• matjiesfontein-central-karoo-town-western-cape

    Lovely Western Cape Towns and Villages to Explore

    29 August 2026 - By 

    The Western Cape is famous for its charming small towns and villages. In this post, I share some of my favourite, best Western Cape towns and villages. Whether you are looking for an in-land adventure or coastal escape, these local gems are made for travellers to explore. Exploring the Best Western Cape Towns and Villages Over the years, I have had the pleasure of exploring most of the well-known, iconic towns in the Western Cape. Growing up in the Klein Karoo town of Montagu allowed us easier access and relaxed road trips to nearby gems. Although there are many other Cape…

  • windtown-lagoon-hotel-west-coast

    A Dreamy Coastal Stay in Central Langebaan: Windtown Lagoon Hotel

    21 July 2025 - By 

    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…

  • apple-picking-cheverells-farm

    Interesting Day Trips Near Cape Town to Enjoy

    2 April 2023 - By 

    Day trips are some of my favourite travel adventures. I am a sucker for road trips, hidden gems and new places and a day trip is the perfect chance to enjoy all this and more! Happily, there are so many interesting day trips near Cape Town for locals and tourists to enjoy. In this post, I cover some of my favourite day trips by region. This should help you get the most out of your day. My Most Interesting Day Trips Near Cape Town Whether you go wine farm hopping, dive into nature or road trip to your heart’s content,…

  • jacqui-cooks-the-jax-blog

    Guests’ Corner: The Jax Blog

    16 October 2018 - By 

    As part of the next instalment in Guests’ Corner – a local and international travel interview segment on Tamlyn Amber Wanderlust – I chatted to Jacqui Cooks, South African blogger and social media marketer. Born and bred in Cape Town, thirty-something Jacqui Cooks is a woman of many pursuits and talents… Think: top South African blogger, social media marketer, global gypsy, TripAdvisor junkie and cupcake-er and all-round pleasure purveyor of note. Through her gorgeous blog, The Jax Blog, Jacqui indulges in travel with fresh eyes, seeing the world as an incurable ‘wanderluster’ and social media addict. What’s more, with some…

  • Cafe Review: Ginja Beanz Coffee Cafe, Langebaan

    13 September 2017 - By 

    In late July, our three-day trip to Langebaan revealed some true local gems. One such place was Ginja Beanz Coffee Café. Found in Waterfront Square, this charming coffee shop will surprise more than a few visitors. People always think that small towns can’t have top class food spots… But, having grown up in Montagu where hospitality reigns, we know better than that. Referring to itself as the “coffee capital of Langebaan”, Ginja Beanz takes their coffee seriously. This is evident from the moment you enter. Inside there is an elegant display counter offering a glimpse at their coffee for sale,…

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    Travel Review: Langebaan’s Nano Brewery, Black Eagle Brewing Company

    11 August 2017 - By 

    When I was doing a careful search into the best places to stay/dine at in Langebaan, the name ‘Black Eagle Brewing Company’ kept popping up. TripAdvisor reviewers were hailing this local brewery as a real gem for great beer and eats. In some cases, others even rated it as one of the best little breweries in the Western Cape.  Now, anyone who knows me, knows that cocktails – followed by wine – are my preferred drinks of choice. Still, on a few occasions, I’ve sipped and sampled some highly rated brews, putting my (low) beer-drinking threshold to the test.  A…

  • Travel Review: Discover the Magic of Thali Thali Game Lodge, Langebaan

    7 August 2017 - By 

    Located outside the tranquil West Coast town of Langebaan – and happily found along the West Coast Way foodie and scenic route – lies the vast and unquestionably magical, 1460-hectare fynbos and game farm: Thali Thali Game Lodge. Here, from the moment the gate shuts behind you, closing out the hum of the R27 road, you discover a sense of arriving. It’s like being in the wildest heart of Africa, without even venturing beyond the Western Cape. Our introduction to Thali Thali soon became something powerful… We eased up the driveway past a field of springbok, who pranced off in…

  • Langebaan Accommodation Review: Fabulous Four-Star-Rated Masada Guest House

    6 August 2017 - By 

    Langebaan is indeed the Jewel of the West Coast. Not only is this evident in its amazing natural beauty – like its crystal clear aqua waters, endless, pristine beaches and wilderness havens teeming with wildlife – but it’s clear from its food and accommodation offerings too, as we discovered on our first night’s stay in Langebaan. We had planned a few days away from the city to properly recharge and, in my case especially, to reacquaint ourselves with all that Langebaan accommodation and local eateries have to offer. So, after an easy drive along the R27 in slowly fading light,…