• simons-town-accommodation

    Six Reasons Why I Like ‘Home Bookings’ Best

    11 June 2017 - By 

    When I say ‘home bookings’, I really mean booking through external services like LekkeSlaap, AirBnB, AccommodationDirect or SafariNow – and after several personal experiences with at least two of the above-mentioned services, here is why I like them best: A More Personal Touch In these instances, usually you will work directly with the owner of the property to set up the booking/trip rather than a hotel receptionist, or standard online booking service that accurately makes your bookings… but very rarely offers a more personal touch. Thereafter, not only will you very likely meet the owner – who may welcome you…

  • boulders-beach-road-trip

    Travel Review: Simon’s Town – S.A.’s Naval ‘Port of Call’

    30 May 2017 - By 

    In early October 2014, I first had the pleasure of travelling to Simon’s Town, which is about an hour or so from Cape Town, depending on traffic and which route you take to get there. This historic naval town has a rich, multi-cultural history and offers visitors some wonderful travel opportunities, all of which are within close proximity to the town. These most notably include the internationally famous trio: the fiercely wild Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope and the tantalizingly beautiful Boulders Beach. Although that was my first visit to the town (and it was pretty much love at…

  • 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…

  • long-beach-kommetjie

    Cool and Cosy in Kommetjie: Top Reasons to Visit This Mother City Spot in the Deep South

    9 April 2017 - By 

    I’ve only visited Kommetjie twice now in my three or so years of residing in Cape Town – but it’s definitely one of my favourite travel spots; at least of those found along the Cape Peninsula coastline. This small, close-knit village in the Deep South has it all: country vibes, ocean and mountain views to die for (no matter whereabouts you are in ‘town’), and a wonderful holiday feeling, which allows people like myself the chance to leave the city behind and get back to nature’s freeing roots. The best part of all: it’s easily accessible (particularly if you’re a…

  • 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…

  • chapmans-peak-drive

    Why Chapman’s Peak Drive Has Me Charmed

    22 February 2017 - By 

    Arguably one of South Africa’s (if not the world’s) most scenic drives, Chapman’s Peak Drive is one road trip you have to make if you visit the beautiful Western Cape province. Discover more about its unique, yet trying history, marvel at its endless natural beauty and above all, see first-hand for yourself why Chapman’s Peak charms and inspires so many visitors every day, as you curl the coastline – from either False Bay side or the Atlantic Seaboard – and travel to or from the marvellous Mother City. 1) Why Chappies has me charmed It’s one of my favourite road…

  • 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…

  • city-sightseeing-cape-town

    Travel Review: A Hasty Hop On, Hop Off Cape Town’s CitySightseeing Buses

    18 June 2016 - By 

    In  April,  I  finally  had  the  chance  to  ‘hop  on,  hop  off’  one  of  the  Mother  City’s  most  familiar  sights:  the bright  red,  open  top  CitySightseeing  Cape  Town  buses.  These  buses  exist  in  cities  worldwide  –  and  ever since  I  first  discovered  the  sightseeing  tours  on  offer,  I  have  felt  we  are  strangely  blessed  to  be  among one  of  these  global  cities,  which  CitySightseeing  and  their  characteristically  colourful  buses  frequent, granting  even the stoutest  local  the  chance  of  a unique,  almost  international  experience. Although  originally  brought  to  us  from  overseas  (where  their  global  reach  ever  increases;  you can view the…

  • Café Review: Bean There Coffee Roastery, Cape Town

    3 June 2016 - By 

    Please note: Bean There Coffee Roastery’s coffee shop has since closed. Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting a coffee shop that has been on my list (in Cape Town, you need a list with all the places that keep temptingly mushrooming into existence) for a while: Bean There Coffee Roastery, officially launched in 2011 (though it also has Braamfontein and Milpark roasteries among its ranks). It is quite easily noticeable from the road when you enter Wale Street because of its compact white exterior and also, its cheery, lemon yellow outdoor seating, which certainly catches your eye as you pass…

  • Expo Review: The Power of Poison Exhibition, Cape Town

    22 April 2016 - By 

    After my Titanic Expo experience and subsequent reviews, I was kindly invited back to explore the Power of Poision Expo, which was set to arrive on South African shores in April 2016. A quick bit of research revealed that the Power of Poison Exhibition, offered by none other than the esteemed American Museum of Natural History, is a hugely interactive, fun and immensely popular exhibition that looks at both the good and bad aspects of poison, as it is found in: nature, history, literature, medicine and even fairy tales! I was instantly intrigued by this and my guest visit was…