The time has finally come for that long awaited vacation with your significant other and we know that planning the perfect break can be a nerve-wracking experience for any couple. With the right preparation and know how, it can be a breeze and a wonderful opportunity to impress your significant other and score some brownie-points?
To help you, Golf Resorts Club has put together 5 ways for you to achieve this while still enjoying a well-deserved vacation:
1.
DON’T: Leave planning until the last minute
As the age-old saying goes, “Fail to plan, plan to fail”, so don’t let this be the downfall of your vacation. DO: Why not plan ahead and call the resort to book a romantic rendezvous, with a picnic next to the river at Bushman’s Nek, or a sunset game drive when staying at Waterberry Hill?
DON’T: Forget to relax DO: Book a spa treatment. This is one of the best ways to unwind, so make sure to call in advance and book a pamper session for you and your partner.
4.
DON’T: Forget the most important meal of the day
Waking up to a delicious breakfast whilst on holiday can set the tone for the entire day so planning for a special breakfast is a must! DO: Something different and instead of cooking for yourself, order-in or treat yourselves to a relaxed, leisurely breakfast at the restaurant on site or at an eatery in the area.
5.
DON’T: Forget the camera, the selfie stick, the GoPro DO: Capture all those amazing memories and make them last forever!
With a new year comes new opportunities for exploration and adventure! Here at Golf Resorts Club we firmly believe that the best place to start lies right here at home in South Africa, by exploring our beautiful country.
Choosing only one adventure can often be daunting with so much on offer, so we have compiled a top 10 list of some of the best experiences that our country has to offer. Check out our ultimate South African travel bucket list below:
1. Go whale watching in Hermanus
Watching a whale breach, blow and frolic in the surf is one of the most thrilling and awe-inspiring sights. The best time to spot these giants of the deep is from June to November along the Cape Coast.
2. Cruise Route 62
Arguably one of the most scenic drives in South Africa, Route 62 stretches from the Western to Eastern Cape, and winds through the Klein Karoo and many of the country’s most famous vineyards. Take a slow drive and take it all in, there is a lot on offer!
3. Take to the skies
Experience the magnificent Magalies River Valley from the unique vantage point of a hot air balloon. The flight lasts about an hour and includes a sumptuous breakfast afterwards, complete with champagne.
4. Step back in time
Get dressed to the nines, vintage style, and enjoy a traditional high tea at Durban’s Oyster Box Hotel, Umhlanga. You may even run into their resident feline celebrity, Skabenga.
5. Get high on life in Durban
If you prefer a birds-eye view of the city, then the Moses Mabhida Sky Car is the ideal addition to any adventure! With views of the ocean as far as the eye can see to the city skyline which runs for miles, this is a “not to be” missed experience.
6. Get to know the Cape locals!
Visit Boulder’s Beach near Simon’s Town and you will be able to spend some time penguin-watching and during the month of January, experience the amazing work of nature when the juveniles moult. If you are after a penguin-selfie make sure you visit either in the late afternoon or early morning.
7. Enjoy some flower power
During August and September the Namaqualand comes alive with wild flowers. Depending on rains, these daisies form a spectacular coloured carpet, not to be missed!
8. Travel the rails
For a luxury journey of a lifetime, why not book a trip from Pretoria to Cape Town. Described as a “five-star hotel on wheels”, the Blue Train is a moving hotel fit for a king.
9. Take a walk on the wild side
No list of quintessential South African experiences would be complete with including The Kruger National Park. The park spans nearly 2 million hectares and is home to an impressive number of species of flora and fauna, including the famous Big 5… something for everyone!
10. Visit the sculpture garden in Nieu Bethesda
Courtesy of owlhouse.co.za
Found in the Karoo town of Nieu Bethesda, the Owl House is a wonder to behold. Each sculpture was hand created by Helen Martins, and inspired the Athol Fugard play, The Road to Mecca. The walls of the house are also overlaid with crushed glass in a world filled with light, colour and texture.
There’s something about the December holidays that makes us all feel young again, no matter your age – perhaps it’s the Christmas spirit, not having to clock watch, or being able to spend more time with your children? Whatever it may be, we encourage you to release your inner child these December holidays and join in on the fun with these family suited activities…
Wet ‘n Wild Ushaka Marine World
When the sun shines in Durban (when does it not though?) the best place to be is Wet ‘n Wild waterpark at Ushaka Marine World.
Giba Gorge Mountain Bike Track
Head up the hill to Hillcrest and explore the natural beauty of Giba Gorge on the many trails– ranging from beginners to experienced biking and hiking trails.
People’s Park and Moses Mabhida Stadium
People’s Park and Moses Mabhida Stadium itself offers thrill seekers and active kiddies all the entertainment needed for a full day of fun.
Tobogganing
Head to Cool Runnings in Tygervalley, Cape Town, and take to Africa’s only toboggan track for an exhilarating day on the slopes for the whole family.
Cape Town Science Centre
Cape Town Science Centre in Observatory is a great place to indulge your kid’s inner nerd. The Centre’s exhibits are both mind-bogglingly cool and informative.
Artjamming
Create a masterpiece (or mess) on a blank canvas, all while listening to funky music. Artjammers are provided with a menu of 12 different size canvases, easels, and a selection of non-toxic acrylic paints, brushes and tools – express yourself!
East London Lion Park
See one of Africa’s greatest predators in close range at the Lion Park, just five minutes outside of East London.
Strawberry Picking
In the summer months this a lovely day spent outdoors for everyone to enjoy strawberry picking and munching at Lavender Blue in Beacon Bay.
Zip-lining at Adrenaline Addo
Take to the trees for a thrill and zipline your way through the Sundays River Valley, found just 50 minutes from Port Elizabeth.
Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Eden SanctuaryFor both an educational and special family treat when holidaying in Mpumalanga, head to the Chimpanzee Eden for an insight into how this beautiful species is being conserved.
Geckoing on the Sabie River
Sabie River Adventures offers an exciting day on the rapids of the upper Sabie River, though not suited to children younger than 12 years old, this is an excellent family activity to do on a warm summer’s day!
Perry’s Bridge Reptile Park
Located in Hazyview, the Perry Bridge reptile park offers interactive demonstrations to enthral brave young kids and adults alike!
Croc City Crocodile Farm
Visit the crocodile farm for an opportunity to view crocodiles and hatchlings at close range.
The Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre
Spend some time exploring the De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre. This world-renowned breeding and conservation centre offers various tours conducted by knowledgeable tour guides.
Hartbeespoort Aerial Cableway
Take a ride up the iconic cable way for breath taking views over the surrounding Magaliesberg Mountains, Hartbeespoort Dam and surrounding landscape of the Magaliesberg.
There is no need to mourn the death of date night – it is alive and kicking! Luckily, we have eliminated much of the hard work by compiling a short list of cost-effective, local and convenient activities from across the nation to help keep the flames ablaze this summer…
For an unpretentious, intimate and authentic Italian meal, solely by candlelight, traditional osteria True Italic, found on Bree Street, in the centre of Cape Town is the ticket. Ideal for a date night dinner with your plus one, serving antipasti platters with imported meats and cheeses, homemade pasta fresca, traditional Campari cocktails and among the best short espresso coffees in the city.
A Date with Kirsten(bosch)
Cape Town is a splendid place to picnic, specifically, Kirstenbosch Gardens. Pack a hamper of goodies – but before you do, visit the Old Biscuit Mill market in Woodstock for a selection of incredible treats to add to your hamper (Saturday mornings only), and find a spot in the gardens surrounded by some of South Africa’s indigenous giants. If you couldn’t be bothered to pack your own picnic, contact The Picnic Company who do it all for you!
Star Spangled Movie Theatre
For a seriously old-school date night experience, treat your love to movies at the Pink Flamingo Rooftop Cinema, which is found atop the Grand Daddy Hotel on Long Street. Movies by starlight include old-school classics such as Dirty Dancing and Pretty Woman…
For a fun twist on date night, a cooking class at Fusion Cooking School in Durban is a hands-on (ooh!), and interactive way to bond with your special someone. Try out Cuban, Mexican and Thai cuisine among a variety of different options – each lesson starts at 6.30pm and lasts about 3 hours.
Hello, twinkle toes
Get dolled up to the nines, cufflinks and bow ties welcome, and enjoy an evening of fine cuisine and a dinner dance. This evening soirée takes place every Saturday night in the Grill Room Restaurant at the marvellous Oyster Box Hotel. Don’t miss the classic 1920’s Hors d’ Oeuvres trolley with an extensive range of 18 appetizers.
Let’s cruise…
Whether you prefer a lunch or dinner cruise in the harbour and sea front, La Vue can provide you with a memorable and unique Durban experience. La Vue operates a scheduled dining cruise around the harbour and along the Sea front all year round, offering fresh food, live entertainment and spectacular Durban city sights.
Take a guided half or full day tour of the iconic Kruger National Park and steal a kiss at sunset while the fiery African sunset and the calls of the bushveld pose as your backdrop. Get in touch with: Private Kruger Safaris to organise your tour.
‘Fall’ in love again
Enjoy the serenity of a quiet picnic for two at the foot of the majestic Mac Mac falls, located on the Panorama Route. Picnic tables and chairs as well as ablutions are available, while crystal clear mountain spring pools offer a refreshing reprieve from the Mpumalanga heat.
A ride to remember
Elephants Whispers, found in Hazyview, is a wonderful experience if both you and your partner are animal lovers. On an elephant back safari tour you will be able to interact with these majestic animals while enjoying sundowners overlooking the Mpumalanga lowveld.
At Cube Tasting Kitchen, situated in trendy Parktown North they “encourage you to break free from conventional eating and enjoy 10 courses of something different.” Spend an evening of delighting your taste buds with this unique experience.
Romance on a rooftop
Make your way to the quirky, creative district of Braamfontein and gorge yourself on the vast selection of delectable foods at the Neighbourgoods Market, found in a 15-storey modernist building overlooking the streets below and the iconic Mandela Bridge.
Sail into the sunset
Sip champagne as you sail the Vaal River in Vanderbijlpark, departing from Stonehaven Harbour – romance epitomised! Costs for each cruise are billed per person, per hour and start at just R50.
Head to Sardinia Bay in Port Elizabeth and kick up some sand with Heavenly Stables, offering one -hour horse rides through the Sardinia Bay Nature Reserve. Bookings are essential at least two days prior.
Indulge your sweet tooth
For all Vovo Telo fans, the original artisan bakery / restaurant was founded in Richmond Hill, Port Elizabeth. Treat your special someone to a death by chocolate brownie and cappuccino or mix it up with a breakfast date and indulge on one of their delicious concoctions of egg and artisan bread.
Image courtesy of Vovo Telo
Take a tumble
Board the Sundays River ferry and cruise the river up to the magnificent Alexandria / Colchester sand dune fields and try your hand at sand boarding.
Believe it or not, recent studies prove that money can buy you happiness – if you spend it wisely.
An expensive diamond or fancy car can indeed put a sparkle in your eye initially, but that glimmer soon wears off. We eventually become accustomed to our possessions and start to take them for granted.
Happy memories are a gift that keeps on giving, whenever it comes to mind. Think about it…
Material goods decrease in value over time, a happy experience is priceless, and thus cannot.
If you don’t spend money on doing new things, you will never find out what truly ignites your passion and sense of purpose.
Travel introduces you to different perspectives on life and alternative ways of seeing things, by exposing you to a wider pool of cultures and beliefs.
There are lots of things you can’t learn from the internet or a book – such as the thrill of gliding down a ski slope, or coming fact to face with a lion on a game walk.
You can’t purchase positive feelings of excitement or relaxation, but you can experience them on a holiday, at a sporting event, at a concert, or learning a new skill.
Happy experiences make you a more grateful, accepting and generally happier person.
So if you want more bang for your buck – spend your money on enriching your life and not your list of assets. You belong to a species that thirsts for meaningful experiences – embrace it!
“Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience.” — Paulo Coelho
South Africans love a good braai, there is even National Braai Day in September! So get those fires burning with some of our suggestions for places to create those special memories while enjoying South Africa’s favourite pastime.
Whether you believe in ghosts or not, you can be sure to find somewhere in South Africa that will raise the hairs on the back of your neck. In the spirit of Halloween, check out any one of these country-wide spooky spots this October:
Africana Library, Kimberley
Road tripping to Cape Town from Johannesburg? Kimberley is the half-way point and a spooky stop over to the Africana Library is well worth the chills down your spine! Bertrand Dyer, the city’s first qualified librarian, is said to have committed suicide in the library building. Apparently his ghost can often be seen, still in his Victorian garb, pacing the halls of the library and rearranging the books on the shelves to his liking. The librarians say that if ever a book needs to be found, they simply have to ask Dyer and the book will suddenly fall off the shelf.
Nottingham Road Hotel, KwaZulu-Natal
Nottingham Road Hotel,found along the Midlands Meander, is said to be home to a beautiful female ghost called Charlotte. Allegedly killed under mysterious circumstances in the 1800s, hotel guests have reportedly had encounters with Charlotte – making her one of the most “famous” ghosts in South Africa. She apparently glides through the halls of the hotel, rearranges flowers, moves mirrors and even unpacks the bags of some visitors. Stay at:Whispering Waters in the Midlands and visit the Nottingham Road Hotel.
Lord Milner Hotel, Matjiesfontein, Klein Karoo
Matjiesfontein is host to the most haunted place in South Africa – the Lord Milner Hotel, which was built in 1899. Laughter can be heard in empty rooms and the sound of billiards being played can also be heard when there is no one there. The ghosts said to haunt the halls of Lord Milner include a 19-year old Boer nurse, and James Logan, the original town founder. In the town itself, the spectre of a wounded British soldier is said to be seen standing at the turn-off to the Memorial Cemetery.
The Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town
The Castle of Good Hope is one of the oldest colonial buildings in South Africa, and once housed convicts, many of whom were executed on the grounds. It is now said to be home to several restless spirits. Visitors to the castle have reported hearing ghostly footsteps, seeing flickering lights, hearing strange voices and even sighting a two meter tall figure, a black dog and the spectre of the castle’s first official hostess, Lady Anne Barnard. Stay at:Riviera Suites centrally located in Cape Town.
Tokai forest, Cape Town
Story has it, many years ago, Frederick Eksteen, son of the owner of the Tokai Manor House, was dared to ride his horse up the stairs and into the dining room during a ‘spirited’ New Year’s Eve bash, resulting in the horse starting and Frederick falling to his death. Legend has it that nowadays a ghostly horseman is often seen and heard galloping around the forest, especially on New Year’s Eve. Stay at:Riviera Suites centrally located in Cape Town.
Hunt down the best display of the flowering Namaqualand daisy, find your new favourite picnic spot for the summer, discover local wine routes or enjoy a challenging or tranquil walk in the warmer weather to ring in spring!
Western Cape
For the perfect picnic spots in Cape Town, head to Eagles Nest Winery in Constantia or Cape Point Vineyards in Noordhoek – here you can enjoy some of the most peaceful scenery and enjoy an afternoon of wine tasting at the same time.
If you are on the hunt for a truly spectacular display of the iconic Namaqualand daisy, take a drive up the West Coast to Darling, Yzerfontein and the Postberg region of the West Coast National Park where a kaleidoscope of sprint-time colour awaits you.
Mpumalanga
Magical scenery and awaits in the verdant province of Mpumalanga – packed with numerous picnic spots at the foot a waterfall, walking and hiking trails, opportunity for games drives at the nearby Kruger National Park and even a spot of wine tasting.
Picnic at the foot of the cascading Lisbon Falls, hike the popular Escarpment Trail in Machadodorp or discover the Kruger National Park on foot with a guided walking safari. For a more tranquil, sophisticated pursuit, head to Rottcher Wineries in White River for delicious orange wine tasting.
KwaZulu-Natal
Despite Durban’s pretty consistent year-round weather, spring is a particularly gorgeous time in the sunny province, and provides a multitude of opportunities to get outdoors! Head to Durban Botanic Gardens, Africa’s oldest surviving botanic gardens, for a sublime picnic in the sunshine, or spend the day on the city’s golden shores at Ushaka or Umhlanga.
Alternatively, head in-land to the Midlands Meander and enjoy the many quirky stalls, cafes, chocolate, cheese, wine and beer tastings to be found.
Eastern Cape
The Eastern Cape is also one of those provinces which is a joy to visit most months of the year, but, it’s a particular treat during spring. This evergreen, tropical part of the country is an outdoor lover’s paradise – from the Wild Coast down to the Garden Route, you will be spoiled for choice to make the most of spring. If you are holidaying near Port Elizabeth, take a trip to Addo Elephant Park, here you can picnic or braai overlooking the waterhole – all day visitors welcome.
Spend the day at the Featherbed Nature Reserve when visiting Knysna and enjoy a lagoon cruise, 4×4 drive to explore the peninsula, optional 2.2 kilometre trail walk and buffet lunch under shady milkwood trees to end the day.
With Heritage Day coming up this month – the 24th September, to be exact, we thought it would only be fitting to take some time out and appreciate what makes our country so special. From culture, landscape, cuisine and history – this is what makes us proudly South African.
Kwa-Zulu Natal
Welcome to the land of what seems like infinite sunshine! Head to the sunny east coast and enjoy:
A mutton bunny chow
A hike in the world-famous Drakensberg Mountains – a UNESCO heritage site
Take your photo beside the face of Madiba at the Nelson Mandela Capture site near Howick
Meander along Durban’s Golden Mile boulevard and take a dip in the warm east coast waters
Western Cape
Cape Town is South Africa’s very own international city, host to world-class landmarks and the seventh natural wonder of world – Table Mountain.
Right at the tip of Africa you will find several historic sites such as the Castle, Robben Island, The Bo-Kaap and District Six.
The Fossil Museum at Velddrif is a fascinating place to discover.
The Cedarberg Mountains are filled with thousands of examples of San Rock Art.
Franschhoek and Stellenbosch are some of the world’s best wine producing regions.
Eastern Cape
This part of the country is haven for outdoor lovers, adventurers and history buffs alike. The majority of South Africa’s prized Garden Route is also found in the Eastern Cape, drawing thousands of international tourists and locals year after year. Make sure to swing by:
The Nelson Mandela Museum in Mthatha, Qunu and Mvezo – describing Mandela’s long walk to freedom.
The Addo Elephant National Park – a sanctuary for over 600 African elephant and numerous game.
Storms River Mouth for the world’s highest bungee jump.
The Tsitsikamma National Park for forest exploration, white water rafting and tree zip lining.
North West and Mpumalanga
You can’t go much further back in time to discover our African heritage than the landmarks found in the North West province and Mpumalanga. Known as ‘God’s Country’ these provinces hold pride of place as some of the most significant in the country. Ensure you visit:
The Sterkfontein Caves in Maropeng which form part of the Cradle of Humankind and house over 500 Hominid fossils.
Visit the Kruger National Park for a look at the remains of the legendary Magnificent Seven at Letaba Camp.
Drive the Panorama Route in Mpumalanga and discover the sheer, untouched beauty of this province.
Take the cable car at Hartbeespoort Dam and marvel at the beauty of the ancient Magaliesberg Mountains.
Tokai forest, Cape Town
Western Cape 
Kwa-Zulu Natal 
Western Cape
Eastern Cape
North West and Mpumalanga 
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