• 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…

  • solo-travel-western-cape

    Solo Travel Inspiration in the Western Cape

    21 May 2021 - By 

    When I first moved to Cape Town, I often had to travel alone. Sometimes, it was a choice – other times, it wasn’t. Regardless, solo travel has shaped me as a traveller – and as an adult. Weirdly enough, solo travel has even made me more confident, especially when it comes to social interactions. I am naturally reserved – but when it comes to travelling, I almost turn into a different person. When I first started doing reviews, I did them alone. This taught me which questions to ask. It also showed me how to engage naturally with others, even…

  • Best Romantic Destinations in the Western Cape

    16 February 2020 - By 

    Whether you are in the young stages of love; rekindling things with an old flame; or have been soulmates through decades, exploring a romantic destination is always good idea. And what better time to do it than during February, so famously hailed as the month of love? What’s more, with Travelstart, you can fly to your destination, ensuring added relaxation and bonding time. With all this in mind, I have put together a shortlist of the romantic destinations in the Western Cape, for you and your love to enjoy… 1) A Couples’ Getaway in the Cape Winelands: Dunstone Country Estate (Wellington)…

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    Review: Elgin Adventure Centre’s Exhilarating Tours

    6 November 2019 - By 

    Owned and run by Ryan and his wife, Tamaryn, Elgin Adventure Centre is an adventure-focused eco tour company, situated in Elgin. Naturally, they are famous for their fun segway tours. But did you know they also offer incredible bike tours? Elgin Adventure Centre’s exciting tours are – like their sister tours, Cape Canopy Tour Elgin Grabouw – unmissable local attractions. Best of all? Both of these phenomenal tour experiences take you through the heart of green Elgin Valley. This is your chance to ride through Oak Valley, one of the most famous wine estates in the Western Cape… Simply put,…

  • ceres-rail-elgin-steam-train-elgin-railway-market

    Review: Elgin Steam Train Travel with Ceres Rail Company

    3 November 2019 - By 

    There is something about a vintage steam train that evokes a sense of timelessness mixed with childlike wonder. Ceres Rail Company’s Elgin train provides the perfect testament to this, revealing a special kind of train travel magic… Maybe it’s the shrill choo-choo of the engine; the early morning excitement as you prepare to embark on your grand adventure from Cape Town to the verdant Elgin valley; the gentle swaying motion that you adjust to without thinking, as you secure your ‘train legs’; the inner-city-meets-Cape-countryside scenery chugging by… Or maybe, it’s all of these things – and more. Above all, it…

  • support-wine-farms-during-extended-level-3

    The Most Interesting Wine Regions Around the World

    1 November 2019 - By 

    Globally, wine is loved far and wide… With wine production and wine-producing regions spanning across parts of Africa (South Africa, Tunisia and Morocco), Europe, South America, North America, Canada, Oceania and Asia too. Wine is something that can be enjoyed alone or with others. It can be savoured with food or pensively sipped on its own. It is a drink for thinking, celebrating and yes, even for grieving too. Above all though, wine provides a historic, yet modern drinking experience. After all, it has apparently been around since c. 7000 BC. (With the earliest evidence of steady production of wine…

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    18 Best Experiences Near Cape Town for 2018

    26 December 2018 - By 

    2018 was a challenging year for many, including me. But, despite this, it was one of the most rewarding and successful years for my blog and a year in which I experienced some stunning places and experiences. In light of this, here are my 18 best experiences for 2018 (listed in chronological order): 1. Winelands Tea at La Motte To kick-start 2018, we had the pleasure of enjoying an elegant Winelands Tea at La Motte, back when talented chef Michelle Theron was still at the helm. (She has since been replaced by chef Eric Bulpitt, who, from my past visit…

  • overberg-gems-cape-canopy-tour-elgin

    Travel Review: Zipping Through the Skies With Cape Canopy Tour

    28 November 2018 - By 

    Tucked away in the picturesque Elgin Valley – itself an extraordinarily beautiful, fruitful place – and set on the slopes of the majestic Hottentot Holland Nature Reserve mountains, one discovers the incredible Cape Canopy Tour. This is where, visitors conquer new fears or return to familiar outdoor territory. At Cape Canopy Tour in Elgin, one can look forward to epic ziplining. This means sailing through the skies, like an eagle, as you traverse the beautiful mountain folds and river gorges. This memorable outdoor adventure is interrupted by nothing other than the wind whispering through the secretive cliffs… Best of all, at…