Lost beauty of The Marine Hotel restored.
Grand Dame of Hermanus, The Marine Hotel, has dusted off a long-forgotten ballroom that was previously functioning as a storeroom. Architecturally there has been careful consideration to restore the distinguished arches and one is taken back to the era when this space was used for dinner parties and dancing in the 1920s â the same time that Sir William Hoy visited Hermanus â then known as the Riviera of the South. The transition is complete and Hermanus now has a brand-new function venue. Wireless connectivity and the ability to fit 60...
‘Hop on over for a big welcome back’
Time to pop the cork on that Brut Cap Classique from Domain des Dieux- the little winery tucked high up on the slopes of the Hemel en Aarde valley, producer of last yea's most lauded bubblies..Never heard of it? Thats the point. Cape Town is bordered by six viticultural regions which in turn encompass 26 districts - literally hundreds of wineries an hour or so from the centre. with tasting room windows invariably framing picturesque vineyard views; many offering great meals. Pippa de Bruyn ...
Top 7 things to do in Hermanus
Hermanus, a picturesque coastal town nestled along the shores of Walker Bay in the Western Cape, is renowned as one of the worldâs best destinations for land-based whale watching. However, this charming town offers much more than just whale sightings. With its stunning natural beauty, vibrant marine life and a plethora of activities, Hermanus has something for everyone Whether youâre a nature enthusiast, an adventure seeker, or a lover of art and culture, Hermanus promises an unforgettable experience. Here are some of the best activities to try out in this beautiful town. Whale watching Hermanus...
Walker Bay in Cape Town â take a walk on the scenic side
Stanford is the perfect base from which to explore all the wonders Walker Bay has to offer. An easy 90-minute drive from Cape Town, Walker Bay is a scenic slice of the Overberg stretching from Hermanus in the west to Gansbaai on its eastern flank. Walker Bay Nature Reserve includes a large section of coastline, with the Klein River lagoon at its back. Following the Klein River up its meandering path, youâll soon stumble upon the quiet village of Stanford. Iâve always driven past en route to Gansbaai or further afield, promising myself...
Bientangsâs Cave win at 2023 International Tourism Film Festival Africa
Bientang's Cave Restaurant & Wine Bar at the Hermanus Waterfront recently placed second in their category (Tourism Service: Restaurants) at the 2023 International Tourism Film Festival Africa (ITFFA). ITFFA is a prestigious film festival that recognises excellence in tourism marketing and promotion. Bientangs film tells the story of the cave's discovery and its history and highlights the cave's natural beauty and its potential for tourism. The judges were impressed by the film, which captures the beauty and uniqueness of the cave in a way that is both informative and engaging. The...
South Africa finds Pinot’s sweet spot.
Pinot Noir has been fashionable for two, possibly three, decades, but South Africa has taken its time to identify where this delicate grape has the best chance of prospering. The country now seems to have found its sweet spot: on the south coast west of Cape Agulhas, Elgin and particularly in an underpopulated valley that is known as âheaven on earthâ â Hemel-en-Aarde in Afrikaans â in the hinterland of the whale-watching resort of Hermanus. At the turn of the century there were just six wine producers in the valley. By...
Tesselaarsdalâs new Eco Domes
Discover the Serene Beauty of Pom Gratz Eco-Domes in Tranquil Tesselaarsdal / Western Cape By now, youâre all aware of our passion for discovering and exploring captivating destinations in stunning South Africa. So when we learned about the emergence of new Eco-Domes just a little over a 1 hour and 30-minute drive from Cape Town, we simply couldnât resist the opportunity to experience them firsthand. A BIT OF HISTORY Having been an enthusiastic Twitter user for some time now, I had the pleasure of connecting with Mike. We occasionally interacted online, and little...
Colors of Childhood
Overstrand Tourism will be participating in The Colors of Childhood Inspiration as part of an International Art Festival organised by the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. This is in celebration of International Childrenâs Day on 1 June 2023. The invitation is open to children younger than sixteen years and the discipline will be painting. Organisations facilitating childrenâs art development can contact Overstrand Tourism at ajantjies@overstrand.gov.za with proposals for participations. ...
Hermanus Camino continues to grow in popularity
The Hermanus Camino continues to grow in popularity and 2023 is turning out to be a great camino year. This incredibly beautiful slackpacking route takes 6 days and offers a great variety of flora, wildlife and a birdâs eye view of Walker Bay, Stanford and the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. The organisers of the Hermanus Camino and their support staff have been praised by the Overstrand Executive Mayor, Dr Annelie Rabie, for developing a well thought-out walk that offers something unique to people enjoying the outdoors and who appreciate their natural surroundings. Mayor Rabie said...