• pet-friendly-travel-places-western-cape

    My Favourite Pet-friendly Places across the Western Cape

    1 July 2026 - By 

    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…

  • villa-chad-luxury-guesthouse-kleinmond

    A Luxury Coastal Escape at Villa Chad Luxury Guesthouse, Kleinmond

    25 June 2026 - By 

    Tucked away in the shadow of the Kogelberg mountains, in the fiercely beautiful Cape Overberg Region, you find the charming Villa Chad Luxury Guesthouse. This Kleinmond accommodation escape promises idyllic couples’ getaways, fun one-night stays with larger groups of friends or colleagues and even a wellness retreat for anyone who needs to recharge, refresh and revitalise their soul. What makes Villa Chad especially alluring is how it is the perfect blend of an international-type stay right here in a quaint South African coastal town. Because, aside from the quality amenities and facilities, the facade and paintwork bear subtle, yet striking…

  • val-du-charron-winelands-getaway-wellington

    A Tranquil, Family-friendly Winelands Getaway at Val du Charron Wine and Leisure Estate

    24 May 2026 - By 

    Wellington is one of my favourite, though personally more undiscovered parts of the Cape Winelands. This small town has plenty of country charm, stunning mountain vistas and amazing wine farms, accommodation and restaurants to enjoy so it’s definitely a destination we plan to explore more as a family in time. For now though, it’s enough to have spent two luxurious nights at one of Wellington’s long-standing, beautiful institutions in Val du Charron Wine and Leisure Estate. With two on-site eateries, a gorgeous farm setting (with views to rival anywhere in the world) and luxury accommodation, you might not even be…

  • family-friendly-stay-de-hoop

    My Best Child-friendly Accommodation across the Western Cape

    19 May 2026 - By 

    A few years ago, I compiled a list on My Best Child-friendly Restaurants and Wine Farms near Cape Town. Since then, the response to that post has been overwhelming. At the time of my writing it, most of my friends had children but never knew where to take them. And I was inspired to write a post to help parents. Fast forward a few years and now, as a new mother myself, I have a deeply vested interest in not only finding child-friendly places but also in sharing them. Load Up the Pram, Baby, Let’s Hit the Road I know…

  • best-breakfasts-sadiecoffee-paarl

    Best Breakfast- and Brunch-Spots in the Cape Winelands

    17 April 2026 - By 

    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…

  • marvellous-montagu-attractions-hometown

    Marvellous Montagu Attractions: Visit My Hometown

    1 March 2026 - By 

    Founded in 1851 on the farm, Uitvlucht, and named after then-Colonial Secretary of the Cape, John Montagu, Montagu is a small dorpie in the Western Cape where I grew up. For nearly 15 years, my daily life involved knowing this town and its surrounds, streets and small shops in tedious detail. As a child, it was a fun place to live. As a teenager and adolescent, it was stifling. But now, as a wiser adult and a mother myself, I can see why people want to raise their children here. It’s a town where the world functions at a slower…

  • struisbaai-overberg-town-tamlyn-amber-wanderlust

    To Struisbaai and Back: My Darling Overberg Coastal Town

    1 February 2026 - By 

    Whenever people ask me what my favourite Overberg beach or Western Cape coastal town is, there’s always a resounding favourite. In fact, before they can even finish asking the question, I have fired out a single name: Struisbaai. And I say it with the all-seriousness of a true ocean lover. If they even know about this small coastal town, they usually have a follow-up question, “Why Struisbaai; what makes it so special to you?” Honestly, I don’t have any singular, clear answer to that. It’s a mystery even to me sometimes but it’s undoubtedly my happy place, my favourite beach…

  • de-hoop-collection-family-getaway

    A Magical, Tranquil Family Getaway at De Hoop Collection, De Hoop Nature Reserve

    14 November 2025 - By 

    For several years, a visit to and stay at De Hoop Collection Nature Reserve has been on my bucket list. Despite being invited to stay a few years ago now, it seemed destined to never happen. But eventually, our little family (with baby in tow) was able to enjoy the most special family getaway at this beautiful part of the Western Cape. In this post, I share the highlights from our stay at De Hoop Collection, along with our cherished experience of this South African nature reserve. Please note: While the natural area is maintained by Cape Nature, all tourist…

  • koppie-alleen-bites-beach-cafe

    My Best Gems in the Cape Overberg Region

    4 November 2025 - By 

    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…

  • barn-on-62-pet-friendly-accommodation-montagu

    A Cosy, Tranquil Stay in Montagu: Karoo Prinia, The Barn on 62

    6 September 2025 - By 

    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…