• best-child-friendly-restaurants-wine-estates-near-cape-town

    My Best Child-Friendly Restaurants and Wine Farms near Cape Town

    6 May 2026 - By 

    The Western Cape, and Cape Town, offer some excellent places for families with children to enjoy. In particular, there are a host of top child-friendly restaurants and wine farms. With my partner and I now in the early stages of parenthood and, as I have so many friends with children, when I explore new places, I definitely look for family-friendly ones. With this in mind, I’ve compiled a list of my best child-friendly restaurants and wine farms near Cape Town. Top Child-Friendly Restaurant and Wine Farms near Cape Town and Surrounds: I believe that both parents and children, irrespective of…

  • 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…

  • hazendal-wine-estate-homestead

    Celebrating 50 Years of the Stellenbosch Wine Routes

    14 April 2021 - By 

    In 2021, the beautiful Stellenbosch Wine Routes celebrates 50 years of forward-thinking wine innovation and pioneering (wine) tourism. As South Africa’s first official, recognised wine route – founded in 1971 by Frans Malan (Simonsig), Niel Joubert (Spier) and also, Spatz Sperling (Delheim) – this stunning wine route has only grown from strength to strength. Stellenbosch Wine Routes have put South Africa on the wine map globally in a big and powerful way during these past 50 years. Today, with five sub-routes (namely, Bottelary Hills, Greater Simonsberg, Helderberg, Stellenbosch Berg and Stellenbosch Valley) and a plethora of diverse wine farms, gorgeous…

  • de-grendel-wines

    How Wine Farms Have Responded During SA’s COVID-19 Lockdown and Restrictions

    26 April 2020 - By 

    Although South Africa’s wine farms have been unable to operate or deliver wines during the nation’s lockdown, they have found ways to offer support and upliftment to the people and communities around them. In true South African spirit, their generosity and kindness has been a joy to see. Since the national lockdown was first implemented on midnight of 26 March 2020, wine farms have been unable to keep their doors and cellars open to the public. An alcohol ban/restriction remains firmly in effect for the foreseeable future – so, while estates can still take online orders – no one is…

  • 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)…

  • Event Review: A Fine Wine Experience in the Heart of the Mother City – Vinimark WineWorx Wine Trade Fair 2015

    12 August 2015 - By 

    On Tuesday the 4th of August, I had the pleasure of attending the 2015 Vinimark Trade and Media Wine Trade Fair at the Mother City’s ultramodern CTICC by special invite as one of the media. Although I have visited and been wine-tasting on some of South Africa’s most beautiful, notable wine estates and wine cellars over the past few years, most especially last year, (including, to name but a few: Boschendal, Nederburg, Tokara, Fairview, Van Loveren, Zorgvliet and Zandvliet – the last of which was one of the 40-plus prestigious, time-honoured and well-represented estates at this year’s Vinimark Wine Fair)…