It’s not often that one can say you discovered a slice of Tuscany in the Western Cape. And yet, Fields of Gold Farm, tucked near the mountains between Paarl and Franschhoek, certainly feels like a trip to some quaint European villa. The only thing that makes it even better is the fact that it’s edged by our own beautiful South African wine farms and olive trees, with spectacular mountains behind. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a country escape, while still being wonderfully close by to local restaurants, wine farms and shops. (There is a rustic dirt road to access…
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Pet-friendly travel – both in terms of accommodation and eateries – is becoming a major, important requirement for pet lovers. To most of us – myself included – our pets are as much a part of our family as anyone else. So being able to or feeling welcome to bring them along matters. (Obviously, not every trip or holiday is geared towards bringing your floof with. But most are suitable for pets, especially local day trips and getaways.) In light of this, I wanted to share some pet-friendly accommodation and restaurants across the Western Cape. These are all places that…
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For me, there’s something really exciting about spring in the Western Cape. But never more so than when I get to explore our beautiful outdoors! This is especially true when I visit the much-loved tranquil nature park and public space in Cape Town’s Northern Suburbs: Majik Forest. A Spot I Helped Put on the Map Back in 2017, it was added to my travel list after I was told “it’s pretty inside”, with both nature walks and MTB routes for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy. Shortly thereafter, I visited it for myself and I saw why it was such a special…
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They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day – and they are certainly right about that. Still, you also can’t beat a good brunch for setting the tone to your day! In this post, I share my pick of the best breakfast- and brunch-spots in South Africa’s Cape Winelands. Breakfasts of Champions and Brunches for Foodie Fiends While breakfast is usually anything from eggs to flapjacks to granola and fresh fruit or gourmet toasties – brunch allows for a bit more menu versatility. You want to order a big juicy burger? Go for it. Craving some coffee…
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The Cape Overberg Region is one of the most verdant, beautiful and untamed parts of South Africa. With everything from seasonal whale watching and cheery canola fields to pristine cape nature, hikes and some wonderful wine farms and beaches, this special part of the Western Cape offers plenty to enjoy. In this post, in no particular order, I look at some of my favourite gems that I have unearthed in the stunning Cape Overberg Region. From cosy, family- and pet-friendly accommodation stays to gorgeous hiking trails, beaches and pristine nature reserves. 1) Elgin Railway Market and Visiting Steam Train (Elgin…
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Having grown up in Montagu, I was excited to show off this charming small town to my own little family and to take us on our first big Route 62 road trip. We were headed to one of the town’s most highly rated accommodation stays, The Barn on 62. This elegant, cosy accommodation stay offers several cottages and a delightful on-site café and restaurant and is perfectly situated along Montagu’s historic main street, Long Street. This meant we had the ideal base from which to explore town, especially with our baby in tow. We were originally going to also travel…
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Our little family’s West Coast trip continued and this time, we were off to the beautiful, historical grand old dame, The Farmhouse Hotel. Tucked further away from the town’s centre, this lovely family- and pet-friendly hotel offered us a quiet glimpse into the peaceful suburbs and life near the yacht club. With stunning views of the expansive lagoon, with distant lighthouse beacons interrupting the nighttime sky and the most beautiful sunsets we’ve seen in months, this was the perfect home base from which to further our West Coast adventure. Happily with our granny cat, Lucy, and our young baby in…
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When you travel as much as I do (and have done over the course of my life), there are always places, people and towns that stand out to you. That retain a special place in your travel-loving heart. For me, the Cape West Coast is one such place. I love everything about it. From its pristine, almost unchecked beauty to the wild flora and fauna, the annual wild flower season and picture-perfect beaches and of course, the beautiful West Coast National Park. And yes, you guessed it: the charming coastal towns, which dot the expansive coastline like little pockets of…
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The Cape Winelands offers visitors and locals a treasure trove of food and drink experiences, outdoor adventure and Cape history but one of the most underrated wine farm offerings are local farm shops. My Pick of the Best Cape Winelands Farm Shops to Enjoy Personally, I love a wine farm shop almost as much as any other attraction on our local wine farms – and in this post, I share why. We look at wine farm shops across the Winelands – everything from local farm grocers and wine shops to local cheese shops brimming with local delicacies. Farm Grocer, Laborie…
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The Cape Winelands in the beautiful Western Cape offer some of the best picnics and lunches in South Africa. Regardless of whether you are looking for a classy, yet homely weekend lunch, romantic picnic for two or simply a great family meal – this unique region is a foodies’ paradise. The Cape Winelands: A Foodie Destination for All Over time, I have had the pleasure of dining out at some of the Cape’s loveliest wine farms. I have sampled everything from gourmet picnics to soothing lunches. And in this post, I share my pick of my most memorable picnics and…