Whilst on our recent visit to South Africa we needless to say visited their famed wine estates. It is a particular hobby of ours and one that can be indulged totally on the Cape Wine Route, which has many and varied wine estates, all wonderfully different and making it as difficult to choose which wine estate to visit as a child in a sweetie shop agonising over what sweets to purchase with their precious pennies!

Amongst our visits this time were a couple of estates that merit special mention, Graham Beck and Guardian Peak, which is part of the Ernie Els wine estates.

Ernie Els needs no introduction to those golfers amongst us who know him as one of the world’s top golfers who brings a quiet confidence to his game. His craftsmanship and talent in the game of golf have spilled over into one of his other passions in life – wine. Guardian Peak wine estate is testament to the man himself.

We discovered Guardian Peak because I had planned to find Hidden Valley, which sounded the perfect place to go for lunch! Always starting out with my stomach in mind, I plan our wine tours around the food element, then see what other estates are within a short distance for us to taste their wines.

Guardian Peak is not even listed on the John Platter maps! You will need to look under Ernie Els, which is a stones throw across the valley off the same road. We headed across country from Woodbridge Island in Table Bay north to the Stellenbosch outskirts on the R44 to Strand.

Taking the little route up into the mountains, we pass a number of other wine estates on our way up the valley.

Looking appealing in the bright summer sun and ever one for an adventure especially where wine is concerned, although we could find no information about it, we decide to stop and taste.

Perched on the slopes of the Helderberg mountain range, Guardian Peak’s views are breathtaking! A lovely terrace leans out into the surrounding countryside and becomes one with nature whilst you sip your wines, all the time being fanned by cooling mists of water from the overhead air conditioning. Meanwhile your wines are served by very knowledgable and friendly staff who ooze with the same quiet confidence that Ernie himself exudes and which is evident throughout his many business interests.

The wines are like the view – quite breathtaking! You will have to taste to understand. Let the flavours of South Africa seep through you whilst you soak up that view and feel complete relaxation flood your body as you immerse yourself in your surroundings.

Did we make it to Hidden Valley?

No – being holiday time it was full, but to be truthful we had already discovered a gem. Next visit to the South African wine route will include a booking for lunch and another tasting of those superb Guardian Peak wines.

So what about Graham Beck, I hear you say? I’ll reveal all tomorrow …

For an unusual safari in South Africa, take 2 Jack Russell dogs, 2 bicycles and two girls and travel where your fancy takes you!

Maria and her friend Liani made up their minds to travel around their native South Africa on a voyage of discovery.  In their own words this is how they got started …

“It was one night, at a get together, surrounded by friends and family, when the reality of the moment struck. What was usually fun and games, turned stale, suddenly! Stuck in the proverbial rut! The moment was too big to ignore, so, the obvious question was, where to go from here? So as if by design, we set off to St Lucia, to new horizons, self discoveries, and a tremendous awakening.”

Their blog is called My Life Changing Journey.

Go and read the rest of their inspiring story and let me know where you want to plant your own feet in their footsteps …

Tailor Made South Africa Travel is being joined by a new family member! No, not a person, but another website, Tailor Made Australia Travel. We are delighted to introduce Tailor Made Australia Travel as the luxury Australia travel sister to Tailor Made South Africa.

Like our personalized South Africa itineraries, we are working closely with an Australian specialist to bring you the very best in luxury Australia travel, so don’t forget to visit and find out how we can help you have the best luxury Australia travel you can get!

Don’t forget to claim your free special report, ” 9 Sure-fire Ways To Have The Safari In South Africa You Always Wanted” – it’s jam-packed full of great tips to make sure you have a fantastic luxury safari in South Africa.

Our safari in South Africa has taken us from Port Elizabeth down to Knysna on the Garden Route for two days.  Definitely not long enough to explore this wonderful region, but enough to give the children a taste, so that we return to explore in more depth another time.

From Knysna we went back to Tsitsikamma Forest, which is north on the N2 and we drove through the forest down to Storms River.  We crossed over the Bloukrans Bridge, stopping to view the highest bungy jump in the world, at 216 meters.  Even watching someone else, a tiny dot beneath the road bridge launching themselves off the edge into the most spectacular gorge gave me goosebumps!

Having arrived at Storms River we received disappointing news that the suspension bridge across the mouth of the river was out of action due to fires which have brought rock falls along the boardwalk.  We were only able to do 500 meters of the boardwalk, but even this short distance was through the dense forest and worth our visit. 

Back in Knysna we had wanted to go on the Outeniqua Choo-Choo, a spectacular steam train ride to George across the lagoon, clinging to the coastline, crossing river mouths and mountains.  However, we were thwarted here too due to the incredible winter storms that the area has encountered.  Many parts of the track have subsided into water or suffered rock falls.  We sincerely hope that they will be able to restore the track soon, as Knysna without the wonderful sight of the Choo-Choo train chugging across the lagoon is to miss a great part of the fun!

The beaches in Knysna lived up to the memory though.  Turquoise blue water with white horses riding on the crest of the waves crashing onto bone white sand, whilst the sun shines down.  We didn’t see any dolphins this time, but they do regularly play-surf through the waves, and who can blame them.

Supper the first night was down at Paquita’s at Knysna Heads.  Great place to watch the sun go down, whilst you munch your way through the freshest of fish and sip the best of the Cape’s crisp white wine.

Our safari in South Africa has progressed to Port Elizabeth, the northern start to the Garden Route.  As the plane glided into the airport, the pilot announced that we were approaching the Windy City.  Unfortunately, so far it has lived up to its name!  The weather has been rather cloudy, in the main, although in the very hot sun that shone through yesterday morning, I have managed to get some sunburn and that was with sun screen on.

As I write hard driving rain is pouring down, so I guess that the best place to be is here in the internet cafe writing to you.

We are here in Port Elizabeth for our chidren’s tennis which started yesterday.   When the tennis finishes we are driving back to Cape Town down the Garden Route to show the boys wonderful places like Knysna, Brenton Beach and Noetsie. 

Bearing in mind that it is high holiday time here, it is amazingly quiet and we are enjoying our free time.  Everyone we meet is so friendly and eager to assist us. Where we are staying is lovely, clean and airy.  Our hosts, Margaret and Brian come from London, UK and are very accommodating.

When we get back to Cape Town, I’ll post some photos of our wonderful day out to Franschhoek last Monday and our first visit to the Waterfront, Cape Town.

We have arrived!  Cape Town is as lovely as ever!  It’s like coming home and we are lucky enough to be able to call it our second home, but Cape Town has this magical effect on anyone who visits!

Table Mountain stands as resolute and protective as ever, standing guard over the harbour and bay with the sea sparkling in the warm early summer sun.

Here on the Lagoon we have already sighted Oyster Catchers, Spoonbills, Egrets, and the pretty Turns, who swoop and dive as one on the evening breeze.  The dipping and diving of the Cormorants entertain us all.

Tomorrow is the first time in 26 years that I have celebrated my birthday here in Cape Town, so we are off to Franschhoek to The Petite Ferme, a wine estate and superb restaurant, where we will dine at lunchtime, gazing down over the rolling hillside towards Franschhoek itself, across the vines all laid out to catch the sun.

Franschhoek is about 1 – 1 1/2 hours out of Cape Town.  Surrounded by towering mountains, the French Huguenots founded the town some 300 years ago, bringing with them their skills of wine making and grape growing.  Coupled with French culinary abilities, they created a unique culture that has survived and grown into the beautiful valley that is Franschhoek today.

The galleries and shops in the main street offer hours of interesting browsing and shopping from wine to nik naks, antiques to souvenirs.

Staying out in the winelands and in Franschhoek in particular, offers wonderful opportunities for a number of activities such as fishing the clear-running streams for Trout, taking a horse and carriage ride through the vineyards, picnics, dining al fresco under the stars and a 101 other things that make a holiday special!

I am going to record the spectacular scenery on my new camcorder and hope to be able to bring you in the New Year my efforts!

22 months gestation for the elephant and 24 months gestation for my ebook …

Yes, I’ve finally done it! The frustrations have been considerable and far too many to mention here, you will be relieved to know, but I have now “given birth” to my “elephant”!

“An Insider’s Guide To South Africa: 101 Things You Should Know Before Visiting Cape Town” has hit the virtual “book stands” in the form of an immediately downloadable ebook in PDF format.

Find out those all important facts about a travel destination everyone has on their MUST DO list. Whet your appetite – here are just a few of the things you will discover within its pages:

• Looking for the insider secrets? Check out page 4 on where to look
• Find out why the Cape of Good Hope had an early change of name
• How the city evolved into today’s Cape Town – Castles, grand houses, luxury and magnificence
• Why Cosmopolitan Cape Town continues to thrive – how the buzz and energy seeps into your pores
• Discover the Gold of Africa – twenty carat gold chunks and glittering gold artefacts depicting the wealth and power of African kings
• District Six where you can find the history of apartheid and its devastating effects on the “ordinary” people
• The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront – a mecca for those looking for the finest restaurants, shops, entertainment, living. A must read – find it on page 25
• Day Jaunts and Overnight stays – the choice is yours
• Discover the beauties of Cape Point and swim with penguins
• Sip wine all day under spreading oak trees, with your picnic laid out beside you on the Wine Route
• Shopping, Entertainment, Sports – not just for adults, but all the best things for children to get delighted about too!
• Where To Stay, Eat and be merry … let us whet your appetite
• And much, much more … we are longing to show you how dazzling this city at the foot of Africa REALLY is …

It’s been nearly 24 months in the planning, writing, organising, uploading etc, but you can now get the book at Tailor Made South Africa Travel.

Do let me know what you think of the book! I’d love to know your comments …

.

Safari in South Africa generally means to go shooting photos with animals as your models, but the word safari also means to go on a journey. I want to take you on a journey to Cape Town, to a place where you can actually “shoot” photos of animals in an area which is not generally thought of as “safari country”.

The beauty of taking a safari in the Western Cape is that it is totally malaria free, meaning that you do not have to plan for months in advance, visit doctors, take malaria tablets, but you still get to see the Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and Cape Buffalo) plus many other plains animals such as Black Wildebeest, boks of many varieties, zebra and ostriches.

One such South Africa safari lodge is Aquila and they have a delightful video which I have added here. Take a look at it – sit back and relax for a minute while the music washes over you and the glorious pictures unfold before you. When you click on the links you might find that the low-band video produces the best results …

Now, tell me you don’t feel better for having watched! One word of caution, if you want to experience a safari anywhere in South Africa, you will have to plan ahead of time. Aquila is booked up well in advance, so the earliest you know your travel dates, the better.

Let us help you find that elusive booking though if you can’t book early. I can’t make any promises, but we can usually winkle out something …

Luxury Safaris to South Africa tend to conjure up pictures of people in 4×4 vehicles with nothing more dangerous than a digital camera in their hands.  However, we do get requests for hunting safaris where a gun is used to shoot plains animals such as bok, kudu, warthog and blue wildebeest.

What are your views on this sport?

The Cradle of Humankind conjures up images of a load of old bones!  I know, I’ve had that feeling.  One rather wet January day 2 years ago I was very kindly taken north of Johannesburg, across the not-so dusty veld to Maropeng, the new visitor centre that had just opened at the Cradle of Humankind.

I was reminded of this visit by the excellent report in travel.iafrica, which takes you through the  Sterkfontein valley to the Caves where Dr Robert Broom un-earthed Mrs Ples.  This World Heritage site is well worth the visit to discover over three million years of human habitation.

Maropeng was facinating!  Definitely not a load of old bones.  Taking us through the years and bringing us bang up-to-date with green issues, it is thought provoking and insightful.  A great place to take children of all ages, young and old to press, pull, whirl and listen to the dusty old subject of where we all came from.