Exploring the Cape - Inspired Living SA

Cape Town Lifestyle, Exploring the Cape, FAR Photography, Food, Lifestyle, Travel

Cape Point Vineyards Picnics & Sundowners

Cape Point Vineyards in the gorgeous Noordhoek Valley is the perfect venue for an afternoon picnic or sundowners. With a view of the breathtaking mountains, overlooking the vineyards and coastline stretching as far as the eye can see – what better setting could you ask for.

Cape Point Vineyards Picnic

Cape Point Vineyards are now offering either an afternoon picnic, served on Wednesdays to Sundays from 12:00 – 15:00 or you can have the option of sundowners and a picnic, which are served Wednesdays to Sundays from 17:00 – 20:00.

We spent a glorious evening there recently lazing on the beautifully manicured lawns sipping on bubbly and feasting on a decadent selection of cheeses, meats and preserves. There is a lot of open space to run and a jungle-gym, so definitely take the kids.

It is definitely well worth a visit and we intend to return soon, before the weather changes and the cold winter months are upon us!

Booking is essential so please call ahead of time. For more information please contact [email protected] or 021 789 0900 or visit their website for more details – Cape Point Vineyards.

Images: ©FAR Photography

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Discovering Cape Town – Franschhoek

As I have mentioned before we really enjoy taking trips out to Franschhoek, it is mere 45 minute drive from Cape Town, which makes it perfect for a day trip or a weekend getaway. I love visiting the area, truth be told I would love to move there! I just need to convince the rest of my family!

We took a trip out to this beautiful little town two weeks ago, the main purpose for our visit was to take photographs and gather information for my eldest daughters school project. The added benefit, for the parents, was a wine soaked lazy lunch! Franschhoek, in my opinion is by far one of the most stunning wine regions in the Cape! The town’s name Franschhoek is Dutch for ‘French Corner’, the area is steeped in history and home to The Huguenot Monument, which you can see in the photographs above.

Images: ©FAR Photography

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Beautiful Simons Town

If you are looking for something fun to do this weekend why not take a trip to beautiful Simon’s Town.

Simon’s Town

Simon’s Town sometimes spelt Simonstown, is a town in Cape Town, South Africa, which is home to the South African Navy. It is located on the False Bay coastline, on the eastern side of the Cape Peninsula. For more than two centuries it has been an important naval base and harbour (originally for the Royal Navy and now the South African Navy).

The town is named after Simon van der Stel, an early governor of the Cape Colony. The area is steeped in both history and tradition and is home to some wonderful Victorian architecture.

Simon’s Town is also the home of the False Bay Yacht Club which has keelboat regattas most Wednesday evenings and weekends.

Attractions

Simon’s Town is a popular tourist destination offering great restaurants and coffee shops. One of our favourite restaurants Bertha’s, is right on the pier and offers wonderful views of the harbour.

Other attractions include antique shops, galleries and fine walks. If you are feeling more adventurous you can take a Boat trip from Simon’s Town jetty. There are many options to choose from, these include harbour cruises, Seal Island boat trips, high-speed boat trips to Cape Point or even whale watching.

For the extreme sports junkies, there is Great White Shark cage diving, boat trips on offer. If you would like to go exploring, as well as getting some exercise then try sea kayaking, from Simon’s Town jetty.

If you are looking for things to do with the kids, pay a visit to Boulders Beach. Boulders Beach, located a few kilometres to the south of Simon’s Town, in the direction of Miller’s Point, is part of Sanparks. It is a pay-for-entry beach, made up of small coves of beautiful white sandy beaches. The water is calm and shallow, sheltered by giant Cape granite boulders. You will also see the colony of African penguins, which have called Boulders Beach home since 1985. Boulders

You can also visit the Scratch patch and mineral world. Kids love sifting through all the stones, to find the prettiest and most unusual colours!

Cape Town, Cape Town Lifestyle, Exploring the Cape, FAR Photography, Lifestyle, Proudly South African, Travel

Muizenberg Revisited

Muizenberg is a seaside suburb in Cape Town, South Africa, situated on the Cape Peninsula, on the east side of the False Bay coast. It is home to many examples of grand Victorian architecture, dating back to a time when the area was an exclusive seaside resort for the rich and famous. Muizenberg beach is one of the more popular swimming beaches in Cape Town and is considered to be the birthplace of surfing in South Africa.

This area comes alive during the summer season, with holiday-makers and novice surfers enjoying the calm, warmer water, which makes this stretch of coastline so popular.

There are a variety of surf shops, surf schools, restaurants, coffee shops and apartments located along the main beach pavilion – “Surfers Corner”. You have to visit Knead Bakery, when you are in Muizenberg and sample their scrumptious pastries, washed down with a glorious cappuccino!

As a teenager, my friends and I frequented Muizenberg Beach, catching a train from the Southern Suburbs along the coast. We spent many a day lazing in the sun, watching our friends surf and swimming in the sea. Visiting the area recently brought back many happy childhood memories! My eldest daughter is a keen boogie-boarder, so I can see “surf school” in her future!

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Discovering Cape Town – Cape Point Meander

What a beautiful weekend we just experienced in the Cape – the weather was truly glorious and it called for a much needed outdoor adventure! So on Sunday morning we packed the bikes and a picnic lunch and headed off to Cape Point. Cape Point as I mentioned before is one of the many attractions you can enjoy when visiting Cape Town.

Cape Point Meander

Named the ‘Cape of Storms’ by Bartolomeu Dias in 1488; the ‘Point’ was treated with respect by sailors for centuries. By day, it was a navigational landmark and by night, and in fog, it was a menace beset by violent storms and dangerous rocks that over the centuries littered shipwrecks around the coastline.

Once we got there the girls and the Dads set off on a bike ride and the mums took a leisurely drive to the “Thomas Tucker Shipwreck Trail”. We spent some time soaking up, the peace and tranquility of the beautiful setting, while waiting for the troops to return – from their bike ride.

After their 10 kilometre bike ride, we all set off on a meander along the beach trail. We had the pleasure of viewing a mother Seal basking in the sun, what a life! We also caught a glimpse of her pup frolicking in the waves – what a joy to see!

We also managed to see an array of bright spring flowers, a rather interesting looking Lizard, Bontebok, Ostriches and a troop of Baboons, what a privilege to see all these animals and striking vegetation, right on our own doorstep! After our walk we enjoyed a much needed picnic lunch and cold refreshments. What a glorious day out!

Entrance Fees: Children (age 6-16) and pensioners: R24 (return) | R18 (single), Adult: R58 (return) / R48 (single)