Parys on the Vaal

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Parys on the Vaal

Travel@TheDiplomaticSociety- by Jayde Bhana

The Suspension Bridge built in 1919 over the Vaal River is adorned by love locks like the Pont des Arts bridge over the River Seine in Paris

14 March 2023

Two billion years ago, a giant meteor crashed into the southern tip of Africa, creating the largest impact crater on Earth. The crater, 300km in diameter, is centered at the Vredefort Dome on the outskirts of the quaint town of Parys in the Free State, South Africa. The Dome can be seen on hikes or guided tours or even as you free fall from the sky at Skydive Parys. The town, situated just an hour and a half outside of Johannesburg and Pretoria with its historical significance and small town culture, is an ideal tourist destination for those traveling to and living in the hub of Gauteng.

For all the adventurists skydiving gives you a great view of picturesque Parys

Named after the French capital Paris translated to the native Afrikaans Parys is situated on the banks of the Vaal River, not dissimilar from the Seine River that runs through Paris, it is a small historical town that gained tourist traffic with the introduction of a railway line in the 1920s. Because of its proximity to the ever busy cities of Gauteng, its bed and breakfasts on the Vaal, golf course and street shops, it is an ideal getaway for people needing a break from city life.

Parys offers unique team-building locations and programmes thanks to the surrounding pristine nature. Activities such as canoeing, camping, hiking, mountain biking and museum visiting are all on offer in Parys. For thrill seekers there is the opportunity to experience skydiving at Skydive Parys where trained professionals perform a tandem jump with first timers. From the sky, the view of the Vredefort Dome becomes clear and the stunning pattern of the Vaal through Parys is on full display. Skydive Parys also offers training for those wanting to fly solo, quite literally.

Paradise on the Vaal offered comfortable, quaint, self-catering accommodation where spectacular views of the Vaal River could be enjoyed sipping a cup of coffee. The touristy Bree Street with its restaurants and antique shops and markets is a short 300m walk away.

With tourist numbers on the rise again, getaway destinations within South Africa are in demand. Parys is well situated and equipped to cater for short weekends away, a week of relaxation, or a stop on a road trip. A main street with souvenir and designer shops, restaurants and cafes, makes everything you need easily accessible.

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