20 reasons to leave the city and move to a ‘dorp’

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You’ve had a life-long dream.

That goes something like this: meet soul mate (optional), have child (optional), move to a SMALL TOWN and open a coffee shop/fish shop/country restaurant/country pub and live out the rest of your life in the slow lane without any big city stress.

Perhaps you have given the idea merely a passing thought? Either way, here are a list of reasons to leave the city and head for South Africa’s country ‘dorps’…

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The 10 best eateries in Durban

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Durban as a ‘foodie destination’ is a recent concept. The Roma revolving restaurant was about as good as it got. Recently areas like Greyville, Berea and Glenwood have mushroomed into trendy alternatives to the always buzzing Florida Road, and places to nosh have restored the city’s lunch and dinner scene.

Here are 10 of the best eateries in Durban, for a variety of reasons… Continued

Grootvadersbosch – 15 reasons to visit this last patch of indigenous forest

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Right at the end of a dirt road that begins somewhere after the little village of Suurbraak is the largest remaining indigenous forest in the Langeberg.

The forest is almost engulfed by the ravine into which it descends, barely visible from the top of the mountain fynbos-clad hillsides of the Grootvadersbosch reserve. This isolated pocket of Afromontane forest, in a pleat of the Cape fold mountains, is known by few yet there are a myriad reasons to visit … Continued

7 things in Cape Town that you can (and can’t) do in Europe

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With Cape Town rated as the top destination for 2014 by the New York Times earlier this year – ahead of LA, the Vatican and the Seychelles – it is only natural that visitors want to know just what it is Cape Town has that other cities don’t.

And so we’ve put together an irrefutable list – things in Cape Town that you can (and can’t) do in Europe… Continued

Tantalize your tastebuds in Stanford Village

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Described by many as resembling a scene from ‘A River Runs Through It‘, Stanford village possesses the idyllic, dreamy charm of an epic romantic film. Children fish from the jetties while Gymnogenes call nearby; residents hit the river with their canoes early in summer for a ‘country gym session’, while horse-riders saddle up for long out-rides in the mountains.

Stanford has quietly been attracting ‘swallows’, investors, weekenders, visitors and residents to its sleepy river banks over the past few years, shaking things up for the better. This small Overberg town now boasts award-winning wineries, restaurants and artisans, along with just about the prettiest country views you’ve ever clapped eyes on… Continued

Breakfast at Parc Cafe in Glenwood, Durban

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I love a lie in on a Saturday morning, but this last Saturday we found ourselves heading down the highway at 06h45 in order to get to Durban in time for our first ever Park Run which started at 08h00. What a great event … A free 5km time trial that happens every Saturday with the route starting on the promenade outside Suncoast Casino and making its way past Circus Circus Beach Cafe for 2.5kms before heading back to Suncoast.

We really enjoyed it but let’s face it, every runner, elite or not, deserves a good breakfast after a 6h15 wake up call and this really was why we had made the trek from Kearsney! Continued

The 8 best drinking holes in Cape Town

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Cape Town is lively, sophisticated and one of the world’s 10 most loved cities at any time of the year. But in winter, when driving rain or cold can keep people from spilling out onto the pavements, finding the city’s favourite drinking holes is not as easy as cruising the streets to follow the crowd; the crowd is usually safely sequestered indoors.

We thought we’d be helpful and highlight our top trendy drinking holes in Cape Town, in the centre of the city… Continued

Living in Cape Town – The 15 best days

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Just about any time spent living in Cape Town is better than living anywhere else (yes, I am unashamedly biased). Even so, there are some days that are even better than others. Guess that’s why we love living here so much… Continued

Where to drink in Jozi – top 15 bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants

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Jozi’s bustling nightlife has so much by way of eclectic and vibey restaurants, pubs, and clubs that making a choice is difficult.

We make it easy for you – Here is our guide on Where to drink in Jozi – top 15 bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants …
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20 things you have to explain to out-of-towners about Johannesburg

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There is a whole sector of society who is of the opinion that a visit to Johannesburg is tantamount to suicide. Most people fly through Jo’burg on their way elsewhere. For reasons that on the face of it appear completely sensible. But for the most part are not true. Johannesburg has an edge. It is tough, vigorous and beautiful and most people who live there love their city and will defend its skyline, its insistent energy and its people.

But perhaps a brief introduction about Johannesburg will help those visiting for the first time … Continued

Your bucket list of things to do this winter holiday (that even the kids will like)

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Three long weeks of holiday! But it needn’t feel like a burden for those with children. With a list of events that will keep both parents and kids happy, this winter break promises to be a good break all round.

We list top events across South Africa - things to do this winter holiday (that even the kids will like) … Continued

South Africa’s peace parks – top 5 parks that transcend borders

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Peace parks, also known as Transboundary Protected Areas (TBPA), allow animals to migrate freely between neighbouring countries in a return to their natural migration patterns. They promote tourism and goodwill between neighbouring countries.

It is also a potential tool to save a deteriorating ecology. Once parties or countries involved realise the importance of biological diversity, they are more likely to co-operate.  Environmental cooperation, in turn, can help resolve political and territorial conflicts. Sharing physical space and management responsibilities sustains peace among countries.

Real-life examples of such successes include the Seslous-Niassa Wildlife Corridor, and the Emerald Triangle conservation zone in Indochina.

But the bonus for visitors is the increased access to a greater variety of game, and far greater variety of wildlife habitats.

South Africa has eight peace parks, and one in the making. All are worthy of a visit. Here is more on 5 of them: Continued

La Piazza – Ooh La La

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My husband and I went out for dinner on Friday at a restaurant we found almost by accident. My first choice was for Thai but on arrival at the restaurant in Umhlali, it appeared that it has closed its doors for business (either that or they only operate during lunch hours), our second choice was for Chinese but the restaurant was lacking a lot of ambiance and so we settled on pizza and pasta at La Piazza.

Clearly the good people of Ballito know more than we do … we hadn’t made a reservation and were lucky to get a table. Continued

A Visit to Harold Johnson Nature Reserve

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When you live on a farm, like we do, and the closest Ster Kinekor is an hour’s drive and two toll gates away, it is sometimes necessary to make your own entertainment.

We did this a few Sunday’s ago when I suggested breakfast at the Harold Johnson Nature Reserve. The Skottel and breakfast supplies (including a tin of condensed milk …necessary for any game reserve cup of coffee) were loaded into the double cab and off we went. Continued

19 secret spots in South Africa – places you’ve probably never been

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There is a danger in thinking that every little bolthole and haven has been discovered in South Africa.

Whilst travel magazines, blogs and websites undoubtedly make our lives as travellers a lot easier with their vivid accounts of places and spaces, the vastness of South Africa means that there will always be uncharted areas… Continued