In 2004 the Constitutional Court was opened in the former infamous prison - The Fort. Although once notorious for violent crime, improved surveillance in the CBD has made it possible to enjoy the buildings of the gold rush era and the sights from atop the Carlton Centre (Africa's tallest building).

The Market Theatre precinct, Museum of Africa and Newtown (New Town) are particularly vibrant sectors of the city centre. By day, a walk around Newtown (preferably in a small group) will give you a taste for the wide range of traditions and cultures the city plays host to.

• Santarama Miniland, 183 Rosettenville Rd, Pioneer Park, ? +27 (0)11 435-0543 (fax: (+27 (0)11 435-9905). Open 9AM to 5PM daily. Johannesburg in miniature.

• Johannesburg Planetarium, Yale Road, Entrance 10, University of the Witwatersrand, Milner Park, ? +27 (0)11 717-1392 (planet@planetarium.co.za, fax: +27 (0)11 339-2926), [4]. See their website for upcoming shows. From R16 to R25, depending on show.

• Go on a Township Tour to Soweto

• Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens (The gardens can be tricky to find as it is not well signposted from the main roads. From the N1 get onto Hendrik Potgieter at exit 80 (Roodepoort/M8 14th Ave). Follow the signs indicating Tarlton (M47) to the north. Pass Clearwater mall, turn left into Handicap Road and right into Malcolm Road where you see the first signpost for the gardens. The gardens will be on your left a couple of hundred meters from here.), ? +27 (0)11 958-1750 (SisuluGarden@sanbi.org, fax: +27 (0)11 958-1752), [11]. One of the last green areas remaining within Johannesburg. Lots of birds, including the endangered Black Eagle. There is a restaurant situated within the grounds as well as picnic and braai areas. R18 per person, discounts for students and pensioners.

• Take a trip to Constitution Hill, site of the notorious Old Fort prison complex.

• South African Lipizzaners, 1 Dahlia Road, Kyalami (Follow the N1 towards Pretoria, take exit 108 Midrand, R561 Allandale Road towards Kyalami. Kyalami Road and Main Road intersecs at the entrance to the Kyalami racetrack, turn right here. At the second robot, turn left and follow Main Road, look out for Maple Road to your right. Turn right into Maple Road and right again into Crocus Road), ? +27 (0)11 702-2103 (lipizzaner@hixnet.co.za, fax: +27 (0)11 468-2718), [12]. Other than Vienna, this is the only place you will ever got to see performing Lipizzaners recognized by the Spanish Riding School. Booking can also be done via Computicket

• Lesedi Cultural Village (Just past the Lanseria Airport on the R512), ? +27 (0)12 205-1394, [13]. Traditional dances and food in authentic Zulu, Sotho, Pedi, Xhosa and Ndebele villages.

• Lion Park, R114 near the corner with Hans Strijdom (R512), Honeydew (From the N1, take exit 90, Randburg/R512 Hans Strydom Dr. and follow this north past Kya Sands. At the 4 way stop with the R114, take a right turn. The Lion Park is two hundred meters down the road on the right.), ? +27 (0)11 691-9905 (lionpark@cknet.co.za, fax: +27 (0)11 691-9904), [14]. The entrance ticket entitles you a visit with the lion cubs (yes, you get to touch them) and a selfdrive game viewing through the lion camps and game area (antelope, zebra, giraffe and others live here). The Lion Park can be very busy over weekend and public holidays. If you want some quality time with the lion cubs, rather go during the week when it is not so busy. If you are going to drive through the lion enclosures, make sure that there are no loose objects on the outside of your vehicle and keep your windows closed. The lions are especially fond of 4x4 spare wheel covers, so remove those before you enter. R80 per person.

• Montecasino Bird Gardens (From the '''N1''', take exit 95 (''Marked: 95 Sandton/R511 William Nicol Dr.'') and head north, cross over Leslie Ave and turn right into Mentecasino Blvd.), ? +27 (0)11 511-1864. Open weekdays from 8:30AM to 5PM and weekend from 8:30AM to 6PM (Shows at 11AM and 3PM daily with additional 1PM shows over weekends). Many birds and other small wildlife. Also look out for the 2500 year old tree located near the parrots.

Visit a gold mine

• Gold Reef City, Northern Parkway, Ormonde (From the M1 South, take exit 5, Johannesburg/M17 Xavier Street and follow Crownwood Rd until intersection with Northern parkway. Turn r

• Melrose Arch, [24]. Houses many upmarket restaurants and nightclubs, including Moyo (an African-themed restaurant) and several other casual eating establishments.

• The Butcher Shop & Grill, Shop 30, Nelson Mandela Square, ? +27 (0)11 784-8676 (thebutchershop@mweb.co.za, fax: +27 (0)11 784-8674), [25]. 12AM to 10:45PM Monday to Saturday and 12AM to 9:45PM on Sundays.

• Rodizio, ? +27 (0)11 888-7633, [26]. Located in Victory Park and has great Brazilian dishes and a lively party atmosphere. Live music and dancing.

• Undoubtedly the best steak in town (and a great burger, too!) is at Rosebank's Grillhouse (+27 (0)11 880 3945). Don't miss out, and be sure to book. The restaurant has an attached bar, "Katzy's", which is a great place for a pre- or post-dinner drink.

• The Saxon Hotel has one of the best restaurants in Johannesburg. It is the hotel where Nelson Mandela stayed shortly after being released from prison and where he wrote his book ´Long Walk to Freedom´. This is where you will have one of the best gourmet meals in the city, but you need to have deep pockets.

• In Sandton City shopping mall, there are many restaurants including Italian, Chinese, Japanese restaurants. There is also a Korean restaurant in Johannesburg (where?!? someone please tell us!) . A relaxing meal can be had on Mandela Square.

• Melville is another neighborhood where you can find many good restaurants. It is close to the national broadcaster (SABC) headquarters and many artists live in this community. An especially good restaurant is Mezzaluna, 9a, 7th Street, ph:+27 (0)11 482 2477, who serve amazing Mediterranean food. Dishes include springbok carpaccio, ostrich fillet, and Frangelica chocolate mousse.

• Fordsburg has many Indian restaurants with authentic cuisine as well as conventional franchise stores (Wimpy, Nandos, Fishmonger, Nescafe,etc). Dawaat restaturant is considered to be one of the best restaurants and the priciest by Fordsburg standards - A meal at Dawaat will cost about R100 per person and much lesser at the neighbouring restaurants of which there are over 50 to choose from. Another much frequented restaurant is Bismillahs. A favourite take-away amongst the locals is Akhalwayas Fast Foods on Central Road which specialises in fish and chips and various tasty sandwiches. However they are better known for the quality of their food then the speed of service and its not unheard of to wait for 45 minutes(or more!) for your meal at peak lunch times. Unfortunately they close at 5pm daily. Furthermore none of the restaurants serve alchohol and are all halaal. Fordsburg is in close proximity to the Oriental Plaza and can be combined with your shopping expedition. Fordsburg is one of the few (if any) areas of Johannesburg that has a thriving outdoor street market and pedestrian traffic at night - This is mainly on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights when all the restaurants are filled to capacity with hundreds of night shoppers milling about the flea market.