• werf-picnic-experience-boschendal-wine-estate

    A Beautiful Werf Picnic Experience at Boschendal Wine Estate

    29 March 2022 - By 

    Beautiful Boschendal is one of my favourite estates in the Cape Winelands for so many reasons. Not only are they steeped in rich Cape history but this estate offers it all. Everything from stunning wedding venues, accommodation, outdoor experiences and of course, quality food and wine. Included in the food and wine aspect is Boschendal’s rather famous Werf picnic experience. Their picnics have changed a bit over the years – but quality and food excellence has always remained. Sustainably Minded Werf Picnics More to the point, Boschendal is hugely focused on doing right by the planet. For years now, they…

  • chapmans-peak-drive

    My Best Scenic Drives in and around Cape Town

    19 March 2018 - By 

    The Western Cape is blessed with a wide array of jaw-dropping, impressive country or coastal drives. From Chapman’s Peak Drive to the Route 62 and Cape West Coast, there is a drive for every kind of traveller. 2025 update: Please note: This was a collaborative post between Afristay and Tamlyn Amber Wanderlust from 2018. However, in 2025, Afristay shut its doors. And, if you’re looking for some accommodation inspiration during your trip, look no further than Afristay.com, one of South Africa’s largest accommodation booking portals. Book directly through Afristay.com’s awesome website – which allows for effortless online bookings – and enjoy…

  • riebeek-kasteel-eatery

    Eateries to Visit in 2018

    18 February 2018 - By 

    For me, 2017 was a year of discovered foodie gems and even since the beginning of this year, I’ve unearthed a few more restaurants and bistros well-worth checking out in 2018. From elegant Winelands’ bistros and excellent Northern Suburb gems to inner city speakeasy-meet-tapas spaces, there is something on the list for every kind of food lover to enjoy. My best eateries to visit in 2018: No. 1: La Paris Bistro Located at the beautiful La Paris Estate – famed for its weddings and event functions – this still-new addition to Franschhoek is arguably one of the loveliest places we’ve…

  • Winelands Tea on the Deck at Pierneef à La Motte

    25 January 2018 - By 

    Please note: La Motte no longer offers Winelands Tea experiences.   The oh-so-elegant La Motte Wine Estate in Franschhoek is, if anything, one of the most perfect wine estates to enjoy a Winelands Tea. It offers preserved Cape heritage and outstanding talent, which permeates down from owner Hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg. This leading estate also oozes natural beauty and femininity; no doubt a result of Hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg’s gentle overseeing touches… A culture of excellence neatly ingrained throughout The estate motto, “A culture of excellence,” is fitting, as La Motte breeds excellence. This is evident in the estate and its offerings – and also…

  • Paradise Found at Wine Estate and Working Farm, Babylonstoren

    1 May 2017 - By 

    It’s not often that I get to finally check a place off my travel bucket list, for it is, admittedly, something of an ever-expanding, ravenous beast (which I will one day cut down to a manageable size…) – but this past Easter Monday, I was able to do just that when I visited Babylonstoren… where, just outside Franschhoek, paradise was well and truly found. Easter is always a special time of year for me, when family and the most poignant example of loving sacrifice take centre stage in my heart, and this year I really wanted to make it even…

  • Picnic Review: Scenic Riverside Holden Manz Picnic

    4 March 2017 - By 

    Earlier this year I had the pleasure of hopping on the Franschhoek Wine Tram’s Blue Line (see my review for more info) – and in so doing, I was able to visit the beautiful, quintessentially Cape Dutch wine farm: Holden Manz Wine Estate. After being dropped off near to the Franschhoek Kitchen restaurant and inquiring after our pre-arranged picnic, my friend and I asked if we could walk down to front gate to see the small dam, which had caught our eye as we passed by in our chic, yet gamely, tram bus. We were warmly invited to do this, so…

  • Picnic Review: A Stunning Picnic Experience at La Bri Wine Estate

    6 February 2017 - By 

    Recently, my friend and I had the enormous pleasure of being part of the hop-on, hop-off Franschhoek Wine Tram’s Blue Line tour. Because of this, we were allowed to make a maximum of six stops (from an original selection of eight) at various participating Franschhoek wine farms – one such estate was La Bri. I had first encountered La Bri (and their wonderful wines) at the 2015 edition of the Vinimark WineWorx Wine Trade Fair, which took place at the CTICC. On that particular occasion, I was fortunate to meet La Bri’s talented winemaker, Irene Walker, in person. From the…

  • Travel Review: Experiencing the Delightful Franschhoek Wine Tram

    29 January 2017 - By 

    Please note: Tour information and pricing may have changed but the experience is still accurately portrayed in this review. This past Saturday, I had the enormous pleasure of experiencing the Blue Line of the Franschhoek Wine Tram. Like their other lines (of which there are several), it allows passengers the chance to select a maximum of five to six (out of eight) Franschhoek wine farms to hop-on, hop-off at. It had been over three years since I last travelled to that beautiful part of the country – undoubtedly one of my ultimate favourites, aside from Cape Town and the False…