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, My Spaces, Proudly South African

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)

Images: © Fiona Rossiter from Inspired Living

Travel, Travel Wishlist

What is at The Top of Your Travel Wishlist?

Seen as we have a rather big wedding anniversary coming up at the end of this year, 15 years to be exact and two 40^th Birthdays looming in the not too distant future – I feel that a special, romantic, holiday is definitely on the cards. Yes that means travel sans children!

My Travel Wishlist

As both my hubby and I really enjoy cooking, eating and wine tasting, the idea of a “foodie” holiday is rather appealing. During our search, for the perfect place, we came across a website that offers just this sort of thing. The site is called “Tasting Places”, they offer “food holidays”: mainly to areas in Italy but also to Spain, France and Thailand. They also offer “bespoke” holidays, which they will tailor to your needs.

Alpujarras

The specific tasting experience that caught our eye is in Mairena, Southern Spain: “Cooking with Sam Clark”. This holiday would afford us the opportunity of a unique holiday destination, as we have never been to Spain before, as well as rather different culinary experience. Your journey will take you to Mairena, a small local village set high up, in the remote location of the Alpujarras, the mountainous region which stretches south from the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Typical Local Village

The chef presenting this “Spanish Experience” is “Sam Clark”; he runs an award-winning restaurant in London, along with his wife Samantha. The restaurant is called “Moro” and is well known for its delicious, authentically Spanish food. “The Clarks”, a British couple, as newlyweds, spent time travelling through Spain and Morocco in a camper van. On this adventure they learnt as much as they could about the cuisine and tastes, in these areas. They then went on to open their highly acclaimed restaurant, Moro.

So what can we expect from this gastronomic experience? The website, “Tasting Places”, promises an “informal yet intensive exploration of inspirational cooking”, which sounds like exactly what we would enjoy. Combined with the beauty of the country setting, the promise of wine tasting and a demo of cheese making – what more could you ask for.

Some of the dishes you will learn how to prepare and taste are: CAZÓN EN ADOBO -marinated fried fish, REMOJÓN -orange & cod salad, TORTILLADE PATATAS -potato cake and ROSCOS -round aniseed fritters – it all sounds mouth-watering! Sam’s recipes are said to reflect his love of Spanish food, especially Alpujarran food but he is also known to draw on influences from North Africa. It sounds like an altogether inspiring and enlightening experience.

Well this is definitely at the top of my travel wishlist! Hopefully we will make it there soon and I can bring back tales and photographs of my travels.

For costs and more details on this and their other “foodie holidays”, have a look at the website: “Tasting Places.”

FAR Photography, Local, My Spaces, Sunsets, Travel, West Coast

"My Spaces" – West Coast Sunset

On our last trip up the West Coast, of Cape Town, we visited the seaside town of Langebaan. Which we frequent because of the lovely beach-side cafes and restaurant’s to dine in. We were fortunate enough to witness, an extraordinary sunset when we arrived; I grabbed the opportunity and shot some wonderful photographs. I love capturing sunsets; there is something truly magical about them and I am always left in awe of the magnitude of beauty that surrounds us.

Image Source : ©FAR Photography by Supermom

FAR Photography, Local, My Spaces, Travel, West Coast

"My Spaces"

Something rather interesting has occurred to me lately, I find that I am approaching each new situation, with the expectation of a new and interesting “photo opp”. I lie awake at night thinking about what new adventures I will happen upon and how I can turn them into an interesting new photo project.

I am by no means a professional photographer but I have always found great joy in trying to capture a moment or a mood through photography. I have always been a very creative person and I find photography a good way to express more about myself and my environment.

My new project will be to explore “My Spaces”, be it my home environment or places that I find myself in. I will attempt to use photography to explore these spaces and transfer this, hopefully, into something interesting for others to share.

Through my blog, I have had the pleasure of ‘meeting’, other like-minded individuals and have been introduced to an entirely new world of creative photography. There are a few blogs I have come across that I have absolutely loved, one in particular is SimplyB Photos. The owner, Amy, is truly talented and I love the beautiful pictures of ‘Miss B’. I have entered her photography giveaway, even though we are miles apart, the luxury that the cyber universe affords you. Perhaps one day we will meet and be able to share our experiences, in person.

This weekend I found my inspiration from the full moon that I managed to capture at dusk, a truly surreal experience which my pictures could not do justice to. We were up the West Coast of Cape Town, which I have mentioned in my local travel section before. It is rather isolated place and the perfect loaction to see many of Gods wonders.

Full Moon - 'Close Up'

So join me, in my journey and exploration of “My Spaces”….

Cape Town Lifestyle, FAR Photography, Lifestyle, Local, Travel

Franschhoek

FranscHHoek

Franschhoek is one of my favourite local destinations, in South Africa. It is approximately an hour’s drive, travelling on the N1, from Cape Town. “Franschhoek” meaning ‘French corner’, is a beautiful town steeped in history and well renowned for good food and wine. For me it is the heart of the Cape Winelands and home to many of my favourite wine farms. My ultimate favourite is Graham Beck Wines {now Anthonij Rupert}; I love both the architecture of the buildings and the beautiful gardens on the estate. Not to forget the amazing wines, especially their Brut Rose NV, to be quaffed while lazing in the sun, while eating sumptuous cheeses.

The area is a gastronomic-delight; offering both good food and warm hospitality. There is a great variety of accommodation to choose from and we have yet to have had a disappointing experience staying there. Whenever we are afforded the opportunity to spend a romantic weekend away we inevitably end up choosing Franschhoek as our destination.

It is perfect for both winter and summer getaways; most guest houses are equipped for all seasons. The summers can be very hot, so remember to book accommodation with air-conditioning and a swimming pool. Winter on the other hand; which we found out in our most recent visit can be exceptionally cold. Especially when there is snow around, so go prepared and pack gloves! The most romantic thing about winter, in Franschhoek is relaxing next to a roaring log fire and sipping on one of the magnificent red wines on offer.

‘Rose Cottage’

Our most recent choice of accommodation was Rose Cottage, on the most picturesque Burgundy Bourgogne Estate. The cottage is four-star, self-catering luxury; it has an open plan kitchen, lounge dining room and an exquisite master suite. Each cottage has its own garden and swimming pool and a lovely covered terrace. Not to forget the striking view of the Franschhoek valley from the terrace.

So when you are next in Cape Town, take the time out to visit the charming town of Franschhoek and stay a while. There are shops, galleries and wine farms to explore and trails to hike, to mention but a few options. You will definitely not be bored.