• best-wedding-venues-for-travellers

    Best Wedding Venues for Travellers in the Cape Winelands

    2 April 2026 - By 

    As travellers, we get to experience some incredible destinations across the world. Yet few destinations are as meaningful as the one you choose to host your wedding at. With this in mind, I have put together a list of my favourite Cape Winelands wedding venues. Each of these venues has either been visited or vetted by yours truly, so I can personally attest to their quality. Scattered across South Africa’s most world-famous wine regions, these stunning destinations are individually unique, aesthetically appealing and professionally operated. Each estate and venue offers carefully curated packages, incredible settings and imposing backdrops. Throw in…

  • rose-garden-cape-winelands

    Dreamy Gardens to Explore Year-Round Near the Cape Winelands

    5 January 2026 - By 

    I love all things garden-related and over the years, I have had the pleasure of exploring many wonderful gardens in and around Cape Town and the Western Cape. Some have been during special, annual Open Garden events while others have come from impromptu solo missions. Regardless of the occasion, the Cape has some glorious gardens to explore. And in this post, I share my pick (so far) of the best gardens to explore year–round near the Cape Winelands! Cape Winelands’ Gardens for Every Season Gardens are always great during spring and summertime. But I want to show that in the…

  • winelands-farm-shops

    Best Cape Winelands Farm Shops

    2 January 2025 - By 

    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…

  • vergelegen-wine-estate-helderberg

    A Historic Helderberg Gem: Vergelegen Wine Estate

    3 November 2024 - By 

    Tucked away in the beautiful Helderberg Region, Vergelegen Wine Estate is one of the most naturally beautiful, historic estates near Cape Town. This historic Helderberg gem is perfect for families, solo travellers and couples to enjoy. With two eateries (including the child-friendly Stables Restaurant and the Rose Terrace Tea Room), magical picnics beneath ancient Camphor trees, gorgeous gardens, rich Cape history, farm tour experiences and excellent wines, it is safe to say that Vergelegen is one of the most well-rounded estates in the Cape Winelands. In this post, I highlight some of the estate’s best attractions. Fabulous Vergelegen: Where Rich…

  • sustainably-minded-wine-farms-cape-town

    Sustainably Minded Wine Farms near Cape Town

    17 March 2024 - By 

    With our planet under siege and threat from carbon emissions, wastage, single-use plastics and more, there can be no doubt that ‘going green’ is essential. In fact, this drive for more eco-friendly practices and methods needs our gravest support throughout every industry. In South Africa’s own wine industry, the threat of climate change is already apparent in the droughts, changing wine seasons, varying harvests, unseasonal rainfall, wild fires and sweltering temperatures we see each year. Yet, for years now, the wine industry has quietly shown the power of sustainably minded farming – through solar-powered cellars, water-friendly farming practices and of…

  • lievland-cafe-review

    Lievland Café Review: Visiting This Stellenbosch Treasure

    24 January 2024 - By 

    Tucked away in the Stellenbosch Wine Route, along the famous R44, between Stellenbosch and Klapmuts, one finds a charming, new Cape Winelands café addition in Lievland Café. Explore the Exciting Lievland Vineyards and Lievland Café In 2017, MAN Family Wines, a partnership between Tyrrel Myburgh and José Conde, acquired this beautiful farm and set out to restore it to its former glory. Safe to say, they, and the respective teams behind both the stylish tasting room and café at Lievland Vineyards (which translates to ‘loveland’ in English, a most fitting name!), have achieved that goal. And they have done so…

  • outdoor-activities-cape-winelands

    Fun Outdoor Activities to Enjoy in the Cape Winelands

    7 January 2024 - By 

    The Cape Winelands offers a host of incredible experiences for families, tourists and everyone in between to enjoy. With a plethora of stunning, award-winning mainstream- and boutique- wine farms, there is no shortage of amazing outdoor activities to enjoy. In this post, I share some of my favourite, quick-fire outdoor activities for young and old to savour in the Cape Winelands. Thrilling Outdoor Activities in the Cape Winelands 1) Go for an Outride in the Franschhoek Valley I am always hesitant to feature any animal encounters or experiences on my blog because it’s not something I personally condone. I have…

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    Best Northern Suburbs Food Gems

    7 January 2024 - By 

    Out of all the areas in Cape Town, the Northern Suburbs often gets a bad rep. I’ve heard many people ‘in the know’ say it offers adequate (at best) food and sub-par to slow service… But, since I moved here in late 2017, I have made it my personal mission to disprove this theory as far as possible. Why? Well, mostly because I want to show that, here in the Northern Suburbs – there are, in fact, some real foodie gems! My Pick of the Best Northern Suburbs Food Gems With this in mind, I’ve put together a shortlist of…

  • durbanville-wine-valley-estates

    Durbanville Wine Valley’s Best Estate Picks

    11 December 2023 - By 

    Since moving to the Northern Suburbs in 2017, I have been fortunate enough to visit several of the Durbanville Wine Valley’s most well-loved and popular estates. Some are new and upcoming, while others are longstanding favourites, littered with awards or which have glowingly stood the test of time. But, regardless of status or age, their incredible beauty, top class wines and fun atmospheres and experiences unify them in their specialness. I have not visited all the Durbanville Wine Valley estates as yet… So here are some of the lovely estates I have been to, with a focus on what makes…

  • Fun Things to do for Spring in the Western Cape

    9 September 2023 - By 

    Spring in the Western Cape province of South Africa is always a fun affair. Not only does the ground become a riot of colour, as fynbos blooms and wild flowers spring from the earth, rejoicing at the winter passed but the weather turns mild and becomes more favourful. This makes it the perfect time to shake off those lingering winter blues and reacquaint yourself with the warm sunshine, fresh air and outdoor adventure. Shake off Those Winter Blues with These Spring Activities Spring – and September especially – has always been my favourite time of year. With pink and white…