April 2017 - Venues4Africa

5 Travel Rules

If you are looking to take a break and really want to unplug and detach from your daily life, there are 5 travel rules you need to abide by to get the most of your experience.

1. Travel with someone you love

There is no point in sharing a special moment with someone that does not add value to your life, or at least someone that doesn’t’ share your passion or have the same dreams as you. If you do, you will regret this time wasted.

2. Collect moments not things

Things wear out, they get lost, they lose importance and value with time, at some point you will even forget you ever collected something. But moments will always stay attached to your mind and the memories are unforgettable. Take loads of pictures, loads of selfies, capture every moment.

3. Indulge

Be adventurous and try something you’ve never done before. Try skydiving, bungee jumping, shark cage diving, whatever it is you choose to do, be sure it gets your blood rushing. Eat a lot and drink a lot- otherwise there no point of travelling in the first place. And don’t hesitate to try the weird food too!

4. Don’t regret anything

If you spend too much money and go over your budget – don’t regret it, because it’s money well-spent. Remember travelling is not about money, it’s about courage. Do and see everything you possibly can and make sure you do not regret not having done something – that will just be a total waste of time and energy.

5. Share the experience

Be sure to always have your smartphone or tablet with you. Take pictures of the food, the drinks, the places that you get to see and post them on social media. Check in at every place you visit – believe it or not, people want to see those pictures and want to know where you’ve been.

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Cape Winelands! Top must see places

A world of unique destinations, each with its own beauty and charm is what you can expect from spending a few days in the Cape Winelands. This world-renowned ruote offers any keen visitor a chance to explore a mix of old colonial charm and modernity, while also getting a good enough taste of nature. The Cape Winelands Route , known for its serenity and tranquility, also boasts a wealth of picturesque vineyards lying against rugged mountains and enjoying a beautiful country feel. Here are some of the best towns not to miss during your winelands route vacation.

Stellenbosch

This lovely and quaint town boasts a glorious and quiet location 50 Km outside of Cape Town while lying on the banks of the Eerste River. Stellenbosch makes a perfect weekend getaway destination for Capetonians. Like any other winelands town, Stellenbosch is known for unrivalled viticulture where an endless list of award winning wines are produced. If you are not going to Stellenbosch for the wine experience, then you are definitely looking to enjoy some sightseeing and exciting events that always set the town abuzz.

Franschhoek

Amidst a majestic range of mountains, 75 km from Cape Town is Franschhoek, a small town we like to identify as a” dynamite in a small package.” For any town in the Cape Winelands, Franschhoek is praised for it’s quaint old charm of Cape Dutch architecture – most of which still retain its original form. Although some houses have been meticulously restored, there is no doubt that this little town’s most enjoyed activity is sightseeing, beside the wine culture of course! The town also offers aplenty restaurants and places to dine that will just make a perfect getaway.

Wellington

Not too far from from Paarl, is Wellington, a small town the oozes an abundance of wine and brandy, altogether with deciduous fruit. Wellington boasts an incredible position at the centre on of the Cape Winelands and at the base of the Bain’s Kloof Pass, the oldest mountain pass in the country. Surely, you ought to know that a visit to the winelands is not complete until you have wandered through the streets of the town and absorbing the simplicity of a lifestyle the town offers.

Hermanus

With its own little wine route coming along and showing potential, Hermanus also falls under the glorious Cape Wineland and offers a fantastic range of wineries worth a visit. This coastal town not only boasts locally produced wines, it s also notorious for the presence of the Southern Right Whale in winter and spring. In September, there is an annual Whale Festival, so taking some time to celebrate the beginning of their mating season is time well spent in the town.

Robertson

Situated in the heart of the rustic and scenic Route62, Robertson is just a perfect retreat for romance. The wine industry in Robertson has grown significantly with up to 50 wine cellars now registered and for wine tasting venues, you are spoilt for choice. With the town’s tourism growing too, you are sure to enjoy romantic star- gazing under the African night sky, hiking and skydiving.

Stay in the loop to keep up to date with our newest members of our growing family. This week, we are are proud to announce: 75 Cascades, a luxury self-catering holiday apartment Umdloti Beach, KwaZulu Natal’s Dolphin Coast.

Meander through the Midlands

Sometimes, a vacation is all about doing things you never thought you’d never do, visiting the places you never thought you’d see and ultimately being away from the the city buzz. Away from all the things that make up your daily life and just to choose to live the alternative. It is about letting go of all the things you can’t live without for a moment and experience the natural and unpolished beauty of life. The KwaZulu Natal Midlands is just the exact place where you will experience such a vacation – detached from what is nowadays the way of life.

Set in a tranquil countryside, the Midlands boasts picturesque rugged mountains and the Drakensberg just takes the crown. The sublime nature of the areas is what is most striking as you drive along the narrow country roads. The rivers, the lakes , the waterfalls and the thick and lush evergreen forest, the list is endless, you will have to see it with your own eyes than to hear about it a thousand times. Meander through the Midlands from Nottingham Road to Curry’s Post and Howick making your way to Pietermaritzburg the taking a detour to the inlands of Durban, this trip will only take you a few days to complete.

At each point in the journey make sure you take some time to hike, walk the nature trails, go fishing or explore the lifestyle of the locals on their cheese and trout farms. Why not grab a picnic basket and find your perfect spot in the country and be amused by prolific birdlife. Be enchanted by exquisite creativity in form of pottery, woven items and paintings as you meander through the quaint towns.

When it finally feels like it is time for that getaway, that escape into the where life actually began, a Natal Midlands vacation will be all you just need to revitalise and rejuvenate your body, mind and soul.

Stay in the loop to keep up to date with our newest members of our growing family. This week, we are are proud to announce: Aleandrii Farm Stay, that offers you the most comfortable and affordable accommodation in the Little Karoo.