South Africa really is the “Rainbow Nation”, with so many contrasts in her diverse locations and landscapes. Whether you enjoy majestic mountains, breathtaking ocean views, observing wildlife right outside your door, or partaking of the cosmopolitan city life, South Africa has it all! The South Africa Tourism slogan is “A World in One Country”, and it really is true.
My second day in Cape Town, South Africa held so many incredible surprises that caressed my senses and uplifted my Spirit! We took a trip through the stunning Winelands in the morning and visited the Amy Biehl Foundation in the afternoon. Both of these experiences were awe-inspiring, and are deserving of their own blog entries, which will be coming soon.
After a very full day of living South Africa, we freshened up and headed down the Atlantic Coast to the Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, one of the “Leading Hotels of the World”, and part of the family run collection of boutique Red Carnation Hotels. This property was voted the “Best Hotel in Cape Town” in 2010, by Travel and Leisure USA. The drive and scenery reminded me of the Southern coast of California- so beautiful!
The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa is nestled inside an incredibly lovely natural sanctuary that is a World Heritage Site, though it is only 15 minutes from the vibrant city of Cape Town!
The hotel has 14 classic rooms with private patios overlooking the gardens, 11 mountain-facing rooms with views of the spectacular Twelve Apostles Mountain Range, 21 Luxury rooms, 9 Superior Sea-facing rooms, 12 one bedroom suites, 2 Garden suites and a Presidential suite. All of the rooms and suites have breathtaking views of the mountains, gardens and ocean.
The dining is unparallelled, using home grown vegetables and herbs from their very own garden, and they offer cooking demonstrations and wine tastings for your pleasure.
The hotel houses two heated pools, a cinema, a fitness room and a business center. They also have a “helistop” with helicopter transfers and sightseeing tours upon request. There are beautiful trails and mountain walks to enjoy at your leisure, and they will even prepare a picnic basket for you to take along! There is a complimentary shuttle service to the V&A Waterfront between 8 am and 8 pm, so you can have the best of both worlds- the romance and grandeur of this stunning oceanfront property where you can view whales and dolphins, and the excitement of Cape Town.
Lion World Tours, my favorite South Africa Partner, has some amazing packages that include this gorgeous property. Take a look at this option and let me make this happen for you! Don’t just Dream South Africa, Experience South Africa for yourself! I will, again and again!
Tamyra Nash
My Savvy Vacation
[email protected]
B = Breakfast INCLUDES:
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On arrival at Cape Town Airport you will be met by a Lion World Tours representative and transferred to your hotel.
The luxurious Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa lies where earth, sea
and sky meet poised above Atlantic rollers and flanked by the majestic
Table Mountain and her Twelve Apostles mountain range in glorious Cape
Town. This intimate 5-star hotel fully lives up to its stunning
location, with exceptional standards of service and relaxed Cape
hospitality providing the perfect counterpoint to its dramatic backdrop.
Deluxe guest rooms and spacious suites, two breathtaking pool gardens
magically perched above the ocean, the glorious Azure Restaurant
accompanying exquisite cuisine, wonderful friendly service with
endlessly seductive sea views. All barely ten minutes from the bustling
heart of the city, with nearby attractions including prime diving spots,
nature trails, and seals, dolphins, whales and penguins. Twelve
Apostles are also extremely proud to have been awarded the prestigious
honor of being named Southern Africa’s only “Leading Spa 2005” by The
Leading Hotels of the World for providing guests with a truly luxurious
and exceptional spa experience!
city with a diverse range of attractions, sights and activities to
offer and has something for everyone. From the landmark beaches of
Clifton and Camps Bay to the vibrant V&A Waterfront and Cape Town
city centre, the award-winning wine farms of Stellenbosch and
Franschhoek – time spent in Cape Town will not be forgotten. Cape Town
is a sophisticated city at the gateway to a majestic continent. The
Mother City is a place where old and new harmoniously converge – in
history, architecture, cultural pursuits and the essence of its people.
Warmed by the African sun, the city is dominated by a towering,
table-shaped mountain, set on a peninsula of soaring, rocky heights and
lush valleys, where two oceans converge- Indian and Atlantic. Immense
natural beauty, and the fast pace and bright lights of a great urban
centre meld effortlessly here. Firmly positioned on the international
map, Cape Town offers a myriad things to do and places to see, whatever
your tastes, inclinations or budget.
Tonight dine at the popular Azure Restaurant, in the Twelve Apostles
Hotel. A variety of exquisite dishes are created, including meat,
seafood and vegetarian options. From the smoked ostrich and green fig
salad, freshly shucked oysters or spinach and barlotti bean tortellini,
your taste buds will be infused by the finest of organic ingredients.
Azure is the first to introduce Fynbos cooking – utilizing this natural
wild vegetation from our gardens. Round your meal off with a
delightfully sweet dessert of chilled pineapple consomme or Bea’s baked
cheesecake taken on our terrace where you can enjoy the stunning views
overlooking the ocean.
crisp white and classic French-style red wines, the Winelands area is
also a treasury of rustic beauty and sprawling estates shaded by giant
oak trees. The backdrop of the Hottentots Holland Mountains, the white
gabled Cape Dutch homesteads and the oak-lined streets and lanes all
blend in to give this place a charm that will not be quickly forgotten.
See some of the wine estates that were developed by early settlers who
produced the wines sought after by Napoleon, Bismarck and royalty such
as Edward VII. Stop for a wine-tasting on an estate, where you will have
the opportunity to purchase some of the wines.
last full day in Cape Town for last minute shopping or a visit to one of
the many places of interest.Cape Town is a marvelous combination of natural beauty and historic
and cultural sites, offering world-class museums and bustling markets,
inviting beaches and lush gardens, as well as great restaurants and
wonderful shopping.
your hotel to Bushmans Kloof. The five-star exclusive Bushmans Kloof
Wilderness Reserve is the “world’s best hotel” according to the 2009
Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards!Bushman’s Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Retreat is an ecological
oasis, uniting luxury and nature, 168 miles/270 kilometers from Cape
Town at the foothills of the Cederberg Mountains.Bushmans Kloof is a proud member of Relais & Chateaux and is
recognized as one of South Africa’s Natural Heritage Sites. It is a
sanctuary to many endangered species of fauna and flora and home to more
than 130 ancient rock art sites, a sanctuary to more than 755 plant
species, and stunning waterfalls and deep ravines. Guests can enjoy
daily guided rock art walks and evening game drives, mountain biking,
fishing, hiking, canoeing and swimming in clear mountain rock pools.
Accommodations are elegantly appointed and furnished to create a
feeling of restfulness and peace. A subtle fusion of African and
European design enhances your personal space at Bushmans Kloof, while
small surprises and thoughtful details offer you a special welcome. The
rooms and suites all have designer en-suite bathrooms and private
terraces with magnificent views over rolling lawns, the river and onto
dramatic rock formations. The luxury and comfort of the bedrooms are
enhanced by hand-made bed linen and custom made fabric.
This afternoon enjoy a sunset game drive in open game viewing
vehicles, with drinks and snacks served at one of the many vantage
points in the reserve. Knowledgeable rangers lead the game drives where
guests can view at close range a variety of game, both large and small,
and enjoy the ever-changing vistas and vegetation.
tour, which provides the visitor with an insight into an ancient
culture that has been lost forever. Unique and unspoiled, this once
hunting ground of the intrepid San, is home to an incredible variety of
wildlife and plant species, and is a premier spring flower destination.The remainder of the day is at leisure to enjoy one of the other
optional activities available at Bushmans Kloof. Botanical walks,
mountain hikes and bird watching are available. Mountain biking down one
of the many rocky slopes offers a challenge to the very adventurous.
Fly-fishing enthusiasts may opt for a day excursion to the Biedouw River
to challenge the famous Clanwilliam yellowfish on a catch-and-release
basis. Swimming in one of the river’s crystal clear natural rock pools
or in the Lodge’s swimming pools offers welcome relief on a hot summer
day. Guests may also picnic in the reserve or simply relax on the
rolling green lawns alongside the river. Those who prefer more leisurely
pursuits can amble through the Homestead and admire the original
Bushmans Kloof art collection painted by artist Stephen Townley Bassett,
or relax in the comfort of the extensive library.The deep calm of the silent hills provides balm for the soul, and
sweeping vistas from the Cederberg to the Great Karoo provide a space
for the spirit to just “be”. The sounds of birdsong and trickling water
are relaxing as you lounge on the rolling green lawns alongside the
river and swimming pools, or wander among indigenous gardens and
fascinating rock formations, gouged out over eons. After dark, the River
Boma offers incomparable stargazing.
While at Bushmans Kloof you will have the opportunity to enjoy a
complimentary Signature massage to the value of ZAR550 per person.
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