Flowing past the thunderous cataracts of Victoria Falls, the Zambezi River has long been recognized as one of the top 10 waterways in the world for boating and white-water rafting activities. As the fourth-largest river in Africa, these fast-moving waters are the ideal place for boaters to experience the adrenalin rush of competition, especially in something like the historic Zambezi International Regatta.

If you too are still a little peeved by the summer washout and aren’t yet ready to batten down the hatches in preparation for another gruelling winter, fear not! There are still plenty of places to replenish that flagging vitamin D. And better yet, you won’t have to break the bank or fight tooth and nail for your patch of sand. Bliss! Here we check out which whl.travel (www.whl.travel) destinations have the best beach-break ability to blow away those autumn cobwebs.

There’s something repugnant about carbon calculations. In an age of green enlightenment, it seems whatever recreational pursuit we might want to indulge in, we’re instantly informed of the carbon footprint that such a heinous activity leaves. It was inevitable then that the then South African Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (along with the Norwegian Embassy) should release a report on the carbon footprint of the 2010 World Cup.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, ranks as America’s sixth-largest city, and in the summer it seems even larger. Numerous parades and festivals unfold in the summer months and the city’s historic hotspots make it a magnet for even more visitors from far and wide. But all this extra action equals traffic-jammed highways and overzealous tourists. Take my advice and journey to the City of Brotherly Love in the autumn season, when it comes alive but doesn’t overwhelm with big crowds and hard-to-reach attractions. You’ll get some more personal space while scoping out the main events and landmarks.