A busy season lies ahead
With the summer holidays suddenly upon us it seems as if the Overstrand can look forward to a bumper season, despite the Covid-19 pandemic. “Accommodation facilities across all our towns are reporting bookings for the whole of the extended holiday period that runs into late January,” said Frieda Lloyd, Tourism Manager of the Cape Whale Coast. The busiest time is expected after 16 December up to 15 January. “As per normal, we are expecting many visitors who want to make late bookings, as this has become a new trend. At this stage...
Cape Whale Coast Restaurants taking Safe Eats Pledge
With the hard lockdown restrictions still fresh in mind and a real fear of a second wave of COVID-19 infections hitting the Overstrand, Tourism developed a Safe Eats Pledge stating 8 operational measures that make restaurants safer. And COVID compliant. The pledge was rolled out in collaboration with hospitality expert Vanessa Bisschop-Louw. Vanessa has done safety and service excellent training with a number of local restaurants especially those on the Hermanus Waterfront and in Hemel-en-Aarde. The pledge is visible confirmation of efforts made to enable a economic recovery for a sector...
Hidden treasure in Walker Bay
Marx Möhr, owner of local diving company Neptune’s Divers and Cruises found what seems to be the wreckage of a historic ship not too far from Hermanus’s Old Harbour. https://thevillagenews.co.za/hidden-treasure-in-walker-bay/?fbclid=IwAR0uBc94VeQFdG847pmlouoty89HJylvfnd0l9k4FYbbKhC4DiUkB8EkNQw...
The great Overberg Pie Debate
Who knew pies could be as polarizing as politics? Surely it's just something to scoff on a road trip? But when it comes to picking a pie in the Overberg, tempers flare, insults fly and friendships are put on hold. ...
Sustainable use of land vital for fynbos protection
Established in 1991, the Flower Valley Conservation Trust is making sure that it creates a fynbos-filled future for life and livelihoods. The trust is a non-profit organisation based on Flower Valley Farm, just outside Gansbaai. It focuses on fynbos protection in natural landscapes and improving livelihoods across the fynbos biome. Fynbos is part of the Cape Floral Kingdom – one of six global plant kingdoms. Many fynbos species have been exported for decades. Moreover, certain species, such as the king protea, Protea compacta and silver brunia are currently trending in Europe,...
Glamtrails in Southern Vines
Glamtrails are an exciting new tourism offering based in one of the Cape's picturesque, vineyard-carpeted corners: the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. ...
Over the hills and far away
Over the hills and far away Prolific travel writer Richard Holmes' globetrotting may be on hold, but when lockdown rules were relaxed, he headed straight for the N2 to rediscover these Overberg institutions and a few hidden gems, all open for business Continue Reading...
How to plan a culinary road trip around South Africa’s Cape Whale Coast
BY HEATHER RICHARDSON Take an epicurean road trip in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and Cape Whale Coast, sampling smooth wines and Saturday markets. The Cape Whale Coast, of which the whale watching hub of Hermanus is the centrepiece, is best explored by car, starting in Cape Town. Follow the coastline southeast into legendary wine country, stopping overnight to sample vintages from Creation and Sumaridge Estate, the produce of Hermanuspietersfonteim Saturday Market, and the sea-view restaurant Bientang's Cave. 1. Creation At the top of the valley is Creation, one of South Africa’s best wineries. Stop by its Tasting Room...
Young winemaker speaks of time spent in New Zealand
HERMANUS – His dream of travelling abroad and learning more about wines became a reality for Mount Pleasant resident Kirsten Myburgh. ...