Grootbos gallery impresses
Situated in the Overberg between Stanford and Gansbaai, Grootbos Nature Reserve is known around the world for its 3 500 ha of pristine wilderness, 100 endangered plant species, 907 plant species, of which seven new to science were discovered here, three Milkwood forests over a 1 000 years old, the wonder of the marine big five and more than 23 mammal species found on the reserve. The best part of visiting the Grootbos Nature Reserve is to get up close and personal with the work its foundation does. At a Grootbos...
TWO South African markets ranked among Top 20 in the world
Just as food seems to taste better when being consumed outdoors, shopping feels more real when wandering around a market. South African markets – be they farmers, flea or street – are not only among the best on the African continent, but among the finest in the world. Two Gauteng-based markets have been ranked in the world’s Top 20, according to a recently released ranking by Merchant Machine. In addition, no fewer than 12 South African markets haven been ranked in Africa’s Top 20. The Victoria Yards market in Johannesburg and the Market @ The...
Harbour to welcome cruise liner
The Easter weekend is upon us, and it usually attracts thousands of visitors to Hermanus. On Saturday, Hermanus will receive another financial boost when the Silver Cloud, with 254 passengers on board, will drop anchor in Hermanus. This small cruise ship, operated by SilverSea, was the fleet’s first to take service in 1994. Since her maiden voyage there have been extensive upgrades, including the reconfiguration of an observation lounge. The ship primarily sails on expedition cruises, which include the polar regions. The Silver Cloud stands out as one of the highest crew to...
Hermanus Camino
Time to take a long, meaningful journey on foot. You’ve probably heard of the Camino de Santiago, the most famous pilgrimage route in the world. Once you start looking into this concept of “Walking Your Way”, you discover caminos all over the world (Australia has recently launched its own). South Africa has a dozen or so, mostly in the Western Cape – which opens the door to some remarkable routes and experiences. From the Winelands, West Coast and Cederberg to the Overberg, Karoo and Garden Route, these caminos truly do take “the...
Swap Stellenbosch for this underrated South African wine region
The Hemel-en-Aarde valley, 90 minutes from Cape Town, is one of the country’s most beautiful areas with fewer crowds and stays that are half the price of the more touristy wine routes “Quick, wind your window up,” my dad would call from the driver’s seat as a plume of red dust threatened to engulf our hire car as it trundled along the gravel road. Since the late Nineties this has been our annual ritual on the hot, sleepy drive from Cape Town to Caledon, a town in the Overberg region of...
South Africa’s Hemel-en-Aarde: A Chardonnay paradise
In just a few decades, this arrestingly beautiful part of South Africa’s south has risen to join the elite of regions reputed as top-quality sources of the world’s best-loved white grape. One of the most southerly wine-producing areas in the world, South Africa’s Hemel-en-Aarde Valley has rapidly gained a reputation as the source of striking, high-quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines. Anthony Hamilton Russell, of Hamilton Russell Vineyards, is one of the region’s leading advocates. ‘I know I am biased,’ he tells me on a recent visit, ‘but, with few exceptions, Hemel-en-Aarde makes the finest Chardonnay...
Top 30 Things to Do in Hermanus
Located along the stunning coastline near Cape Town, Hermanus is a great place to spend your holiday with incredible natural beauty, awesome attractions, and a large selection of activities to take part in. Hermanus is known for its beautiful views, amazing beaches, and a lot of outdoor adventures, but what to do in Hermanus is the question, In this guide of things to do in Hermanus, we’ll explore the various facets of this seaside town, exploring its beaches, activities, restaurants, and noteworthy wine estates, let’s jump right into the Top...
Vegan Cheese made in Stanford
Fauxmage is a small boutique factory in Stanford producing vegan chees- a contradiction in terms you may think, but that certainly does not detract from this animal-friendly product's flavour. Fauxmage owner Daniel Boshoff arrived to open up with a bunch of fresh rosemary in hand, plucked from his home garden and apologised for his assistants who would be a little late as they had been held up by a dairy herd crossing the road. you get the feeling that the people involved in making Fauxmage care about animals and the planet,...
Pick n Pay partners to ‘save the whales’ with MRI Whale Unit
'Save the Whales’ is more than another call by environmental activists. The retail giant Pick n Pay has partnered with the University of Pretoria's (UP) Mammal Research Institute (MRI) Whale Unit to create their latest unique reusable bag to raise funds and create more awareness about the research of the Whale Unit on the southern right whales. The bags, with beautiful photos of whales, include the names of the 11 southern right whales tagged in October 2023. Customers can learn more about the cause through a QR code on the bag,...
Buffel steel strandgangers se harte
As daar nou een onderwerp is wat meer aandag kry as die onlangse staatsrede deur President Cyril Ramaphosa en Bafana Bafana se derdeplekoorwinning by die Afrika-beker, is dit Buffel die olifantrob, wat hom op Onrus se strand kom tuismaak het. Mense kom van heinde en ver om hom te sien en selfs Steve Kirkman, wat Buffel 10 jaar gelede in Buffelsbaai raakgeloop en hom so gedoop het, het hom kom besoek. Hermanus Times is met oproepe oorval oor die nuwe, bekende "inwoner" en Kathy van der Straaten het foto's van 'n jong...