Travel Inspired Living SA

Inspired Living SA Travel Blog brings you great travel adventures from South Africa, as well as International destinations. You will find out more about the fantastic travel opportunities within the Western Cape and the greater South Africa. Read articles featuring the amazing places I have travelled, as well as what is on my Travel Bucket List.

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

Bot River

A few weeks ago we spent a long weekend in the small town of Bot River in the Overberg, which is just outside Hermanus. The town is nestled at the bottom of the Houw Hoek Mountains. The Bot River, where the town gets is name, meanders its way through a fertile valley surrounded by mountains covered in fynbos, historical wine farms and fields of wheat. The landscape it very pretty and a tapestry of colour to behold.

Hermanus is a mere 10 minute drive from Barton Vineyards where we were staying, so you are not too far away from civilisation if you need to pop out to the shops. If you are keen on a bit of wine tasting the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley is a must.

The farm we stayed on was very private and perfect for an escape from the city and long walks in the vineyards. We even had the pleasure of a rather curious Peacock walking on our front lawn! {photo’s of the Peacock courtesy of my youngest – Jessica}

Images: ©FAR Photography

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

Groot Constantia Cape Town

Yesterday we enjoyed a lazy lunch at Jonkershuis at Groot Constantia, eating delicious food and drinking great Cape wine! Jonkershuis Constantia is nestled in the historic core of the Groot Constantia Wine Estate, next to the historic Homestead and surrounded by ancient oak trees.

Groot Constantia

Following lunch we decided on a strolled around the magnificent estate gardens. A chance to soak up the sun and take in the glorious surroundings.

Groot Constantia is not only the oldest wine estate in South Africa but also a historical monument. The estate is home to two great restaurants and world renowned for producing great wine.

A bit of history on the farm“Groot Constantia was established in 1685 by the VOC Governor of the Cape of Good Hope Simon van der Stel, and was used to produce wine as well as other fruit and vegetables and cattle farming. Following Van der Stel’s death in 1712 the estate was broken up and sold in three parts: Groot Constantia; Klein Constantia; and Bergvliet. In 1778 the portion of the estate surrounding Van der Stel’s Cape Dutch-style manor house was sold to the Cloete family, who planted extensive vineyards and extended and improved the mansion by commissioning the architect Louis Michel Thibault. The house remained in the possession of the Cloete family until 1885, during which period the estate became famous for its production of Constantia dessert wine.

In 1885 the farm was purchased by the government of the Cape of Good Hope and was used as an experimental wine and agricultural estate. Following a disastrous fire in 1925 the house was extensively restored.”

The Groot Constantia trademark is one of the oldest surviving trademarks in the world today. It serves as a testimony of continuous high quality wine production and has won medals and awards since 1855.

Images: © Fiona Rossiter from Inspired Living

Cape Town, Exploring the Cape, FAR Photography, Pic of the Week, Travel

Pic of the Week

Pic of the week taken yesterday as the sun was setting – “painted sky”! A beautiful place, Barton Vineyards, Botriver, where we spent a few nights over the long weekend.

Africa, Children, Family, FAR Photography, Nature, Travel

Photography – Horsey Love

I love being out in nature and capturing its beauty. Horses are such beautiful elegant creatures and I could help but take these photographs. There is something so calming about Nature Photography, especially when the main subject is so beautiful! [Read more…]

4 Things I...., 4 Things..., Be Inspired, Children, Family, FAR Photography, Nature, Travel

4 Things I Learnt This Weekend

Children truly are better off without too much stuff! After spending a weekend away, with friends, in a rather remote area approximately 4 hours from Cape Town, I have realised all children really need, on vacation, is the company of other children and open spaces! This allows them the freedom to just be “children”! (After all children do not remember the accommodation “star” rating but they do remember the fun they had!)
Expectations can often obscure your experiences. This may be a tricky one to understand but I have found if you go into a situation expecting too much you are often disappointed – so my solution this weekend was to not expect too much and I was pleasantly surprised! I think it also allows you to make the most of any situation you find yourself in.
If you give someone the opportunity to achieve a goal, outside of their comfort zone, most often they will surprise you and themselves by actually achieving success. Allowing 11-year-old girls the opportunity, over the weekend, to drive a boat by themselves proved that you can in fact do anything you put your mind to. (We may have created a few “river rats” in the process!)
Last but certainly not least, I proved that I can survive without both my cell phone and laptop, I am not saying that it was easy but it can be done! Did I miss having these things – most definitely but let me tell you something interesting – I slept much better at night!