Dwarsberg Trout Hideaway is a beautiful and tranquil haven situated on a working fruit and wine farm. Travelling through the small town of Rawsonville in the Western Cape, there are vineyards as far as the eye can see. You’ll soon arrive at a signpost instructing you to drive another 5km before you arrive at your cottage or campsite. Since it was the middle of winter and I’m not a camping kinda girl (Glamping – yes! Camping – no!), we stayed in a self-catering cottage that was unbelievably adorable and charming.

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I fell in love with Franschhoek a long time ago. My first visit was back in 2003 while we were living in the Cayman Islands and in South Africa on holiday. Having been to many wine valleys since then, Franschhoek still captures my heart and I have a constant yearning to return to this magnificent valley that has created special memories over the years.

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Is it just me or do you sometimes feel that the hectic pace of city life becomes a bit overwhelming? Please don’t get me wrong – I absolutely adore living in Cape Town and enjoy everything the Mother City has to offer.

But sometimes, a change of scenery is needed to soothe one’s weary city-dwelling body, mind and soul; a place where you can relax, recharge and just breathe. I recently discovered the perfect place to do just that. And it’s just over an hour’s drive from Cape Town so it’s perfect for a weekend getaway. Whether you’re looking to celebrate a special occasion with a loved one or enjoy some new adventures with your besties, Essere Lodge is the place to be and makes for an ideal country stay.

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