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Harare is a busy working African city but it's also a city that is attractive and well designed with wide avenues and numerous open spaces and parks.

Flowers, shrubs and trees are in abundance and when the jacaranda trees are in full bloom (September and October) the city is full of purple blooms.

Situated high on Zimbabwe's central plateau the air feels crisp and clear and whilst many will not want to spend extensive time in the city, it is certainly pleasant for an overnight stop.

There are various places of interest to explore, such as the Botanical Gardens which have more than 900 species of trees and shrubs from all over the country.

The National Gallery has Shona soft stone carvings as well as exhibits from all over the world whilst the National Archives houses notebooks, diaries and more from some of the most famous African explorers.

Zimbabwe is known for its beautiful craft work and a fun way to spend an afternoon is browsing through the curio stalls admiring the basketry, carvings and intricate beadwork on offer.

With a collection of comfortable hotels and guesthouses and some excellent restaurants a night in Harare is invariably an enjoyable experience.