We’re lucky enough to live in a country with the most incredible romantic getaways, often just a short road trip away. Here’s a round-up of some of our penny-pinching favourites.
Words Jill Kayton and Zainab Slemang
Die Rondekraal, Papkuilsfontein Guest Farm, Northern Cape
Best for wide, open spaces that burst into a riot of colour in spring, and stargazing at night.
Situated on a private farm outside Nieuwoudtville, ‘the bulb capital of the world’, Die Rondekraal is a stone and thatch cottage that oozes charm.
Who goes there? Nature lovers with a taste for culture and heritage.
Must try Sundowners overlooking the waterfall at the edge of Papkuilsfontein’s spectacular 180m canyon and an informative guided tour of the San rock art on the farm.
Good to know The cottage is well equipped for a self-catering honeymoon, but you can also order two- or three-course dinners delivered piping hot to your door (and judging by the rave reviews on TripAdvisor, we’d suggest you do!).
Rates R395 pp sharing; two- and three-course dinners from R180–R240 pp
Papkuilsfontein Guest Farm, Nieuwoudtville
+27 (0)27 218 1246
www.papkuilsfontein.com
Little Willow Brooke, Franschhoek, Western Cape
Best for a romantic bolt-hole within walking distance of Franschhoek’s culinary hub.
Situated above a bubbling stream in a thicket of willow and oak trees, Little Willow Brooke is a Cape-styled country cottage with all the trimmings: think tin roof, wonky terracotta paving and rough whitewashed walls.
Who goes there? Foodie couples who want to experience the buzz of Franschhoek, with somewhere quiet to cosy up at the end of a busy day of eating and drinking.
Must try A dip in your own private plunge pool and a picnic on the grassy verge down by the river.
Good to know Pop into the surrounding wine farms for a leisurely tasting and bring home your favourite vintage to enjoy with a braai on your stoep or next to the fireplace inside.
Rates R750 per couple per night
Dassenberg Road, Franschhoek
+27 (0)83 321 7008
www.littlewillowbrooke.co.za
Crawfords Beach Lodge, Chintsa, Eastern Cape
Best for a four-star beach honeymoon.
Situated in the seaside village of Chintsa, 40 km from East London on the Wild Coast.
Who goes there? Honeymooners looking for an all-inclusive tropical escape, without having to board a plane.
Must try Long beach walks, lazing by the pool with sweeping views down to the beach, dining on delicious, fresh seafood at the lodge’s restaurant … there’s no end to activities for post-wedding relaxation. Top of our books is a visit to Senses @ Crawfords, where the professional therapist will banish any residual stress with a Swedish massage, to be followed by a glass of bubbly in the jacuzzi.
Good to know Choose a sea-facing, front-row room for the best views.
Rates Seven-night, all-inclusive honeymoon packages start at R4 975 pp. While that’s a little over our pocket-friendly minimoons benchmark, it does include unlimited local drinks and three meals a day, which add up to a pretty sweet deal.
42 Steenbras Drive, Chintsa East
+27 (0)43 738 5000
www.crawfordsbeachlodge.co.za
Platbos Log Cabins, Rawsonville, Western Cape
Best for a peaceful and secluded waterside getaway.
Situated on a private farm, cradled by mountains in the breathtaking Slanghoek Valley in Rawsonville, just over an hour’s drive from Cape Town.
Who goes there? Eco-travellers who don’t want to sacrifice style and comfort.
Must try Fishing for bass from the outside deck of your cabin, with a cold drink in hand and nothing but the call of the fish eagle to break the silence.
Good to know There is no electricity, but the kitchen is fully equipped with gas appliances and the cabin has battery-operated solar lights. To get to the cabins, you need a 4×4 or raised vehicle (something with decent ground clearance).
Rates R1 380 per cabin per night
Slanghoek Road, Rawsonville
+27 (0)23 344 3138
www.platboslogcabins.co.za
Ndiza Lodge & Cabanas, St Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal
Best for the incredible diversity of wetlands and wildlife
Situated near the Umfolozi River mouth in St Lucia, a World Heritage Site.
Who goes there? Adventure-loving couples.
Must try A sunset boat cruise on Lake St Lucia estuary, home to an abundance of wildlife, including hippos and crocs.
Good to know Ndiza really knows how to treat newly-weds – apart from a complimentary three-course seafood meal served with wine at a private candlelit table, honeymooning couples will also receive a voucher for a two-night stay on their first anniversary.
Rates From R495 pps per night, including breakfast
153 Hornbill Street, St Lucia
+27 (0)35 590 1113
www.ndizastlucia.co.za
Magoebaskloof Getaway, Haenertsburg, Limpopo
Best for a rustic and relaxed mountainside escape
Situated in Magoebaskloof near Haenertsburg and Tzaneen, a three-hour drive from Pretoria. Book one of the three self-catering log cabins on the dam, backed by indigenous forest. Camping and caravanning sites are also available.
Who goes there? Active couples keen on hiking, fly-fishing and birdwatching.
Must try Pick up a map at reception and follow the two- to three-hour trail to the top of the farm, stopping en route for a refreshing shower under a crystal-clear waterfall.
Good to know Fly-fishing permits are available free to guests staying over – you only pay for the trout or bass you take home.
Rates From R650 per cabin per night
R71, Haenertsburg, Limpopo
+27 (0)83 449 7024
www.magoebaskloofgetaway.co.za
La Roca Guest House, Nelspruit, Mpumalanga
Best for exploring the nearby Kruger National Park and the incredible natural wonders of the Panorama Route.
Situated in a large subtropical garden adjoining Nelspruit Nature Reserve, La Roca is a four-star boutique guest house providing luxurious accommodation in tastefully decorated rooms.
Who goes there? Discerning travellers who appreciate value for money and above-par hospitality.
Must try Take a self-drive tour of the Panorama Route, stopping to marvel at the awe-inspiring Blyde River Canyon, God’s Window and the Bourke’s Luck Potholes. Unwind after a day’s sightseeing with G&Ts at La Roca’s glorious pool, with uninterrupted views over the reserve.
Good to know Mpumalanga’s capital city, Nelspruit, hosts the popular InniBos arts festival every year in July, attracting more than 200 musicians, actors and artists and some 100 000 spectators.
Rates From R1 000 per room per night, including breakfast.
56 Van Wijk Street, Nelspruit
+27 (0)13 752 6628
www.laroca.co.za
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Photographs Courtesy
Tasha Seccombe is a wedding and food photographer based in Elgin in the Western Cape. She finds beauty in life’s simplicity and has the gifted skill of capturing the…
Wilna van der Westhuizen, owner of well known and much loved Sweet Cakes is a qualified chef and baker creating intricate, one-of-a-kind wedding cakes. With clients such as Oprah Winfrey, Charlize Theron, the Presidency of South Africa and foreign dignitaries under her belt, you know you’re in good hands.
Sweet Cakes creates wedding day masterpieces that reflect your style and taste. ‘I’m passionate about everything I do, focussing on tiny details – like a pretty broach or lace from a bride’s dress that she wants to incorporate,’ she says when WA chatted to her. ‘When I meet my clients for the first time and we discuss their wedding cake, it’s as if I’m designing a masterpiece of true form, the ideas just keep flowing.’
Based in the Western Cape, Wilna willingly travels to meet with clients and to deliver wedding cakes at various venues. Having been in the industry for 10 years, she remains inspired and passionate, gaining inspiration from anything from a pretty piece of fabric to a bracelet or ribbon (while Pinterest remains a great bearer of ideas).
For a Sweet Cakes masterpiece, contact Wilna on [email protected]. Visit the website at sweetcakes.co.za.
Photographs: Courtesy Wilna van der Westhuizen
How to make a chair posy. What you’ll need • Fresh flowers and foliage • Floral tape • Floral wire • Ribbon • Pins Directions 1. In this…
Adore Weddings and Events is a KZN based wedding and events planning company headed by born romantic and experienced Wedding Planner Carolyn McNeil. Adore strives to bring to life your vision and hope for your special day.
‘I have a deep love for wide open spaces and growing things,’ says Carolyn when WA chatted to her. ‘I simply love weddings and feel honoured to be invited to be a part of someone’s special day.’
The Adore Weddings and Events team offers a variety of coordination, styling, flower and decor options. ‘We adore all things romantic, eclectic and wonderful, and aim to partner alongside our clients to create a uniquely tailored, stress free and memorable experience of laughter, love and light for you and your guests.’ We thought it fitting to ask Carolyn a few questions about wedding decor and styling trends right now.
What are the 5 hottest wedding trends this year?
A continuation of the gorgeous copper, gold and rose gold trend.
Raw wood tables.
Whimsical, boho weddings with wreaths, vines and pretty, loose, asymmetrical flower arrangements.
On the opposite side of the style scale, a return to very clean lines, clear glass, symmetry and pure white decor and flowers look set to happen toward to middle of 2015.
We’ll begin to see an introduction of deep burgundies, purples, cobalt and blacks as base colours, teamed with rich golds and / or silvers.
How do international trends differ from local trends?
The South African market tends to follow the international market by a season or two. That being said, Pinterest and social media have bridged this gap largely and often homegrown weddings are bang on trend with international markets. I do see a more personalised look for South African weddings, with personal and intimate details included in the decor and stationery.
What’s the most important things to remember when planning a wedding?
Remember why you’re planning this day. When details, budget and expectations become overwhelming, remember that the entire point of this day is that you’re marrying your best friend, and sharing the beauty of that moment with your closest friends and family.
In your experience, what’s the best way to bring out a couple’s personality in the decor scheme?
I’m a personal fan of planning your wedding around your personal style. Your wedding should ideally be like having special people over to your home for dinner – just on a bigger scale.
What advice do you have for couples trying to decide on their decor and colour scheme?
Don’t follow a trend or fashion unless it is already your intrinsic style. You need to live with your wedding photos, so if your decor is something you will love always, and if it is very personal to the two of you, you will always love it.
If you wish to contact Carolyn about your wedding day, email her on [email protected] or call 083 364 4658. Visit the Adore Weddings website at adoreweddings.co.za.
Images: Courtesy