Heritage & hospitality in Greyton...another Staycation discovery...

I was invited to celebrate the first ever Heritage Festival with the good people of Greyton this past weekend. It was a fabulous community event with all sorts of happenings… an outdoor market with arts, crafts, milktarts and more, horse and carriage rides, a street parade with amazing performances by local drum majorettes, gumboot and reel dancers, and afterwards, the cutting of the ribbon at the new Heritage Museum, by Mayor De Bruin.  

Greyton is a small town in the beautiful Overberg region, a breathtaking  area that stretches from Grabouw to Heidelberg, originally occupied by a Khoi tribe called the Hassequas. The village, named after Sir George Grey, Governor of the Cape at the time, was established in 1854 but in fact dates back to 1791 when the first farm called Weltevreden (meaning "well satisfied") was built and, some time later, subdivided into plots. Many of the town’s original buildings and features have survived, including the original leiwater (irrigation) system of street furrows, a blacksmith's house and forge and the first school's boarding house. There are also two very old churches (one is Moravian) and some of the earliest cottages that were built between 1854 and 1860 can be found in Vigne Lane (named after Herbert Vigne) and at the end of Vlei Street. There’s heritage everywhere you look, as I discovered on a short drive around the village, courtesy of Derek from Searle's.

Greyton is only 90 minutes from Cape Town and the journey is as amazing as the destination...the drive, partly via Route 406, is one of the most stunning in the Western Cape. Greyton is a perfect destination away from the city madness, an enchanting Staycation option to add to your list, and mine. There's a lot to do and see as well... the museum, mountain biking, canoeing or swimming for starters. Klaus Wehrlin does guided walks and hikes through trails lined with aromatic fynbos, and overlooking the most spectacular scenery….peaks, valleys, ravines, streams and waterfalls…it’s a truly gorgeous landscape, and is a must-do activity if, like me, you find being in nature therapeutic. Of course there's good food and wine to be had, and have it we did. To begin with, you simply can't do Greyton without spending some time at Searle's Trading Post where owner Naomi Herselman will make you feel like long lost family. She is the quintessential hostess with an incredible team... Netta, Nicolene and Fredwina, take a bow. Naomi is also one of the key people behind the Heritage Festival that is set to become an annual event around this time of the year.

 I had such a divine time in the village & really didn't want to go back to the city on Sunday. The tranquil atmosphere had really relaxed me and Lateral Paul, and the warmth and hospitality we received made us so reluctant to leave. I get the feeling we'll be returning soon.

So if you need a break and the holidays still feel so far away, then go have yourself a Greyton Staycation why don't you? Experience a change of scenery, where one night away will feel like many more, and where you can soak up a good dose of heritage until next year's festival comes around.  The Greyton Rose Fair is coming up soon...sounds like incentive to me. 

I can also recommend a few other fabulous places we experienced this time around, although believe me, there are many wonderful spots to enjoy, where you can indulge in great food and vino: Scarlet Pimpernel for accommodation where no two rooms are alike; The Hungry Monk for drinks and tapas in a gorgeous setting under the trees; Via's for a good coffee by Soa and of course Searle's where you should try the delish fennel and mango salad and thin based pizzas, enjoy a show in their cabaret theatre venue (check their Facebook page for details), and of course get loads of TLC.

First, the Heritage Parade...

A festive vibe...

Looking through the gate to the Heritage Museum...

Get your history game on...

The old Moravian Church...

The eclectic Scarlet Pimpernel were we stayed...

and Searle's...

where the mango & fennel salad is a must...

chased with a cider...

and then, walk it all off with Klaus Wehrlin...

such beauty...

quaint houses & lush greenery...

drinks at the Hungry Monk...a beautiful setting

Me checking my pics...I hope you liked them and that this blog post 

has inspired you to visit Greyton..

Thank you to Kathy Kelly for extending the invitation to myself and Lateral Paul to attend the Heritage Festival and for making us feel so welcome!

Two flights & a conversion

This past Friday has officially been clocked as one of my best days in Cape Town, ever. With two flights, a sublime food experience and an unexpected wine conversion, it was a gorgeous day and an unforgettable experience.

First stop on our outing was the five star 12 Apostles for lunch, a hotel & spa about five minutes from Camps Bay, perfectly positioned between the Atlantic and the Twelve Apostles mountain range, with superb sweeping views across an expanse of ocean towards Lion’s Head. Our gourmet meal was a delicious three course affair, made all the finer by the excellent service we received throughout at the airy blue and white Azure restaurant where Head Sommelier Gregory Mutambe, quite the expert, introduced us to the first flight of our day, a tasting of a selection of three amazing wines of our choosing. If it’s white wine I’m going to be having, then I’ll generally opt for a wooded chardonnay or chenin, but on this beautiful early winter’s day, let it be known that I was completely won over by the Bouchard Finlayson 2012 Sauvignon Blanc Reserve. Make no mistake, the other wines offered were wonderful, but that Reserve was something rather special and may just become my new favourite vino blanco.

After all that indulgent feasting that ended with panacotta and sorbet desserts and  'homemade' chocolates that were too divine for words, it was time for the second flight du jour, in a chopper, courtesy NAC Helicopters. We were escorted through the 12A, along a short trail behind the hotel that wound through aromatic fynbos (one of my best frangrances in life) to the helipad and then whisked off to the V&A Waterfront. What a breathtaking journey. We flew out over the bay, pulling up above Lion’s Head with Robben Island on the left and then cruised along the coast past Clifton, Camps Bay and Sea Point, coming in to land at the Waterfront facing Table Mountain flanked by Devil’s Peak and Signal Hill. 

Views to blow your hair back-it really doesn’t get any better than that. What a city we live in…it never ceases to amaze me.

This unique 12A offering costs R1650, and includes a one way helicopter flight (minimum two guests per flight) from the Waterfront to the hotel, a 3 course lunch at Azure with a flight of three wines, and a hotel shuttle back to the V&A. Spoil yourself with this…you deserve it. You may thank me afterwards.

An elegant entrance..

Foyer blooms...

A five star gourmet lunch...

A blue, silver-grey & white theme adds to the airy feeling of the Azure restaurant...

Bouchard Finlayson's Sauvignon Blanc Reserve, my conversion from Chardonnay is a fait accompli...

 Fans & fleurs...

Salads & sorbets...

Soft centred chocolates...

Masood Sadulla, Head Concierge, looked after us beautifully throughout our lunch and saw us safely on board...

Flight 2...ready for take~off...

In that...

Views...the scenic coast road, Lion's Head far left & the Twelve Apostles Mountains to the right..

Taking my Converse to new heights...

Looking down past a rotor blade onto the 4 blue flag Clifton beaches..

Sea Point...

Devil's Peak & Table Mountain, the City, & in front (right) the Cape Town Stadium...

Lion's Head & the V&A Waterfront in the foreground...

Back on terra firma with my fellow flighties, Janie van der Spuy (Five Star PR), Bianca Coleman (Saturday Argus), moi (Cape Town Diva/DIVA PR) & Hannah Deall (Cape Town Tourism)

All photographs by Allison Foat/DIVA PR

More About The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa

The five-star Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, situated on Cape Town’s – if not the world’s - most scenic route, recently celebrated its 10th birthday. Well established as the city’s leading boutique hotel, The Twelve Apostles Hotel is a member of Leading Hotels of the World and prides itself in offering guests that ‘personal touch’. Guests are five minutes from the most beautiful beaches and Camps Bay, 15 minutes from the city centre and V&A Waterfront, and within easy reach of many vineyards within the Cape Winelands. Helicopter transfers are also available to offer an exhilarating experience flying over the spectacular peninsula. Being at the water’s edge of a marine reserve means there are frequent whale and dolphin sightings in season. Surrounded by nature only, the hotel is flanked by the majestic Table Mountain and the Twelve Apostles mountain range within the Table Mountain National Park. The interior design is inspired by its namesake, creating a fresh, calming environment that artfully combines sophistication with simplicity, comfort and elegance. Guests are spoilt with spectacular views of the ocean and mountain views in each of the 70  bedrooms each superbly designed to provide the utmost comfort and style. The hotel has two swimming pools perched above the ocean; its award-winning health and beauty spa, Azure, the Café Grill, and the Leopard Room Bar & Lounge; a 16-seater private cinema; and meeting and events facilities for up to 90 guests.

City Walk, Cape Town...bring out your inner tourist...

Be a tourist in your own town and start with walking your city. Walking (and bicycle tours) are something I do in every new city I visit, always guided, but this particular Walk gives tourists and locals the opportunity to do an organised tour or go it on their own, at their own pace. I'm not a visitor mind you but lately I'm becoming more of a tourist in my town ~ it's amazing to discover what surrounds me in my hood and beyond. 

The newly introduced City Walk, made possible by the City of Cape Town, the CCID and the Cape Town Partnership, is a fine way to explore Cape Town and to get people walking instead of driving everywhere. The route runs from the top of Government Avenue where it meets Orange Street (opposite the Mount Nelson), then all the way down to lower Wale Street, down St George's Mall, over Strand Street, into Waterkant Street, onto the Fan walk and over the bridge and as far as St Andrew's Square. 

The oak tree lined Government Avenue and Company's Gardens are star attractions in the CBD. Aside from the wide open spaces of the Garden, there's no shortage of things to do and see. First up it's something of a tradition to feed the squirrels, pigeons and a more recent addition to the local wildlife, Egyptian Geese, with peanuts (vendors sell small bags for R5 each). For culture vultures there's the South African National Art Gallery, the National Museum and many historical statues all around the gardens. This past Saturday the theme was 'play' and throughout the route there were amazing things going on- giant scrabble, jumping castles, DIY chalking, frisbee games, book readings, face painting...and that was just for the little people.  

The monthly City Walk adds to the Big 6 list - Cape Point, Robben Island, Groot Constantia, Table Mountain Cableway, Kirstenbosch and the V&A Waterfront- making it the Big 7, the attractions you really shouldn't miss on a visit to our fine city.

As the press release says, the City Walk "...is a spine....that connects significant places in the urban heart of Cape Town through storytelling, public art, walking tours and retail offerings... "

I had so much fun doing this walk- bumped into so many familiar faces like Jitsvinger and got caught up by innovative installation art, puppetry, dance and more. The vibe was festive and the atmosphere celebrated the cultural diversity that surrounds us. The next themed Walk and related activities is scheduled to take place 16 May. 

The next City Walk Saturdays events take place on 16 May and 20 June – and every third Saturday of the month thereafter. Keep track of upcoming themes and events via http://www.capetown.travel/blog/entry/city-walk-to-fuel-cape-town-big-7.

Follow @capetownsoul on Instagram and use the hashtag #walkcapetown to see what you missed out on Saturday- it'll inspire you to participate in the next City Walk.

@allisonfoat (CapeTownDiva)

Readings all over the Company's Gardens...

Looking down Government Avenue...

The famous Art Deco building in Queen Victoria Street, next to the Company's Gardens

giant chess set...

giant scrabble

In St George's Mall

fire girls...St Georges Mall

the loveliest face of all...

A little fire display video here >
https://instagram.com/p/1oPSW-DyLY/

Akasha Mountain Retreat...a place to be soothed...

I'll say it again - the Western Cape is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. Every time I think I've seen the best there is, I come across another place that AMAZING and totally blows my hair back. Such is the Akasha Mountain Retreat, 3 hours from Cape Town and 12kms outside of Heidelberg in the Western Cape.

The first sight of Akasha as you arrive is an event in itself…. the panoramic views over the valley, the Duivenshok Dam and the Langeberg Mountains are spectacular and as soon as you step out of your car, know you’re in your own piece of secluded heaven. Space and silence. The best. Akaska is all about disconnecting to reconnect and getting your innermost being de-stressed, good and proper, by Mother Nature. 

Of course there are activities – kayaking, horse riding, fishing, art and music classes, meditation and hikes that include a trek to 250,000 year old San rock art sites. All this happens in and around the surrounding Boosmansbos and Kopberg World Heritage Sites, practically untouched by people and still largely undiscovered by tourists, although with all the Twitpics and Instagram uploads that went out during my visit, the cat is now out the bag! These sorts of environments tend to bring out the sloth in me so instead of getting too physical, I morph into go-slow mode, drifting in and out of day naps, disappearing into books and mags, taking slow walks through the fynbos, eating - a lot - and stargazing over a glass or three of excellent red wine.

The house itself, designed in a Cape Maroc style, is self catering (the upside is that you can order meals too - see the website), solar powered, and beautifully appointed with a dash of understated luxury. It sleeps 6 comfortably and there’s an additional cottage on the hill above the main house that can accommodate two. Chris van der Walt and his wife Elana are the two wonderfully hospitable owners. For anyone who is keen, Chris takes first time visitors on a ride in his quiet motor boat in the very early morning along the river, explaining some of the history of the area over rye sandwiches with cream cheese and jam, and cups of hot coffee from his flask - this gent is a host of note I must add. 

It's been forever since I've done a dawn outing and what a spectacular moment it was…such a magical time of day. The river was like glass, not a ripple, with the scenery perfectly mirrored on the surface of the water. I saw sugarbirds, hawks, swallows and geese flying low over the dam as the boat glided quietly along past rockfaces crammed with wild aloes and succulents. I felt like I was in a painting...

One of my highlights was being visited at the house by the 6 horses that the van der Walts have adopted, that now roam free on their land. It was incredible to be sitting sipping tea and have the herd casually walk through the patio archway and onto the lawns, where they proceeded to graze for ages. All in all, I left Akasha rejuvenated…get yourself there for some R&R…you deserve it to be soothed.

For more info > Phone: +27 (0) 82 090 1741 / Email: info@akasharetreat.co.za / www.akasharetreat.co.za

Go via Route 62 part of the way then  through the picturesque town of Swellendam and on through Heidelberg...