Johannesburg - The Town Of Countless Brilliant Facets   by Ben Pate

in Travel / Destinations    (submitted 2011-10-28)

Johannesburg is the focal point of much of African culture and history, and it is not only the largest in South Africa, but also one of the most prosperous in all of South Africa. Because of this, it became a much-loved vacation spot. While it displays the appeal of other big city vacations, Johannesburg offers a little more, and if you are thinking of experiencing this city, you will need to get a passport first. If your passport is expired,an easy Expedited U S passport renewal can be done online.

You Will Need A Passport To Get There

Passport renewals are just one of the long list of services online passport sites provide. Included in these services are passport replacements for if your passport is damaged or simply misplaced, passport pages for if you are running short on blank ones, and even passport name change Application service, which is for those who need to get the name on their passport officially changed, whether it's because of marriage, divorce, or any other reason. The coolest part is being able to do it right from your computer chair at home.

The Apartheid Museum

Africa's history has been racked with violence, death, and cruelty. The Apartheid Museum is a solemn yet powerful reminder of this by providing a glimpse into Africa's extensive and often brutal history. With lots of informative and sometimes shocking displays, it's more than just another museum. Another exceptional museum is the Johannesburg Art Gallery. It's the biggest gallery in Africa that features art from all around the world, not just Africa. If you are a history buff, head to the Origins Centre at the South African Museum of Rock Art, which covers the origins of humanity.

Lion Park

While in Johannesburg, do not make the mistake of missing out on Lion Park. It's unlike a zoo in that the animals run wild in a natural habitat, but visitors are given the opportunity to get very close to them. This includes getting to pet lion cubs, feed huge giraffes, and take a tour (either guided or not) in a vehicle through the park, where you can get so close to the zebras, meerkats, and even full grown lions.

Rosebank

Hand-made goods and authentic souvenirs can be purchased in the quaint neighborhood of Rosebank during the famed Sunday flea market. One of the things that makes this flea market so unique is the fact that it's located on the roof of a mall (which is open seven days a week and not just on Sundays.) It's a great place for people-watching and of course shopping, making it a one-of-a-kind experience. Oriental Plaza is another favorite shopping spot, thanks to it's 350 independently-owned stores where the owners are always ready to haggle on prices, which isn't a widely-accepted practice in this region.

Melville

Another neat neighborhood to visit is Melville. Known for its artsy atmosphere, eclectic places to shop, and trendy little restaurants, it's a prime spot for shopping and experiencing one of Johannesburg's super colorful neighborhoods.

About the Author

So many people love visiting Johannesburg because of the amount of culture and history to explore and uncover. Be sure to double check to make sure your passport is valid and acceptable for travel. If you discover that it is expired, look into Expedited USA passport renewal service. Even if you have another issue with your passport, like you need a passport name change Application, remember you can do that online as well.