaal food: The Premier Classe train, as well as the 4-star Fountains Hotel where the majority of our Cape Town tours’ passengers are hosted, can both serve your dietery needs.

Budget Tours:

Argus Cycle Race:     Jo’burg na Cape Town           We’ve hosted two traintours and both went well. In total 370 people travelled with us to the Mother City and enjoyed the ‘Biggest Bike Race on earth’!

Bicycles at CPT station

Off loading at Krugersdorp

Cape Town Holiday:  Jo’burg to Cape Town           The first of our 2010 train tours to the Mother City went well. For many passengers it was the first time ever to this beautiful city. We’ll be hosting 11 more tours to CPT during the course of the year.
Motorbike-on-Train Tour:    Jo’burg to Cape Town (Western Cape & Boland)  Nog ‘n lekker ‘bike’toer met die Kaapse warm son op sy felste!

Buffalo Rally:             Jo’burg to Mossel Bay          18 Bikers, & pillions, with their bikes, travelled to the biggest Motorbike Rally in South Africa with us on the train.
BMW BikeFest:        Jo’burg to Oudtshoorn           Another group of BMW bike owners travelled by train with us to the BMW gathering in Oudtshoorn.
Two Oceans marathon:          Jo’burg to Cape Town           This tour departed on Wednesday 31st March and will return on Easter Monday.
7 Provinces & 3 Trains:         Circular route through South Africa             Another fully booked train tour for those people who like traveling a lot by train, was hosted sucessesfully through South Africa. Passengers from Worcester, Klerksdorp, Newcastle and Ladysmith joined en route.
Klerksdorp Hoërskool:         Klerksdorp na Boland           KHS het ‘n baie lekker en suksesvolle sport-treintoer met 344 leerders, ouers en onderwysers na die Wes Kaap en Boland gehad. Die meerderheid van hule hokkie-, netbal- en rugbyspanne het teen die gasheerskole gewen EN hulle het heerlik by Goudini Spa buite Worcester gebly en geëet.

Klerksdorp-stasie voor vertrek	Netbal op Ceres
Rugby op Ceres	Hokkie in Worcester
Pret by Goudini Spa	Huiswaarts…

Easter weekend in Cape Town:        Jo’burg to Cape Town           This tour is currently in progress

April 2010 TRAIN TOURS

Budget Tours:

KKNK:           Jo’burg na Oudtshoorn          Twee treintoere na die Fees toe. Lekker verblyf in ‘n skoolkoshuis met plaas-ontbyt! 2 – 6 Apr (1 x 2-bed koepee beskikbaar a.g.v. laat kansellasie) & 5 – 10 Apr 2010 (2 x 2-bed koepees beskikbaar a.g.v. laat kansellasies). R2350 pp & R2590 pp onderskeidelik. Meer inligting
‘n Ekstra treintoer is gereël na die KKNK vanaf PTA & JHB. Saterdag tot Donderdag, 3 tot 8 April 2010. U is vanaf Sondag tot Woensdag by die KKNK. Toerprys is R2800 pp Vol bespreek
KKNK:           Durban na Oudtshoorn          Nog een van ons nuwe treintoere. Ry saam vanaf KZN en gaan geniet die Fees. 2 - 9 Apr 2010.Vol bespreek
Two Oceans marathon:          Jo’burg to Cape Town           This ultra marathon (56 km) and half marathon (21.1km) are both very popular and described as “the most beautiful marathon in the world”. Come and enjoy it with other runners, supporters, dignitaries, family and friends and sleep 3 nights in an upmarket hotel. 31 Mar – 5 Apr 2010. R3050 ppFully Booked 
Cape Town Holiday:  Durban to Cape Town            Escape from KZN for 8 days and visit the Mother City. 16 – 23 Apr 2010. R3850 pp More info
Motorfiets-op-Trein Toer:    Jo’burg na Kaapstad (Wes Kaap & Boland)           Hierdie is die laaste motorfietstoer voordat die winterreëns in die Kaap begin val. Gaan ry die Kaapse draaie, maar reis met die trein soontoe en terug. Slaap in ‘n goeie hotel. Geniet die Boland se berge en –passe. 18 – 24 Apr 2010. R6580 pp Meer inligting
Durban & KZN:         Jo’burg to Durban      Travel on the Trans Natal Tourist train from JHB to DBN, sleep 2 nights in an upmarket holiday resort and return by Premier Classetrain after 5 days. 22 – 26 Apr 2010. R2600 pp More info
Motorbike-on-Train Tour:    Jo’burg to Garden Route     (New tour)  Go and enjoy the Garden Route in the Eastern & Western Cape on your motorbike on this inaugural tour. Like all the other Motorbike-on-Train tours, all roads are tarred. Ride mountain passes and visit small villages.30 Apr – 6 May 2010. R6580 pp More info
Cape Town Holiday:    Jo’burg to Cape Town           All 8 the December 2009 tours were fully booked. Come and see why. 25 Apr – 1 May 2010. R3850 pp More info
Cape Town Jazz festival: Jo’burg to Cape Town      Enjoy some of the best musicians in the world. Two days of non-stop music!       2 – 5 Apr 2010. R3600 pp Fully booked

Upmarket Tours :

KKNK:           Kaapstad na Oudtshoorn       Ry vanaf die Moederstad met die Premier Classe trein na Oudtshoorn, woon die KKNK vir 2 dae by en keer weer stylvol na Kaapstad terug. Slaap een nag in ‘n hotel by die Fees. 2 – 5 Apr 2010 (Paasnaweek). R3450 pp Daar is nog plek vir een dame wat haar eie 1 bed koepee sal hê (beide rigtings) en 'n hotel kamer sal deel met 'n ander dame. Normale prys: R3 450pp Spesiale prys: R2 950 (R500 afslag!) Meer inligting
Oudtshoorn Re-discovery:    Cape Town to Oudtshoorn     Re-discover Oudtshoorn and the ‘Klein Karoo’ by Premier Classe train and stay in a beautiful lodge at the foot of the Swartberg Mountain range. 16 – 19 Apr 2010. R3995 More info
Cape Town Stylish week:      Jo’burg to Cape Town           Visit the Mother City by traveling on a return trip on the Premier Classe train & staying in a 4-star hotel. 4 – 11 Apr 2010. R10400 pp More info
Durban stylish weekend:       Jo’burg to Durban      Departs Thursday evening from JHB and arrive Monday morning back. Return trip on the Premier Classe train and one night in a hotel in the Holiday City. 30 Apr – 3 May 2010 (Long weekend). R2995 pp More info
Note:''Other dates available on request''
Motorbike-on-Train Tour:    Jo’burg to Cape Town (Western Cape & Boland)   Traverse 26 mountain passes, enjoy the beauty of the Boland and ride in safety, comfort & style on the Premier Classe train (new tour). 18 - 25 Apr 2010. R10140 pp More info

May 2010 TRAIN TOURS

Budget Tours:

Garden Route:           Jo’burg to PE to Worcester   Visit Tsitsikama, Plet, Knysna, George, Oudtshoorn, Swellendam & Montagu and . 18 – 25 May 2010. R5800 pp More info
Kruger National Park:           Cape Town to KNP & Lowveld         Sleep 3 nights IN the KNP and visit the popular tourist destinations in the Lowveld. I.e.: Pilgrims Rest, Bourke’s Potholes, Blyde River canyon, etc. 8 – 13 May 2010. (Only 1 space available to with a male) R6400 pp More info
7 Provinces & 3 Trains:         Circular route through South Africa             If you like and love traveling by train, this is your tour. Join any place en route and disembark again at the same station 8 days later. 6 – 18 May 2010. R3990 pp More info
Superbike at Kyalami:           Cape Town to Jo’burg           See the BIG Bikes in action. Go by train, attend all 3 days at the track and fly back on the Sunday. 12 – 16 May 2010. R5100 pp More info
Super 14 Rugby at Newlands:           Jo’burg to Cape Town           Final round of the 2010 Super 14 series. Go by train, attend the game, have fun and be back in PTA on Monday afternoon. 14 – 17 May 2010. R2200 pp More info
Comrades marathon Bus:      Jo’burg to Durban      We take you to Durban for registration and to the Expo, as well as to the start in PMB. Sleep two nights in a hotel. 29 – 31 May 2010. R1690 pp More info

Upmarket Tours:

Namibia:         Jo’burg to Namibia (#1) & Namibia to Jo’burg (#2)            Visit Etosha pans & game reserve, Fish River Canyon, Swakopmund, Windhoek and much more. 19 to 28 May (Fully booked) & 31 May to 9 June 2010 (Still space available). R14990 pp
Oudtshoorn Re-discovery:    Cape Town to Oudtshoorn     Re-discover Oudtshoorn and the ‘Klein Karoo’ by Premier Classe train and stay in a beautiful lodge at the foot of the Swartberg Mountain range. 14 – 17 May 2010. R3995 More info
Cape Town Stylish week:      Jo’burg to Cape Town           Visit the Mother City by traveling on a return trip on the Premier Classe train & staying in a 4-star hotel. 23 – 30 May 2010. R10400 pp More info
Durban stylish weekend:       Jo’burg to Durban      Departs Thursday evening from JHB and arrive Monday morning back. Return trip on the Premier Classe train and one night in a hotel in the Holiday City. 28 – 31 May 2010 (Long weekend). R2995 pp More info
Super 14 Rugby at ABSA Park, Durban:     Jo’burg to Durban      Departs Friday evening from JHB and arrive Monday morning back. Return trip on the Premier Classe train and one night in a hotel in the Holiday City. 7 – 10 May 2010. Rxxxx pp More info

Note # 1:        In June & July 2010 we won’t be hosting ANY train tours due to unavailability of trains during the Soccer World Cup hosted during that period in South Africa.

August 2010 TRAIN TOURS

Budget Tours:

Namaqualand Flowers:          Jo’burg to Namaqualand       Enjoy the beauty of God’s garden. A multiscope of flowers, plants, valleys, planes and small towns, with lots of friendly people. 8 x 7-day tours hosted in this month, departing on either a Sunday or Wednesday. R5100 pp More info
Namaqualand Flowers:          Durban & Free Sate to Namaqualand          Enjoy the beauty of God’s garden. A multiscope of flowers, plants, valleys, planes and small towns, with lots of friendly people. 4 x 8-day tours hosted in this month, departing on a Friday. R5900 pp More info
Kruger National Park:           Cape Town to KNP & Lowveld         Sleep 3 nights IN the KNP and visit the popular tourist destinations in the Lowveld. I.e.: Pilgrims Rest, Bourke’s Potholes, Blyde River canyon, etc. 8 – 13 May 2010. (Only 5 spaces available) R6400 pp Fully booked

Upmarket Tours:

Oudtshoorn Re-discovery:    Cape Town to Oudtshoorn     Re-discover Oudtshoorn and the ‘Klein Karoo’ by Premier Classe train and stay in a beautiful lodge at the foot of the Swartberg Mountain range. 14 – 17 May 2010. R3995 More info
Cape Town Stylish week:      Jo’burg to Cape Town           Visit the Mother City by traveling on a return trip on the Premier Classe train & staying in a 4-star hotel. 23 – 30 May 2010. R10400 pp More info
Durban stylish weekend:       Jo’burg to Durban      Departs Thursday evening from JHB and arrive Monday morning back. Return trip on the Premier Classe train and one night in a hotel in the Holiday City. 28 – 31 May 2010 (Long weekend). R2995 pp More info

There are only two companies in Gauteng hosting day trips by train. This is ideal for families, companies, churches, clubs, etc. and especially for children who have never been on a train trip. Both these companies haul the train with a steam locomotive engine!

Pretoria area:             Friends of the Rail     Contact Mr. Arno Victor at Tel: 082 293 4616 or sales@friendsoftherail.com or visit their website athttp://www.friendsoftherail.com                     They travel mostly from Pretoria to Cullinan & Bela Bela..

Johannesburg area:   Reef Steamers           Contact Mr. Les Smith at Tel: 011 956-6409 or bookings@reefsteamers.co.za or visit their website athttp://www.reefsteamers.co.za     They travel mostly from Maraisburg to Magaliesburg.

KZN (Durban & PMB) area:            Umgeni Steam Rail                Contact Mr. Rob McGregor at Tel: 031 303 3003 or robbie@umgenisteamrailway.co.za or visit their website athttp://www.umgenisteamrailway.co.za/. They travel mostly from Inchanga, Kloof & PMB.

Note:        Don’t change/cancel your holiday – change your way of going on holiday! Travel with JB Train Tours. It is Comfortable, Affordable, Safe & Secure

Regards/Groete