As a South African living in London for nearly 15 years it\u2019s always a treat to head home and rediscover what makes our Rainbow Nation so special.\u00a0 I am just back from a recce (gotta love my job!) to check out some of the #IconsofSA including the famous Blue Train, the tourist hotspot that is the V&A Waterfront, the Winelands and SA\u2019s\u00a0 first ever private game reserve \u2013 MalaMala and here\u2019s what I discovered\u2026
\nCITY OF TSHWANE
\nI grew up not far from Pretoria on the East Rand (my town was home to both actress Charlize Theron and Princess Charlene of Monaco so don\u2019t knock it) so it was lovely to rediscover Pretoria\u00a0 some 20 years (gulp) down the road.\u00a0\u00a0 We saw some of the historical spots (some of which have caused controversy since) like Church Square and the Union Buildings \u2013 and immersed ourselves in local events by partaking in the Tshwane Open master chef type \u201ccook off\u201d on the mayor\u2019s lawn!
\nHere\u2019s what I discovered:
\n1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tshwane (which includes the capital city Pretoria) has a new 9 metre bronze coated statue of Nelson Mandela with his arms held in an open embrace in the gardens below the Union Buildings, unveiled 16 Dec 2013 – a great modern tribute in a city that largely celebrated Boer history in the past.\u00a0 The Union Buildings are the seat of Parliament and this is also where Madiba lay in state after his passing.
\n2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A gem in the suburbs called Illyria House \u2013 the oldest 5 star hotel in Pretoria, run by the gracious and ethereal Marietjie van der Walt.\u00a0 Entering the villa\u2019s wrought iron gates is like stepping back in time \u2013 antiques, chandeliers, tapestries and murals transport you to another world.\u00a0 Not to be missed is the spa, the heated roman baths, Moroccan lounge and the fine dining on the patio.\u00a0 The hotel has just 6 suites so very exclusive!
\n3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Sheraton Pretoria is a fantastic property and a great base for exploring Pretoria with great views over the Union Buildings – and if you travel on The Blue Train in 2015 you get a free night\u2019s bed and breakfast plus station transfers (subject to availability and T&C).
\n4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I can cook!! My cooking partner \u201cFlora the Explorer\u201d and I won the title of \u201cBest Salmon of the day\u201d in our cook off with South African celebrity chef Fortunato Mazzone and Lorna Maseko, a well-known TV presenter!\u00a0 And our other #journosontour team (Kgomotso from SA Tourism, Susan from Best Bits Worldwide and Andrew from Family Traveller Magazine) won the prize for most creative presentation! Not bad straight off an overnight flight with little to no sleep!<\/p>\n
THE BLUE TRAIN
\nI am very lucky to have experienced this magnificent train a few times in my (many) years on the job and The Blue Train always more than exceeds my expectations.\u00a0 In fact it gets better and better – as seeing the familiar faces on-board and feeling like an extended part of their rail family makes it feel extra special.
\nHere\u2019s what I discovered this time round:
\n1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Even between the\u00a0 4 course brunch and 5 course dinner\u00a0 – with high tea in between \u2013 one can still find space for a few glasses of bubbly and some \u201csalty nibbles\u201d (mmmm biltong!) whilst watching the scenery pass by in the observation car! BLISS\u2026
\n2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Kimberley Hole Museum is fascinating and a great off train excursion if the train is heading Southbound.\u00a0 The museum is fantastic \u2013 we all wished we could spend a few hours there.
\n3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Chef Esther cooks up incredible cuisine from scratch with her team in that narrow moving kitchen!\u00a0 Although I had to confess it was lattice beef loin we were gorging on \u2013 not \u201clion\u201d which seemed really adventurous on the menu, even for such an experienced chef!
\n4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Blue Train will be making a few trips up to the Kruger region in 2016 for those who wish to combine a safari and rail adventure. Contact us for full details on info@ethosmarketing.couk<\/p>\n
THE WINELANDS
\nOur first night in the Cape was in Stellenbosch – the second oldest European settlement and wine producing region in South Africa after Cape Town. Back in 1679 Huguenot refugees settled in Stellenbosch and planted grapes in its fertile valleys and soon it became the centre of the South African wine industry \u2013 and today has over 200 producers. It is also famous for its university, lovely shops, galleries, museums, and al fresco caf\u00e9 culture.\u00a0 We also spent a blissful morning exploring Franschhoek \u2013 largely considered the gourmet capital of South Africa and without a doubt one of its most enchanting towns.
\nI discovered:
\n1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 They have a great \u201cStellenblog\u201d where you can catch up on all the latest news and events – http:\/\/stellenboschexperience.co.za\/
\n2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If you are a foodie you will love a stay at owner-managed Majeka House!\u00a0 Tucked away in the suburbs surrounding the town, Majeka is an ultra-stylish quirky boutique hotel with its Makaron Restaurant offering an absolute adventure in fine dining!\u00a0 Chef Tanja is one of SA\u2019s top up and coming young chefs with Makaron nominated for the Top 10 Eat Out Restaurant Awards.\u00a0 Add to this a different wine for each course and I can promise you an evening of decadent dining you won\u2019t soon forget\u2026 each course is a work of art!\u00a0 Am I shlurring yet?\u00a0 And if you\u2019re not a foodie – the spa has real wow factor.
\n3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 For the ultimate in exclusivity hire out your own private villa at La Cl\u00e9 des Montagnes complete with dramatic mountain views, private pool, butler and \u201chome from (very luxurious) home\u201d ambience tucked away in its own working wine farm, just a stone\u2019s throw from the main road in Franschhoek!\u00a0 Your butler will make sure you wake up in the morning to the smell of muffins baking in your oven and bacon on the grill \u2013 and even fire up your BBQ\/braai for you in your garden later!
\n4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Franschhoek Wine Tram is a great way to enjoy visiting the various wine farms for tastings without having to drive\/stumble home afterwards!<\/p>\n
CAPE TOWN
\nWe had a wonderful day with the team at Ilios Travel who gave us a brief guided tour of Cape Town and dropped us off at the iconic V&A Waterfront, where Cape Town Tourism hosted us for a fantastic lunch at Isola \u2013 located on its own island at the One&Only Cape Town (the banana split was epic!).<\/p>\n
What I discovered:
\n1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The cable car takes less than 5 minutes to travel 704m to the summit of Table Mountain with 65 passengers.\u00a0 But the queues to buy a ticket can stretch for miles so I highly recommend pre-buying tickets online to avoid \u201cqueue rage\u201d.\u00a0 Tickets (R225\/\u00a313pp) are valid for 14 days in case the cableway is shut (it often is thanks to the wind so best to call and check).\u00a0 The two circular cabins can take 800 people up in an hour and rotate throughout the journey offering 360\u00b0 views.
\n2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I hadn\u2019t fully appreciated how you can be so close to the bustle and buzz of the V&A Waterfront yet on crossing Dock Road and going up the path to the Queen Victoria Hotel, you suddenly enter an oasis of calm and sophistication. And the views over the harbour and Table Mountain are to die for!
\n3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dash Restaurant is named after Queen Victoria\u2019s favourite pet but that\u2019s where the cuteness ends.\u00a0 It oozes sophistication!\u00a0 We were joined by the charming Waleed and Angelique from Newmark \u2013 good to have locals \u201cin the know\u201d to recommend the prawns tempura and the fillet of beef \u2013 all beautifully presented!\u00a0 The surprise amuse bouches were the best I\u2019ve had!
\n4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 City Sightseeing Tours run open-top red busses as an easy way to get your bearings.\u00a0 It is well worth getting their\u00a0 2-Day Ticket (about \u00a315) to take in all 4 of their tours (city, mini peninsular, downtown and wine)\u00a0 plus free Canal Cruise, Night Tour and Walking Tour.
\n5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Highlights of our all too brief stay included sundowner cocktails on the lawn at the Dock House pool bar and the famous breakfast buffet served at the Victoria & Alfred Hotel\u2019s OYO \u2013 made extra special by MD Neil Markowitz joining us to give us an insight into the Newmark brand.\u00a0 But I think my favourite thing was the view from my bed of the harbour by night!<\/p>\n
MALAMALA GAME RESERVE<\/p>\n
I have always known that the safari experience at MalaMala is hard to beat given that it was the first ever private game reserve in the country and is still its largest.\u00a0 Being a bit of a safari fanatic (the back of a landy is my happy place), a visit to this reserve was high on my bucket (and expectation) list.
\nWhat I discovered:
\n1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It is a very pleasant Airlink flight straight from Cape Town into Skukuza airport (the most gorgeous airport I have ever had the pleasure of visiting!)\u00a0 – and it was an even lovelier surprise that our driver managed to show us all of the Big 5 just on the drive between the airport and the lodge!
\n2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 At MalaMala it really is, as their motto goes, #allaboutthewildlife.\u00a0 We set off excitedly on our first game drive as ranger Greg opened with, \u201cWe usually like to ease guests into a safari slowly, but\u2026.\u201d\u00a0 Turned out there were some lionesses hunting just around the corner at the adjoining Sable Camp so we followed them excitedly as they stalked a herd of impala, knowing it was unlikely we would see them attack in broad daylight.\u00a0 Boy were we wrong.\u00a0 Suddenly it all kicked off and we watched a proper lion kill including them scuffling over the prize afterwards.\u00a0 WOW!\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A short drive later we came across a beautiful leopard.\u00a0 We followed her for a while and –\u00a0 unbelievably \u2026 we then got to witness the aftermath of her kill (not a\u00a0 good day to be an impala) and then what was possibly a bit of a romantic Friday night date over a steak dinner as a male leopard joined her.\u00a0 Did I discover anything?\u00a0 It is possible to see two big cat kills on a single game drive – I am still in shock.\u00a0\u00a0 Check out the series of videos:\u00a0\u00a0 https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/ethosmarketingUK
\n3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Main Camp and Sable Camp lie next to each other along the Sand River which runs for 20kms through the MalaMala reserve \u2013 talk about location, location, location!\u00a0 Rattrays at MalaMala is very luxurious and exclusive\u00a0\u00a0 – a little further down the river. Most game reserves would love to have this kind of river frontage!\u00a0 Just chilling in the infinity pool, I watched an entire herd of ellies walk right past the pool and then cross the river bed, stopping for a drink and play \u2013 and then a troop of monkeys kept me entertained sliding down a tree slide and playing in the water.\u00a0 Who needs a book when chilling on the pool loungers?
\n4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Our ranger Greg was not only a fountain of knowledge when it came to fauna and flora \u2013 he also managed to whip up an incredible breakfast for us in the middle of the bush \u2013 nearly burning our fry up when a herd of friendly ellies got a little close.\u00a0 Clearly they can\u2019t resist the smell of bacon frying either \u2013 or maybe it was all the fruit salad and fresh muffin?\u00a0 Thankfully both they and the monkeys drooling in the surrounding trees allowed us to enjoy our breakfast in peace\u2026<\/p>\n
All in all it was an incredible trip \u2013 I just wish we had had a little longer to linger and really soak up the atmosphere and explore the various locations a little deeper.\u00a0\u00a0 But as a small taste of some of South Africa\u2019s iconic experiences it was the trip of a lifetime with a great group of people.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sincere thanks to South African Tourism, South African Airways, and all the properties who hosted us on our trip.
\nPlease visit www.ethosmarketing.co.uk for more information on all these properties and follow @ethos_marketing on twitter<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Claire recently took a small group of hand-picked British journalists and bloggers around South Africa, in conjunction with South African Airways and South African Tourism UK, to rediscover some of its tourism icons…<\/p>\n