There’s more to see in the Western Cape than just the Mother City. There are holiday gems hidden deep within the West. Come, join us, let us give you some insight.

Stellenbosch

A historic town that possess a rich cultural heritage, it is the heart of the wine industry and also a colourful university town. It has quite a number of indoor and outdoor activities for the whole family. Stellenbosch has activities such as: galleries, museums, music, art crafts, wining dining, golf, swimming, fishing, canoeing and many more.

When you get there, book yourself into the Banhoek Lodge. It is located in the heart of the wine lands, it offers an extraordinary visit. This newly modernised lodge offers chic rooms that have a tranquil energy. The view from each of the rooms will leave you breathless. All rooms have a private balcony or patio.

Banhoek also has 4 splendid fine-dining restaurants, namely Delaire, Graaf, Tokara and Boschendaal.

If you’re a wine fanatic, Banhoek has a walking and wining excursion. The lodge is situated within a walking distance to five unique wine tasting rooms. Don’t forget to book their spa treatments. Bear in mind that their massages can be done in the comfort of your own room. Talk about pampering…

If you’ve never had, the experience of being to a gallery, use your Stellenbosch trip to visit the Cavalli Gallery.

They have a fascinating collection of art and whiskey. They have a stunning wine tasting room, in a cellar below the restaurant; this enables you to see the owner’s collection. Their art exhibitions has art by South Africa artists. And guess what? They have a farm, it is a must see for lovers of fine art and horses, though it is advisable to call in advance, in order to visit their air conditioned stables. We’d suggest you bring a camera along; such sights are quite memorable and should be captured.

Robberg Nature Reserve: Plettenberg Bay

Situated 8km South of Plettenberg Bay, on the garden route. The Robberg Nature Reserve, is not only a national monument, it is also a World Heritage Site in Western Cape.

The centrepiece of this nature reserve is the rare Blue Duiker, the Western Cape’s smallest antelope, alongside one of the seven climbing-falling dunes on the Cape coastline; you’ll also get to see the highest navigational light on the South African coastline, at the Cape Seal lighthouse (46m above sea level).

The reserve extends 18km offshore, providing protection to a range of vulnerable fish species.

You can expect influential landscapes, invigorating Dolphin and Whale sighting, in season. That can be accompanied by hikes to view a variety of bird species and the occasional seal. Swimming and picnicking are also fun activities you can do with your partner or your family.

As you probably know, the reserve has its own accommodation, The Fountain Shack, which takes about; two hours walk from the reserve as the way there, doesn’t agree with vehicles. But there are, other nearby options, such as the Robberg Beach Lodge. The lodge is two minutes from the beach and ten minutes’ drive from the reserve. The lodge has magnificent air conditioned accommodation and it has a view of the reserve. It features two outdoor pools, terrace and braai area. There’s also a porch, contemporary furnishings and earthly coloured walls.

A buffet breakfast is served daily and the bar serves a variety of beverages and local wines. As the lodge quite central, Plettenberg Bay restaurants, cafes and bars are five minutes away from the lodge.

My question is: When are you booking your ticket with Citiliner to experience the Western Cape’s hidden jewels?